"Apple" is a song by English singer Charli XCX. It was produced by A. G. Cook and written by Charli XCX and released on 7 June 2024 from her sixth studio album Brat through Atlantic Records. It went viral on TikTok shortly afterwards, spawning a dance craze on the platform. The song was released to Italian radio through Warner Records on 2 August 2024 as the third single from the album. "Apple" earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.[1]
"Apple" | ||||
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Single by Charli XCX | ||||
from the album Brat | ||||
Released | 2 August 2024 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:31 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Charli XCX singles chronology | ||||
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Lyric video | ||||
"Apple" on YouTube |
Background and composition
edit"Apple" was teased on 8 September 2023 after Charli XCX uploaded a photo of her notebook, displaying the lyrics to a track called "The Apple". The track was again previewed on 2 April 2024 in a voice memo sent to her fans, which confirmed "Apple" to be part of her 2024 album Brat.[2] In the song, Charli takes a bite from a metaphorical apple, determines it to be rotten, and has an overwhelming urge to flee the scene.[3] The track addresses Charli's relationship with her parents and intergenerational trauma. "Apple" is used as a metaphor symbolizing both family connection and the nature of trauma.[2] The song utilizes retro 1980s electropop and synth-pop while keeping elements of Charli's signature hyperpop sound.[4]
Reception and cover versions
editMeaghan Garvey of Pitchfork found the track's fruit allegory "curious", but wrote that she had never had a Charli lyric "bounce around" her head in "the way that lines from 'Apple' have".[5] Gio Santiago of Resident Advisor wrote that the track "would have no issues turning an empty dance floor into a sweaty sauna"[6] and Ludovic Hunter-Tilney of the Financial Times opined that the track paid tribute to "the sound of the 1980s".[3]
The song went viral on TikTok shortly after release after New York-based actor and content creator Kelley Heyer uploaded a dance to the platform. Performing the dance involves body rolls, placing hands on hips, holding an imaginary apple above the performer's head, and pretending to drive a car.[7] By 28 June, Charli had filmed herself performing the dance alongside Troye Sivan, while similar videos had been filmed by various celebrities.[8] In addition, a version of the dance was produced by #AmishTikTok content creators, who substituted operating a horse and buggy for driving a car.[7] Charli later uploaded footage of her abortively trying to convince her fiancé George Daniel to perform the dance.[9]
In August 2024,[10] Griff performed a dream-pop version of the track for Like a Version, a series for Triple J.[11] NME described her take as "sparkly and glittery" and wrote that the track had "a heavy emphasis on dreamy synths and wavy cymbals". In an interview for Triple J, Griff stated that she had been moved to cover the track as she had found the album inspirational.[10]
On August 12, 2024, UPSAHL performed an acoustic cover of "Apple" for Sirius XM Hits 1.[12]
Remix
edit"Apple featuring the Japanese House" | |
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Remix by Charli XCX featuring the Japanese House | |
from the album Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat | |
Released | 11 October 2024 |
Genre | |
Length | 2:37 |
Label | Atlantic |
Songwriter(s) |
|
Producer(s) |
|
Audio video | |
"Apple featuring the Japanese House" on YouTube |
In October 2024, at XCX's instruction, fans of XCX announced that the Japanese House would feature on a dream pop and synth-pop remix of the song for Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat, released on 11 October 2024.[15] [16][17]
Charts
editChart (2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[18] | 18 |
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[19] | 74 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20] | 37 |
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[21] | 26 |
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[22] | 85 |
Estonia Airplay (TopHit)[23] | 129 |
Global 200 (Billboard)[24] | 30 |
Greece International (IFPI)[25] | 50 |
Iceland (Tónlistinn)[26] | 37 |
Ireland (IRMA)[27] | 9 |
Latvia Airplay (LaIPA)[28] | 18 |
Lithuania (AGATA)[29] | 47 |
Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[30] | 61 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[31] | 90 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[32] | 22 |
Philippines (Philippines Hot 100)[33] | 86 |
Portugal (AFP)[34] | 115 |
Singapore (RIAS)[35] | 28 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[36] | 75 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[37] | 93 |
UK Singles (OCC)[38] | 8 |
US Billboard Hot 100[39] | 51 |
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[40] | 2 |
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[41] | 14 |
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[42] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[43] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[44] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
editRegion | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Italy | 2 August 2024 | Radio airplay | Warner | [45] |
United States | 10 September 2024 | Contemporary hit radio | [46] |
References
edit- ^ "Grammy Nominations 2025: Beyonce Leads With 11 Nods as Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX Are Among Top Nominees". Variety. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ a b Harris, Alex (22 July 2024). "Decoding Charli XCX Apple Lyrics: A Deep Dive into BRATs Standout Track - Neon Music - Digital Music Discovery & Showcase Platform". Neon Music. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Charli XCX: Brat album review — a pop star shows us what she's made of". www.ft.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Müller, Simon (8 August 2024). "'Apple' is Charli XCX's viral video about generational trauma". UMusic. Archived from the original on 28 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ Garvey, Meaghan. "Charli XCX: BRAT". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Santiago, Gio (7 June 2024). "Charli XCX - BRAT · Album Review ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ a b Demopoulos, Alaina (28 July 2024). "I invented the Apple dance! The woman behind Brat summer's viral choreography". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Schonfeld, Alexandra (31 July 2024). "Why Is Every Celeb Doing the 'Apple' Dance — and Why Can't We Stop Watching Them?". People. Archived from the original on 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Charli XCX tried to convince fiancé to do her viral 'Apple' dance. How it went". Today.com. 24 July 2024. Archived from the original on 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ a b Singh, Surej (30 August 2024). "Watch Griff's synthy cover of Charli XCX's 'Apple' for 'Like A Version'". NME. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (30 August 2024). "See Griff Put a Dreamy Spin on Charli XCX's 'Apple'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "UPSAHL covering Charli XCX is SO brat 🍏". Facebook. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ Bain, Katie (11 October 2024). "Charli XCX's 'Brat & It's Completely Different But Also Still Brat': All 16 Remixes Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Dazed (11 October 2024). "Ranking the Charli xcx Brat remixes". Dazed. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Dazed (11 October 2024). "Ranking the Charli xcx Brat remixes". Dazed. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Dunworth, Liberty (7 October 2024). "Charli XCX gives 'Brat' remix album tracklist to fans and asks them to "put it online"". NME. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
- ^ Hudson, Alex (7 October 2024). "Charli XCX Reveals 'BRAT' Remix Album Tracklist". Exclaim!. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ "Charli XCX – Apple". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Charli XCX – Apple" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 33. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ "Charli XCX — Apple". TopHit. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) (Week: 35(32-35)/2024)". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 4 September 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Streymi, spilun og sala viku 33" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Latvijas spēlētāko dziesmu Radio Top 2024. gads – 40. nedēļa" [Latvia's most played songs Radio Top 2024 – Week 40] (in Latvian). LaIPA. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ "2024 32-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 9 August 2024. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Oct 24, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Charli XCX – Apple" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 12 August 2024. Archived from the original on 9 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Philippines Hot 100 – Week of August 17, 2024". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Charli XCX – Apple". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 32 (2 - 8 Aug 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on 20 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 33". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on 26 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Charli XCX – Apple". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Charli XCX – Apple". Music Canada. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Charli Xcx – Apple". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ "CHARLI XCX-Apple Radio Date: 02/08/2024" (in Italian). 2 August 2024. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Cantor, Brian (10 September 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter's 'Taste' Again Ranks As Pop Radio's Most Added Song". Headline Planet. Retrieved 5 November 2024.