Feather (song)

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"Feather"
Single by Sabrina Carpenter
from the album Emails I Can't Send Fwd:
ReleasedAugust 4, 2023 (2023-08-04)
GenreDance-pop
Length3:05
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)John Ryan
Sabrina Carpenter singles chronology
"Cupid" (Twin version)
(2023) 		"Feather"
(2023) 		"You Need Me Now?"
(2024)
Music video
"Feather" on YouTube

"Feather" is song by American singer Sabrina Carpenter from Emails I Can't Send Fwd:, the deluxe edition of her fifth studio album. Carpenter and Amy Allen wrote the song with its producer, John Ryan. Island Records released its sped-up version for digital download and streaming on August 4, 2023. A music video for the song was released on October 31, 2023. The song peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it became her first number one on the Pop Airplay chart.

Background[edit]

Sabrina Carpenter released her fifth studio album, Emails I Can't Send, on July 15, 2022.[1][2] The song "Nonsense" served as a single from the album.[3] It reached number 56 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 32 on the UK Singles Chart.[4][5] On March 17, 2023, Carpenter followed up with a deluxe edition of the album.[6] A sped-up version of the song "Feather" was released for digital download and streaming on August 4, 2023.[7]

Composition[edit]

"Feather" is three minutes and five seconds long.[8] Carpenter and Amy Allen wrote the song with John Ryan, who produced, programmed, and engineered it. Chris Gehringer mastered it, and Josh Gudwin mixed it with assistance from Heidi Wang.[9]

"Feather" is a dance pop song about overcoming a relationship. Incorporating electric piano, piano, synthesizer, kick, and bass in its instrumentation, the song's lyrics detail blocking someone on social media and feeling like a burden has been lifted after leaving them behind: "I got you blocked / After this, an afterthought / I finally cut you off / I feel so much lighter, like a feather with you off my mind."[10]

Music video[edit]

On October 31, 2023, Carpenter released a music video for "Feather", which was directed by Mia Barnes. In it, Carpenter kills her ex-lovers who have wronged her.[11] First, she is followed by catcalling men who get rammed by a truck while they are not looking. She makes her way into a gym, where the other patrons mansplain to her before getting into a fight with each other; they end up fighting each other to the death while she sings in the foreground. When a man then photographs Carpenter's backside in an elevator, she pulls on his tie while exiting the elevator and leaves it between the closing doors, decapitating him in the process. She laughs and exclaims: "I'm so sorry for your loss."[12]

Rolling Stone's Larisha Paul summarized it: "Carpenter finds a middle ground between Jennifer's Body and Final Destination, with a pop girl twist, as she lets the universe take care of eradicating the posturing feminist men who followed her down the street, only to then be hit by a truck they were too distracted to see coming."[12] Vulture's Justin Curto called her character "the Girlfriend Reaper, who drives around in her pink hearse, killing men", comparing to the Grim Reaper.[13]

Controversy[edit]

Robert J. Brennan, the Catholic Bishop of Brooklyn, expressed that he was "appalled" that the "controversial" music video was filmed at the Blessed Virgin Mary Church: "The parish did not follow diocesan policy regarding the filming on church property, which includes a review of the scenes and script."[14][15] The administrative duties of the priest who gave Carpenter's team the permission to film the video inside the church were subsequently terminated.[16][17][18] Carpenter responded to the controversy by saying "we got approval in advance" and proclaiming that "Jesus was a carpenter".[19][20][21]

Live performances[edit]

Carpenter performed "Feather" at the pre-show of the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.[11] Carpenter also performed "Feather" at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2023.[22]

Track listing[edit]

  • Digital download / streaming – Sped Up version / 7-inch
  1. "Feather" – 3:05
  2. "Feather" (Sped Up version) – 2:33

Credits and personnel[edit]

Recording and management

  • Mastered at Sterling Sound (Edgewater, New Jersey)
  • Sabalicious Songs (BMI), Music of Big Family/Don Wyan Music (BMI), administered by Hipgnosis Songs Group, Kenny + Betty Tunes (ASCAP)

Personnel

Credits adapted from the single's 7" vinyl liner notes.[23]

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for "Feather"
Chart (2023–2024) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[24] 23
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[25] 25
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[26] 2
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[27] 15
CIS (TopHit)[28] 117
Global 200 (Billboard)[29] 51
Ireland (IRMA)[30] 27
Latvia Airplay (LAIPA)[31] 16
Malaysia International (RIM)[32] 18
Netherlands (Single Tip)[33] 26
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[34] 22
Portugal (AFP)[35] 119
Singapore (RIAS)[36] 14
UK Singles (OCC)[37] 19
US Billboard Hot 100[38] 21
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[39] 7
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[40] 11
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[41] 1

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[42] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[43] Platinum 1,000,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

Release date and format(s) for "Feather"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label Ref.
Various August 4, 2023
Sped up Island [7]
October 31, 2023 7-inch
  • Original
  • sped up
 [44]
April 20, 2024 [45]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Dodson, P. Claire (September 9, 2021). "Sabrina Carpenter Talks New Song "Skinny Dipping", Grief & Water Under the Bridge". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  2. ^ Roberts, Savannah (July 12, 2022). "Sabrina Carpenter's New Album 'Emails I Can't Send': Release Date, Tracklist & More". Capital. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  3. ^ Rowley, Glenn (November 21, 2022). "Sabrina Carpenter Reveals the 'Emails I Can't Send' Song She Thought Was 'Never Gonna Be Put Out'". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  4. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History". Official Charts Company. February 4, 2021. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  5. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (January 25, 2022). "Sabrina Carpenter's 'Nonsense' Scores Hot 100 Debut, Soars in Streams". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  6. ^ Shutler, Ali (March 12, 2023). "Sabrina Carpenter announces deluxe edition of 'Emails I Can't Send'". NME. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "'Feather' (Sped Up) – Single – Album by Sabrina Carpenter". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  8. ^ "'Feather' - Song by Sabrina Carpenter". Apple Music (US). Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  9. ^ Island Records (2023). Emails I Can't Send Fwd (Media notes). Sabrina Carpenter.
  10. ^ Ruiz, Arik (March 26, 2023). "Sabrina Carpenter Adds Four Bonus Tracks to Deluxe Edition of Emails I Can't Send Fwd:". Top Shelf Music. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Bell, Sadie (October 31, 2023). "Sabrina Carpenter Kills Boys in the Horror-Inspired Music Video for 'Feather' — Watch!". People. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Paul, Larisha (October 31, 2023). "Sabrina Carpenter Goes Full Jennifer's Body Meets Final Destination in 'Feather' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  13. ^ Curto, Justin (October 31, 2023). "Happy Halloween From Sabrina Carpenter and Her Pink Hearse". Vulture. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  14. ^ Bell, Sadie (November 3, 2023). "Sabrina Carpenter's 'Feather' Music Video Filmed in NYC Catholic Church Leaves Brooklyn Diocese 'Appalled'". People. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  15. ^ Wang, Jessica (November 3, 2023). "Diocese of Brooklyn Is 'Appalled' That Sabrina Carpenter Filmed 'Feather' Music Video in Catholic Church". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  16. ^ Aniftos, Rania (November 27, 2023). "Priest Removed From Administrative Duties After Allowing Sabrina Carpenter to Film 'Feather' Video in Church". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  17. ^ Montali, Stepfano (November 25, 2023). "A Pop Star Filmed a Music Video in a Church. The Priest Was Punished". The New York Times. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  18. ^ Kaplan, Ilana (November 27, 2023). "Priest Disciplined for Allowing Sabrina Carpenter to Film Music Video Inside Catholic Church". People. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  19. ^ Aniftos, Rania (November 29, 2023). "Sabrina Carpenter Responds to Catholic Church Controversy: 'Jesus Was a Carpenter'". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  20. ^ Irvin, Jack (November 29, 2023). "Sabrina Carpenter Reacts as Music Video Filmed in Catholic Church Sparks Controversy: 'Jesus Was a Carpenter'". People. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  21. ^ Mier, Tomás (November 29, 2023). "After Catholic Church Debacle, Sabrina Carpenter Welcomes a New Fan: Jesus Christ". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  22. ^ Chan, Tim (December 31, 2023). "NewJeans, Post Malone, Megan Thee Stallion: Here's How to Watch Every Performance From 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' Online". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  23. ^ Sabrina Carpenter (2023). Feather (vinyl case). United States: Island Records. 602458602616.
  24. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  25. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  26. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  27. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  28. ^ Sabrina Carpenter — Feather. TopHit. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  29. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  30. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  31. ^ "Latvijas spēlētāko dziesmu Radio Top 2024. gads – 12. nedēļa" [Latvia's most played songs Radio Top 2024 – Week 12] (in Latvian). LAIPA. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  32. ^ "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 3 (12/01/2024-18/01/2024)". RIM. January 27, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Facebook.
  33. ^ "Dutch Single Tip 20/01/2024" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  34. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 27, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  35. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter – Feather". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  36. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 3 (12 - 18 Jan 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  37. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  38. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  39. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  40. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  41. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  42. ^ "British single certifications – Sabrina carpenter – Feather". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  43. ^ "American single certifications – Sabrina Carpenter – Feather". Recording Industry Association of America.
  44. ^ "'Feather' 7" Vinyl". Sabrina Carpenter | Official Store. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  45. ^ "RSD '24 Special Release: Sabrina Carpenter - Feather". Record Store Day. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
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