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"Be the One" is a song by English singer Dua Lipa from her eponymous debut studio album (2017). The song was written by Lucy Taylor, Jack Tarrant and Digital Farm Animals, with the latter of the three also handling the production. It is a dream pop, Europop and synth-pop song with elements of gospel and power pop. Lyrically, it sees Lipa begging her boyfriend for a romantic redemption. The song was met with critical acclaim, with many music critics hailing it a standout on the album and praising the anthemic qualities in the production.
"Be the One"
Dua Lipa in front of a background with flowers wearing a black leather jacket. The song's title, "Be the One" appears at the bottom and her name appears above the title in big block letters.
Released through Dua Lipa Limited for digital download and streaming on 30 October 2015, "Be the One" received limited attention at the time. However, after being picked up by German radio stations, it became a sleeper hit the following year. Due to this, the song was re-released in the United Kingdom and the United States, becoming the album's second single in the US. It reached the top ten of charts in nine territories worldwide, including the Flanders region of Belgium where it reached the summit and Lipa's native region of the UK where it peaked at number nine in February 2017, becoming her first solo top 10 single. The song is currently certified gold or higher in eleven regions, including a platinum in the UK.
The music video for "Be the One" was directed by Nicole Nodland. It features several scenes of Lipa in London. With the song's re-release, a second music video was released. Directed by Daniel Kaufman, it stars Ansel Elgort as Lipa's love interest and was created in a collaboration between Vevo and Lexus, where a Lexus IS covered in LEDs appears. The video features Elgort following Lipa out of a motel after the two had an argument. Lipa promoted the song with numerous live performances, including ones for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Good Morning America, and Later... with Jools Holland. Remixes by Paul Woolford, Take a Daytrip and Netsky were also released for promotion.
Background and composition
"Be the One"
A 22-second sample of the chorus for "Be the One", a repetitive song with lyrics professing Lipa's desire for her partner to come back.
Problems playing this file? See media help.
"Be the One" was written by Lucy Taylor, Digital Farm Animals and Jack Tarrant. They wrote it about the miscommunication in a relationship Taylor was in at the time. A good friend of Lipa's, Taylor played the song for her and offered her to record it, prior to Lipa releasing any music. Lipa immediately fell in love with the song, specifically citing the melodies and "persistent" lyrics as why; she thought it would be a perfect fit on her album. However, she was reluctant to record the song due to the fact that she didn't write it. Following much pressure from her management and after she singing it once, realizing how fun it was to sing, Lipa forced herself to get over the fact and decided to record it. She formed a personal connection to it, which she described as "different" than that to ones she has written due to the fact that when performing a song, she reminisces about having wrote it. Lipa then went into the studio with Taylor and Digital Farm Animals to complete the song. Lipa recalled having a fun time with them and felt as though she made the song her own. The song was recorded by Evelyn Yard at Sony/ATV Recording Studios while Lipa's vocals were recorded at TaP Studio / Strongroom 7 in London. It is one of the two songs on her eponymous debut studio album (2017) that Lipa does not have a writing credit on, with the other being "New Rules" (2017).
"Be the One" is a soulful, dream pop, Europop and synth-pop song, with gospel and power pop elements. Constructed in verse–chorus form, the song runs for three minutes and 22 seconds and is composed in 4 4 time and the key of B♭ major, with a tempo of 176 beats per minute and a chord progression of F–E♭6–E♭maj7. It has an airy production, containing a tropical R&B beat, 1980s grooves, electropop riffs, layered melodies, a programmed drum loop, calypso synths, handclaps, a vinyl hiss, and a guitar arpeggio. Lipa uses sensuous alto vocals, spanning a range of F3 to D5. Described by Lipa as about "self belief, perseverance, and fighting for what you want," the song sees her pleading for a romantic redemption after a falling out with her boyfriend.
Release
"Be the One" was first announced by Lipa during an interview with Nylon in October 2015. The song was released for digital download and streaming on 30 October 2015 through the singer's independent record label Dua Lipa Limited. Discussing release the single, Lipa admitted that she lacked excitement due to the writing credits. The song was serviced to contemporary hit radio in Italy on 29 January 2016. The same day, an extended play including a dark trap remix of the song by Shy Luv, as well as remixes by Dillistone, Paul Woolford, Take a Daytrip, Ten Ven and With You was released; They were serviced to contemporary hit radio in Italy on 9 February 2016. An extended play for the song was released on 19 February 2016, exclusively in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. It featured Lipa's singles "New Love" (2015) and "Last Dance" (2016), as well as the "Be the One" remix by With You and a Max + Johann remix of the song. The first music video for "Be the One" and the "Last Dance" music video are also included.
In German, a CD single with "Last Dance" as its B-side was released on 11 March 2016. A live version of the song appears as the fourth track on Lipa's extended play Spotify Sessions, released 8 July 2016. After finding commercial success, "Be the One" was re-released, impacting contemporary hit radio formats in the United Kingdom on 30 December 2016 and the same format in the United States on 21 March 2017, becoming the album's second single in the US following "Blow Your Mind (Mwah)" (2016). With the re-release, a remix by Netsky on 24 February 2017. The remix is a "blissful and laid back" drum and bass track with daydream vibes. It uses the song's original arrangement with a "pounding" percussion and synths. "Be the One" is included on Lipa's 21 April 2017-released, Urban Outfitters-exclusive vinyl extended play The Only, serving as the fourth track on the EP. The song also appears as the fourth track on Lipa's eponymous debut studio album, released on 2 June 2017 and serving as the album's second single.
Critical reception
"Be the One" was met with acclaim from music critics. Claire Biddles of The Line of Best Fit called the song a standout on Dua Lipa and compared it to Shura, while she also called the song "gorgeous enough to warrant a reappraisal [in 2017]." In a separate review for the same magazine, Paul Bridgewater labelled it a "fresh breath of pop air." Writing for musicOMH, Ben Hogwood called the song "utterly beguiling," praising the production and also stating that it is "arguably her best song to date." The Young Folks' Manzanares de la Rosa compared the song to the works of Haim. For DIY, Jamie Milton described the song as "a sweet club track given pop takeover potential," as well as comparing it to Justin Bieber's My World 2.0 (2010).
Alim Kheraj, also of DIY, stated that the song has an "airy wistfulness," while he also viewed it as "transcendent" and a "euphoria." Carl Williott of Idolator called the track "bouncier and catchier" than Lipa's "New Love". For The Fader, Jeff Ihaza branded the song "blissful." In a review for Clash, Alex Green stated that "Be the One" "sparkles" with the "zeal" that "Hotter than Hell" (2016) misses. Richard Jones, in a separate Clash review, called the song a "dark and seductive anthem." In the Evening Standard, Rick Pearson labelled its chorus "irresistible." Sean Ward of The 405 called the song a standout on Dua Lipa, categorizing the chorus as "rushing" and lyrical structure as "sophisticated," as well as comparing the song to Body Talk by Robyn.
Nylon's Laura Studarus described the song as "perfect club music," while also calling its hooks "sticky" and melodies "moody." For Vice, Alexandra Hayward branded the song "glossily" and "anthemic" as well as commenting on the "desperation" of Lipa's vocals. The staff at The Singles Jukebox gave the song an average of 6.83. Crystal Leww praised the production but criticized its meaning, writing that the song does not "make sense," while Thomas Inskeep praised Lipa's vocals for being "rich" and "luscious." In April 2020, Glamour's Christopher Rosa ranked "Be the One" as the most ethereal of her recent songs.
"Be the One"
Dua Lipa in front of a background with flowers wearing a black leather jacket. The song's title, "Be the One" appears at the bottom and her name appears above the title in big block letters.
Released through Dua Lipa Limited for digital download and streaming on 30 October 2015, "Be the One" received limited attention at the time. However, after being picked up by German radio stations, it became a sleeper hit the following year. Due to this, the song was re-released in the United Kingdom and the United States, becoming the album's second single in the US. It reached the top ten of charts in nine territories worldwide, including the Flanders region of Belgium where it reached the summit and Lipa's native region of the UK where it peaked at number nine in February 2017, becoming her first solo top 10 single. The song is currently certified gold or higher in eleven regions, including a platinum in the UK.
The music video for "Be the One" was directed by Nicole Nodland. It features several scenes of Lipa in London. With the song's re-release, a second music video was released. Directed by Daniel Kaufman, it stars Ansel Elgort as Lipa's love interest and was created in a collaboration between Vevo and Lexus, where a Lexus IS covered in LEDs appears. The video features Elgort following Lipa out of a motel after the two had an argument. Lipa promoted the song with numerous live performances, including ones for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Good Morning America, and Later... with Jools Holland. Remixes by Paul Woolford, Take a Daytrip and Netsky were also released for promotion.
Background and composition
"Be the One"
A 22-second sample of the chorus for "Be the One", a repetitive song with lyrics professing Lipa's desire for her partner to come back.
Problems playing this file? See media help.
"Be the One" was written by Lucy Taylor, Digital Farm Animals and Jack Tarrant. They wrote it about the miscommunication in a relationship Taylor was in at the time. A good friend of Lipa's, Taylor played the song for her and offered her to record it, prior to Lipa releasing any music. Lipa immediately fell in love with the song, specifically citing the melodies and "persistent" lyrics as why; she thought it would be a perfect fit on her album. However, she was reluctant to record the song due to the fact that she didn't write it. Following much pressure from her management and after she singing it once, realizing how fun it was to sing, Lipa forced herself to get over the fact and decided to record it. She formed a personal connection to it, which she described as "different" than that to ones she has written due to the fact that when performing a song, she reminisces about having wrote it. Lipa then went into the studio with Taylor and Digital Farm Animals to complete the song. Lipa recalled having a fun time with them and felt as though she made the song her own. The song was recorded by Evelyn Yard at Sony/ATV Recording Studios while Lipa's vocals were recorded at TaP Studio / Strongroom 7 in London. It is one of the two songs on her eponymous debut studio album (2017) that Lipa does not have a writing credit on, with the other being "New Rules" (2017).
"Be the One" is a soulful, dream pop, Europop and synth-pop song, with gospel and power pop elements. Constructed in verse–chorus form, the song runs for three minutes and 22 seconds and is composed in 4 4 time and the key of B♭ major, with a tempo of 176 beats per minute and a chord progression of F–E♭6–E♭maj7. It has an airy production, containing a tropical R&B beat, 1980s grooves, electropop riffs, layered melodies, a programmed drum loop, calypso synths, handclaps, a vinyl hiss, and a guitar arpeggio. Lipa uses sensuous alto vocals, spanning a range of F3 to D5. Described by Lipa as about "self belief, perseverance, and fighting for what you want," the song sees her pleading for a romantic redemption after a falling out with her boyfriend.
Release
"Be the One" was first announced by Lipa during an interview with Nylon in October 2015. The song was released for digital download and streaming on 30 October 2015 through the singer's independent record label Dua Lipa Limited. Discussing release the single, Lipa admitted that she lacked excitement due to the writing credits. The song was serviced to contemporary hit radio in Italy on 29 January 2016. The same day, an extended play including a dark trap remix of the song by Shy Luv, as well as remixes by Dillistone, Paul Woolford, Take a Daytrip, Ten Ven and With You was released; They were serviced to contemporary hit radio in Italy on 9 February 2016. An extended play for the song was released on 19 February 2016, exclusively in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. It featured Lipa's singles "New Love" (2015) and "Last Dance" (2016), as well as the "Be the One" remix by With You and a Max + Johann remix of the song. The first music video for "Be the One" and the "Last Dance" music video are also included.
In German, a CD single with "Last Dance" as its B-side was released on 11 March 2016. A live version of the song appears as the fourth track on Lipa's extended play Spotify Sessions, released 8 July 2016. After finding commercial success, "Be the One" was re-released, impacting contemporary hit radio formats in the United Kingdom on 30 December 2016 and the same format in the United States on 21 March 2017, becoming the album's second single in the US following "Blow Your Mind (Mwah)" (2016). With the re-release, a remix by Netsky on 24 February 2017. The remix is a "blissful and laid back" drum and bass track with daydream vibes. It uses the song's original arrangement with a "pounding" percussion and synths. "Be the One" is included on Lipa's 21 April 2017-released, Urban Outfitters-exclusive vinyl extended play The Only, serving as the fourth track on the EP. The song also appears as the fourth track on Lipa's eponymous debut studio album, released on 2 June 2017 and serving as the album's second single.
Critical reception
"Be the One" was met with acclaim from music critics. Claire Biddles of The Line of Best Fit called the song a standout on Dua Lipa and compared it to Shura, while she also called the song "gorgeous enough to warrant a reappraisal [in 2017]." In a separate review for the same magazine, Paul Bridgewater labelled it a "fresh breath of pop air." Writing for musicOMH, Ben Hogwood called the song "utterly beguiling," praising the production and also stating that it is "arguably her best song to date." The Young Folks' Manzanares de la Rosa compared the song to the works of Haim. For DIY, Jamie Milton described the song as "a sweet club track given pop takeover potential," as well as comparing it to Justin Bieber's My World 2.0 (2010).
Alim Kheraj, also of DIY, stated that the song has an "airy wistfulness," while he also viewed it as "transcendent" and a "euphoria." Carl Williott of Idolator called the track "bouncier and catchier" than Lipa's "New Love". For The Fader, Jeff Ihaza branded the song "blissful." In a review for Clash, Alex Green stated that "Be the One" "sparkles" with the "zeal" that "Hotter than Hell" (2016) misses. Richard Jones, in a separate Clash review, called the song a "dark and seductive anthem." In the Evening Standard, Rick Pearson labelled its chorus "irresistible." Sean Ward of The 405 called the song a standout on Dua Lipa, categorizing the chorus as "rushing" and lyrical structure as "sophisticated," as well as comparing the song to Body Talk by Robyn.
Nylon's Laura Studarus described the song as "perfect club music," while also calling its hooks "sticky" and melodies "moody." For Vice, Alexandra Hayward branded the song "glossily" and "anthemic" as well as commenting on the "desperation" of Lipa's vocals. The staff at The Singles Jukebox gave the song an average of 6.83. Crystal Leww praised the production but criticized its meaning, writing that the song does not "make sense," while Thomas Inskeep praised Lipa's vocals for being "rich" and "luscious." In April 2020, Glamour's Christopher Rosa ranked "Be the One" as the most ethereal of her recent songs.
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