Boom Clap
{{short description|2014 single by Charli XCX}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{use British English|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Boom Clap
| cover = Charli XCX - Boom Clap (Alternate Single Cover).png
| alt =
| caption = Film soundtrack cover art
| type = single
| artist = Charli XCX
| album = The Fault in Our Stars (Music from the Motion Picture) and Sucker
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2014|06|17}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|Electropop|synth-pop}}
| length = {{duration|m=2|s=49}}
| label = {{flatlist|
}}
| writer = {{flatlist|
- Charlotte Aitchison
- Fredrik Berger
- Patrik Berger
- Stefan Gräslund
}}
| producer = {{flatlist|
- Patrik Berger
- Stefan Gräslund
}}
| prev_title = Fancy
| prev_year = 2014
| next_title = Break the Rules
| next_year = 2014
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|AOPMlIIg_38|"Boom Clap"}}
}}
}}
"Boom Clap" is a song by English singer Charli XCX, released as the first single from the soundtrack album of The Fault in Our Stars (2014) and is also featured on her second studio album, Sucker.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/56813-charli-xcx-pushes-album-back-due-to-success-of-boom-clap/|title=Charli XCX Pushes Album Back Due to Success of 'Boom Clap'|work=Pitchfork Media|date=22 September 2014}} There are two existing mixes of this song: the first and original one is heard in the film, the film's soundtrack, and the music video shot in Amsterdam; the second mix is heard on the music video shot in Japan and in Sucker.
The single peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart and number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Mainstream Top 40, as well as peaking inside the top ten of the charts in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland and Italy. This song is featured as downloadable content on Just Dance 2015.{{Cite web|url = https://twitter.com/justdancegame/status/525388983929274368/photo/1|title = ps boom clap will be on #justdance2015 !!}}
Background and composition
{{listen|filename=Boom Clap.ogg|title="Boom Clap" (2014)
|description=A 16-second sample of "Boom Clap", an electropop song
|pos= left
|format=Ogg
|align = right
|type= music
}}
"Boom Clap" is a "radio-ready" electropop and synth-pop ballad,{{cite web |url=http://www.wonderingsound.com/gallery/best-songs-2014/best-songs-2014-45-31 |title=Best Songs of 2014: #45-31 |work=Wondering Sound |date=16 December 2014 |access-date=19 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820164548/http://www.wonderingsound.com/gallery/best-songs-2014/best-songs-2014-45-31/ |archive-date=20 August 2016 }}{{cite web |last1=Mylrea |first1=Hannah |title=The 50 best albums of 2019 |url=https://www.nme.com/features/the-greatest-albums-of-2019-2586777 |website=NME |date=16 December 2019 |access-date=27 December 2019}} written by Charli XCX, Fredrik Berger, Patrik Berger and Stefan Gräslund. The song was initially written during writing sessions for XCX's debut studio album, True Romance, then later offered to singer and actress Hilary Duff for her new album. Once Duff's management declined the offer, XCX decided to use the song as her contribution to The Fault in Our Stars motion picture soundtrack. In a later interview, Duff said she had no idea that XCX had offered the song to her people and would have accepted the song if she had known.{{cite web|url=http://www.popjustice.com/thenews/hilary-duff-bloody-loves-boom-clap-and-didnt-know-shed-turned-it-down/129532/|title=Hilary Duff bloody loves 'Boom Clap' and didn't know she'd turned it down |work=Popjustice|date=25 July 2014 }} The song is composed in the key of E major.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0137804|title=Charli XCX "Boom Clap" Sheet Music in E Major|website=musicnotes.com|date=18 August 2014}}
Critical reception
"Boom Clap" received positive reviews from music critics. 4Music said the song was "infectious" and a "feelgood track [which] contrasts softly-sung verses with a big attitude-packed chorus"{{cite episode|title=This Week's Fresh Music Top 20|airdate=19 July 2014|network=4Music}} resulting in a song that was "catchier than the clap."{{cite episode|title=This Week's Fresh Music Top 20|network=4Music|airdate=10 August 2014}} Spin listed "Boom Clap" at number 24 on its list of "The 101 Best Songs of 2014," writing that "Charli XCX's excellent use of onomatopoeia gives this intoxicated Sucker cut her most unforgettable chorus yet."{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2014/12/101-best-songs-2014/?page=7|work=Spin|title=The 101 Best Songs of 2014|date=8 December 2014|access-date=29 December 2014}} Pitchfork named it the 37th best song of 2014.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/9555-the-100-best-tracks-of-2014/7/|title=The 100 Best Tracks of 2014|work=Pitchfork Media|access-date=5 February 2015|archive-date=7 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207080239/http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/9555-the-100-best-tracks-of-2014/7/|url-status=dead}} In January 2015, "Boom Clap" was ranked at number eight on The Village Voice{{'}}s annual year-end Pazz & Jop critics' poll. In April 2022, Clash listed the song among the 17 best of Charli's songs, with Isabella Miller stating that "it captures the essence of youth culture with timeless stylistic and lyrical content that awakens the 2014 Tumblr teen in us all."{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Isabella |date=2022-04-15 |title=Charli XCX: Her 17 Best Songs |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/charli-xcx-her-17-best-songs |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=Clash Magazine |language=en}}
Commercial performance
The song debuted at number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the week dated 21 June 2014, becoming XCX's first entry as a lead artist.{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6114212/iggy-azalea-hot-100-sam-smith-top-ten|magazine=Billboard|title=Iggy Azalea Continues Record-Tying Run Atop Hot 100; Sam Smith Soars into Top 10|first=Gary|last=Trust|date=10 June 2014|access-date=10 June 2014}} On 28 June 2014, the song jumped to number 29, becoming her first top-40 hit as a lead artist. The song became XCX's first top 10 hit as a solo artist (after her features on "I Love It" and "Fancy") and re-entered the top ten twice before peaking at number eight.{{cite web|url=http://headlineplanet.com/home/2014/09/24/hot-100-jeremih-goes-top-10-charli-xcx-hits-new-peak/|title=Hot 100: Jeremih Goes Top 10, Charli XCX Hits New Peak|work=Headline Planet|date=24 September 2014}} The song has sold more than 3 million copies in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://headlineplanet.com/home/2014/08/20/charli-xcxs-boom-clap-crosses-1-million-sales-mark/|title=Charli XCX's "Boom Clap" Crosses the 1 Million Sales Mark|work=Headline Planet|date=20 August 2014}} "Boom Clap" also peaked at number one on the Mainstream Top 40 chart{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6236563/chart-highlights-charli-xcxs-boom-clap-thunders-to-top-of-pop|title=Chart Highlights: Charli XCX's 'Boom Clap' Thunders To Top of Pop Songs|magazine=Billboard|date=September 2014}} and topped Dance Airplay. In the UK the song has sold over 200,000 copies and has received a silver certification.
Music videos
The accompanying music video for "Boom Clap", directed by Sing J. Lee, was filmed in Amsterdam and premiered on 2 June 2014.{{cite magazine|last1=Feeney|first1=Nolan|title=Charli XCX Goes "Boom" On The Fault in Our Stars Soundtrack: Listen|url=https://time.com/60132/charli-xcx-boom-clap-fault-in-our-stars/|magazine=Time|access-date=3 June 2014|date=3 June 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Daw|first1=Robbie|title=Charli XCX's "Boom Clap" Video: Watch The 'Fault in Our Stars'-Filled Clip|date=2 June 2014 |url=http://www.idolator.com/7520844/charli-xcxs-boom-clap-video-watch-the-fault-in-our-stars-filled-clip|publisher=Idolator. Spin Media|access-date=3 June 2014}}{{cite news|last=Pietroluongo|first=Silvio|date=3 July 2014|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6106384/charli-xcx-boom-clap-music-video-amsterdam-fault-stars |title=Charli XCX Travels To Amsterdam for 'Boom Clap' Video: Watch|access-date=11 July 2014|magazine=Billboard}} The video features brief clips from The Fault in Our Stars set to the song as well as on-screen text written in the style of the book cover and film poster.
An alternative music video for the song, directed by Kazuya Murayama, was filmed in Tokyo and premiered on 29 October 2014.{{cite web |url=http://imvdb.com/video/charli-xcx/boom-clap/2 |title=Charli XCX – Boom Clap (Tokyo Version) (2014) |date=29 October 2014 |publisher=IMVDb |access-date=21 December 2015}}
Live performances
File:Charli XCX Boom Clap (Crash Tour).jpg
Charli XCX performed the song for the first time on The Fault in Our Stars Live Stream Event on 14 May 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/gu8sj2/charli-xcx-boom-clap-nearly-went-to-hilary-duff |title=Charli XCX: 'Boom Clap' Nearly Went To Hilary Duff|publisher=MTV UK. Viacom|access-date=11 July 2014|date=1 July 2014}} She also performed the song at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards pre-show on 24 August.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1900005/lucy-hale-charli-xcx-vma-pre-show|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140815162343/http://www.mtv.com/news/1900005/lucy-hale-charli-xcx-vma-pre-show|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 August 2014|title=Lucy Hale Is Your 2014 VMA Pre-Show Host! No Lie!|publisher=MTV News}} The song was part of the setlist of Charli's first headlining concert tour Girl Power North America Tour.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/55825-charli-xcx-announces-north-american-tour-shares-boom-clap-remix/|title=Charli XCX Announces North American Tour, Shares "Boom Clap" Remix|work=Pitchfork|date=8 July 2014 }}
Charli XCX performed the song followed by "Break the Rules" at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards. She also performed the song along with "Break the Rules" at the American Music Awards of 2014; when she performed "Boom Clap" she wore a prom dress; after the song she performed her second song, removed her dress with another outfit underneath, and went wild at the show and destroyed parts of her set. She also performed the song on Saturday Night Live.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
Charli XCX performed the song in the 1989 World Tour with Taylor Swift in Toronto on 3 October 2015,{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Haley|title=Taylor Swift Has a Rockin' Good Time Performing 'Boom Clap' with Charli XCX|url=http://www.spin.com/2015/10/charlie-xcx-taylor-swift-boom-clap-watch/|work=Spin|date=October 4, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2022}} and on the regular setlist of Crash: The Live Tour in 2022–2023.
Track listings
- "Boom Clap" – 2:49
;Digital download – remixes{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/boom-clap-remix-ep/900549244|title=iTunes - Music - Boom Clap Remix - EP by Charli XCX|date=29 July 2014|publisher=iTunes Store}}
- "Boom Clap" (Aeroplane Remix) – 5:14
- "Boom Clap" (ASTR Remix) – 3:19
- "Boom Clap" (Surkin Remix) – 3:40
- "Boom Clap" (Elk Road Remix) – 3:40
- "Boom Clap" (Cahill Remix) – 5:28
;CD single
- "Boom Clap" – 2:50
- "Boom Clap" (Aeroplane Remix) – 5:15
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
scope="col"| Chart (2014)
! scope="col"| Peak |
---|
{{single chart|Australia|9|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|access-date=12 July 2014|rowheader=true|refname=aus}} |
{{single chart|Austria|26|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|access-date=31 July 2014|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Flanders|35|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|rowheader=true|access-date=17 July 2014}} |
{{single chart|Wallonia|22|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|rowheader=true|access-date=17 July 2014}} |
{{single chart|Canada|8|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|access-date=17 July 2014|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardcanadaac|5|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|access-date=30 July 2020|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardcanadachrtop40|1|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|access-date=30 July 2020|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardcanadahotac|3|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|access-date=30 July 2020|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|CIS|29|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|rowheader=true|songid=57557}} |
{{single chart|Czech Republic|1|rowheader=true|year=2014|week=49|access-date=23 November 2018|refname="cz"}} |
{{single chart|Czechdigital|1|year=2014|week=34|access-date=28 August 2014|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardeurodigital|7|artist=Charli XCX|rowheader=true|access-date=11 August 2022}} |
{{single chart|Finland|15|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|access-date=25 July 2014|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|France|15|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|access-date=3 October 2014|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Germany|36|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|songid=1276397|access-date=21 July 2014|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Hungary|25|year=2014|week=40|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Hungarytop10|34|year=2015|week=13|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Irish|8|year=2014|week=30|rowheader=true}} |
scope="row"| Israel (Media Forest TV Airplay){{cite web|url=http://www.mediaforest.biz/WeeklyCharts/HistoryWeeklyCharts.aspx |title=מדיה פורסט - לדעת שאתה באוויר |publisher=Mediaforest.biz |access-date=7 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224225928/http://mediaforest.biz/WeeklyCharts/HistoryWeeklyCharts.aspx |archive-date=24 December 2014 }}
| 1 |
{{single chart|Italy|3|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|access-date=21 December 2015|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardjapanhot100|28|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|access-date=25 July 2014|rowheader=true}} |
scope="row" | Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20){{cite web|url=http://www.olt20.com/Charli_XCX#fragment-2&panel1-4|title=The Official Lebanese Top 20 - Charli XCX|publisher=Olt20|date=5 August 2016|access-date=5 August 2016}}
| 17 |
scope="row"| Mexico (Billboard Ingles Airplay){{cite magazine| url = http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2014-08-09/mexico-ingles| magazine = Billboard| title = Mexico Ingles Airplay| access-date = 22 August 2015| archive-date = 5 May 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180505144806/https://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2014-08-09/mexico-ingles| url-status = dead}}
| 1 |
scope="row"| Mexico Anglo (Monitor Latino){{cite web|url=http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top20/Print/Mexico/Anglo/20140901|title=Top 20 Inglés Del 1 al 7 de Septiembre, 2014|date=2014-09-07|work=Monitor Latinoaccessdate=2018-05-02}}
| 5 |
{{single chart|Dutch40|16|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|year=2014|week=37|access-date=23 January 2016|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Dutch100|28|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|access-date=25 July 2014|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|New Zealand|7|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|rowheader=true|access-date=14 June 2014}} |
{{single chart|Russia|21|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|rowheader=true|date=2015-02-23}} |
{{single chart|Scotland|3|date=2014-08-02|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Slovakdigital|10|year=2014|week=35|rowheader=true|access-date=13 September 2014}} |
{{single chart|South Africa|6|date=2014-09-02|rowheader=true|access-date=16 September 2015}} |
{{single chart|Sweden|14|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|rowheader=true|access-date=25 July 2014}} |
{{single chart|Switzerland|33|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|rowheader=true|access-date=25 July 2014}} |
{{single chart|UK|6|date=2014-08-02|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|8|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|rowheader=true|access-date=17 July 2014|refname="hot100"}} |
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|12|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|rowheader=true|access-date=17 July 2014}} |
{{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|3|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|rowheader=true|access-date=17 July 2014}} |
{{single chart|Billboarddanceairplay|1|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|rowheader=true|access-date=11 August 2014}} |
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|1|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|rowheader=true|access-date=17 July 2014}} |
{{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|17|artist=Charli XCX|song=Boom Clap|rowheader=true|access-date=17 July 2014}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
Chart (2015)
!Position |
---|
scope="row"| CIS (Tophit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.ru/en/chart/airplay/yearly/2015-01-01/all/all|title=CIS Year-End Radio Hits (2015)|publisher=Tophit |access-date=12 August 2019}}
|style="text-align:center;"| 53 |
scope="row"| Russia Airplay (Tophit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.ru/en/chart/russia/yearly/2015-01-01/all/all|title=Russian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2015)|publisher=Tophit |access-date=12 August 2019}}
|style="text-align:center;"| 51 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=2|artist=Charli XCX|certyear=2015|title=Boom Clap|access-date=1 February 2015|type=single}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|award=Platinum|number=3|artist=Charli XCX|certyear=2023|title=Boom Clap|access-date=2 November 2023|type=single}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|award=Gold|type=single|artist=Charli XCX|relyear=2014|relmonth=06|certyear=2017|title=Boom Clap|access-date=1 June 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|type=single|artist=Charli XCX|relyear=2014|certyear=2014|title=Boom Clap|id=2617|access-date=31 October 2014}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|artist=Charli XCX|relyear=2014|certyear=2015|title=Boom Clap|source=radioscope|access-date=31 January 2025|type=single}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|award=Platinum|artist=Charli XCX|title=Boom Clap|relyear=2014|certyear=2014|certweek=44|position=57|type=single|access-date=23 August 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|artist=Charli XCX|title=Boom Clap|relyear=2014|certyear=2020|access-date=20 November 2020|id=12985-3949-1|type=single|refname="bpi"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=3|artist=Charli XCX|title=Boom Clap|relyear=2014|certyear=2019|access-date=13 January 2019|type=single}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|certyear=2014|relyear=2014|artist=Charli XCX|title=Boom Clap|award=Gold|type=single|certmonth=10|id=5420|streamsonly=true|access-date=4 November 2020}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streamsonly=true|streaming=true}}
Release history
See also
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Charli XCX}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Atlantic Records singles
Category:The Fault in Our Stars (film)
Category:Songs written for films
Category:Songs written by Charli XCX