I'm a Freak
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox song
| name = I'm a Freak
| cover = Enrique Iglesias - I'm a Freak.png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull
| album = Sex and Love
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2014|1|11}}
| recorded = 2012–13
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|Dance-pop|electro house}}
| length = 3:38
| label = Republic
| writer = {{hlist|Enrique Iglesias|Armando Perez|Niles Dhar|Marty James}}
| producer = KSHMR
| chronology = Enrique Iglesias
| prev_title = El Perdedor
| prev_year = 2013
| next_title = Bailando
| next_year = 2014
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Pitbull
| type = singles
| prev_title = Timber
| prev_year = 2013
| title = I'm a Freak
| year = 2014
| next_title = I Love You... Te Quiero
| next_year = 2014
}}
}}
"I'm a Freak" is the third English (and overall fifth) single from Enrique Iglesias's album, Sex and Love. It was the first single from the album to be released worldwide. The single was released on 11 January 2014 and features American rapper Pitbull.{{cite web|url=http://music-news.redigi.com/song-review-enrique-iglesias-feat-pitbull-freak/|title=Song Review: Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull – "Freak"|access-date=23 January 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140123231336/http://music-news.redigi.com/song-review-enrique-iglesias-feat-pitbull-freak/|archive-date=23 January 2014|url-status=usurped}}
The single was commercially successful and a hit in Europe. It became a top ten hit in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, Finland, Belgium (Flanders), Poland, Serbia, top twenty hit in Czech Republic, Russia, Spain and top forty hit in Bulgaria, and Austria.
Background
The single was scheduled to be released in December 2012 but was postponed for unknown reasons. The track got leaked on the internet and social media on 31 December 2013.{{cite web|url=http://perezhilton.com/2013-12-31-enrique-iglesias-featuring-pitbull-freak-track-leaks-early-awesome-song-listen-here|title=Enrique Iglesias' Track With Pitbull Freakily Leaks Early! - Perez Hilton}}
This is the third single on which Iglesias and Pitbull have collaborated after the likes of "I Like It" and "I Like How It Feels".{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a541977/enrique-iglesias-teams-up-with-pitbull-for-new-single-freak-listen.html|title=Enrique Iglesias teams up with Pitbull for new single 'Freak' - listen|website=Digital Spy |date=7 January 2014 }} They have also collaborated on Pitbull's songs "Come 'n' Go" and "Tchu Tchu Tcha" off of his albums, Planet Pit (2011) and Global Warming (2012) respectively.
The cover of the single was uploaded on Iglesias's official website on 8 January 2014.{{cite web|url=http://enriqueiglesias.com/blogpost|title=Cover: Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull – "Freak"}}{{dead link|date=February 2018}}
Composition
"I'm a Freak" is a dance-pop and electro house song. It was written by Iglesias, Pitbull, Rome Ramirez and Niles Hollowell-Dhar. The song was produced by The Cataracs who also produced Iglesias's recent tracks "Turn the Night Up" and "Heart Attack".
Idolator described the single's music production as "Bouncy "electropop" and lyrics as "provocative". They stated that the song sounds more like something you’d hear during a particularly lively night out at a suburban P.F. Chang’s than it does like anything that captures an authentic piece of the Miami zeitgeist, it’ll probably be a crowd-pleaser.{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7500395/enrique-iglesias-pitbull-freak|title=Enrique Iglesias & Pitbull Team Up Again On "Freak": Listen|date=7 January 2014 }}
Critical reception
File:Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull 2015.jpg
"I'm a Freak" generally received positive reviews. Jake Hamilton gave the song an A−, stating that the song is a chart conquer for spring.{{cite web|url=http://jakes-take.com/2014/01/new-music-releases-week-of-january-13-2014/|title=New Music Releases: Week of January 13, 2014 }} AMPed Music described the song as another club-ready anthem and a decent track. They also stated that the song "still oozes enough party mojo that would get any party animal crazy on the dance floor."{{cite web |url=http://www.ampedmusic.com/article/single-review-i%E2%80%99m-freak-enrique-iglesias |title=Amped | More Than Music |publisher=Ampedmusic.com |date=20 January 2014 |access-date=18 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202105130/http://www.ampedmusic.com/article/single-review-i%E2%80%99m-freak-enrique-iglesias |archive-date=2 February 2014 |url-status=dead }} ReDigi described it as "an unsurprisingly pure party anthem featuring a typically hedonistic production from The Cataracs ...Despite its wave of EDM bleeps, pulsing beats and suggestive lyrics, the song is a little more melodic and a little less bombastic than recent club bangers 'Turn The Night Up' and 'Finally Found You.'"
Haley Longman of OK! magazine gave a positive review and stated:
Nothing will ever compare to the catchiness of “I Like It” probably, but Enrique and Pitbull’s newest collab comes pretty darn close. When Enrique says “cause I’m a freAKK” in the chorus and his voice goes up like that…can’t handle. This song is so good. And it’s probably the 2014 version of “Timber,” so…{{cite web|url=http://okmagazine.com/meet-the-stars/new-tunes-tues-5-songs-to-know-this-week-from-enrique-iglesias-and-pitbull-lucy-hale-and-more/ |title=New Music Releases – Lucy Hale Country Song Enrique Iglesias Pitbull |publisher=OK! Magazine |date=7 January 2014 |access-date=18 February 2014}}
However Direct Lyrics gave a negative review with 1.5/5 stars, stating that the song doesn't look too bright and that the lyrics of the song are decent but the beat is weak.{{cite web|url=http://www.directlyrics.com/new-music-enrique-iglesias-im-a-freak-hq-studio-review-news.html |title=New Music: Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull - "I'm A Freak" [HQ Studio + Review] |publisher=Directlyrics.com |date=14 January 2014 |access-date=18 February 2014}}
Chart performance
"I'm a Freak" was commercially successful and a hit in Europe. It became a top 10 hit in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, Finland, Belgium (Flanders), Poland, Serbia, top 20 hit in Czech Republic, Russia, Spain and top 40 hit in Bulgaria, and Austria. The single made a debut at No. 40 on Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/code/5876779/avicii-doubles-up-in-hot-danceelectronic-songs-top-five |title=Avicii Doubles Up In Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Top Five |magazine=Billboard |date=17 January 2014 |access-date=18 February 2014}}
Music video
The official music video premiered on 31 January 2014 on Iglesias' official Vevo account on YouTube. The music video is directed by Colin Tilley who has also directed Enrique's Heart Attack music video. The video has been viewed 80 million times (Aug 2017).
Track listing
;Digital download
- "I'm a Freak" {{small|(featuring Pitbull)}} – 3:39
;Other versions
- Dave Aude Party Vocal – 5:30
- Dave Aude Party Dub – 5:30
- Dave Aude Club Vocal – 5:26
- 7th Heaven Club Mix – 7:04
- 7th Heaven Radio Edit – 3:46
Live performances
Iglesias was scheduled to perform the song at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit event on 3 February 2014. He also performed the song at a private show on 14 January as well as in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and New York with Pitbull the day after.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/enrique305/status/422801814036037632 |title=Twitter / enrique305: I'm performing at the Sports |publisher=Twitter |date=13 January 2014 |access-date=18 February 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.enriqueiglesias.com/events/san-juan-pr-enrique-iglesias-en-concierto |title=San Juan, PR - Get New Singles I'm A Freak ft. Pitbull" and "El Perdedor" Now! |publisher=Enriqueiglesias.com |access-date=18 February 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.enriqueiglesias.com/events/new-york-ny-concierto-los-enamorados-enrique-iglesias-friends-mad |title=New York, NY - Get New Singles I'm A Freak ft. Pitbull" and "El Perdedor" Now! |publisher=Enriqueiglesias.com |access-date=18 February 2014}}
He performed the song on The Voice UK on 29 March 2014. The song was also performed live on 21 June at Capital Summertime Ball 2014 at Wembley Stadium in London.{{cite web|url=http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/enrique-iglesias/news/summertime-ball-2014-setlist/|title=Enrique Iglesias Gets 80,000 People Hot Under The Collar At The #CapitalSTB}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2014)
!scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| scope=row{{single chart|Australia|45|refname=australia|artist=Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull|song=I'm a Freak}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Austria|39|artist=Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull|song=I Like It}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Flanders Tip|60|artist=Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull|song=I'm a Freak}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Wallonia Tip|8|artist=Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull|song=I'm a Freak}} |
| scope=row|Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia Dance){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/weekchart.asp?cat=sd&year=2014&date=20140412 |title=Ultratop Belgian Charts |publisher=ultratop.be |access-date=21 June 2014}}
|align=center|23 |
| scope=row{{single chart|Canada|52|artist=Enrique Iglesias|artistid=301773}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Czech Republic|18|year=2014|week=15}} |
| scope=row| European Hot 100 Singles{{cite web|url=http://www.hitzound.nl/index.php/nl/3fm-airplay-top-30/2-hitzound-blog/1222-euro-top-100-chart-week-16 |title=Euro Top 100 Chart (week 16) |publisher=Hitzound.nl |date=15 April 2014 |access-date=21 June 2014}}
|style="text-align:center;"|12 |
| scope=row{{single chart|Finland|10|artist=Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull|song=I'm a Freak}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Germany|56|artist=Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull|song=I'm a Freak|songid=1239341}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Ireland|4|year=2014|week=11}} |
| scope=row| Mexico (Billboard Ingles Airplay){{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/enrique-iglesias/chart-history/min/|access-date=August 2, 2020|magazine=Billboard|title=Enriqe Iglesias Chart History: Mexiko Ingles Airplay}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 9 |
| scope=row{{single chart|Polishdance|9|chartid=1220|access-date=22 February 2014}} |
| {{single chart|Russiaradio|20|artist=Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull|song=I'm A Freak|date=20140418-20140424|access-date=June 12, 2025|rowheader=true}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Scotland|2|date=2014-03-22}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Slovakia|66|year=2014|week=10}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Spain|17|refname=spain|artist=Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull|song=I'm a Freak}} |
| scope=row|Spanish Airplay Chart (Promusicae){{cite web|title=Promusicae|url=http://www.promusicae.es/listas/semana/2518-streaming-semana-11-2014}}
| style="text-align:center;"|2 |
| scope=row|Spanish Top 100 Streaming (Promusicae){{cite web|url=http://www.forodance.com/index.php/Thread/12728-SPANISH-DANCE-CHARTS-03-05-2014-Week-18/?postID=32846&s=ba639e47f49c8686702d1bd6b099dad60d38417a#post32846 |title=SPANISH DANCE CHARTS (03/05/2014) Week 18 - Charts nacionales, internacionales y medios: - ForoDance.com, Solo Música Dance |date=May 2014 |publisher=Forodance.com |access-date=21 June 2014}}
| style="text-align:center;"|28 |
| scope=row{{single chart|UK|4|date=2014-03-22}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardbubbling100|5|artist=Enrique Iglesias|access-date=July 5, 2019|rowheader=true}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|38|artist=Enrique Iglesias|artistid=301773}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Billboarddanceelectronic|12|artist=Enrique Iglesias|song=I'm A Freak}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|3|artist=Enrique Iglesias|song=I'm A Freak}} |
| scope=row|US Hot 100 Airplay (Radio Songs){{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/song/83131 |title=Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull - I'm A Freak - Music Charts |publisher=Acharts.us |access-date=21 June 2014}}
| style="text-align:center;"|70 |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=single|title=I'm a Freak|artist=Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull|certyear=2014|relyear=2014|region=Mexico|award=Gold}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=single|title=I'm a Freak|artist=Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull|certyear=2014|relyear=2014|region=United Kingdom|award=Silver|id=12840-3229-1}}
{{certification Table Bottom | noshipments=true | streaming=true}}
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{Enrique Iglesias singles}}
{{Pitbull songs}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Enrique Iglesias songs
Category:Pitbull (rapper) songs
Category:Song recordings produced by the Cataracs
Category:Songs written by Enrique Iglesias
Category:Universal Republic Records singles
Category:Songs written by Marty James
Category:Songs written by Dr. Luke
Category:Songs written by Cirkut