Kill Em with Kindness
{{short description|2016 single by Selena Gomez}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Kill Em with Kindness
| cover = Kill Em With Kindness (Official Single Cover) by Selena Gomez.png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Selena Gomez
| album = Revival
| released = {{Start date|2016|5|3}}
| recorded = 2015
| studio = Rock Mafia Studios (Los Angeles, California)
| genre = *Dance-pop
| length = {{duration|m=3|s=37}}
| label = Interscope
| writer = {{hlist|Antonina Armato|Tim James|Benjamin Levin|Dave Audé|Selena Gomez}}
| producer = {{hlist|Rock Mafia|Benny Blanco}}
| prev_title = Hands to Myself
| prev_year = 2016
| next_title = We Don't Talk Anymore
| next_year = 2016
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|HHP5MKgK0o8|"Kill Em with Kindness"}}}}
}}
"Kill Em with Kindness" is a song recorded by American singer Selena Gomez. It was serviced to contemporary hit radio on May 3, 2016, through Interscope Records as the fourth and final single from her second studio album Revival (2015). The song was written by Gomez and producers Rock Mafia, Benny Blanco and Dave Audé, while R3drum contributed additional production. "Kill Em with Kindness" is a tropical house song with an electronic production.
Lyrically, the track gives advice for dealing with critics and revolves around the theme of magnanimity. It was inspired by the body-shaming Gomez endured from media outlets and social media when pictures of her on a beach in Mexico surfaced online. "Kill Em with Kindness" garnered generally positive reviews from music critics, who highlighted its positive themes, sleek production, and hook, though some felt it lacked originality. It performed moderately well on international music charts; reaching number one in Poland, top ten in Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, and top twenty in Argentina, Canada, Finland, Latvia, Lebanon, Slovakia, and Switzerland. In the United States, it peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, being the only single off Revival not to enter the top ten.
The accompanying music video was directed by Emil Nava and released on June 6, 2016. The black and white clip follows Gomez around a sprawling mansion during multiple photo shoots, dressed only in a corset and underwear, while shots of choreographed interpretive dancers, falling bullets, and blood-dripped flowers are interspersed throughout. The video was well received by critics, who praised its "artful" direction and intimate feel. To promote "Kill Em with Kindness", Gomez performed the song live for several venues including the Jingle Ball Tour 2015, and was included as part of her Revival Tour set list.
Background
{{Quote box|width=30%|align=left|quote="It's kind of my motto for life. It's so much easier to be mean. It's so easy to just kind of give yourself that, but it's so hard to walk away from a situation, turn your cheek the other way, and be the bigger person. So, that's what 'Kill Em with Kindness' represents. I think people need to hear that more often."|source=—Gomez on the theme of magnanimity{{cite web |url=http://www.iheart.com/news/interview-selena-gomez-reveals-the-meaning-14041604/#ixzz3y0dbhUBE |title=Selena Gomez Reveals The Meaning Of Songs On 'Revival'; Track By Track |first=Nicole |last=Mastrogiannis |work=iHeart Radio |publisher=IHeartMedia |date=October 22, 2015 |access-date=June 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529182523/http://www.iheart.com/news/interview-selena-gomez-reveals-the-meaning-14041604/#ixzz3y0dbhUBE |archive-date=May 29, 2016 |url-status=dead }}}}
According to Gomez, one of the main inspirations behind the song was the body-shaming she dealt with from tabloids and social media users when paparazzi photographs emerged of her in a bikini during a trip to Mexico in April 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/selena-gomez-body-shaming-inspired-new-music-2015249 |title=Selena Gomez: Body-Shaming Inspired Songs on My New Album |first=Will |last=Mendelson |work=Us Weekly |publisher=The New York Times Company |date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=April 17, 2017 }} Many claimed she had gained weight, with some media outlets going as far as to label her a "mess", and suggesting she was "going off the deep end". Gomez recalled, "I was getting a lot of hate for my body and 'you're gaining weight,' and so I was in Mexico and I was just feeling all of this stuff and I would be lying to you if I said it didn't kind of hurt my feelings, but I kind of channeled that into my music."{{cite web |url=http://www.etonline.com/news/173674_selena_gomez_talks_being_being_fat_shamed_to_ellen_degeneres/ |title=Selena Gomez on Being Fat Shamed: My Bikini Was 'a Little Too Small for Me, but I Didn't Care' |first=Antoinette |last=Bueno |work=Entertainment Tonight |publisher=CBS |date=October 9, 2015 |access-date=April 17, 2017 }} She called the experience "degrading", adding that she had never been through such intense bullying before.
In an interview for Power 106, Gomez spoke in-depth about the inspiration behind "Kill Em with Kindness", saying: "Everybody has had a say in my life […] meaning the world, the perception, the media. It was really frustrating. There is a song on my record called 'Kill Em with Kindness.' So I've always done that. I ignore, I ignore, I ignore. And then it just kind of got out of hand. So I went to the new label [Interscope] and I was like, I have to say something. I need to say what I want to say, and you guys have to help me figure out how to do that."{{cite web |url=http://www.idolator.com/7607763/selena-gomez-revival-tracklist-kill-em-with-kindness |title=Selena Gomez Talks New Song "Kill Em with Kindness": Watch |first=Christina |last=Lee |work=Idolator |publisher=SpinMedia |date=September 11, 2015 |access-date=June 17, 2016 }} While working on the album, Gomez enlisted frequent collaborators Rock Mafia to help make her sound a reality.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2339744/selena-gomez-revival-album-everything-need-to-know/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006223649/http://www.mtv.com/news/2339744/selena-gomez-revival-album-everything-need-to-know/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 6, 2015 |title=12 Things You Need To Know About Selena Gomez's Revival Album |first=Christina |last=Garibaldi |work= MTV News |publisher=Viacom |date=October 6, 2015 |access-date=June 16, 2016 }} They helped Gomez on the creation of six tracks on the album, including "Revival" and "Kill Em with Kindness", the latter being one of the most personal tracks on Revival.{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/4053719/selena-gomez-revival-interview/ |title=Selena Gomez on Her New Album and Media Scrutiny: 'I Just Don't Care About the Noise Anymore' |first=Nolan |last=Feeney |magazine=Time |publisher=Time Inc. |date=September 30, 2015 |access-date=January 21, 2016 }} She told the producers that although the production was important, she wanted the lyrics to be the focus of the song.
Recording and release
"Kill Em with Kindness" was written by Selena Gomez, Antonina Armato, Tim James, Benjamin Levin and David Aude. The track was recorded by Steve Hammons and Adam Comstock at Rock Mafia Studios in Los Angeles, California. After adding the instrumentation and programming from Dave Audé, James and Blanco produced "Kill Em with Kindness" with assistance from R3drum. The song was sent to be mixed by Serban Ghenea at Mixstar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia. John Hanes served as the track's mixing engineer, and received assistance from Phil Seaford.
After releasing three successful singles from Revival, Gomez announced that she had begun recording a follow-up to the album, stating that she was ready to move on from the era. However, in an interview for 97.5 Now FM, Gomez revealed that "Kill Em with Kindness" was going to be released as the album's fourth and final single, saying: "‘Kill Em with Kindness’ is lyrically my favorite song I put on the record and I definitely can't wait to be able for that to have a story."{{cite web |url=http://www.idolator.com/7628171/selena-gomez-kill-em-with-kindness-next-revival-single |title=Selena Gomez Confirms "Kill Em with Kindness" As Next 'Revival' Single |first=Mike |last=Wass |work=Idolator |publisher=Spin Media |date=June 17, 2016 |access-date=March 28, 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} It was serviced to contemporary hit radio on May 3, 2016.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7318903/selena-gomez-third-pop-songs-no-1-hands-to-myself |title=Selena Gomez Scores Third Pop Songs No. 1 With 'Panda' & Releases New Single From 'Revival' |first=Gary |last=Trust |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Eldridge Industries |date=April 4, 2016 |access-date=April 4, 2016}} On May 31, 2016, the official cover art for the single was released. It features a lipstick print against a black surface, which Mike Wass of Idolator noted "vaguely ties in with the song’s message of rising above your haters."{{cite web |url=http://www.idolator.com/7635232/selena-gomez-kill-em-with-kindness-cover |title=Selena Gomez (Finally) Unveils Her "Kill Em with Kindness" Cover Art |first=Mike |last=Wass |work=Idolator |publisher=SpinMedia |date=May 31, 2016 |access-date=April 17, 2017}}
Composition
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| description = A 21-second sample of "Kill Em with Kindness". A dance-pop and EDM song, critics noted its electronic production.{{cite web |url=http://411wrestling.com/music/selena-gomez-revival-review/ |title=Selena Gomez – Revival Review |first=David |last=Hayter |work=411 Mania |publisher=411 Wrestling LLC |date=October 13, 2015 |access-date=April 17, 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
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Musically, "Kill Em with Kindness" is a groove-driven dance-pop song.{{cite web |url=http://www.refinery29.com/2015/10/94843/selena-gomez-revival-growing-up-relationships-interview |title=Selena Gomez: Revival Is The Best Revenge |first1=Olivia |last1=Malone |first2=Heather |last2=Rudulph |first3=Natalia |last3=Grosner |work=Refinery29 |publisher=Refinery 29 Inc |date=October 12, 2015 |access-date=April 17, 2017 }}{{cite web |url=http://torontoparadise.com/music/music-review-revival-by-selena-gomez/ |title=Music Review – Revival by Selena Gomez |work=Toronto Paradise |publisher=Bloor Media |date=October 15, 2015|access-date=April 17, 2017 }} Its electronic production{{cite news|last1=Jaleru |first1=Christina |title=Music Review: Selena Gomez brings her A-game to 'Revival' |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/oct/9/music-review-selena-gomez-brings-her-a-game-to-rev/ |access-date=June 18, 2016 |work=Washington Times |date=October 9, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225205309/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/oct/9/music-review-selena-gomez-brings-her-a-game-to-rev/ |archive-date=December 25, 2015 }} is composed of airy synths, added bells, and a whistled hook, connected by a tropical breeze.{{cite news|last1=Wood|first1=Mikael|title=Selena Gomez is more like Janet Jackson than Miley Cyrus on modest 'Revival'|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-selena-gomez-revival-review-20151009-story.html|access-date=June 17, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=October 9, 2015}}{{cite magazine|last1=St. Asaph|first1=Katherine|title=Review: Selena Gomez Is Whoever Pop Needs Her to Be on Revival|url=https://time.com/4071535/selena-gomez-revival-album-review/|access-date=June 17, 2016|magazine=Time|date=October 13, 2015}} Cristina Jaleru of The Washington Times called "Kill Em with Kindness" an "approachable dance track", while Mike Wass of Idolator noted that the whistle hook recalled Adam Lambert's "Ghost Town".{{cite news|last1=Wass|first1=Mike|title=Selena Gomez's 'Revival': Album Review|url=http://www.idolator.com/7610838/selena-gomez-revival-album-review|access-date=June 17, 2016|work=Idolator|publisher=SpinMedia|date=October 9, 2015|archive-date=February 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206073532/http://www.idolator.com/7610838/selena-gomez-revival-album-review|url-status=dead}} According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Universal Music Publishing Group, the song is written in the key of B-flat minor with a tempo of 120 beats per minute in common time. The track follows a chord progression of B{{flat}}m – G{{flat}} – D{{flat}} – F7, and Gomez's vocals span from A{{flat}}3 to B{{flat}}4.{{cite web|title=Selena Gomez – "Kill Em with Kindness" – Digital Sheet Music|date = June 9, 2016|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0164401|publisher=Musicnotes.com. Universal Music Publishing Group|id=MN0164401|access-date=June 17, 2016}}
{{Quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="I’ve been frustrated and pissed off before, but my mom has always taught me, every single time, turn my cheek the other way. It is always the best feeling waking up the next day going, 'They gave me their worst, I gave them my best, and that's all I can do.'"|source=— Gomez on the message behind the song
}}
Lyrically, "Kill Em with Kindness" gives advice for dealing with critics, and delivers a message of choosing peace instead of violence and revenge.{{cite web|title=Revival Album Review (2015) | Plugged In|url=http://www.pluggedin.com/music-reviews/album/selena-gomez-revival/|website=Plugged In (publication)|publisher=Focus on the Family|access-date=June 17, 2016}} As the song opens, Gomez professes: "The world can be a nasty place / You know it / I know it". Wass noted the lyrics as conveying a message of peace, saying "instead of raising the proverbial middle finger, [Gomez] takes the high road." The theme of magnanimity is further displayed in lyrics such as "We don't have to fall from grace / Put down the weapons you fight with", imploring the listener to "put out the fire before igniting." According to Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times, the song was Gomez's response to "ungentle tabloid chatter" in regards to her health.
Critical reception
Tim Sendra of AllMusic picked it as a highlight from the album, remarking that "Gomez sounds most at home."{{cite web|last1=Sendra|first1=Tim|title=Revival – Selena Gomez – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/revival-mw0002877757|website=AllMusic|publisher=All Media Network|access-date=June 17, 2016}} Elysa Gardner of USA Today selected it one of the tracks to download and named it a "groove-driven, electro-savvy track."{{cite news|last1=Gardner|first1=Elysa|title=Album of the week: A cooler, groovier, Selena Gomez emerges on 'Revival.'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/10/09/album-of-the-week-selena-gomez-revival/73476420/|access-date=June 18, 2016|newspaper=USA Today|date=October 9, 2015}} Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine noted that though it "lacks of originality," the song is yet a standout.{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/selena-gomez-revival|title=Selena Gomez: Revival – Album Review|website=slantmagazine.com|date=October 17, 2015|access-date=18 May 2017}} James Reed of The Boston Globe called it a "dance-floor catnip,"{{cite news|last1=Reed|first1=James|title=Selena Gomez takes the reins on 'Revival'|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/10/08/album-review-selena-gomez-revival/U1bO3Hl0ynHluIQnCvp9vN/story.html|access-date=June 17, 2016|work=The Boston Globe|date=October 9, 2015}} while Dave Hanratty of Drowned in Sound named it a "laser-focused sugar rush", adding that "Gomez succeeds in laying down a winning pop gauntlet."{{cite news|last1=Hanratty|first1=Dave|title=Album Review: Selena Gomez – Revival / Releases / Drowned In Sound|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/19064/reviews/4149483|access-date=June 17, 2016|publisher=Drowned In Sound|date=October 15, 2016|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222085411/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/19064/reviews/4149483|url-status=dead}} Mikael Wood of Los Angeles Times noted that "what's remarkable is how steadied she seems by such a facile conviction." Katharine St. Asaph of Time labelled it "au corant", which according to him "stirs a tropical-house breeze not dissimilar from Bieber's song 'What Do You Mean?'." Jia Tolentino of Spin wrote that the track works for addressing the viewing public, calling it a "hustling little posi-heater."{{cite news|last1=Tolentino|first1=Jia|author-link=Jia Tolentino|title=Review: Selena Gomez Is Center Stage at Last on 'Revival'|url=http://www.spin.com/2015/10/review-selena-gomez-revival/|access-date=June 17, 2016|work=Spin|date=October 13, 2015}} Mike Wass of Idolator referred to it as a "triple threat's measured missive to haters," noting that the message "is a powerful stance in the age of online-bullying, Twitter beefs and messy open letters."
Chart performance
In the United States, "Kill Em with Kindness" entered at number 37 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart dated May 10, 2016,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7358057/mike-posner-takes-pill-in-ibiza-to-no-1-on-pop-songs-chart|title=Mike Posner Takes 'Pill in Ibiza' to No. 1 on Pop Songs Chart|magazine=Billboard|date= May 9, 2016|access-date= June 18, 2017}} Four weeks after, the song debuted at number 74 on Billboard Hot 100 prompted by a 25% sales increase with 2.8 million streams in the United States.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7401072/kent-jones-dont-mind-hot-100-chart-moveshot-100-chart-moves|title= Hot 100 Chart Moves: Kent Jones' 'Don't Mind' Darts Toward Top 10|magazine= Billboard|date= June 9, 2016|access-date= June 18, 2017}}
Following the release of its accompanying music video on June 6, 2016, the song bounded from number 74 to number 52 on the Hot 100 chart, with 15,000 downloads sold. In its new position, the song also debuted at number 48 on Radio Songs with radio audience of 26 million and received 5.1 million streams in the United States winning Streaming Gainer. In the same week,
"Kill Em with Kindness" climbed from 18 to 17 on Mainstream Top 40, becoming the fourth single to reached the top 20 from Revival'.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7408712/hot-100-chart-moves-shawn-mendes-selena-gomez|magazine= Billboard|title= Hot 100 Chart Moves: Shawn Mendes Debuts & Selena Gomez Soars|date= June 16, 2016|access-date= June 18, 2017}} For the week ending July 9, 2016, the song rose from number 44 to number 39 on the Hot 100, giving to Gomez her fourth top 40 song from Revival, at the same week, it debuted at number 40 on Streaming Songs (with 6.4 million streams domestically – up 15 percent) and number 48 on Digital Songs (with 20,000 downloads sold).{{cite magazine|url= http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7423882/selena-gomez-scores-fourth-top-40-hit-revival|magazine= Billboard|title= Selena Gomez Scores Fourth Top 40 Hit from 'Revival'|date= June 30, 2016|access-date= June 18, 2017}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2016-07-09|magazine= Billboard|title= Hot 100 - Week: July 9, 2016|access-date= February 1, 2017}}
"Kill Em with Kindness" debuted at number 43 on Australia's ARIA Charts on the week ending June 12, 2016; it went on to reach number 33 on July 10, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Selena+Gomez&titel=Kill+Em+With+Kindness&cat=s|title= Kill Em with Kindness - Australian-chart|website= australian-chart.com|access-date= June 18, 2017}} The song spent 13 weeks on the chart, with it being certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for exceeding the 70,000 sales mark.
Music video
File:Kill Em with Kindness - Music video screenshot.jpg vision, the video contains several shots of Gomez's in different positions while she appears on a stool in front of a grey backdrop (pictured).]]
The music video was released on Vevo on June 6, 2016. It was directed by Emil Nava and shot in black-and-white.{{cite magazine|last1=Reed|first1=Ryan|title=Selena Gomez Goes Vogue in 'Kill Em with Kindness' Video|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/selena-gomez-goes-vogue-on-kill-em-with-kindness-video-20160606|access-date=June 18, 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903030339/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/selena-gomez-goes-vogue-on-kill-em-with-kindness-video-20160606|url-status=dead}} The video begins with Gomez in a photoshoot set with makeup artists around her, a black screen containing the song's title introduces the video.{{cite news|last1=Salkin|first1=Gabriella|title=Watch Selena Gomez "Kill Em with Kindness" In New Video|url=http://vmagazine.com/article/selena-gomez-kill-em-music-video/|access-date=June 18, 2016|work=V|date=June 7, 2016|archive-date=July 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716194702/https://vmagazine.com/article/selena-gomez-kill-em-music-video/|url-status=dead}} Gomez then appears sit in a stool wearing a "slinky, satin slip with a drape-y robe falling off of her shoulders as she smolders on a stool in front of a gray backdrop."{{cite news|author=AOL.com Editors|title=Selena Gomez debuts music video for 'Kill Em with Kindness'|url=http://www.aol.com/article/2016/06/06/selena-gomez-kill-em-with-kindness-music-video/21390349/|access-date=June 18, 2016|website=AOL|date=June 6, 2016}} The scenes are interspersed with shots of herself in different positions.
During the song's chorus, Gomez appears in front of a mirror while stare at her own reflection and the main view. The following scenes "dramatic shots of bullets and blood-dripped flowers flash across the frame." As noted by Ryan Reed from Rolling Stone. Later, Gomez is shown surrounded by flashes of cameras in a garden as background. The video also features several dancers performing interpretive moves, and later "Gomez begins to shed layers of her clothing, at one point wearing just a corset and underwear." Billboard staff called it "artful",{{cite magazine|last1=Billboard Staff|title=Watch Selena Gomez's New Black and White Video for 'Kill Em with Kindness'|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7393655/selena-gomez-kill-em-with-kindness-video-watch|access-date=June 18, 2016|magazine=Billboard|date=June 6, 2016}} while Ryan Reed of Rolling Stone named it "dramatic". Gabriella Salkin of V went on to call it "intimate and sultry." While some critics praised its simplicity and meaning in contrast with the song's theme.{{cite news|last1=Warwick|first1=Charlotte|title=Selena Gomez Looks Like An Actual Victoria's Secret Model In Her Amazing Kill Em with Kindness Music Video|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/f7m19o/selena-gomez-kill-em-with-kindness-music-video|access-date=June 19, 2016|publisher=MTV UK|date=June 7, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Jessie|title=Selena Gomez Debuts Stark and Sexy Video for "Kill Em with Kindness"|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2016/06/selena-gomez-kill-em-with-kindness-video|access-date=June 19, 2016|work=Complex|date=June 6, 2016}}
Live performances and usage in media
Gomez performed the song as part of her setlist at Jingle Ball Tour 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7616965/kiis-fm-jingle-ball-2015-one-direction-selena-gomez-the-weeknd-ellie-goulding-shawn-mendes-camila-cabello-video|title=Jingle Ball 2015: Watch Performances By 1D, Selena Gomez, The Weeknd And More|first=Christina|last=Lee|work=Idolator|publisher=Spin Media|date=December 5, 2015|access-date=June 18, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} "Kill Em with Kindness" is included on the encore of her Revival Tour.{{cite news|last1=Pareles|first1=Jon|title=Review: Selena Gomez, a Disney Graduate, Majors in Angst Onstage|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/03/arts/music/selena-gomez-revival-tour-review.html?_r=0|access-date=June 19, 2016|work=New York Times|date=June 3, 2016}}
In July 2016, Gomez appeared in an advertisement for American telecommunications company Verizon, entitled "Play It Again". The advertisement features Gomez dancing around a fan, who is using his data to stream "Kill Em with Kindness". She follows him around throughout the day, including inside a locker room, walking down the street, in a laundromat and in a diner. Every time the song ends, Gomez tells him to "play it again".{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7431191/selena-gomez-verizon-commercial-kill-em-with-kindness |title=Play It Again, Selena: 'Kill 'Em With Kindness' Soundtracks New Verizon Ad |first=Lauren |last=Craddock |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=July 8, 2016 |access-date=April 17, 2017 }} An acoustic version of "Kill Em with Kindness" appears on the soundtrack to Gomez's Netflix series 13 Reasons Why (2017).{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7660121/selena-gomez-acoustic-version-kill-em-with-kindness-13-reasons|title=Selena Gomez's Acoustic "Kill Em with Kindness"|date=29 March 2017|work=Idolator|publisher=Spin Media|access-date=18 May 2017}}
Formats and track listings
- Digital download{{cite web|url = https://music.apple.com/us/album/revival/1075478113|title = iTunes Store (US) – Music – Selena Gomez – Revival|access-date = February 12, 2016|date = October 9, 2015|work = iTunes Store (US), Apple Music}}
- Kill Em with Kindness - 3:37
- Digital download (Remixes){{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/kill-em-with-kindness-remixes-single/1125263938|title =Kill Em with Kidness (Remixes) - Single by Selena Gomez on Apple Music|date=June 24, 2016|work = iTunes Store, Apple Music}}
- Kill Em with Kindness (Felix Cartal Remix) - 3:17
- Kill Em with Kindness (Young Bombs Remix) - 3:56
- Kill Em with Kindness (River Tiber Remix) - 3:41
- Digital download (Acoustic version){{cite web|url =https://music.apple.com/us/album/13-reasons-why-a-netflix-original-series-soundtrack/1440880821|title = 13 Reasons Why (A Netflix Original Series Soundtrack) by Various Artists on Apple Music|access-date =March 31, 2017|date = March 30, 2017|work = iTunes Store, Apple Music}}
- Kill Em with Kindness (Acoustic Version) - 3:32
Credits and personnel
Credits and personnel adapted from Revival album liner notes.{{cite AV media notes |title=Revival |title-link=Revival (Selena Gomez album) |others=Selena Gomez |year=2015 |type=liner notes |publisher=Interscope Records |location=United States |id=00602547543783}}
Recording and management
- Recorded at Rock Mafia Studios (Los Angeles, California)
- Mixed at Mixstar Studios (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
- Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York
- Published by Antonina Songs (ASCAP) — administered by Downtown Music Publishing LLC —, Akashic Field Music (BMI), Superstar Maker Music (BMI), Please Don't Forget to Play Me Music — administered by Universal Music Publishing (GMR) and Good Fellowship Publishing (ASCAP)
Personnel
{{Div col}}
- Selena Gomez – lead vocals, songwriting
- Rock Mafia – songwriting, production, instrumentation, programming
- Benny Blanco – songwriting, production, instrumentation, programming
- R3drum – additional production
- Dave Audé – songwriting
- Andrew Luftman – production coordination
- Zvi Edelman – production coordination
- Astrid Taylor – production coordination
- Seif Hussain – production coordination
- Steve Hammons – recording
- Adam Comstock – recording
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- John Hanes – mixing engineering
- Phil Seaford – mixing engineering
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
{{div col end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
= Weekly charts =
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! Chart (2016) ! Peak |
{{single chart|Australia|33|artist=Selena Gomez|song=Kill Em With Kindness|rowheader=true|access-date=July 2, 2016}} |
{{single chart|Austria|32|artist=Selena Gomez|song=Kill Em With Kindness|rowheader=true|access-date=August 4, 2016}} |
{{single chart|Flanders Tip|20|artist=Selena Gomez|song=Kill Em With Kindness|rowheader=true|access-date=May 28, 2016}} |
{{single chart|Wallonia Tip|2|artist=Selena Gomez|song=Kill Em With Kindness|rowheader=true|access-date=May 28, 2016}} |
{{single chart|Canada|14|artist=Selena Gomez|rowheader=true|access-date=July 6, 2016}} |
{{single chart|CIS|160|artist=Selena Gomez|song=Kill Em With Kindness|songid=75025|rowheader=true|access-date=April 18, 2021}} |
{{single chart|Czech Republic|6|year=2016|week=37|artist=Selena Gomez|song=Kill Em With Kindness|rowheader=true|access-date=September 19, 2016}} |
scope="row"| Denmark (Tracklisten){{cite web|url=http://hitlisten.nu/default.asp?list=t40 |title=Danmarks officielle hitlister |publisher=Hitlisten.NU |access-date=August 17, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704195653/http://hitlisten.nu/default.asp?list=t40 |archive-date=July 4, 2014 }}
| 30 |
---|
{{single chart|Finland|17|artist=Selena Gomez|song=Kill Em with Kindness|rowheader=true|access-date=August 14, 2016}} |
scope="row"| France (SNEP){{cite web|url=http://www.snepmusique.com/tops-semaine/top-singles-telecharges/?ye=2016&we=36|title=Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés – SNEP (Week 36, 2016)|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|language=fr|access-date=September 10, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160915162519/http://www.snepmusique.com/tops-semaine/top-singles-telecharges/?ye=2016&we=36|archive-date=2016-09-15|url-status=dead}}
| 109 |
{{single chart|Germany|39|songid=1483427|artist=Selena Gomez|song=Kill Em With Kindness|rowheader=true|access-date=July 29, 2016}} |
{{single chart|Hungaryradio|7|year=2016|week=28|rowheader=true|access-date=July 22, 2016}} |
{{single chart|Hungarysingle|10|year=2016|week=35|rowheader=true|access-date=September 10, 2016}} |
{{single chart|Ireland|24|year=2016|week=35|rowheader=true|access-date=September 2, 2016}} |
scope="row"| Italy (FIMI){{cite web|url=http://www.fimi.it/classifiche#/category:digital/id:2299|title=Top Digital – Classifica settimanale WK 30 (dal 2016-07-22 al 2016-06-28)|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|language=it|access-date=July 31, 2016}}
| 37 |
scope="row"| Latvia (Latvijas Top 40){{cite web|url=http://www.pieci.lv/lv/top-40/|title=Latvijas Top 40|publisher=Latvijas Radio|date=August 1, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016}}
| 19 |
scope="row"| Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20) {{cite web|url=http://www.olt20.com/Selena_Gomez#fragment-2|title=Selena Gomez Lebanese Chart Top 20 History|publisher=The Official Lebanese Top 20|access-date=18 July 2016}}
| 13 |
{{single chart|Dutch100|36|artist=Selena Gomez|song=Kill Em With Kindness|rowheader=true|access-date=July 8, 2016}} |
scope="row"| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2016-07-15|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=July 18, 2016|access-date=July 15, 2016}}
| 28 |
scope="row"| Norway (VG-lista){{cite web|url=http://lista.vg.no/artist/selena-gomez/singel/kill-em-with-kindness/6515|title=VG-lista – Selena Gomez / Kill Em With Kindness|publisher=VG-lista|access-date=August 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805221754/http://lista.vg.no/artist/selena-gomez/singel/kill-em-with-kindness/6515|archive-date=August 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}
| 33 |
{{single chart|Poland|1|chartid=2097|year=2016|rowheader=true|access-date=September 26, 2016}} |
scope="row"| Poland (Video Chart){{cite web|url=http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/airplays/pozostale/archiwum.php?year=2016&typ=tv&idlisty=2075#title|title=Top 5 Airplay TV|publisher=ZPAV|work=Polish Video Chart|access-date=February 6, 2017|archive-date=September 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910235412/http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/airplays/pozostale/archiwum.php?year=2016&typ=tv&idlisty=2075#title|url-status=dead}}
| align=center| 3 |
{{single chart|Portugal|27|artist=Selena Gomez|song=Kill Em With Kindness|rowheader=true|access-date=July 31, 2016}} |
{{single chart|Slovakia|17|year=2016|week=39|rowheader=true|access-date=October 3, 2016}} |
{{single chart|Slovakdigital|16|year=2016|week=27|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Scotland|23|date=20160715|rowheader=true|access-date=July 16, 2016}} |
{{single chart|Spain|65|artist=Selena Gomez|song=Kill Em With Kindness|rowheader=true|access-date=July 16, 2016}} |
scope="row"| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web|url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/|title=Sverigetopplistan – Sveriges Officiella Topplista|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|access-date=August 19, 2016}}
| 34 |
{{single chart|Switzerland|18|artist=Selena Gomez|song=Kill Em With Kindness|rowheader=true|access-date=August 1, 2016}} |
{{single chart|UK|35|date=20160715|rowheader=true|access-date=July 16, 2016}} |
{{single chart|Ukraineradio|10|artist=Selena Gomez|song=Kill Em With Kindness|date=20161125-20161201|access-date=June 15, 2025|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|39|artist=Selena Gomez|rowheader=true|access-date=June 28, 2016}} |
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|15|artist=Selena Gomez|rowheader=true|access-date=May 9, 2016|refname="US Pop"}} |
{{col-2}}
= Year-end charts =
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2024|relyear=2016|access-date=}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|artist=Selena Gomez|title=Kill 'Em With Kindness|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2016|certyear=2024|access-date=November 21, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Selena Gomez|title=Kill Em With Kindness|award=Diamond|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|access-date=July 17, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Selena Gomez|title=Kill Em with Kindness|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2016|id=4631|certmonth=10|access-date=November 1, 2016}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Selena Gomez|title=Kill Em with Kindness|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2017|access-date=July 4, 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Selena Gomez|title=Kill Em with Kindness|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2019|id=7272|access-date=October 28, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=Kill 'Em With Kindness|artist=Selena Gomez|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2016|certyear=2018|source=radioscope|access-date=January 10, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|artist=Selena Gomez|title=Kill Em with Kindness|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2020|access-date=October 22, 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Selena Gomez|title=Kill Em with Kindness|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2023|access-date=August 23, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|artist=Selena Gomez|title=Kill Em with Kindness|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2019|id=file_2020-03-31-16-40-51.pdf|access-date=August 11, 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Selena Gomez|source=artist|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2024|certweek=1|access-date=January 10, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|artist=Selena Gomez|source=artist|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2016|access-date=March 30, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Selena Gomez|title=Kill Em with Kindness|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2016|id=13902-4123-1|access-date=March 22, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Selena Gomez|title=Kill Em with Kindness|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2018|access-date=July 27, 2018}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{youTube|HHP5MKgK0o8| Selena Gomez – Kill Em with Kindness}}
{{Selena Gomez}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Black-and-white music videos
Category:Electronic dance music songs
Category:Interscope Records singles
Category:Number-one singles in Poland
Category:Song recordings produced by Benny Blanco
Category:Song recordings produced by Rock Mafia
Category:Songs written by Antonina Armato
Category:Songs written by Benny Blanco
Category:Songs written by Dave Audé
Category:Songs written by Selena Gomez