Language (Porter Robinson song)

{{Infobox song

| name = Language

| cover = LanguagePorterRobinson.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Porter Robinson

| album =

| released = April 10, 2012

| recorded = 2011

| studio =

| genre = {{hlist|Electro house{{Cite web |url=https://www.youredm.com/2012/08/01/porter-robinson-language-official-video/ |title=Porter Robinson – 'Language' (Official Video) |last=Sachs |first=Elliot |date=2012-08-01 |website=Your EDM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917072333/https://www.youredm.com/2012/08/01/porter-robinson-language-official-video/ |archive-date=2017-09-17 |accessdate=2018-11-05}}{{Cite web |url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2020/01/dancing-astronauts-top-100-songs-of-the-decade/ |title=Dancing Astronaut's Top 100 Songs of the Decade |last=Dancing Astronaut Staff |date=2020-01-06 |website=Dancing Astronaut |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107075101/https://dancingastronaut.com/2020/01/dancing-astronauts-top-100-songs-of-the-decade/ |archive-date=2020-01-07 |accessdate=2020-01-07}}|progressive house{{Cite web |url=https://wegotthiscovered.com/music/jauz-takes-porter-robinsons-language-dnb-remix/ |title=Jauz Takes On Porter Robinson's 'Language' With DnB Remix |last=Jones |first=Connor |website=We Got This Covered |date=November 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122193856/https://wegotthiscovered.com/music/jauz-takes-porter-robinsons-language-dnb-remix/ |archive-date=2016-11-22 |accessdate=2018-11-05}}}}

| length = 6:08
3:19 (UK radio edit)

| label = {{hlist|Big Beat (US)|Ministry of Sound (UK)}}

| writer = {{hlist|Heather Bright|Porter Robinson}}

| producer = Porter Robinson

| prev_title = The Wildcat

| prev_year = 2011

| next_title = Easy

| next_year = 2013

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Heather Bright

| type = single

| prev_title = Don't Blame the Party (Mode)

| prev_year = 2012

| title = Language

| year = 2012

| next_title = We Are the Sun

| next_year = 2012

}}

"Language" is a song by American electronic music producer and DJ Porter Robinson.{{Cite web |last=Bhansali |first=Akshay |date=April 9, 2012 |title=Porter Robinson Aims To 'Make The Ravers Cry' With 'Language' |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/63jt9k/porter-robinson-language |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=MTV |language=en |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229123424/https://www.mtv.com/news/63jt9k/porter-robinson-language |url-status=dead }} The song was uploaded on YouTube by Porter Robinson on April 1, 2012. The song was released in the United States on Big Beat Records as a digital download on April 10, 2012. The song was later released in the United Kingdom in an EP package from the Ministry of Sound on August 12, 2012. It debuted at number nine on the UK Singles Chart. The song features uncredited vocals from Heather Bright.[https://soundcloud.com/brightlights333/language-feat-heather-bright Language feat. Bright Lights - Porter Robinson by Bright Lights] on SoundCloud The song received remixes from producers Kayzo together with Gammer, and from Jauz.{{Cite news|url=http://nesthq.com/porter-robinson-language-kayzo-gammer-remix|title=Kayzo & Gammer Share Absolutely Beautiful Hardcore Remix of Porter Robinson's "Language"|date=2016-09-14|work=Nest HQ|accessdate=2017-05-31|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=http://earmilk.com/2016/09/15/kayzo-gammers-remix-of-porter-robinsons-language-is-quite-the-trip/|title=Kayzo & Gammer's remix of Porter Robinson's "Language" is quite the trip|last=Genosa|first=Wendel|date=2016-09-15|work=Earmilk|access-date=2017-05-31|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.edmtunes.com/2016/09/language-kayzo-gammer-remix/|title=Porter Robinson – Language (Kayzo & Gammer Remix)|last=Piedl|first=Alana|date=2016-09-15|work=EDMTunes|access-date=2017-05-31|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109134742/http://www.edmtunes.com/2016/09/language-kayzo-gammer-remix/|archive-date=2017-11-09|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.youredm.com/2016/09/07/language-remixes-surface/|title=Listen To Sick New Remixes Of Porter Robinson's "Language" From Jauz & More|last=Robinson|first=Rain|date=2016-09-07|website=Your EDM|access-date=2017-05-31}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.youredm.com/2016/09/14/kayzo-gammer-remix-porter-robinsons-legendary-single/|title=Porter Robinson's Biggest Hit Just Got An Insane New Remix You Have To Hear|last=Kusnierek|first=Timmy|date=2016-09-14|website=Your EDM|accessdate=2017-05-31}}

Background

In 2010, Porter Robinson released his first hit, "Say My Name", which topped Beatport's electro house charts.{{Cite news |title=Porter Robinson conquered EDM, and now he wants more |url=https://www.thefader.com/2014/07/31/porter-robinson-conquered-edm-and-now-he-wants-more |last=Cooper |first=Duncan |date=2014-07-31 |access-date=2023-09-25 |work=The Fader |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602022744/https://www.thefader.com/2014/07/31/porter-robinson-conquered-edm-and-now-he-wants-more |url-status=live}} After capturing Skrillex's interest with the track,{{Cite web |last=Ochoa |first=John |date=2019-01-22 |title=10 moments that defined Porter Robinson |url=https://djmag.com/content/10-moments-defined-porter-robinson |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=DJ Mag |language=en |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108101621/https://djmag.com/content/10-moments-defined-porter-robinson |url-status=live }} Robinson signed with Skrillex's then-new label, Owsla, in the summer of 2011.{{Cite web |last=Marchese |first=David |date=March 14, 2012 |title=Breaking Out: Porter Robinson |url=https://www.spin.com/2012/03/breaking-out-porter-robinson/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Spin |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224213731/https://www.spin.com/2012/03/breaking-out-porter-robinson/ |url-status=live }} Robinson's debut EP, Spitfire was released on September 13 as the label's first release. After Skrillex and Tiësto tweeted a link to it, Beatport crashed.{{Cite news |title=Porter Robinson conquered EDM, and now he wants more |url=https://www.thefader.com/2014/07/31/porter-robinson-conquered-edm-and-now-he-wants-more |last=Cooper |first=Duncan |date=2014-07-31 |access-date=2023-09-25 |work=The Fader |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602022744/https://www.thefader.com/2014/07/31/porter-robinson-conquered-edm-and-now-he-wants-more |url-status=live}} Robinson later toured North America in support of the EP.{{Cite magazine |last=Saliba |first=Emmanuelle |date=2011-10-04 |title=How Skrillex, OWSLA Records Are Helping Porter Robinson Make An EDM Name For Himself |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/how-skrillex-owsla-records-are-helping-porter-robinson-make-an-edm-1165429/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224213732/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/how-skrillex-owsla-records-are-helping-porter-robinson-make-an-edm-1165429/ |url-status=live }}

While Robinson was initially known for his "aggressive" electro and complextro music,{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:{{Cite web |last=Ochoa |first=John |date=2018-02-15 |title=Porter Robinson: DJ Mag North America cover feature |url=https://djmag.com/content/porter-robinson-dj-mag-north-america-cover-feature |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315134503/https://djmag.com/content/porter-robinson-dj-mag-north-america-cover-feature |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=DJ Mag |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Moen |first=Matt |date=August 24, 2021 |title=Let Porter Robinson Nurture You |url=https://www.papermag.com/porter-robinson-nurture-2654777014.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123121142/https://www.papermag.com/porter-robinson-nurture-2654777014.html |archive-date=November 23, 2021 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |website=Paper}}}} with Robinson describing his initial sound as "very heavy" and "bass-aggressive", "Language" was his first song to have a greater emphasis on melody.{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19517-porter-robinson-worlds/ |title=Porter Robinson: Worlds |last=Fitzmaurice |first=Larry |work=Pitchfork |date=August 11, 2014 |accessdate=August 17, 2014 |archive-date=August 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814221804/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19517-porter-robinson-worlds/ |url-status=live}} Tatiana Cirisano of Billboard said that "Robinson takes a detour toward a more delicate, trance-like sound", with the song presenting "piercing vocals" followed by "pumping fists to lush synths, a thumping bass kick and euphoric chords".

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Language" was first released on YouTube on August 1, 2012, with a total length of three minutes and thirty-three seconds.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LILChvqUo4 Porter Robinson - Language (Official Video) (Ministry of Sound TV)]. YouTube The music video portrays a young woman (Susannah Hart Jones){{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} running away from wolf-like creatures and befriending a giant-like creature. As of July 2017, the video has over 10.2 million views.

Reception

Although the song was a departure from his earlier sound, "Language" was accepted by audiences, surprising Robinson. In 2017, Tatiana Cirisano of Billboard chose "Language" as the best track in Robinson's discography at the time, writing: "It's no surprise 'Language' is one of the best-known Porter Robinson songs — and our most-loved".{{Cite magazine |last=Cirisano |first=Tatiana |date=2017-07-06 |title=Porter Robinson's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/porter-robinson-songs-best-hits-list-7857805/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=July 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702160048/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/porter-robinson-songs-best-hits-list-7857805/ |url-status=live }}

"Language" was how he first conceived the idea for his 2014 debut studio album Worlds.

In popular media

"Language" was included as part of the soundtrack to the game Forza Horizon, and is heard in the main menu of the game. The song was also added in Forza Horizon 5's Horizon Mixtape radio station as part of its 10th anniversary update.

Track listing

{{tracklist

| headline = Digital download

| title1 = Language

| note1 = UK Edit

| length1 = 3:19

| title2 = Language

| note2 = Extended Mix

| length2 = 6:08

| title3 = Language

| note3 = Instrumental

| length3 = 6:07

| title4 = Language

| note4 = Instrumental Edit

| length4 = 3:42

}}

Charts

scope="row"\|Australia (ARIA){{cite web\|author=ARIA Music News\|author-link=ARIA Charts\|title=Chartifacts - Wednesday, 19th December 2012\|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/36652/chartifacts---wednesday,-19th-december-2012}}{{cite web\|author=ARIA Music News\|author-link=ARIA Charts\|title=Chartifacts - Tuesday 19th August 2014\|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/47684/chartifacts---tuesday-19th-august-2014\|url-status=dead\|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610183052/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/47684/chartifacts---tuesday-19th-august-2014\|archivedate=2015-06-10}} \| style="text-align:center;"\|53
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" \|+ Chart performance for "Language" ! Chart (2012-2013) ! Peak position
{{single chart\|Ireland3\|63\|artist=Porter Robinson\|rowheader=true\|access-date=December 27, 2022}}
{{single chart\|Scotland\|4\|date=20120825\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|UK\|9\|date=20120825\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|UKdance\|3\|date=20120825\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|UKindie\|1\|date=20120825\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Billboarddanceairplay\|7\|artist=Porter Robinson\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=}}
{{single chart\|Billboarddanceelectronic\|33\|artist=Porter Robinson\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Language"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Porter Robinson|title=Language|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2013|access-date=July 12, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Porter Robinson|title=Language|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2020|access-date=July 28, 2021|id=16720-5388-1}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ Release history and formats for "Language" ! Region ! Date ! Format ! Label
scope="row"\| United States \| April 10, 2012[http://www.beatport.com/release/language/892088 Language] on Beatport[https://web.archive.org/web/20120702152324/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/language-single/id521551738 Language - Single by Porter Robinson] on iTunes (US) \| rowspan="3"\| Digital download \| Big Beat
scope="row"\| United Kingdom \| August 12, 2012[https://itunes.apple.com/uk/album/language-remixes-ep/id543568900 Language (Remixes) - EP by Porter Robinson]{{dead link\|date=March 2025\|bot=medic}}{{cbignore\|bot=medic}} on iTunes (UK) \| Ministry of Sound
scope="row"\| Australia \| September 21, 2012[https://web.archive.org/web/20160307043410/https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/language-remixes-ep/id558697271 Language (Remixes) - EP by Porter Robinson] on iTunes (AU) \| Ministry of Sound

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ Release history and formats for "Language"

! Region

! Date

! Format

! Label

scope="row"| United States

| April 10, 2012[http://www.beatport.com/release/language/892088 Language] on Beatport[https://web.archive.org/web/20120702152324/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/language-single/id521551738 Language - Single by Porter Robinson] on iTunes (US)

| rowspan="3"| Digital download

| Big Beat

scope="row"| United Kingdom

| August 12, 2012[https://itunes.apple.com/uk/album/language-remixes-ep/id543568900 Language (Remixes) - EP by Porter Robinson]{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} on iTunes (UK)

| Ministry of Sound

scope="row"| Australia

| September 21, 2012[https://web.archive.org/web/20160307043410/https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/language-remixes-ep/id558697271 Language (Remixes) - EP by Porter Robinson] on iTunes (AU)

| Ministry of Sound

Notes

References

Category:2012 singles

Category:2012 songs

Category:Porter Robinson songs

Category:Big Beat Records (American record label) singles

Category:Ministry of Sound singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Porter Robinson

Category:Songs written by Heather Bright

Category:Songs written by Porter Robinson

Category:UK Independent Singles Chart number-one singles