Party for One

{{Infobox song

| name = Party for One

| type = single

| cover = Carly Rae Jepsen – Party for One.png

| border = yes

| artist = Carly Rae Jepsen

| album = Dedicated

| released = {{start date|2018|11|01}}

| recorded =

| genre = * Dance-pop

synth-pop

| length = {{duration|m=3|s=4}}

| label = * 604

| writer = * Carly Rae Jepsen

Tavish Crowe
Julia Karlsson
Anton Rundberg

| producer = * Captain Cuts

Hightower

| prev_title = Cut to the Feeling

| prev_year = 2017

| next_title = Now That I Found You

| next_year = 2019

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|U0ih3FriG1k|"Party for One"}}}}

}}

"Party for One" is a song by Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen. It was released as the lead single from her fourth studio album Dedicated on November 1, 2018, through 604, School Boy and Interscope Records.{{cite web |url=https://etcanada.com/news/382289/carly-rae-jepsen-debuts-party-for-one-on-tonight-show-after-releasing-1st-single-in-18-months/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401215410/https://etcanada.com/news/382289/carly-rae-jepsen-debuts-party-for-one-on-tonight-show-after-releasing-1st-single-in-18-months/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |title=Carly Rae Jepsen Debuts 'Party For One' On 'Tonight Show' After Releasing 1st Single In 18 Months |work=Entertainment Tonight Canada |last=Mahjouri |first=Shakiel |date=November 6, 2018 |accessdate=April 15, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/new-carly-rae-jepsen-song-party-for-one-coming-tomorrow/ |title=New Carly Rae Jepsen Song 'Party for One' Coming Tomorrow |magazine=Pitchfork |last=Sodomsky |first=Sam |date=October 31, 2018 |accessdate=November 1, 2018}} The track was written by Jepsen, Tavish Crowe, Julia Karlsson, and Anton Rundberg, and produced by Hightower and Captain Cuts. "Party for One" was placed on Rolling Stone{{'}}s list of 50 Best Songs of 2018.

Background

Jepsen worked on the song for some time, first writing the melody with her long-time collaborator Tavish Crowe. The lyrics were inspired by staying in a hotel room in Sweden on her own, at a time when she was going through a break-up.{{cite web |url=https://genius.com/videos/Carly-rae-jepsen-breaks-down-the-meaning-of-party-for-one |title=Carly Rae Jepsen Breaks Down The Meaning Of "Party For One" |website=Genius |accessdate=March 27, 2020}} The singer explained that the song is about "what it is to celebrate time with yourself".{{cite web |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2021123/carly-rae-jepsen-party-for-one-video/video/ |title=Carly Rae Jepsen – "Party For One" Video |last=Rettig |first=James |date=November 1, 2018 |website=Stereogum |accessdate=March 27, 2020}} Matt Moen of Paper described the song as a "self-care anthem" or something to help refrain from texting an ex.{{cite web|url=http://www.papermag.com/carly-rae-jepsen-party-one-2616658253.html|title=Carly Rae Jepsen is Coming Back|work=Paper|last=Moen|first=Matt|date=October 30, 2018|accessdate=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031133958/http://www.papermag.com/carly-rae-jepsen-party-one-2616658253.html|archive-date=October 31, 2018|url-status=live}} Mike Wass of Idolator said that as the lead single for Jepsen's fourth studio album, it is "likely to cement her status as the hipster's guilty pleasure with a collection of cute, clever and slightly offbeat bops". A number of critics noted references to masturbation in the song's lyrics.{{cite magazine |last=Martinelli |first=Marissa |url=https://slate.com/culture/2018/11/carly-rae-jepsen-drops-party-for-one-about-masturbation-video.html |title=Carly Rae Jepsen drops "Party for One," which is maybe about masturbation (VIDEO) |magazine=Slate |date=November 1, 2018 |accessdate=March 27, 2020}}{{cite magazine |last=Leszkiewicz |first=Anna |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/music-theatre/2018/11/female-pop-songs-carly-rae-jepsen-demi-lovato-lady-gaga-little-mix-selena-gomez |title=Carly Rae Jepson's Party for One, and the growing canon of pop songs about female masturbation |magazine=New Statesman |date=November 6, 2018 |accessdate=March 27, 2020}}

Jepsen posted an image of herself to social media on October 30, 2018, captioning it "Party for one",{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/10/30/carly-rae-jepsen-single-party-for-one-sword|title=Carly Rae Jepsen teases rumored single 'Party For One'|work=The Fader|last=Tanzer|first=Miles|date=October 30, 2018|accessdate=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031052513/https://www.thefader.com/2018/10/30/carly-rae-jepsen-single-party-for-one-sword|archive-date=October 31, 2018|url-status=live}} confirming social media rumours about the song's impending release{{cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7687552/carly-rae-jepsen-teases-party-for-one|title=New Music? Carly Rae Jepsen Teases 'Party For One'|website=Idolator|last=Wass|first=Mike|date=October 30, 2018|accessdate=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031133154/https://www.idolator.com/7687552/carly-rae-jepsen-teases-party-for-one|archive-date=October 31, 2018|url-status=live}} after it was registered with BMI.{{cite web|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/DetailView.aspx?detail=titleid&keyid=28405028&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&blnAltTitles=True|title=BMI {{!}} Repertoire Search: Party for One|publisher=BMI|accessdate=October 31, 2018|format=Click dropdown menu, choose "BMI Work #" and search "28405028"}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Despite being promoted as the lead single from Dedicated, "Party for One" is not included in the standard track listing and only appears on select digital and deluxe editions of the album.{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8511969/carly-rae-jepsen-dedicated-interview-200-songs |title=Carly Rae Jepsen 'Dedicated' Interview: How She Whittled 200 Songs Down to 15 |last=Feeney |first=Nolan |date=May 17, 2019 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=March 27, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127085919/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8511969/carly-rae-jepsen-dedicated-interview-200-songs |archivedate=January 27, 2020}}

Critical reception

Upon its release, "Party for One" received critical acclaim. Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone called the song "upbeat" and "bubbly".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/carly-rae-jepsen-new-single-party-for-one-new-album-748502/|title=Watch Carly Rae Jepsen Host 'Party for One' in Celebratory New Video|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Spanos|first=Brittany |date=November 1, 2018|accessdate=November 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104050136/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/carly-rae-jepsen-new-single-party-for-one-new-album-748502/|archive-date=November 4, 2018|url-status=live}} Brooke Bajgrowicz of Billboard said the track is "driven by an electric beat" and compared its "infectious pop sound" to "Call Me Maybe" and "I Really Like You".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8482745/carly-rae-jepsen-party-for-one|title=Carly Rae Jepsen Drops Comeback Bop 'Party For One,' Prepping 2019 Album|magazine=Billboard|last=Bajgrowicz|first=Brooke|date=November 1, 2018|accessdate=November 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101234817/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8482745/carly-rae-jepsen-party-for-one|archive-date=November 1, 2018|url-status=live}} Writing for Pitchfork, Bobby Finger felt that "In the pantheon of pop breakup anthems, Jepsen's newest single lacks the aching detail of 'Dancing on My Own' or the Max Martin alchemy of 'Since U Been Gone,' but it's a satisfying intimation that E•MO•TION could be getting a sequel soon".{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/party-for-one/|title='Party for One' by Carly Rae Jepsen Review|work=Pitchfork|last=Finger|first=Bobby|date=November 1, 2018|accessdate=November 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102031239/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/party-for-one/|archive-date=November 2, 2018|url-status=live}} Roisin O'Connor of The Independent named "Party for One" a "glimmering gem of a synth-pop track".{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/new-music-little-mix-rag-n-bone-man-carly-rae-jepsen-releases-now-hear-this-spotify-playlist-a8613891.html|title=Now Hear This: New music from Little Mix, Carly Rae Jepsen, Thundercat and King Princess plus spotlight artist Ashley McBryde|work=The Independent|last=O'Connor|first=Roisin|date=November 2, 2018|accessdate=November 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104101018/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/new-music-little-mix-rag-n-bone-man-carly-rae-jepsen-releases-now-hear-this-spotify-playlist-a8613891.html|archive-date=November 4, 2018|url-status=live}}

=Year-end lists=

class="sortable wikitable"
Publication ! Year ! Accolade ! Rank ! class="unsortable"\|{{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
Pitchfork \| rowspan=2"\|2018 \| 100 Best Songs of 2018 \| {{center\|89}} \| {{center\|{{cite web \|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-100-best-songs-of-2018/ \|title=The 100 Best Songs of 2018 \|website=Pitchfork \|date=December 10, 2018 \|accessdate=March 27, 2020}}}}
Rolling Stone \| 50 Best Songs of 2018 \| {{center\|26}} \| {{center\|{{cite magazine \|last=O'Moore \|first=Natalie \|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-best-songs-of-2018-764204/carly-rae-jepsen-party-for-one-764249/ \|title=50 Best Songs of 2018 \|magazine=Rolling Stone \|date=December 14, 2018 \|accessdate=March 27, 2020}}}}

class="sortable wikitable"

Publication

! Year

! Accolade

! Rank

! class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

Pitchfork

| rowspan=2"|2018

| 100 Best Songs of 2018

| {{center|89}}

| {{center|{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-100-best-songs-of-2018/ |title=The 100 Best Songs of 2018 |website=Pitchfork |date=December 10, 2018 |accessdate=March 27, 2020}}}}

Rolling Stone

| 50 Best Songs of 2018

| {{center|26}}

| {{center|{{cite magazine |last=O'Moore |first=Natalie |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-best-songs-of-2018-764204/carly-rae-jepsen-party-for-one-764249/ |title=50 Best Songs of 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 14, 2018 |accessdate=March 27, 2020}}}}

Music video

The music video, directed by Bardia Zeinali, was released on November 1, 2018. It features Jepsen checking into a hotel for the night before showing scenes of other people in the same hotel alone in their rooms, doing various things such as dancing, crying, eating and putting on makeup. The power then goes out, which causes everybody to walk down to the lobby, where they have a party before returning to their rooms. Roisin O'Connor of The Independent called the video "fun, even if it is one giant advert for Absolut Vodka". On December 11, 2018, Jepsen released a vertical video of the song on YouTube.{{cite web |last=Salvatore |first=Maicki |title=Watch Carly Rae Jepsen's new vertical video for "Party For One" |url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/12/12/carly-rae-jepsen-party-for-one-vertical-video |work=The Fader |date=December 12, 2018 |accessdate=December 12, 2018 }}

Live performances

Jepsen performed "Party for One" for the first time on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on November 5, 2018. The song was performed live throughout The Dedicated Tour.

Track listing

Digital download/Streaming{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/party-for-one-single/1440524716?app=itunes|title=Party for One - Single by Carly Rae Jepsen on iTunes|publisher=iTunes Store|accessdate=June 28, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://tidal.com/browse/album/97775396|title=Party For One by Carly Rae Jepsen on TIDAL|date=November 2018 |publisher=Tidal|accessdate=March 27, 2020}}

"Party for One" — 3:03

Digital Remix EP{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/party-for-one-remixes-single/1445805173?app=itunes|title=Party For One (Remixes) - Single by Carly Rae Jepsen on iTunes|publisher=iTunes Store|accessdate=June 28, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5r9SgwCovywWoXbVJokB6Z|title=Spotify – Party For One (Remixes)|publisher=Spotify|accessdate=March 27, 2020}}

"Party for One" (More Giraffes Remix) — 2:46
"Party for One" (Sawyr Remix) — 3:02
"Party for One" (Anki Remix) — 3:29

Charts

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"\| Chart (2018) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
scope="row"\| Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA){{cite journal\|date=November 12, 2018\|title=The ARIA Report\|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue1498.pdf\|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)\|issue=1498\|page=9\|archiveurl=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20181113041500/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20181113-0000/Issue1498.pdf\|archivedate=November 13, 2018\|accessdate=November 29, 2018\|journal=Trove}}{{cbignore\|bot=medic}} \|48
{{single chart\|Canada\|100\|artist=Carly Rae Jepsen\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=November 14, 2018}}
{{single chart\|Ireland3\|98\|artist=Carly Rae Jepsen\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}
scope="row"\| Japan (Japan Hot 100){{cite web\|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2018&month=11&day=19\|title=Japan Hot 100 – Billboard\|work=Billboard Japan\|date=November 14, 2018\|accessdate=November 15, 2018}} \| 68
scope="row"\| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ){{cite web\|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2018-11-09\|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart\|publisher=Recorded Music NZ\|date=November 12, 2018\|access-date=November 9, 2018}} \| 19
scope="row"\| US Pop Digital Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f%5B0%5D=ts_chart_artistname:Carly%20Rae%20Jepsen&f%5B1%5D=ss_chart_search_title:Party%20for%20One&f%5B2%5D=itm_field_chart_id:Pop%20Digital%20Song%20Sales&f%5B3%5D=ss_bb_type:chart_item&type=1&artist=Carly%20Rae%20Jepsen&title=Party%20for%20One\|title=Carly Rae Jepsen Chart History (Pop Digital Songs)\|magazine=Billboard\|accessdate=November 23, 2018}} \| 20

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

scope="col"| Chart (2018)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row"| Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA){{cite journal|date=November 12, 2018|title=The ARIA Report|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue1498.pdf|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|issue=1498|page=9|archiveurl=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20181113041500/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20181113-0000/Issue1498.pdf|archivedate=November 13, 2018|accessdate=November 29, 2018|journal=Trove}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

|48

{{single chart|Canada|100|artist=Carly Rae Jepsen|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 14, 2018}}

{{single chart|Ireland3|98|artist=Carly Rae Jepsen|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 10, 2018}}

scope="row"| Japan (Japan Hot 100){{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2018&month=11&day=19|title=Japan Hot 100 – Billboard|work=Billboard Japan|date=November 14, 2018|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}

| 68

scope="row"| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2018-11-09|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=November 12, 2018|access-date=November 9, 2018}}

| 19

scope="row"| US Pop Digital Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f%5B0%5D=ts_chart_artistname:Carly%20Rae%20Jepsen&f%5B1%5D=ss_chart_search_title:*Party%20for%20One*&f%5B2%5D=itm_field_chart_id:Pop%20Digital%20Song%20Sales&f%5B3%5D=ss_bb_type:chart_item&type=1&artist=Carly%20Rae%20Jepsen&title=Party%20for%20One|title=Carly Rae Jepsen Chart History (Pop Digital Songs)|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=November 23, 2018}}

| 20

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+ Release dates and formats for "Party for One" ! scope="col"\| Region ! scope="col"\| Date ! scope="col"\| Format ! scope="col"\| Version ! scope="col"\| Label ! scope="col"\| {{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
scope="row"\| Canada \| November 1, 2018 \| {{flatlist\|*Digital download streaming}} \| rowspan="2"\| Original \| 604 \| style="text-align:center;"\|
scope="row"\| Italy \| November 9, 2018 \| Contemporary hit radio \| Universal \| style="text-align:center;"\|{{cite web \|last=Ceschi \|first=Isabella \|title=Carly Rae Jepsen 'Party for One' \|url=https://radiodate.it/radio-date/carly-rae-jepsen-party-for-one-178525-09-11-2018-radiodate/ \|publisher=Universal Music Group \|via=Radio Airplay SRL \|access-date=April 9, 2021}}
scope="row"\| Various \| December 14, 2018 \| {{flatlist\|Digital download streaming}} \| Remixes \| {{flatlist\|Schoolboy Interscope}} \| style="text-align:center;"\|

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ Release dates and formats for "Party for One"

! scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format

! scope="col"| Version

! scope="col"| Label

! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"| Canada

| November 1, 2018

| {{flatlist|*Digital download

streaming}}

| rowspan="2"| Original

| 604

| style="text-align:center;"|

scope="row"| Italy

| November 9, 2018

| Contemporary hit radio

| Universal

| style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web |last=Ceschi |first=Isabella |title=Carly Rae Jepsen 'Party for One' |url=https://radiodate.it/radio-date/carly-rae-jepsen-party-for-one-178525-09-11-2018-radiodate/ |publisher=Universal Music Group |via=Radio Airplay SRL |access-date=April 9, 2021}}

scope="row"| Various

| December 14, 2018

| {{flatlist|*Digital download