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Skinny Love#Birdy version

{{short description|2008 single by Bon Iver}}

{{Use American English|date=July 2021}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Skinny Love

| cover = Bon-iver-skinny-love.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Bon Iver

| album = For Emma, Forever Ago

| released = {{Start date|2008|4|28}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Indie folk

| length = 3:58

| label =

| writer = Justin Vernon

| producer =

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = For Emma

| next_year = 2008

}}

"Skinny Love" is a song written by American musician Justin Vernon. It was originally released by Vernon's band Bon Iver in 2007. A cover version by the British vocalist Birdy was released in 2011. Both versions charted internationally and have been featured in multiple television and film soundtracks. The song has since become a popular tune for various singing competition shows around the English-speaking world.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/406f6bd2-1867-11e6-b197-a4af20d5575e|title=The Life of a Song: 'Skinny Love'|last=Clayton|first=Richard|date=May 27, 2016|website=www.ft.com|access-date=March 16, 2020}}

Background

"Skinny Love" was the first single released from Bon Iver's 2007 debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, in the United States. The song was released as a single in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2008. While "Skinny Love" has been considered a reference to singer Justin Vernon's relationship with former girlfriend Christy Smith,{{cite news|title=Bon Iver's long wager|author=Grayson Haver Currin|date=July 27, 2011|url=http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/bon-ivers-long-wager/Content?oid=2620914|access-date=November 25, 2015|work=Indy Week|archive-date=November 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126095706/http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/bon-ivers-long-wager/Content?oid=2620914|url-status=dead}} Vernon countered this as "not entirely accurate [...] it's about that time in a relationship that I was going through; you're in a relationship because you need help, but that's not necessarily why you should be in a relationship. And that's skinny."{{cite news|title=Interviews: Bon Iver|date=June 13, 2011|author=Grayson Currin|publisher=Pitchfork Media|access-date=November 25, 2015|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/7989-bon-iver/}}

The song was used in the second episode of Grey's Anatomy{{'}}s fifth season. The digital download track "Skinny Love" was selected to be iTunes (UK) single of the week and was available for free during that time, as well as being featured as the track of the day on National Public Radio. On October 6, 2008, "Skinny Love" was featured in the NBC series Chuck (season 2, episode 3).{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1185873/soundtrack|title = "Chuck" Chuck Versus the Break-Up (TV Episode 2008) - IMDb|website = IMDb}}{{cite web | title = BON IVER: Anywhere From Here | publisher = Volume One magazine | url = http://volumeone.org/magazine/articles/280/BON_IVER_Anywhere_from_Here.html/page/2 | date = December 4, 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090615051954/http://volumeone.org/magazine/articles/280/BON_IVER_Anywhere_from_Here.html/page/2 | archive-date = June 15, 2009}} On December 11, 2008, Bon Iver performed "Skinny Love" on the Late Show with David Letterman.{{cite web |author2= indiemusicfilter |url= http://vodpod.com/watch/1232089-skinny-love-by-bon-iver-letterman-performance |title= The Late Show Musical Guest Bon Iver 12/11/08 HQ Video |website= Vodpod.com |format= video |first1= David |last1= Letterman |author-link= David Letterman |publisher= Late Show with David Letterman |access-date= August 29, 2011 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090804043358/http://vodpod.com/watch/1232089-skinny-love-by-bon-iver-letterman-performance |archive-date= August 4, 2009}} On January 26, 2009, "Skinny Love" was announced at #21 by the Australian national radio station Triple J in the annual Hottest 100 countdown of the previous year's best songs.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24966001-5012980,00.html|title=Kings of Leon top Triple J's Hottest 100|work=The Courier-Mail|date=January 25, 2009|access-date=March 20, 2012|archive-date=January 31, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131115045/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24966001-5012980,00.html|url-status=dead}} In July 2009, "Skinny Love" was announced at #92 in Triple J's Hottest 100 of All Time countdown.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100_alltime/countdown/cd_91-100.htm |title=Countdown | Hottest 100 – Of All Time | triple j |date=January 2009 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=August 29, 2011}} In June 2013, "Skinny Love" was announced at #16 in Triple J's Hottest 100 of the Last 20 Years countdown.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/alltime/20years/countdown/ |title=Countdown | Twenty Years of Triple J's Hottest 100 | triple j |date=April 18, 2013 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=June 9, 2013}}

Track listing

{{Track listing

| title1 = Skinny Love

| length1 = 3:59

}}

Charts

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

|+ Weekly chart performance for "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver

! scope="col"| Chart (2012)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

{{single chart|Denmark|32|artist=Bon Iver|song=Skinny Love|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"| Portugal (AFP){{cite web|url=https://acharts.co/song/68674|title=Skinny Love by Bon Iver - Music Charts|publisher=ACharts|access-date=April 5, 2022}}

| 18

scope="row"| UK Official Streaming Chart Top 100{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/official-streaming-chart/ |title=Official Streaming Chart Top 100 – 19th January 2013 The Official Streaming Chart Top 100 |publisher=Official Charts |access-date=January 16, 2013}}

| 88

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

! scope="col"| Chart (2016)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA Hitseekers){{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue1371.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20160620011726/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20160620-1057/Issue1371.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 June 2016|title=ARIA Report: Issue 1371|publisher=ARIA|access-date=17 November 2023}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

|20

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Bon Iver|title=Skinny Love|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2008|certyear=2020|id=9683|access-date=October 3, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|artist=Bon Iver|title=Skinny Love|award=Gold|id=4492|relyear=2008|certyear=2017|access-date=July 26, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Bon Iver|title=Skinny Love|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=January 18, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|artist=Bon Iver|title=Skinny Love|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|access-date=May 5, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Bon Iver|title=Skinny Love|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2021|id=10194-592-1|access-date=July 30, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Bon Iver|title=Skinny Love|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|certyear=2019|access-date=July 26, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

{{clear}}

Birdy version

{{Infobox song

| name = Skinny Love

| cover = SkinnyLove.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Birdy

| album = Birdy

| released = {{Start date|2011|1|30}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length = 3:22

| label = {{hlist|14th Floor|Atlantic}}

| writer = Justin Vernon

| producer = Alex H. N. Gilbert

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = Shelter

| next_year = 2011

}}

British musician Birdy released a cover version of the song in 2011 as her debut single. The single has been B-listed on Xfm and is a particular favourite with listeners of Shak's overnight show. The song was also chosen as "Record of the Week"[http://www.riverstudios.co.uk/uncategorized/studio-client-birdy-song-of-the-week-on-radio-1 River Studios News, 2011] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514133239/http://www.riverstudios.co.uk/uncategorized/studio-client-birdy-song-of-the-week-on-radio-1 |date=May 14, 2011 }} by UK radio DJ Fearne Cotton. This version was used in Season 2 Episode 21 of The Vampire Diaries and in Season 1 Episode 1 of Prisoners' Wives.

The song also skyrocketed in Australian popularity within the ARIA Charts' top ten, partly because of Bella Ferraro, an X Factor 2012 Top Four contestant who performed the song at the X Factor auditions aired in Australia in August 2012. The song reached number two on the ARIA Singles Chart in September, kept off the number-one spot by Guy Sebastian's song "Battle Scars" for three weeks.{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/weekchart.asp?year=2012&date=20120909&cat=s|title=Single Top 50 09/09/2012|access-date=April 10, 2018}} A similar event took place in New Zealand in May 2013 after X Factor winner Jackie Thomas performed the song at her audition. The song entered the top 40 for the first time and reached number two on the RIANZ chart following the broadcast, behind Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines".{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/weekchart.asp?year=2013&date=20130603&cat=s|title=Single Top 50 03/06/2013|access-date=April 10, 2018}}

In 2011, "Skinny Love" sold 259,000 copies in the UK, becoming the third biggest selling rock single of that year.{{cite web|title=The Top 20 rock singles and albums of 2011 revealed|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/chart-news/the-top-20-rock-singles-and-albums-of-2011-revealed/|publisher=The Official Charts Company |date=January 17, 2012 |access-date=April 18, 2014}} As of August 2016, the song had sold 744,502 copies in the UK.{{cite news|url=http://www.musicweek.com/interviews/read/birdy-reveals-how-she-flew-from-sync-queen-to-sales-queen/065546|title=Birdy Reveals How She Flew From Sync Queen To Sales Queen|date=August 3, 2016|work=Music Week|publisher=Intent Media|access-date=August 8, 2016}}

=Music videos=

{{expand section|date=January 2015}}

There are three music videos for this single. The first music video for the song was uploaded to YouTube on April 1, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNzCDt2eidg |title=Birdy – Skinny Love Official Music Video |publisher=YouTube |date=April 1, 2011 |access-date=January 16, 2013}} It features Birdy playing the piano of walking in a dark house. The second music video was shot in one take and framed on Birdy's face. The camera changes focus as she sings. It was uploaded on October 14, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT67liGjZhw |title=Birdy – Skinny Love [One Take Music Video] |publisher=YouTube |date=October 14, 2011 |access-date=February 2, 2014}} The third music video was uploaded on January 15, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkEakF81jhg |title=Birdy – Skinny Love [One Take Music Video] |publisher=YouTube |date=October 14, 2011 |access-date=February 2, 2014}}

=Track listing=

{{Track listing

| title1 = Skinny Love

| length1 = 3:22

}}

=Charts=

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

==Weekly charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Chart (2011–2014)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|2|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Austria|15|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Flanders|3|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Wallonia|4|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|France|2|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Germany|73|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|songid=805310|rowheader=true|access-date=January 27, 2020}}
{{single chart|Ireland2|22|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|rowheader=true|access-date=January 27, 2020}}
{{single chart|Italy|48|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|rowheader=true|access-date=January 15, 2021}}
{{single chart|Billboardjapanhot100|29|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|artistid=1484834|access-date=September 30, 2018|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Dutch40|2|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|1|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|2|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"|Poland (ZPAV){{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

|align=center|88

{{single chart|Scotland|17|date=20110514|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|19|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|UK|17|date=20110514|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|37|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|artistid=1484834|access-date=September 30, 2018|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|40|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|artistid=1484834|access-date=January 21, 2014|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|24|artist=Birdy|song=Skinny Love|artistid=1484834|access-date=December 21, 2014|rowheader=true}}

{{col-2}}

==Year-end charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="col"|Chart (2011)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop Flanders){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2011&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten 2011|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=November 17, 2019}}

|align=center|20

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2011|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2011|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=November 17, 2019}}

|align=center|53

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2011&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 2011|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=November 17, 2019}}

|align=center|22

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/20110109/37501/|title=End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2011|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=November 27, 2019}}

|align=center|81

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="col"|Chart (2012)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2012.htm|title= ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2012|access-date=January 21, 2013}}

|align=center|8

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop Flanders){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2012&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten 2012|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=November 17, 2019}}

|align=center|26

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2012&cat=s|title=Rapports Annuels 2012|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=November 17, 2019}}

|align=center|20

scope="row"|France (SNEP){{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?categorie=Top%20Single%20de%20l%E2%80%99ann%C3%A9e&annee=2012|title=Top de l'année Top Singles 2012|publisher=SNEP|language=fr|access-date=August 22, 2020}}

|align=center|12

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2012|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2012|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=November 17, 2019}}

|align=center|39

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2012&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 2012|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=November 17, 2019}}

|align=center|26

scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2012|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2012 – hitparade.ch|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=November 17, 2019}}

|align=center|52

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/UKChartsPlusEOY2012.pdf|title=End of Year 2012|work=UKChartsPlus|access-date=April 28, 2020}}

|align=center|127

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="col"|Chart (2013)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2013|title=Rapports Annuels 2013|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=February 8, 2020}}

|align=center|95

scope="row"|France (SNEP){{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?categorie=Top%20Single%20de%20l%E2%80%99ann%C3%A9e&annee=2013|title=Top de l'année Top Singles 2013|publisher=SNEP|language=fr|access-date=August 22, 2020}}

|align=center|92

scope="row"|New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/2013-12-31|title=Top Selling Singles of 2013|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=January 1, 2015}}

|align=center|24

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
scope="col"|Chart (2014)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"| US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2014/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 21, 2014}}

|align=center|48

{{col-end}}

==Decade-end charts==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"|Chart (2010–2019)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2019/end-of-decade-singles-chart|title=2019 ARIA End of Decade Singles Chart|publisher=ARIA|date=January 2020|access-date=January 16, 2020}}

| 51

=Certifications=

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Birdy|title=Skinny Love|award=Platinum|number=11|type=single|relyear=2011|certyear=2024|refname="ARIA April 2024 singles"|access-date=May 16, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|artist=Birdy|title=Skinny Love|access-date=December 18, 2023|relyear=2011|certyear=2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|award=Platinum|type=single|access-date=January 20, 2016|relyear=2011|certyear=2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|award=Gold|type=single|artist=Birdy|title=Skinny Love|access-date=January 20, 2014|relyear=2011|certyear=2014|digital=true}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Birdy|title=Skinny Love|award=Platinum|number=2|id=14620|type=single|relyear=2011|certyear=2024|access-date=November 16, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|award=Platinum|type=single|artist=Birdy|title=Skinny Love|access-date=October 23, 2012|relyear=2011|certyear=2013}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Birdy|title=Skinny Love|award=Gold|number=3|type=single|relyear=2011|certyear=2022|access-date=November 11, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|type=single|artist=Birdy|title=Skinny Love|access-date=May 17, 2017|relyear=2011|certyear=2017|id=4357}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|number=4|type=single|artist=Birdy|title=Skinny Love|relyear=2011|source=radioscope|access-date=January 18, 2025|certyear=2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|award=Platinum|type=single|artist=Birdy|title=Skinny Love|access-date=March 2, 2024|relyear=2011|certyear=2024|id=birdy-skinny-love}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|award=Platinum|type=single|artist=Birdy|title=Skinny Love|relyear=2011|certyear=2013|certref={{cite web|url=http://sys2.grammotex.se/netdata/grp006.mbr/artdata?sart=920080|title=Birdy – Skinny Love|publisher=Grammofonleverantörernas förening|language=sv|access-date=April 22, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422014651/http://sys2.grammotex.se/netdata/grp006.mbr/artdata?sart=920080|archive-date=April 22, 2024}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|award=Platinum|type=single|artist=Birdy|title=Skinny Love|access-date=November 6, 2022|relyear=2011|certyear=2013}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|artist=Birdy|title=Skinny Love|id=10194-2404-1|access-date=August 2, 2024|relyear=2011|certyear=2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Platinum|type=single|artist=Birdy|title=Skinny Love|access-date=June 6, 2022|relyear=2012|certyear=2015|refname="riaa"}}

{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Birdy|title=Skinny Love|award=Gold|id=5700|type=single|relyear=2011|certyear=2014|certmonth=3|certday=7|streamsonly=true|refname=DNKstreaming|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|streamsonly=true}}

=Release history=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
scope="col" | Region

! scope="col" | Date

! scope="col" | Format

! scope="col" | Label

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

scope="row" | United Kingdom

| January 30, 2011

| rowspan="2"| Digital download

| rowspan="3"| Atlantic

| {{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004TJWGS2 |title=Skinny Love – Single by Birdy www.amazon.co.uk/ |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=January 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108105319/http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skinny-Love/dp/B004TJWGS2 |archive-date=November 8, 2012}}

scope="row" rowspan="2"| United States

| January 24, 2012

|

February 11, 2014

| Contemporary hit radio

| {{Cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases|title=Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates}}

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Bon Iver}}

{{Birdy}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2007 songs

Category:2008 debut singles

Category:2011 debut singles

Category:Bon Iver songs

Category:Birdy (singer) songs

Category:14th Floor Records singles

Category:4AD singles

Category:Atlantic Records singles

Category:Jagjaguwar singles

Category:Songs written by Justin Vernon