Swerlk
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Swerlk
| cover = MNDR and Scissor Sisters - Swerlk.png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = MNDR and Scissor Sisters
| album =
| released = {{Start date|2017|06|09}}
| studio =
| genre = {{hlist|Synth-pop|nu-disco}}
| length = {{Duration|m=5|s=14}}
| label = WonderSound
| writer = {{hlist|Amanda Warner|Scott Hoffman|Peter Wade Keusch|Jason Sellards|Ana Lynch|Derek Gruen}}
| producer = Peter Wade Keusch
| chronology = MNDR singles
| prev_title = Like It's Over
| prev_year = 2016
| next_title = Unusual
| next_year = 2017
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Scissor Sisters
| type = single
| prev_title = Let's Have a Kiki
| prev_year = 2012
| title = Swerlk
| year = 2017
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
}}
"Swerlk" is a song by American electronic singer MNDR and American pop band Scissor Sisters. It was released as a single on June 9, 2017, by WonderSound Records. MNDR and Scissor Sisters conceived the song in honor of the one-year remembrance of the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting. "Swerlk" was released in conjunction with GLAAD and proceeds from the sales benefited the Contigo Fund, a non-profit organization for LGBTQ individuals. The website swerlk.com was developed to funnel donations directly to Contigo.
"Swerlk" marked the first single in five years by Scissor Sisters after they went on indefinite hiatus in 2012.
Writing and development
"Swerlk" was written by MNDR along with Babydaddy, Jake Shears, Ana Matronic, and Del Marquis from Scissor Sisters. It was produced by MNDR's longtime collaborator Peter Wade Keusch, who also co-wrote and engineered the song. Chris Tabron mixed the song at Rumours Studios in New York City, and was assisted by Peter Geiser. The track was mastered by Dave Kutch at The Mastering Palace in New York. In an interview with iHeartRadio, MNDR explained that the song is about "celebrating life, dancing, individuality, differences, fierceness, and sometimes 'Swerlk' is even a shoulder to cry on". She further said that it "is not only a dance floor anthem, but it is a way of life, a mindset, and a show of solidarity."{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Tray|url=http://www.iheartradio.ca/news/scissor-sisters-get-back-together-for-new-single-swerlk-1.2674534|title=Scissor Sisters Get Back Together For New Single 'SWERLK'|website=iHeartRadio|date=June 9, 2017|accessdate=June 11, 2017}} MNDR conceived the song in honor of the one-year anniversary of the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting.{{cite news|last=Sodomsky|first=Sam|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/74087-scissor-sisters-and-mndr-join-for-new-benefit-song-swerlk-listen/|title=Scissor Sisters and MNDR Join for New Benefit Song "SWERLK"|work=Pitchfork|date=June 9, 2017|accessdate=June 11, 2017}} Its title is a combination of the words "twerk", "twirl", "werk", "swerve" and "swirl".{{cite web|last=Cooper|first=Mariah|title=Scissor Sisters and MDNR honor Pulse victims with 'Swerlk' lyric video|url=http://www.losangelesblade.com/2017/06/09/scissor-sisters-mdnr-honor-pulse-victims-swerlk-lyric-video/|website=Los Angeles Blade|date=June 9, 2017|accessdate=June 11, 2017}}
"Swerlk" marked the first single in five years by Scissor Sisters after they went on indefinite hiatus in 2012.{{cite web|last=Baggs|first=Michael|title=Scissor Sisters announce 'hiatus' at London show|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/77230/scissor-sisters-announce-hiatus-at-london-show|website=Gigwise|date=October 25, 2010|accessdate=June 11, 2017}} Babydaddy explained that when MNDR approached the band about the song, they all agreed that "it was too important to refuse". After contacting Elton John AIDS Foundation for guidance, the band decided to work with the Contigo Fund, which offers financial support to organizations working within the communities affected by the Orlando shooting. The project was later joined by GLAAD as an additional partner, which was "excited to be able to add an uplifting and fun message to what is also such a serious time for our community".{{cite magazine|last=Crowley|first=Patrick|title=Scissor Sisters & MNDR Team Up for 'SWERLK' Lyric Video|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/7825614/scissor-sisters-mndr-team-up-swerlk-lyric-video|magazine=Billboard|date=June 9, 2017|accessdate=June 11, 2017}}
Release
"Swerlk" was announced as a charity single during the Pride Month of June, in view of the one-year anniversary of the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting.{{cite news|last=Nichols|first=James Michael|title=Scissor Sisters And MNDR Release Tribute Song For Pulse Massacre Victims|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/scissor-sisters-mndr-swerlk_us_59397f13e4b00610548090da|work=HuffPost|date=June 9, 2017|accessdate=June 11, 2017}} It was released on June 9, 2017, through WonderSound Records on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and Google Play. All sales and streaming sales of the song are donated to the Contigo Fund. On June 9, 2017, WonderSound also launched the site Swerlk.com, where listeners can receive a free download of the song by donating any amount of money. On the same day, a lyric video for the song premiered on Vevo. Commenting the release, Rich Ferraro from GLAAD stated, "Music has the power to uplift and unite people and the Scissor Sisters and MNDR have always done that for the LGBTQ community. 'Swerlk' is a perfect rallying cry to live your life authentically and proudly."{{cite web|last=Duffy|first=Nick|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/06/09/scissor-sisters-are-back-together-check-out-their-new-single-here/|title=Scissor Sisters are back together, check out their new single here|website=PinkNews|date=June 9, 2017|accessdate=June 11, 2017}}
On June 15, 2017, an instructional dance video for the song premiered on Out magazine's website.{{cite news|last=Moran|first=Justin|title=Premiere: Learn to 'SWERLK' with MNDR & Scissor Sister's New Video|url=https://www.out.com/out-exclusives/2017/6/15/premiere-learn-swerlk-mndr-scissor-sisters-new-video|work=Out|date=June 15, 2017|accessdate=June 24, 2017}} It was directed by Kevin Tachman and Drew Levin, with a choreography by Brad Landers, who previously worked with Scissor Sisters on the music video for "Let's Have a Kiki" (2012).{{cite web|last=Rawles|first=Timothy|title=Scissor Sisters release their first dance single in five years|url=http://sdgln.com/entertainment/2017/06/09/scissor-sisters-release-their-first-dance-single-five-years|website=San Diego Gay and Lesbian News|date=June 9, 2017|accessdate=June 11, 2017}} It features three dancers performing a dance routine named "Swerlk" in a classic how-to format.
Critical reception
Justin Moran from Out magazine found the song a "proud declaration of queer power, choosing to remember the Pulse victims in a celebratory light on the shooting's one-year anniversary".{{cite news|last=Moran|first=Justin|url=http://www.out.com/music/2017/6/09/scissor-sisters-mndr-release-swerlk-honor-pulse-victims|title=Scissor Sisters & MNDR Release 'SWERLK' to Honor Pulse Victims|work=Out|date=June 9, 2017|accessdate=June 11, 2017}} Taylor Henderson from Pride named the song "a heart-pounding, house-beat anthem begging you to swirl it, twirl it, twerk it, swerve all the way to the dancefloor".{{cite web|last=Henderson|first=Taylor|url=http://www.pride.com/music/2017/6/09/4-pride-songs-your-favorite-queer-artists-released-today|title=4 Pride Songs Your Favorite Queer Artists Released Today|website=Pride|date=June 9, 2017|accessdate=June 11, 2017}} Samantha Manzella from NewNowNext described the song as "an EDM anthem for the ages, packing dance-worthy beats and catchy lyrics into an infectious 5-minute jam".{{cite news|last=Manzella|first=Samantha|title=Scissor Sisters And MNDR Release "Swerlk," A Collab Song To Honor Pulse Victims|url=http://www.newnownext.com/scissor-sisters-and-mndr-release-swerlk-a-collab-song-to-honor-pulse-victims/06/2017/|accessdate=June 11, 2017|work=NewNowNext|date=June 9, 2017}} Will Stroude of Attitude called it a "thumping new anthem".{{cite news|last=Stroude|first=Will|url=https://attitude.co.uk/article/scissor-sisters-unveil-first-new-track-in-five-years-to-mark-orlando-pulse-massacre-anniversary/14889/|title=Scissor Sisters unveil first new track in five years to mark Orlando Pulse massacre anniversary|work=Attitude|date=June 9, 2017|accessdate=June 4, 2018|archive-date=June 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604150112/https://attitude.co.uk/article/scissor-sisters-unveil-first-new-track-in-five-years-to-mark-orlando-pulse-massacre-anniversary/14889/|url-status=dead}}
Track listing
Credits and personnel
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- Babydaddy – vocals, songwriter
- Caryn Ganz – additional vocals
- Peter Geiser – mixing assistant
- Peter Wade Keusch – additional vocals, producer, audio engineering
- Dave Kutch – audio mastering
- Del Marquis – electric guitar, songwriter
{{col-2}}
- Ana Matronic – vocals, songwriter
- Andrew Miller – additional digital editing
- MNDR – vocals, songwriter
- Mike Reddy – graphic design
- Jake Shears – vocals, songwriter
- Chris Tabron – mix engineering
{{col-end}}
Credits and personnel adapted from WonderSound listing.{{cite web|title=SWERLK {{!}} MNDR x Scissor Sisters|url=http://www.swerlk.com/|publisher=WonderSound Records|accessdate=June 11, 2017}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Portal|LGBTQ}}
- [http://www.swerlk.com/ Official "Swerlk" website]
- {{YouTube|yj6O-z8IwzQ|"Swerlk" (lyric video)}}
{{Scissor Sisters}}
{{Orlando nightclub shooting}}
Category:Orlando nightclub shooting
Category:Scissor Sisters songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Peter Wade Keusch
Category:Songs written by Ana Matronic
Category:Songs written by Babydaddy
Category:Songs written by Del Marquis
Category:Songs written by Jake Shears