Misbehaving (song)

"Misbehaving"
Single by Labrinth
from the album Imagination & the Misfit Kid
Released15 September 2017 (2017-09-15)
Length3:48
LabelSyco
Songwriter(s)Timothy Mckenzie
Producer(s)
  • Labrinth
  • Nathaniel Ledwidge
Labrinth singles chronology
"To Be Human"
(2017) 		"Misbehaving"
(2017) 		"Same Team"
(2018)

"Misbehaving" is a song by English singer-songwriter Labrinth. It was written and produced by Labrinth, with additional production from Nathaniel Ledwidge. The song was released through Syco Music on 15 September 2017. It was featured in an Apple Watch Series 3 commercial prior to its release.

Background

The song was adopted in an Apple Watch Series 3 commercial, titled "Roll", which was debuted during an Apple event on 12 September 2017.[1] However, viewers were unable to identify the song, as audio-recognizing apps, including Shazam, failed to recognize the song.[2] After a series of speculation on social media, Labrinth revealed that it is his song, as well as one of those from his forthcoming album. Labrinth told Billboard: "I feel like I have music to share with the world so I'm so ready to make it to that international level so that's pretty much where I'm at right now, and it feels like all the opportunities that are lined up are based on that. So I'm just mega-excited about sharing what I've been creating for such a while."[3]

On the album, an alternate version of the song appears, titled "Misbehaving - The Misfit Version ".

Critical reception

Anna Tingley of Billboard felt the song's "heavy, upbeat, synthesized beat" and "Labrinth's crafty lyrics" fits the commercial, as it narrates "the reckless behavior of the commercial's characters". She predicts that being featured in an Apple commercial "may prove a formative step that launches him into international stardom".[3] Jon Pareles of The New York Times called it "a zany four-minute romp", praising Labrinth for combining funk, soul, reggae, trap and electro timelessly in the song.[4]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[5]

  • Labrinth – songwriting, production, engineering, keyboard, bass guitar, drums, guitar, piano
  • Nathaniel Ledwidge – production
  • Robbie Nelson – mixing engineering
  • Emily Lazar – mastering engineering
  • Alex Maynard – trumpet
  • Rory Simmons – trumpet
  • Nik Carter – saxophone
  • Steven Fuller – trombone

References

  1. ^ Laura, Johnson (15 September 2017). "Labrinth Unveils New Single Misbehaving". Stereoboard. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  2. ^ Alexandra, Svokos (12 September 2017). "Everyone Wants To Know The Catchy Song From The Apple Watch Series 3 Commercial". Elite Daily. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  3. ^ a b Anna, Tingley (14 September 2017). "Catching Up With Labrinth: The Mystery Artist Behind Apple Watch Commercial's Viral Song". Billboard. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  4. ^ Jon, Pareles; Jon, Caramanica; Giovanni, Russonello (16 September 2017). "The Playlist: Björk Rediscovers Love and 10 More New Songs". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Misbehaving / Labrinth TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 16 September 2017.