Fake Love (Drake song) explained

"Fake Love" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake, released as the lead single from his 2017 album, More Life.^{[1] [2]} It was co-written by Drake with Starrah, Vinylz, and Frank Dukes, while the latter two handled the song's production.^{[3] [4]} The song was released for digital download on October 29, 2016, through Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records.^{[5] [6]}

Composition and lyrics

"Fake Love" features an R&B beat. Lyrically, it focuses on peers who only appreciate Drake for his success, and would not care for him otherwise, hence the lyric, "fake people showing fake love to me".^[7]

The lyrics "That's when they smile in my face/Whole time they wanna take my place" are an interpolation of The O'Jays' song "Back Stabbers".^[8]

Critical reception

Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork compared the song to "Hotline Bling" and called it "infectious and vaguely familiar, with top notes of several songs in the Drake canon".^[4]

Commercial performance

As of March 27, 2017, "Fake Love" has sold 784,000 copies in the United States.^[9]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2016–2017)	Peak position
Australia Urban (ARIA)[10]	4
New Zealand Heatseekers (Recorded Music NZ)[11]	3

Year-end charts

Chart (2017)	Position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13]	49
Portugal (AFP)[14]	71
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[15]	91
US Billboard Hot 100[16]	37
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17]	18
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[18]	5

Notes and References

1. Web site: Berman. Taylor. New Music: Drake — "Two Birds One Stone," "Sneakin" Ft. 21 Savage, "Fake Love," "Wanna Know" (Remix). Spin. SpinMedia. October 28, 2016. October 24, 2016.
2. Web site: Helman. Peter. Drake – "Two Birds One Stone," "Sneakin'" (Feat. 21 Savage), & "Fake Love". Stereogum. Spin Media. October 28, 2016. October 23, 2016.
3. Web site: Fake Love - Drake (Credits). AllMusic. All Media Network. October 28, 2016.
4. Web site: Pearce. Sheldon. "Fake Love" by Drake Review. Pitchfork. Condé Nast. October 28, 2016. October 24, 2016.
5. Web site: Fake Love - Single by Drake on Apple Music. iTunes. Apple Music. October 28, 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161101041734/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fake-love-single/id1168503200. November 1, 2016.
6. Web site: Fake Love - Drake (Releases). AllMusic. All Media Network. October 28, 2016.
7. Drake Previews New Project 'More Life' With Four Songs. Rolling Stone. Wenner Media LLC. October 28, 2016. October 23, 2016.
8. Web site: That's when they smile in my face / Whole time they wanna take my place / Whole time they wanna take my place / Whole time they wanna take my place / Yeah, I know they wanna take my place / I can tell that love is fake / I don't trust a word you say / How you wanna clique up after your mistakes? / Look you in the face, and it's just not the same. Genius.
9. Web site: Hip Hop Single Sales: Bruno Mars, Migos & Rae Sremmurd . Henry -. Mansell. 14 January 2017 . Hip Hop DX. January 14, 2017.
10. Web site: ARIA Urban Singles Chart. ARIA. December 31, 2016.
11. Web site: NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. November 7, 2016. November 4, 2016.
12. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Urban Singles 2016. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 6, 2017.
13. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2017. Billboard. December 17, 2017.
14. Web site: Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 100 Singles 2017. Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. pt. August 14, 2020.
15. Web site: End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2017. Official Charts Company. January 10, 2018.
16. Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2017. Billboard. December 12, 2017.
17. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Year-End 2017. Billboard. Billboard. December 12, 2017.
18. Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2017. Billboard. 12 December 2017.