Poison (Rita Ora song) explained

Poison
Cover:Rita Ora - Poison (Official Single Cover).png
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Rita Ora
Recorded:2014–2015
Genre:
Length:
  • 3:40 (Acoustic)
Producer:Sir Nolan
Chronology:Rita Ora
Prev Title:New York Raining
Prev Year:2015
Next Title:Body on Me
Next Year:2015

"Poison" is a song by British singer Rita Ora. The song was released on 18 May 2015 and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, making it her eighth top-ten song in the UK.

Composition

"Poison" is an EDM and pop number,[1] [2] [3] and a modern take on a pop power ballad.[4] [3] It has a moderately fast tempo of 124 beats per minute.[5] "Poison" contains elements of electronic music, combined with a "chewy" pop hook.[6] In an interview for Vice, Ora said that she was baffled by the track being described as EDM-leaning. She felt that it was more passionate and not electronic-sounding at all, and stated "it's more of a rocky, edgy pop record made by a pop star."[7] Aside from the track's crashing production, "Poison" is primarily melodic with soaring, stripped-down vocal performance which spans from the note of G3 to E5.[5] [8] [9]

Set in the key of B-flat major, "Poison" follows a basic chord progression of B-B/D-E, and is drum-heavy in its instrumentation throughout.[7] [5] The song opens with a tender piano progression.[10] [7] Sharp percussion and dark string instrumentation begins playing as the chorus builds in intensity.[10] [11] Drums later feature most prominently during the middle eight.[12]

Although upbeat, "Poison" is emotive in tone.[2] [13] [14] Its lyrical content details pain experienced from a dysfunctional relationship with a backstabbing, toxic love interest.[15] [12] [13] [16] [17] Ora said the track was not about any specific individual, but about "bad luck" with love in general and how love is envisaged in a period when it's poisonous.[18] [19] [20]

Critical reception

"Poison" has received critical acclaim. Jennifer Ruby of the London Evening Standard hailed it as Ora's "pop comeback".[18] Writing in the Liverpool Echo, Jade Wright deemed the track "colossal and extremely addictive", and said that Ora "returned in style".[21] Vibe called it a "dangerous" single, commending Ora's "refreshingly stripped down performance".[9] Tom Richardson of the Gay Times highlighted its "fresh mature sound".[22] The Irish Times named it their track of the week, with Ailbhe Malone writing, "This falls into one of our favourite musical subgenres – the emotional banger".[12] Mark Savage of BBC News deemed it "a fiery foot-stomper".[15] Rap-Up noted the song's "radio-friendly hook".[2] Anne T Donahue of The Guardian opined, "Sorrowful enough to soundtrack summer nights in contemplating old flames, but fast enough to fuel nights out dancing in hope of meeting new ones, this jam could be the bridge Ora needs to secure her mainstream spot in America".[23]

Writing in Time, Nolan Feeney said the track was "synthtastic" and "gives the singer reasons to keep trying", concluding, "This doesn't feel like the mega-smash single that will completely reverse her luck, but its you-ooo-ooh-ooh hook shows she can be a worthy vessel of solid material".[24] Conversely, Dana Rose Falcone of Entertainment Weekly said the single "falls in line" with Ora's "poppy hits", "I Will Never Let You Down" and "How We Do (Party)" (2012).[13] While Lewis Corner and Amy Davidson of Digital Spy commented that it lacked the "instant pull" of "I Will Never Let You Down", but had "solid chart potential nonetheless".[6] Andrew Hampp of Billboard gave "Poison" three out of five stars, and said that it did not "match the playful aesthetic" of "I Will Never Let You Down", but its "belted, from-the-gut chorus may prove to be stickier".[3] Stereogum's Chris DeVille said "Poison" was the "Best Rita Ora song ever", but "a second-rate redux" of Tove Lo's "Timebomb" (2015).[25]

Commercial performance

Poison debuted at number three in the UK singles chart with first-week sales of 55,855 units marking Ora's eighth top 10 hit.[26] The song dropped to number seven the following week with sales of 21,530 units.[27] It registered a sales increase in its third week, selling 34,798 units.[28] On 3 February 2023, it was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales of over 600,000 units.

"Poison" entered the Irish Singles Chart issued for 2 July 2015 at number 21, and climbed to a peak of number 18 the following week, becoming Ora's sixth top 20 hit in Ireland.[29] [30] In Australia, "Poison" debuted at number 74 on the ARIA Singles Chart dated 27 June 2015, and went on to reach a peak of number 30, marking Ora's sixth top 40 hit in the country.[31] The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) certified "Poison" gold for selling 35,000 copies.

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Poison" was first released on Vevo on 3 June 2015 at a total length of four minutes and fifty-three seconds.[32] An additional video was released for the official remix of the song, featuring Krept and Konan, for Hunger TV.[33]

Live performances

Ora first performed "Poison" as part of her sets for Radio 1's Big Weekend 2015 on 24 May 2015, and the Summertime Ball on 7 June 2015.[34] [35] She then reprised "Poison" on The Graham Norton Show which aired on 26 June 2015; wearing a black bra, ripped jeans, and a large, fringed black leather jacket.[36] Idolator's Christina Lee wrote that in a live setting, Ora's "powerful vocals [in the song] are more pronounced, to where she sounds like she's taking the subject matter to heart".[37] Writing in the Daily Express, Becca Longmire said Ora "flashed a lot of flesh" with her "revealing" outfit which she felt "arguably overshadowed the music".[36] Ora performed "Poison" at G-A-Y on the day of Pride London on 28 June 2015; where she draped herself in a rainbow flag during the rendition as a nod to Pride London.[38] The same day, she performed the Zdot Remix of the song with Krept and Konan as part of her set for the Wireless Festival.[39] Ora further promoted "Poison" with a performance on The John Bishop Show which aired on 4 July 2015.[40]

Track listings

  1. "Poison" – 3:22
  1. "Poison" (Acoustic) – 3:40
  1. "Poison" (featuring Krept and Konan) [Zdot Remix] – 3:51
  2. "Poison" (Perplexus Remix) – 4:07
  3. "Poison" (David Zowie Remix) – 5:24
  4. "Poison" (Myles James Vocal Remix) – 6:45

Charts

Chart (2015)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Euro Digital Songs (Billboard)[41] 5
Mexico Inglés Airplay (Billboard)[42] 13

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabel
France18 May 2015Digital download[43]
Italy[44]
Spain[45]
Italy12 June 2015Contemporary hit radio[46]
United States16 June 2015Digital download[47]
France28 June 2015Digital download – The Remixes[48]
Germany[49]
Italy[50]
Spain[51]
United KingdomDigital download[52]
Digital download – The Remixes[53]
United States[54]
France30 June 2015Digital download – Acoustic[55]
Germany[56]
Italy[57]
Spain[58]
United Kingdom[59]
United States[60]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: We Can't Get Rita Ora's New Track 'Poison' Out Of Our Heads. MTV UK. 18 May 2015. 25 August 2015.
  2. News: New Music: Rita Ora – 'Poison'. Rap-Up. 14 May 2015. 25 August 2015.
  3. Staff, Billboard. Best and Worst Singles of the Week -- From Rita Ora to Steven Tyler. Billboard. 22 May 2015. 25 August 2015.
  4. Web site: Fraser, Holly. The Interview: Rita Ora. Hunger TV. 24 June 2015. 29 August 2015.
  5. Web site: Rita Ora 'Poison' Sheet Music. Musicnotes.com. 28 August 2015.
  6. Web site: Corner, Lewis . Davidson, Amy . Playlist: 10 tracks you need to hear - Rita Ora, Maroon 5, Muse, Conrad. Digital Spy. 19 May 2015. 22 August 2015.
  7. News: Barlow, Eve. Rita Ora: 'This Is a New Chapter of My Life, I'm Ready to Move On'. Vice. 18 May 2015. 24 August 2015.
  8. Web site: Gracie, Bianca. Rita Ora Releases Her 'Poison' Lyric Video: Watch. Idolator. 18 May 2015. 28 August 2015.
  9. News: Rita Ora Debuts New Single 'Poison'. Vibe. 18 May 2015. 24 August 2015.
  10. News: Harper, Simon. Complete Control: The Renaissance Of Rita Ora. Clash. 29 August 2014. 28 August 2015.
  11. Web site: Wass, Mike. Rita Ora's New Single Is Possibly Called 'Poison': Listen To A Snippet Of The New Track. Idolator. 12 May 2015. 26 August 2015.
  12. News: Malone, Ailbhe. Pop Corner: Rita Ora releases an emotional banger. The Irish Times. 16 June 2015. 24 August 2015.
  13. Falcone, Dana Rose. Rita Ora's latest single is 'Poison'. Entertainment Weekly. 18 May 2015. 24 August 2015.
  14. News: Adu-Yeboah, Florence. Rita Ora Dedicates New Song 'Poison' to a Famous Ex-Boyfriend. International Business Times. 7 August 2015. 25 August 2015.
  15. News: Savage, Mark. 'I threw up twice': Rita Ora on her Oscars ordeal, the X Factor and new music. BBC News. 2 July 2015. 22 August 2015.
  16. Vena, Jocelyn. Hear Rita Ora's New Single 'Poison'. Billboard. 18 May 2015. 29 August 2015.
  17. Web site: Martin, Annie. Rita Ora breaks free in 'Poison' music video. United Press International. 3 June 2015. 25 August 2015.
  18. News: Ruby, Jennifer. Rita Ora makes pop comeback as she stars as model in emotional new video for single Poison. London Evening Standard. 3 June 2015. 24 August 2015.
  19. News: Goodfellow, Mollie. Rita Ora uses new single Poison to hit out at an ex-boyfriend. London Evening Standard. 7 August 2015. 24 August 2015.
  20. Web site: Davidson, Amy. Rita Ora's 'Poison' now has an official remix courtesy of Krept & Konan. Digital Spy. 10 June 2015. 24 August 2015.
  21. News: Wright, Jade. X Factor judge Rita Ora joins Radio City Summer Live. Liverpool Echo. 6 July 2015. 28 August 2015.
  22. News: Richardson, Tom. Rita Ora announces upcoming release of new single Poison. Gay Times. 26 August 2015.
  23. News: Donahue, Anne T. This week's new tracks: Jack Antonoff is making the indie pop of your dreams. The Guardian. 26 June 2015. 28 August 2015.
  24. Feeney, Nolan. Hear Rita Ora's New Song 'Poison'. https://web.archive.org/web/20150514160138/http://time.com/3858546/rita-ora-poison/. dead. 14 May 2015. Time. 14 May 2015. 22 August 2015.
  25. Web site: DeVille, Chris. The Week In Pop: Tori Kelly Is Evidence That Sometimes The Machine Gets It Right. Stereogum. 21 May 2015. 28 August 2015.
  26. News: Jones, Alan. Official Charts Analysis: Lionel Richie jumps to No.1 after Glastonbury appearance. Music Week. 6 July 2015. 22 August 2015.
  27. News: Jones, Alan. Official Charts Analysis: Ed Sheeran tops albums, David Zowie nabs No.1 single. Music Week. 10 July 2015. 22 August 2015.
  28. News: Jones, Alan. Official Charts Analysis: Little Mix score No.1 single, Years & Years debut LP lands on top. Music Week. 17 July 2015. 22 August 2015.
  29. Web site: GFK Chart-Track. GfK Chart-Track. 22 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230851/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2015&year=2015&week=27. 23 September 2015. dead.
  30. Web site: Discography Rita Ora. irishcharts.com. 24 August 2015.
  31. Web site: Ryan, Gavin. ARIA Singles: Taylor Swift Bad Blood Is No 1. Noise11. 30 May 2015. 22 August 2015.
  32. Web site: Rita Ora - Poison (Video) . YouTube . https://web.archive.org/web/20230224124409/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1fGOG3XXIQ . 24 February 2023 . 3 June 2015.
  33. Web site: Exclusive – Rita Ora x Krept & Konan . hungertv.com . 3 February 2024 . 7 July 2015.
  34. Web site: Did Rita Ora Take A Swipe At Calvin Harris At Radio 1's Big Weekend?!. MTV UK. 25 May 2015. 26 August 2015.
  35. News: The Capital FM Summertime Ball reviewed: all of the news, gossip and more. Irish Examiner. 7 June 2015. 26 August 2015.
  36. News: Longmire, Becca. Rita Ora wears just a bra and ripped jeans on Graham Norton Show. Daily Express. 26 June 2015. 26 August 2015.
  37. Web site: Lee, Christina. Rita Ora Performs 'Poison' On 'The Graham Norton Show': Watch. Idolator. 27 June 2015. 26 August 2015.
  38. News: Coyle, Hayley. Rita Ora flashes the flesh in sheer black leotard at G-A-Y performance. Daily Mirror. 28 June 2015. 28 August 2015.
  39. News: Kilikita, Jacqueline. Wireless Festival 10th Anniversary roundup: Rita Ora, Drake & Katy B!. Reveal. 29 June 2015. 28 August 2015.
  40. Episode 6. The John Bishop Show. The John Bishop Show. BBC One. 4 July 2015. 1. 6.
  41. Rita Ora – Chart history (Euro Digital Songs). Billboard. 20 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190819220859/https://www.billboard.com/music/rita-ora/chart-history/euro-digital-song-sales . 19 August 2019.
  42. Mexico Ingles Airplay: Jul 25, 2015. Billboard. 22 August 2015.
  43. Web site: Poison: Rita Ora. fr. Amazon.fr. 22 August 2015.
  44. Web site: Poison: Rita Ora. it. Amazon.it. 22 August 2015.
  45. Web site: Poison: Rita Ora. es. Amazon.es. 22 August 2015.
  46. Web site: Poison - Rita Ora. it. radioairpaly.fm. 23 November 2015.
  47. Web site: Poison: Rita Ora. Amazon. 22 August 2015.
  48. Web site: Poison (The Remixes): Rita Ora. fr. Amazon.fr. 22 August 2015.
  49. Web site: Poison (The Remixes): Rita Ora . de . Amazon.de . 22 August 2015.
  50. Web site: Poison (The Remixes): Rita Ora. it. Amazon.it. 22 August 2015.
  51. Web site: Poison (The Remixes): Rita Ora. es. Amazon.es. 22 August 2015.
  52. Web site: Poison: Rita Ora. Amazon.co.uk. 22 August 2015.
  53. Web site: Poison (The Remixes): Rita Ora. Amazon.co.uk. 22 August 2015.
  54. Web site: Poison (The Remixes): Rita Ora. Amazon. 22 August 2015.
  55. Web site: Poison (Acoustic): Rita Ora. fr. Amazon.fr. 22 August 2015.
  56. Web site: Poison (Acoustic): Rita Ora. de. Amazon.de. 22 August 2015.
  57. Web site: Poison (Acoustic): Rita Ora. it. Amazon.it. 22 August 2015.
  58. Web site: Poison (Acoustic). es. Amazon.es. 22 August 2015.
  59. Web site: Poison (Acoustic): Rita Ora. Amazon.co.uk. 22 August 2015.
  60. Web site: Poison (Acoustic): Rita Ora. Amazon. 22 August 2015.