Best Friends (Sophia Grace song)

"Best Friends"
Single by Sophia Grace
from the EP Hollywood
ReleasedNovember 30, 2014 (2014-11-30)
Recorded2014
Genre
Length3:53
LabelCapitol Records France
Songwriter(s)
  • Dominic Brownlee
  • Hi W. Jackson
Producer(s)
Sophia Grace singles chronology
"Girls Just Gotta Have Fun"
(2013)
"Best Friends"
(2014)
"Girl in the Mirror"
(2016)
Music video
"Best Friends" on YouTube

"Best Friends" is a song by singer Sophia Grace of the British duo Sophia Grace & Rosie. It was released to all streaming platforms on November 30, 2014. It was written by Dominic Brownlee and Hi W. Jackson, and produced by Donald Sales and Da Beatfreakz. The music video was released on January 7, 2015.[1] The song debuted at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100.[2][3]

Background and composition

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In November 2014, Grace announced the track was available to download on iTunes. It was eventually released on November 30 to all social media platforms. The song is a bubblegum pop and pop rap single that is marketed towards children. It contains heavy production grounded by elements of synth, bass, snaps, and hi-hats, among other sounds. Sophia sings about being committed to friendship and leadership, having a "best friend that has your back", disbanding and "shutting down stupid boys", singing in the first verse, rapping in the second verse, and doing both in the third verse. Ryan Bassil described the song as "an incredible exercise in crafting a brilliant pop song. The DJ Mustard-esque production is on point, there's a mid-song breakdown that's reminiscent of PC Music, and it works in almost any situation."[4]

Grace spoke with Ryan Seacrest about the track.[5]

I’m so excited to release this song as I think all girls can relate to the lyrics ... It’s a great song to listen to with your friends at a party and it’s real catchy for everyone to sing along, I had so much fun recording this song in the studio.[6][7]

Reception

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Many writers and listeners were surprised by the performance coming from the 11-year-old singer, with Liam Dryden of PopBuzz stating, "There's no denying the song's a banger, but it feels like a whole other thing when you realize the singer is 11 years old and looks as though she's been lifted straight out of an ad for Lelli Kelly shoes".[8] Singer-songwriter Katy Perry even expressed her approval of the record on Twitter.[9] On January 7, she wrote "If Sophia Grace plays her new trap hit at Coachella, I'll go."[10] and in a now-deleted tweet, "[This song] goes hard as fuck."[11]

In the United States, "Best Friends" debuted at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100 on week ending January 24, 2015, becoming Grace's first ever entry on the chart.

Music video

[edit]

On November 14, 2014, a trailer for the song's music video was posted, along with a behind the scenes video on December 16. The full video was eventually released on January 7, 2015. It showcases Grace and other actors portraying her "best friends" in different scenes. One dancing in a bedroom, hopping on a bed, another one shopping together at a Kmart for outfits and toys before returning home to try their outfits and makeup on, and the last one dancing on a stage. Short clips of Sophia dancing and singing in front of a sunset are also included. The video was directed by Matt Alonzo. It currently sits at over 91 million views.[1]

Charts

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Chart (2015) Peak

position

US Billboard Hot 100[3] 87

References

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  1. ^ a b Sophia Grace - "Best Friends" Official Music Video | Sophia Grace, retrieved 2021-04-10
  2. ^ Carter, Caitlin (2015-01-16). "Sophia Grace's "Best Friends" Lands On Billboard Hot 100, Gets Remix From Y//2//K [LISTEN]". Music Times. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  3. ^ a b "Best Friends by Sophia Grace | Billboard The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  4. ^ "Sophia Grace's "Best Friends" is Embarrassing for Every British Pop Star". www.vice.com. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  5. ^ "Sophia Grace Has Girls-Only Party With Her 'Best Friends' in Music Video". On Air with Ryan Seacrest. Archived from the original on 2015-01-09. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  6. ^ "Sophia Grace Releases Fun New Music Video For 'Best Friends' - Watch". Retrieved April 10, 2021 – via HollywoodLife.
  7. ^ "Sophia Grace Goes Solo for 'Best Friends' Single". Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  8. ^ "11-Year-Old Sophia Grace's New "Best Friends" Video Has Got Us All Conflicted". PopBuzz. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  9. ^ "Even Katy Perry Is Obsessed With Sophia Grace's New Video 'Best Friends'". Capital. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  10. ^ "Katy Perry on Twitter: "If Sophia Grace plays her new trap hit at Coachella... I'll go. cc @yungskeeter @sofifii"". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2021-04-10. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  11. ^ Lindner, Emilee. "Katy Perry Thinks Sophia Grace Goes 'Hard As F--k' In New Video, But Where's Rosie?". MTV News. Archived from the original on January 11, 2015. Retrieved 2021-04-10.