Sympathy Is a Knife

"Sympathy Is a Knife"
Song by Charli XCX
from the album Brat
Released7 June 2024 (2024-06-07)
Length2:31
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Charli XCX
  • Finn Keane
Lyric video
"Sympathy Is a Knife" on YouTube

"Sympathy Is a Knife" is a song by English singer Charli XCX. It was released on 7 June 2024 through Atlantic Records as the third track from her sixth studio album, Brat. Written and produced by Charli XCX herself and long-time collaborator Finn Keane, better known as Easyfun, the former bares her thoughts on a woman that evokes feelings of "doubt and insecurity" in herself on the song. It was seen as a representation of one of the central themes of its parent album, as it deals with the singer's "complicated emotions about other women".[1]

Upon release, the song peaked at 56 on the UK Singles Chart, as well as the top 10 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. Later on, it debuted at number 18 on the New Zealand singles chart. Charli XCX included the song the setlist of her Sweat tour and performed it on Saturday Night Live on 16 November 2024.[2]

Ariana Grande remix

[edit]
"Sympathy Is a Knife featuring Ariana Grande"
Remix by Charli XCX featuring Ariana Grande
from the album Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat
Released11 October 2024 (2024-10-11)
Length2:34
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
  • Charlotte Aitchison
  • Finn Keane
  • Jonathan Christopher Shave
  • Ariana Grande
Producer(s)
  • Charli XCX
  • Finn Keane
Audio video
"Sympathy Is a Knife featuring Ariana Grande" on YouTube

Charli XCX announced the remix album of Brat, titled Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat, on 12 September 2024.[3] On 6 October, XCX revealed lyrics of the "Sympathy Is a Knife" remix on her social media, both of which featured links to pre-order the album. Grande shared the lyrics via her Instagram story, hinting at a collaboration.[4] In an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, XCX opened up about her relationship with Grande and how the rollout of Brat changed her as a person. The remix with Grande in particular made her realise that one is "only really knowledgeable about [one's] own position", a feeling she thought was more known by Grande than herself.[5]

As opposed to the original version, the remix with Grande deals with a certain part of being in the spotlight and especially takes in the themes of public perception and scrutiny.[6] Carson Mlnarik of Nylon described the remix as "more confident, albeit exasperated, perspective" than the original. Over a "synth-y, glitchier, and handclap-driven" instrumental, the artists exchange verses about rumours and how they refuse to address them, a stance that was compared to Grande's "Yes, And?", released earlier in 2024.[7]

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[30] Gold 40,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Viswanath, Jake (18 June 2024). "Fans Think Charli xcx's "Sympathy Is A Knife" Is About Taylor Swift". Bustle. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  2. ^ Vaillancourt, William. "'SNL': Watch Charli XCX perform '360,' 'Sympathy Is a Knife'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  3. ^ Monroe, Jazz (12 September 2024). "Charli XCX Announces Full Brat Remix Album, Enlists Troye Sivan for New "Talk Talk": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  4. ^ Iasimone, Ashley (6 October 2024). "Ariana Grande, Charli XCX Tease "Sympathy Is a Knife" Remix With New Lyrics". Billboard. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  5. ^ Avila, Daniela (7 October 2024). "Charli xcx on the New Meaning Behind the "Sympathy Is a Knife" Remix — and How Ariana Grande Embodies It (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  6. ^ Gonzales, Erica (11 October 2024). "Ariana Grande and Charli XCX's "Sympathy Is a Knife" Remix Is a Response to Public Scrutiny". Elle. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  7. ^ Mlnarik, Carson (11 October 2024). "Unpacking Charli XCX & Ariana Grande's "Sympathy Is a Knife" remix". Nylon. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  8. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  9. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.[dead link‍]
  10. ^ Música, El portal de, SYMPATHY IS A KNIFE - CHARLI XCX | EPDM, retrieved 22 October 2024
  11. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Charli XCX feat. Ariana Grande – Sympathy Is a Knife" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Tops de la semaine | Top Singles – Semaine du 18 octobre 2024" (in French). Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Charli XCX feat. Ariana Grande – Sympathy Is a Knife" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  17. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  18. ^ "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 42/2024". www.ifpi.gr. Archived from the original on 23 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  19. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  20. ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Oct 31, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  21. ^ "Charli XCX feat. Ariana Grande – Sympathy Is a Knife" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  22. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.[dead link‍]
  23. ^ "TOP AFP/AUDIOGEST – Semana 42 de 2024 – 11/10/2024 até 17/10/2024" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  24. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 42". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  25. ^ "Charli XCX feat. Ariana Grande – Sympathy Is a Knife". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  26. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  27. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  28. ^ "Charli XCX Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  29. ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Monthly Chart: October 2024". TopHit. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  30. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Charli XCX – Sympathy is a Knife". Music Canada. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
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