Feel (Kendrick Lamar song)
"Feel" (stylized as "FEEL.") is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The fifth track on the album (tenth on the Collector's Edition of Damn[2]), the song was written by Lamar and Mark Spears, a.k.a. Sounwave, and produced by Sounwave. The song features bass from bass guitarist Thundercat and vocals from Chelsea Blythe.
| "Feel" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Kendrick Lamar | |
| from the album Damn | |
| Recorded | 2017 |
| Genre | Jazz rap |
| Length | 3:35 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) |
|
Lyrics edit
The song sees Lamar taking a deeper look into the void and isolation caused by fame and success, specifically how he feels detached from his family and friends.[3]
A common recurrence in "Feel" is the phrase "Ain't nobody prayin' for me", a sentiment that Lamar "revisits elsewhere".[4]
Critical reception edit
In a positive review, writers of Rolling Stone magazine said "with round, textured notes from the Grammy-winning bass virtuoso Thundercat and a rickety, rim-shot drum pulse, "Feel" nods to the live-musician inflections of To Pimp a Butterfly – or the sixth track from last year's untitled unmastered.[5] Ann Powers of NPR Music also gave a positive review, saying "Feel" was the first song that "jumped out" at her on Damn. Powers also commented that the song is reminiscent of To Pimp a Butterfly.[6]
Samples edit
The song contains a sample of the song "Stormy" by American musician O. C. Smith from the album For Once in My Life.[7] It also contains interpolations from "Don't Let Me Down" by Fleurie from the album Love and War.[8][9]
Live performances edit
Lamar has performed "Feel" as an encore on the Damn tour.[10]
Credits and personnel edit
Credits adapted from the official Damn digital booklet.[1]
- Kendrick Lamar – songwriter
- Mark Spears – songwriter, producer, mixing
- Thundercat – bass
- Chelsea Blythe – additional vocals
- Matt Schaeffer – additional guitar, mixing
- Derek Ali – mixing
- Tyler Page – mix assistant
- Cyrus Taghipour – mix assistant
Charts edit
| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[11] | 66 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] | 30 |
| Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[13] | 80 |
| France (SNEP)[14] | 105 |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[15] | 82 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[16] | 34 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] | 56 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[18] | 32 |
| Portugal (AFP)[19] | 28 |
| Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[20] | 41 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[21] | 51 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[22] | 46 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[23] | 35 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[24] | 21 |
Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[25] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[26] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[27] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
| ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References edit
- ^ a b "Digital Booklet - DAMN. copy.pdf". DocDroid. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ India, Lindsey (December 8, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar Surprises Fans With 'Damn.' Collector's Edition". XXL. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
- ^ Britton, Luke Morgan (April 14, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar - 'DAMN.': First-listen track-by-track review - NME". NME. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (April 16, 2017). "Review: Kendrick Lamar's Anxiety Leads to Joy and Jabs on New Album". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar's 'Damn.': A Track-by-Track Guide". Rolling Stone. April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ "Basking In Sin: Some Initial Thoughts On Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.'". NPR.org. April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar's 'FEEL.' - Discover the Sample Source". WhoSampled. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ "Every Sample On Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.'". YouTube. Genius. April 17, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ "Listen to the Samples From Kendrick Lamar's New Album 'DAMN.'". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ Masley, Ed (July 13, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar launches DAMN. Tour in Glendale with triumphant one-man show of force". AZ Central. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Feel." (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201716 into search. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Feel." (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Feel." (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Feel." (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 1, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Feel.". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201716 into search. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar – Feel.". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – Feel". Music Canada. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – Feel". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 7, 2018.