I Can't Stop Drinking About You
"I Can't Stop Drinking About You" is the debut solo single by American singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha. It also serves as the first single from the singer's first extended play I Don't Wanna Grow Up, which was released in May 2015, with the Chainsmokers remix of the song appearing as a Japanese bonus track on her 2018 debut album Expectations. The song tells of the singer processing her sadness and anger over a breakup through heavy drinking. The song received positive reviews, with many critics complimenting Rexha's vocals and the instrumental on the track. The track did not enter the US Billboard Hot 100 but peaked at number 15 on the Bubbling Under chart, which serves as a 25-song quasi-extension to the Hot 100. The song has sold over 110,000 copies in the US.
"I Can't Stop Drinking About You" | ||||
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Single by Bebe Rexha | ||||
from the EP I Don't Wanna Grow Up | ||||
Released | April 21, 2014 | |||
Recorded | 2013 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:36 | |||
Label | Warner Bros. | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | The Monsters and the Strangerz | |||
Bebe Rexha singles chronology | ||||
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Alternate cover | ||||
Original cover artwork |
Writing and production
The song was written by Bebe Rexha after a bad breakup. Rexha said during an interview with Nylon magazine, "I fell deep for this guy who told me that he was in love with me, but that he couldn't be with me because he was still in love with his ex. I poured my heart out, and he still chose her. It killed me! So this one night, I went to the bar to try and get him off my mind. He wouldn't stop calling my phone and texting me to apologize. I finally answered my phone, and told him to leave me alone 'cause I was too busy drinking about him."[1] The song was produced by The Monsters and the Strangerz based in Miami, Florida. The team has also worked with artists such as Diddy, Rihanna, Kylie Minogue, Flo Rida, and Big Sean.[2][3]
Critical reception
"I Can't Stop Drinking About You" received generally positive reviews. Steff Yotka from Nylon wrote that listeners would "probably have a hard time staying seated while listening to it."[1] Brad Stern, from MTV gave another positive review, calling the track a "certifiable smash" and named it as the number one out of five must-hear pop songs of the first week of April 2014.[4] Justin Lipshutz from Billboard gave the song a mixed review, citing that the drop in the song seemed out of place and the title of the song was dubious. However, he praised Rexha's vocals and favorably compared the track to singer-songwriter Pink.[5] Jon Ali described the song as "thrilling" and, unlike Lipshutz, was favorable of the breakdown.[6][7] Adelle Planton of Vibe wrote that the song was "hard-hitting" and "intoxicating."[8] Alex Kritselis from Bustle expressed that the song had "all the makings of a radio hit" and had the "potential to be as big" as Eminem's "The Monster", which Rexha co-wrote.[9]
Track listing
- Digital download
- "I Can't Stop Drinking About You" – 3:36
- Digital download – Remixes[10]
- "I Can't Stop Drinking About You" (Chainsmokers Remix) – 4:23
- "I Can't Stop Drinking About You" (Quintino Remix) – 5:07
- "I Can't Stop Drinking About You" (Dawin Remix) – 4:06
- "I Can't Stop Drinking About You" (Felix Snow Remix) – 3:21
- "I Can't Stop Drinking About You" (Jumpsmokers Remix) – 3:48
Music video
The music video for the song was released on August 12, 2014, directed by Michael Mihail.[11][12] Rexha stated that the video was inspired by the films Girl, Interrupted and Melancholia.[13][14] She continued to describe that she "wanted the song to be a snapshot of how someone feels at that exact moment" of a break up.[12] The video, like the song, has received positive reviews.[15][16]
Synopsis
The video begins with Rexha lying on a bed in a vacant-appearing house. It proceeds to show scenes of her outside, surrounded by empty bottles and chinaware. In slow motion, she pours vodka from a teapot and later is seen shaking and pouring the contents of bottles, also in slow motion. Next, she is seen in a dark room, with more empty bottles. Rexha then begins throwing them at a nearby wall. There are also underwater shots, where she is clad in a white dress in a dark body of water. Before she surfaces, the video cuts to her face-to-face with a man, at whom she is screaming.[2][17][18]
Charts
Chart (2014) | Peak position |
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US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[19] | 15 |
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[20] | 12 |
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[21] | 31 |
References
- Yotka, Steff. "Song Premiere: Bebe Rexha". nylonmag.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- Stern, Bradley. ""I CAN'T STOP DRINKING ABOUT YOU": BEBE REXHA POURS OUT THE EMOTIONS". Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- "Bebe Rexha premieres "I Can't Stop Drinking About You" music video". August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- Stern, Brad (April 1, 2014). "Shakira, Bebe Rexha, Katy B + More: 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week". MTV. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- Lipshutz, Justin (March 28, 2014). "Pop Shop Picks: Sam Smith, Haerts, Bebe Rexha & More". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- Ali, Jon (March 24, 2014). "Introducing: Bebe Rexha – Listen To Her Debut Single 'I Can't Stop Drinking About You'". Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- Ali, Jon (August 12, 2014). "Bebe Rexha: 'I Can't Stop Drinking About You' Video Premiere!". Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- Platon, Adelle (August 15, 2014). "Watch: Monster Songwriter Bebe Rexha Steps Out On 'I Can't Stop Drinking About You'". Vibe. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- Kritselis, Alex (April 1, 2014). "BEBE REXHA'S AMAZING SINGLE "I CAN'T STOP DRINKING ABOUT YOU" WILL FINALLY PUT HER ON THE MAP— LISTEN". Bustle. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- "iTunes - Music - I Can't Stop Drinking About You Remix EP by Bebe Rexha". iTunes Store (GB).
- "Bebe Rexha "I Can't Stop Drinking About You" (Video Premiere)". August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- Lipshutz, Justin (August 12, 2014). "Bebe Rexha Video Premiere: Watch The 'I Can't Stop Drinking About You' Clip". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- Midgarden, Cory (August 13, 2014). "Meet Bebe Rexha: The Anti-Katy Perry Of Pop". MTV. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- Davis, Rea Melissa (August 18, 2014). "Bebe Rexha "I Can't Stop Drinking About You"". allhiphop.com. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- "VIDEO PREMIERE: Bebe Rexha 'I Can't Stop Drinking About You'". I Heart Radio. August 13, 2014. Archived from the original on August 24, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- "Watch "I Can't Stop Drinking About You" by Bebe Rexha". EQ Music. August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- "Bebe Rexha's Inspiration For 'I Can't Stop Drinking About You' Is 'A Little F---ed Up'". MTV. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- "Bebe Rexha Premieres "I Can't Stop Drinking About You" Music Video — Watch!". August 13, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- "Bebe Rexha Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
- "Bebe Rexha Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
- "Bebe Rexha Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2014.