Sofia (Clairo song)

"Sofia" is a song by American singer Clairo. Fader Label released it as the third single from her debut studio album Immunity on July 26, 2019. The song was written by Clairo and Rostam Batmanglij, who also produced the song, and features drums from Danielle Haim. "Sofia" became a sleeper hit after going viral on the video-sharing platform TikTok, charting on the Billboard Hot 100 more than a year after its initial release.

"Sofia"
Single by Clairo
from the album Immunity
Released	July 26, 2019
Length	3:08
Label	Fader Label
Songwriter(s)	Claire Cottrill Rostam Batmanglij
Producer(s)	Rostam Batmanglij
Clairo singles chronology
"Closer to You" / "Bags" (2019) "Sofia" (2019) "I Don't Think I Can Do This Again" (2019)

Background

In a Facebook post, Clairo explained that "Sofia" was inspired by her first experiences having crushes on older women that she saw in the media.[1] She named Sofia Vergara and Sofia Coppola as examples, and claimed that writing "Sofia" was her way of celebrating her discovery whilst "maintaining the cheesy/corny lyrics you'd normally find in songs where you profess your love". She continued by writing that the song "captures a moment in [her] life but instead of hiding it, it's expressed in an almost 'explosive' manner".[1][2]

Critical reception

Carolyn Droke of Uproxx described the song as an "anthem for the actualization of [Clairo's] sexuality", saying that the lyrics and rhythm "encapsulate feelings of exhilaration and trepidation at the threshold of a new relationship".[3] Harry Todd of Paste compared the production of the song to that of The Strokes and Sleigh Bells, with its "heavily processed guitars and crunchy drums". He continued to praise producer Batmanglij for "peppering [the song] with arpeggiated synths and vocoder melodies that recall Daft Punk's lovelorn slow-burns", and Clairo for "selling" the song with her vocal performance.[4] Katherine St. Asaph of Pitchfork compared the synths in "Sofia" to that of "Dancing on My Own" by Robyn.[5]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[6]

• Claire Cottrill – songwriter
• Rostam Batmanglij – producer, songwriter, recording engineer
• Danielle Haim – drums
• Emily Lazar – mastering engineer
• Chris Allgood – mastering engineer
• Dave Fridmann – mixer
• Cary Singer – recording engineer
• Nate Head – recording engineer
• Dalton Ricks – recording engineer
• Michael Harris – recording engineer

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2019–2020) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[7] 99 Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[8] 45 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 85 Global 200 (Billboard)[10] 195 Ireland (IRMA)[11] 45 Malaysia (RIM)[12] 7 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[13] 36 Singapore (RIAS)[14] 16 UK Singles (OCC)[15] 75 US Billboard Hot 100[16] 98 US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[17] 5

Year-end charts Chart (2020) Position US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[18] 45

References

1. D'Souza, Shaad (July 26, 2019). "Clairo drops new track "Sofia"". The FADER. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
2. Cottrill, Claire (July 27, 2019). "sofia explanation". Facebook. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
3. Droke, Carolyn (July 26, 2019). "Clairo Explore Her Sexuality On The Punchy New Single 'Sofia'". UPROXX. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
4. Todd, Harry (July 26, 2019). "Listen to Clairo's New Song "Sofia," the Final Single from Her Debut Album Immunity". Paste. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
5. St. Asaph, Katherine (August 2, 2019). "Clairo: Immunity". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
6. "Sofia - Clairo". Tidal. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
7. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 2 November 2020". The ARIA Report. No. 1600. Australian Recording Industry Association. November 2, 2020. p. 4.
8. "Ultratop.be – Clairo – Sofia" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
9. "Chart Search: Clairo, Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
10. "Clairo Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
11. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
12. "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
13. "NZ Top 40 Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 5, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
14. "RIAS International Top Charts Week 43". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on October 27, 2020.
15. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
16. "Clairo, HSI". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
17. "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs | Week of November 14, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
18. "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2020.