The Story (Conan Gray song)

"The Story" is a song by American singer-songwriter Conan Gray. It was released on January 10, 2020 by Republic Records as the fourth single from his debut studio album Kid Krow. The song was written by Conan Gray and produced by Dan Nigro.

"The Story"
Single by Conan Gray
from the album Kid Krow
ReleasedJanuary 10, 2020
Length4:05
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)Conan Gray
Producer(s)Dan Nigro
Conan Gray singles chronology
"Maniac"
(2019)		 "The Story"
(2020)		 "Wish You Were Sober"
(2020)
Music video
"The Story" on YouTube

Background and release

Gray opens up about his difficult childhood in third person perspective. He has told an audience, "It's one of the ones that means more to me...,I like to tell stories, and this song is kind of a story about my life when it was before all of [my fame]."[1] The song is based upon "all the unfair things that he's seen in this world, from the effects of bullying and self-hatred to a fear of being your 100 percent authentic self."[2] Gray also references a number of experiences that him and his friends had as a child, including "a boy and a girl" who are now "gone, headstones on a lawn,"[3] as well as "a boy and a boy" who were "best friends with each other, but always wished they were more".[4]

On The Zach Sang Show, Gray said, "I think when you're kid, every single thing that happens to you, feels like the end of the world. When you're six years old and you grow up in an abusive household, you can't really imagine not being six years old. You can think like 'Oh, maybe one day,' but its hard to tell. So I wanted to tell, no matter what age you are, no matter what you're going through, [...] even if you feels like its really the end of your road, I promise its not."[5]

Conan released "The Story" alongside the announcement of the album's title, tracklist and cover art on January 10, 2020.[6]

Critical reception

Mike Wass from Idolator described "The Story" as a "stripped-back anthem about the state of the world, and the way it could be with a little more love and acceptance."[7] Bre Offenberger of The Post ranked the song as the best track on Kid Krow and described it as "utter perfection".[8] Ryan Garay of The Daily Californian made a similar statement, writing "On the final track, Gray is at his absolute apex. 'The Story' is the embodiment of everything Kid Krow attempts to be, surpassing the many mild tracks which precede it." He further notes that "Gray explores sexuality, loss and friendship with a perspective and craft that feels unusually mature and careful."[9] Maxamillian Polo of Ones to Watch wrote, "Shifting between first and third person, 'The Story' unfolds like a somber jaunt. Weaving together intimate stories that belong to both Gray and his friends, the narrative begins to coalesce, weaving together a story of how our seemingly personal experiences live on in those we hold closest."[10]

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "The Story" was first released on YouTube on January 16, 2020. The video was directed by BRUME.[11] In the video, Gray wanders along deserted outdoor landscapes before jumping on the back of a pickup truck. Jordan Tilchen from MTV wrote, "he seems despondent and like he's lost hope as he roams lonely dirt roads, he knows that it's 'not the end of the story.'"[2]

Charts
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[12] 43
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[13] 34

Release history
Region Date Format Label
United States January 10, 2020
Republic Records

References
  1. Sharpe, Lauren (October 29, 2019). "new song "the story" by conan gray - saint louis show 10/29". YouTube. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  2. Tilchen, Jordyn (January 16, 2020). "Conan Gray Feels Totally Lost In His New Video For 'The Story'". MTV. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  3. Mier, Tomás (January 10, 2020). "Conan Gray Says His Forthcoming Album Kid Krow Was Inspired by His 'Pretty Tough' Childhood". People. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  4. Henderson, Taylor (January 10, 2020). "Conan Gray Shares 'The Story' of a Crush on Another Boy in New Song". Pride. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  5. Sang, Zach (March 20, 2020). "Conan Gray Breaks Down His Album Kid Krow". YouTube. The Zach Sang Show. Retrieved August 23, 2020. Event begins at 6:51
  6. Daw, Stephen (January 10, 2020). "Conan Gray Announces Debut Album 'Kid Krow,' Debuts Emotional New Track 'The Story': Listen". Billboard. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  7. Wass, Mike (January 10, 2020). "Conan Gray Announces Debut LP 'Kid Krow,' Drops New Song "The Story"". Idolator. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  8. Offenberger, Bre (March 22, 2020). "Album Review: The 5 best tracks from Conan Gray's heart-wrenchingly beautiful 'Kid Krow'". The Post. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  9. Garay, Ryan (March 24, 2020). "Conan Gray comes of age in debut album 'Kid Krow'". The Daily Californian. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  10. Polo, Maxamillion (January 10, 2020). "Conan Gray Shows Off a Softer Side in "The Story"". Ones to Watch. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  11. "Conan Gray - The Story (Official Video)". YouTube. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  12. "Ultratop.be – Conan Gray – The Story" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  13. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 20, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
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