Commercially, the song reached the top-10 in 15 countries, including Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom where it peaked at number two, becoming Ora's eleventh UK top-10 single. "Anywhere" has since been certified double platinum by theBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI). An accompanyingmusic video, directed by Declan Whitebloom, shows Ora in various locations throughout New York City. Ora performed the song at the2017 MTV Europe Music Awards.
Ora said that the story behind the song came fromAvicii's single "Lonely Together" (2017), which she featured on, as both were "cut from the same cloth", being developed from a similar guitar line by some of the songwriters who worked with her on "Anywhere".[1] Ora co-wrote "Anywhere" withAli Tamposi,Andrew Watt,Brian Lee,Alesso,Digital Farm Animals andSir Nolan.[2][3][4] The core of the track was written in Los Angeles in early 2017 and stemmed from the initialhook, "Take me anywhere, anywhere away from here", which then became "...anywhere away with you".[5][6] It was inspired by Ora wanting to go on a road trip with her friends to escape Los Angeles.[7][8]
Musically, "Anywhere" is a wistful,dance-pop andelectropop song.[15][16] Featuring dream-like production, the track has a firm electronicbeat which acts as ametronome for Ora's vocal.[15][17] Having a moderatetempo of 107 beats per minute, the song is written in the key ofB minor and follows thechord progression of Em–A–D–Bm in the firstrefrain.[18] Instrumentation is provided by keyboards and guitar.[2] The song has two refrains; the first begins with Ora singing "Over the hills and far away, a million miles from L.A, just anywhere away with you," while the second is abreakdown of stuttering vocalloops.[15] Interviewed about the song in November 2017, Ora said, "I actually have no idea what I'm saying... My voice was just chopped up, so I actually am not saying anything."[19]
As interpreted by the singer, "Anywhere" is alove song aboutescapism and "having a desperation of wanting to break free from whatever it is you're going through".[5][17] Ora also felt the song's message of breaking free was relevant to what British citizens had experienced in 2017.[9] Andrew R. Chow ofThe New York Times wrote that the lyrics are driven bywanderlust.[20] Due to the processed vocal loops, the second chorus is lyrically inaudible and has no meaning. Ora said lyrics to it can be made up.[1][8]
"Anywhere" was chosen byThe Guardian as their track of the week. JournalistPeter Robinson deemed the song a "well-judged electropop romp" and "the modern answer" toABBA's "Super Trouper" (1980), adding that it "sounds like something that sparks minor online controversy when it only comes third in Sweden's annualEurovision heats – andMelodifestivalen followers will know there is no higher compliment".[16] Laurence Day ofThe Line of Best Fit regarded it as "a glittering return".[7]Rolling Stone's Sarah Grant opined that unlike on "Lonely Together", Ora "sounds refreshingly unadorned".[17] A critic fromThe Observer wrote, "Pensive, poised and ludicrously catchy, Rita Ora continues her patient rebirth with this delicate banger."[21] Writing forBillboard magazine, Jon Ali called "Anywhere" Ora's "finest single to date", noting, "it sounds like Rita's finally found her footing in the pop musical landscape, and it's on the dancefloor".[22]
The song debuted at number 20 on theUK Singles Chart on 27 October 2017, selling 16,085 units in its first week.[23] In its fourth week, the song reached number two with sales of 38,159 units.[24] "Anywhere" became Ora's 11th top-10 song in the United Kingdom and her third of 2017 (following "Your Song" and "Lonely Together").[25] The song has been certified double platinum by theBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI). The song topped the chart in Scotland, marking Ora's fifth chart-topper and 11th top-ten song in the country.[26] "Anywhere" peaked at number three on theEuro Digital Song Sales chart, becoming Ora's ninth top-10 song on the chart.[27] "Anywhere" reached the top-10 in Bulgaria,[28] Croatia,[29] Hungary,[30] Ireland,[31] Luxembourg,[32] Netherlands,[33] Poland,[34] Romania,[35] Slovakia,[36] Slovenia[37] and Switzerland.[38]
In Australia, the song peaked at number 14 on theARIA Charts and was subsequently certified triple platinum by theAustralian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).[39] Furthermore, "Anywhere" reached the top 20 in Austria,[40] Belgium,[41] Germany[42] and Russia.[43] In the United States, "Anywhere" reached number six on theDance Club Songs chart, and marked Ora's sixth top-10 song on the chart.[44] The song topped theMexico Ingles Airplay chart for five weeks.[45]
Directed by Declan Whitebloom, themusic video for "Anywhere" was filmed over 14 hours in New York City on 5 October 2017.[46][47][48] The video was produced by Randy Bobbit for Black Dog Films and commissioned by Dan Curwin.[46] Most of Ora's jewellery and footwear in the visual were designed byAlexis Bittar andSophia Webster, respectively.[47] One of the scenes see Ora dancing in a restaurant that remained open while the video was being filmed.[49] The video personifies the song's message of romantic escapism although a love interest is absent.[17][50] It finds Ora dancing and singing in nine different high fashion ensembles in various locations.[51] The music video premiered onYouTube at 12:00GMT on 20 October 2017.[52][53]
It begins with Ora singing atTimes Square, wearing a half-and-half Halpern Fall 2017 collection piece and large square earrings by Bittar. She is then shown on a hotel rooftop overlooking theHudson River in a Tezenis blackbodysuit, a red coat from Vaquera The Handmaid's Tale Collection and Double Disco earrings.[47][54] Other segments take place at a shop, restaurant, hair salon and in the streets of theMeatpacking District andChinatown, Manhattan.[54]
In the next scene, Ora holds blue balloons while walking through traffic and on sidewalks, sporting a matching blue velveteen coatdress andknee-high boots from Off White's Fall 2017 collection.[47][50] The singer is also shown on a moving carriage in an Attico multi-patterned halter gown, Colin LoCascio red faux-fur coat andSaint Laurent Niki Swarovski crystal-embellished leather knee-high boots. In other scenes, she haship hop-style looks including aMulberryjumpsuit, a blackPaco Rabanne top and bottom, and a Madeleine Thompson rainbow cashmere tracksuit with a pinkbucket hat byKangol andMarc Jacobs. In a scene near the end of the video, Ora runs in a street in a vintageVivienne Westwoodwedding dress, Gigi Burrisveil and Mulberry boots.[47]
MTV UK's Sam Prance regarded it among Ora's best videos, writing, "From the incredible outfits to the setting and the carefree vibe, it's a total joy to watch".[49] Ross McNeilage from the same publication described it as "super-fun" and "like a high-fashion Rita in Wonderland".[50]
On 21 February 2018, Ora performed "Anywhere" live during a medley, with "Your Song" and "For You" withLiam Payne, at theBrit Awards 2018.[64] On 12 April 2018, she performed the song live during a similar medley at the GermanEcho Music Prize.[65]
