| "Blouse" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Clairo performing the song onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | ||||
| Single byClairo | ||||
| from the albumSling | ||||
| Released | 11 June 2021 (2021-06-11) | |||
| Genre | Folk | |||
| Length | 3:15 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter | Clairo | |||
| Producers |
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| Clairo singles chronology | ||||
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| Audio video | ||||
| "Blouse" onYouTube | ||||
"Blouse" is a song by American singer-songwriterClairo, released throughFader Label andRepublic Records on June 11, 2021, as the lead single from her second studio album,Sling. The song was written by Clairo, produced by Clairo andJack Antonoff, and features backing vocals from New Zealand singer-songwriterLorde.
Clairo announced the release of "Blouse" on June 10, 2021, with the song scheduled to come out the following day.[1] It is the lead single fromSling, Clairo's second album.[2]
Clairo speaks about her experiences of being sexualized in the music industry in the song.[3] Talking toRolling Stone writer Angie Martoccio, Clairo highlighted the lyric of "Why do I tell you how I feel, when you're too busy looking down my blouse? If touch could make them hear, then touch me now" on the song.[3] Clairo explained that "that line is really important to me, because it just captures so much of what that experience feels like. I was pissed off. I was pissed off that that's a part of this, and that I'm just supposed to accept the fact that that's a part of it. I have moments where I wonder if it even matters what I write. I put in so much effort, but is it going to get to a point where I'm just overly sexualized again? You're so desperate for someone to hear you out that you just let them do it."[3]
"Blouse" is afolkballad[4][5] that features backing vocals fromLorde.[2] Lorde's backing vocals were recorded on a rainy day in New Zealand, and raindrops can be heard in the background of her vocals.[3] Speaking to Gemma Sanways ofThe Guardian, Clairo said of Lorde's involvement that "we talked a lot about how cool it was in theLaurel Canyon era, where people would secretly do background vocals on each other's music – likeJoni Mitchell withCarole King – rather than as a way to benefit the business side of things. Back then it was just like: 'I love your voice: will you lend your talent to my song?'"[6]
ForPitchfork, Quinn Moreland wrote that the song "immediately sets itself apart" from her 2019 albumImmunity.[7] Of the music, Moreland said that "a hushed acoustic guitar melody is soon joined by gentle orchestral flourishes courtesy of co-producer Jack Antonoff and low-key backing vocals from Lorde".[7] Addressing the line "if touch could make them hear, then touch me now", Moreland stated that the encounter was "a devastating prospect — wanting so badly to be genuinely validated that you contemplate compromising part of yourself".[7] The review concluded by saying that "'Blouse' is a quiet yet bold leap forward for Clairo, one that puts a spotlight on her skills as a songwriter with remarkable ease".[7]
Margaret Farrell ofFlood compared "Blouse" to Lorde's "Liability", saying that the songs "harness the same urgent closeness".[8] Aside from that, Farrell also noted that "orchestral strings swell around Clairo's bruised words", and that "her vocals get slightly louder" towards the end of the song.[8]
On June 3, 2021, Clairo announced that she would debut "Blouse" onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[9] She performed the song on June 10 in-studio on the Tonight Show.[10]
In March 2022, videos surfaced of Clairo performing "Blouse" on theSling Tour. Despite the song's lyrics detailing her discomfort being oversexualized, concertgoers took the opportunity to sexually harass her.[11] The song was not returned to the setlist of her following tour, theCharm Tour.[12]
In 2023, Clairo recorded a live version of "Blouse" for herLive at Electric Lady extended play.[13]
Credits adapted fromTidal.[14]
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[15] | 36 |
| USHot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[16] | 32 |
| The Love Club EP (2012) | |
|---|---|
| Pure Heroine (2013) | |
| Melodrama (2017) | |
| Solar Power (2021) and Te Ao Mārama (2021) | |
| Virgin (2025) | |
| Soundtrack songs | |
| Featured singles |
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| Co-written songs | |
| Tours | |
| Books | |
| Related songs |
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