"Boom Clap" is a song by English singerCharli XCX, released as the first single from thesoundtrack album ofThe Fault in Our Stars (2014) and is also featured on her second studio album,Sucker.[2] There are two existing mixes of this song: the first and original one is heard in the film, the film's soundtrack, and the music video shot inAmsterdam; the second mix is heard on the music video shot in Japan and inSucker.
"Boom Clap" is a "radio-ready"electropop andsynth-pop ballad,[1][4] written by Charli XCX, Fredrik Berger, Patrik Berger and Stefan Gräslund. The song was initially written during writing sessions for XCX's debut studio album,True Romance, then later offered to singer and actressHilary Duff for her new album. Once Duff's management declined the offer, XCX decided to use the song as her contribution toThe Fault in Our Stars motion picturesoundtrack. In a later interview, Duff said she had no idea that XCX had offered the song to her people and would have accepted the song if she had known.[5] The song is composed in the key ofE major.[6]
"Boom Clap" received positive reviews from music critics.4Music said the song was "infectious" and a "feelgood track [which] contrasts softly-sung verses with a big attitude-packed chorus"[7] resulting in a song that was "catchier thanthe clap."[8]Spin listed "Boom Clap" at number 24 on its list of "The 101 Best Songs of 2014," writing that "Charli XCX's excellent use ofonomatopoeia gives this intoxicatedSucker cut her most unforgettable chorus yet."[9]Pitchfork named it the 37th best song of 2014.[10] In January 2015, "Boom Clap" was ranked at number eight onThe Village Voice's annual year-endPazz & Jop critics' poll. In April 2022,Clash listed the song among the 17 best of Charli's songs, with Isabella Miller stating that "it captures the essence of youth culture with timeless stylistic and lyrical content that awakens the 2014Tumblr teen in us all."[11]
The song debuted at number 62 on theBillboard Hot 100 on the week dated 21 June 2014, becoming XCX's first entry as a lead artist.[12] On 28 June 2014, the song jumped to number 29, becoming her first top-40 hit as a lead artist. The song became XCX's first top 10 hit as a solo artist (after her features on "I Love It" and "Fancy") and re-entered the top ten twice before peaking at number eight.[13][14] The song has sold more than 3 million copies in the United States.[15] "Boom Clap" also peaked at number one on theMainstream Top 40 chart[16] and toppedDance Airplay. In the UK the song has sold over 200,000 copies and has received a silver certification.[17]
The accompanying music video for "Boom Clap", directed by Sing J. Lee, was filmed inAmsterdam and premiered on 2 June 2014.[18][19][20] The video features brief clips fromThe Fault in Our Stars set to the song as well as on-screen text written in the style ofthe book cover and film poster.
An alternative music video for the song, directed by Kazuya Murayama, was filmed inTokyo and premiered on 29 October 2014.[21]
Charli XCX performed the song for the first time onThe Fault in Our Stars Live Stream Event on 14 May 2014.[22] She also performed the song at the2014 MTV Video Music Awards pre-show on 24 August.[23] The song was part of the setlist of Charli's first headlining concert tourGirl Power North America Tour.[24]
Charli XCX performed the song followed by "Break the Rules" at the2014 MTV Europe Music Awards. She also performed the song along with "Break the Rules" at theAmerican Music Awards of 2014; when she performed "Boom Clap" she wore a prom dress; after the song she performed her second song, removed her dress with another outfit underneath, and went wild at the show and destroyed parts of her set. She also performed the song onSaturday Night Live.[citation needed]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. † Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 49. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 34. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201435 into search. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
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