"Padam Padam" is a song by Australian singerKylie Minogue from her sixteenth studio albumTension (2023). It was released on 18 May 2023 throughBMG and Darenote, as the lead single from the album. Written by Norwegian singer-songwriterIna Wroldsen alongside its producerLostboy, "Padam Padam" is adance-pop andsynthpop song with elements ofelectronic music and Eastern European sound. Lyrically, it touches on the topic of sexual encounters, with its title being anonomatopoeia for aheartbeat.
"Padam Padam" received critical acclaim from music critics, with many praising its catchiness and hook. Critics also singled it as a standout from the parent album. It won the inauguralBest Pop Dance Recording award at the66th Annual Grammy Awards, as well as Record of the Year at theLas Culturistas Culture Awards andBest Pop Release at the2023 ARIA Music Awards. Various music publications, includingBillboard,The Guardian,Pitchfork,The New York Times,Rolling Stone, andVariety, placed "Padam Padam" on their Best Songs of 2023 lists.
The music video was directed by British filmmakerSophie Muller. Shot in Los Angeles, it was visually inspired by the works ofThe Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) and elements ofAmericana culture. Minogue has made several live appearances to promote "Padam Padam" in the United Kingdom and North America. The song has become a viral phenomenon and has been recognised by notable publications for its cultural significance in pop culture. It has been dubbed an anthem within the LGBT community and has been played atpride parades. Furthermore, the track's success has been credited as a pioneer in bridging a generational gap between younger audiences and mature performers through social media and airplay.
After wrapping up promotional activities for her fifteenth studio album,Disco (2020), Minogue appeared onBBC Radio 2 to talk about new music, saying, "Perhaps it's going a bit moreelectropop. Don't quote me that [...] but that's what's on the boil at the minute."[1] Minogue confirmed this in a June 2022 interview withVogue, citing her 2003 single "Slow" as inspiration for the album's sound.[2] That same year, Norwegian singerIna Wroldsen and English producerPeter "Lostboy" Rycroft met in London in February 2022 to work on new music, and in two days, they wrote "Padam Padam".[3] Regarding the song's title, Wroldsen stated, "I'm married to an Englishman, and my mother-in-law from north London would always go, 'Oh my heart's going ped-ou, ped-ou". Furthermore, Wroldsen said, "It was in my mind when I went to the studio, but 'ped-ou' doesn't sound very nice. So we created 'padam'."[3] After finishing the song, they weren't sure who would record it, so they considered pitching it to British singerRita Ora or aEurovision contestant.[4] Minogue's A&R Jamie Nelson sent Minogue the demo of "Padam Padam" while she was in Miami, and she fell in love with it.[5] She recorded it in a London hotel and is listed as the track'svocal engineer.[6][7] When asked about her reaction to the song, Minogue stated, "I loved the song, and the bonus is it felt like it was perfect for me."[8]
Minogue first teased "Padam Padam" on 12 May 2023 viasocial media.[9] Three days later, Minogue announced the song's release date and shared a preview.[10] It was released on 18 May 2024 byBMG and Minogue's company Darenote and serves as the opening track and lead single forTension.[11] Thecover artwork for the single was created byStudio Moross, who handled the promotional shooting and designs forTension, and was taken from the "Padam Padam" video shoot; it features Minogue's thigh-highMugler boots against a red-orange desert backdrop.[12][13] An alternate digital cover used on Minogue's website depicts Minogue in full from themusic video.[14] Remixes byHAAi,Absolute, andJax Jones were all released on digital and streaming platforms separately.[a] Three formats were available: aCD single, acassette tape with the single and extended mix, and another cassette with all previously released remixes.[19] Avinyl edition was later released to coincide with the album's third single, "Hold On to Now".[20] The extended mix was later included on Minogue'sremix album,Extension: The Extended Mixes (2023).[21][22]
"I heard the demo and loved it. 'This is amazing'. And then once I'd self-recorded my vocals and put them in, I though 'What's more, this is amazing for me.' I really felt like I was fused to this song, and we became greater than the sum of our parts."[11]
—Minogue talking about hearing "Padam Padam" for the first time.
"Padam Padam" is adance-pop andsynth-pop song that includeselectronic music and lasts two minutes and 46 seconds.[b]Shore Fire Media stated: "From the euphoric vocals, to the ridiculously infectious chorus and the heart-thumping electronic drum beat - this is an instant Kylie classic."[26] The song is written in4/4 time and is based on aphrygian dominant scale of C (aMixolydian scale with lowered 9th (2nd) and lowered 13th (6th), which contributes to its tense quality.[27][28] Lyrically, it explores sexual desire and attraction, with certain lyrics and the title serving asonomatopoeia for theheartbeat.[3][29] Sam Franzini, a writer fromThe Line of Best Fit, honoured this example by comparing its themes to the "Padam Padam" andTension tracks, which share similar themes throughout.[29] Other music critics cited various inspirations and elements for the track. According to Neil Z. Yeung ofAllMusic, the song "pops through woozy production as a hypnotic groove throbs beneath the surface", whilePitchfork writer Harry Tafoya found the track's vibe to be "silly", with Minogue "vamping through pounding piano house to deliver some truly ridiculous lyrics."[30][31] George Griffiths of theOfficial Charts Company describes "Padam Padam" as "elastic, Eastern Europe-inspired electro-pop with a bite", and Quentin Harrison ofAlbumism also notices Eastern-European sounds.[25][32] When it appeared onTension, Vera Maksymiuk ofRiff wrote that it "sets the tone; mimicking a heartbeat".[33] Guy Oddy ofThe Arts Desk observed that it was slightly influenced by1990s music, particularlyhouse and electro music and that the song features a "sensual groove, fruity lyrics, and slightly autotuned vocals".[34]
“Padam Padam” garnered critical acclaim from music critics. Padam Padam" was described byStereogum as "a sleek, thumping, catchy-as-hell dance-pop jam" upon its release, adding that "Kylie knows exactly how to deliver a song like that".[24]Retropop called the song "infectious" and "a punchy electronic extravaganza that promises to be 'in your head all weekend'".[35]NME editor Hollie Geraghty praised the song's "thumping earworm refrain", while Jon Stickler ofStereoboard described it as "the catchy pop banger" with a "infectious chorus."[36][37] Mary Varvaris ofThe Music wrote that the song "sounds completely 2023 while remaining unmistakably Kylie".[38] The song was described as a "shiny bubble of dance-pop joy" by Owen Myers ofThe Guardian, "unburdened by its performer's personal narrative, freeing Minogue up to play sunny showgirl once more."[39] According to David Smyth ofThe Evening Standard, "Padam Padam" is a "slinky, Eurovision-style firecracker catchy enough to cause sleepless nights".[40]
Its inclusion inTension drew widespread praise. Noting it as Minogue's "catchiest chorus in decades", Yeung of AllMusic it as one of the album's top picks and career highlights, saying "listeners won't soon be able to get "Padam Padam" out of their heads."[41] Similarly, Harrison ofAlbumism chose it as one of the standout tracks fromTension.[32] Peter Piatkowski wrote forPopMatters that selecting "Padam Padam" as the lead single "was a smart decision by whoever made that call".[42] He also compared it to Minogue's single "Can't Get You Out of My Head," stating that "Padam Padam" is "just the kind of ear-worm pop hit that "Can't Get You Out of My Head" was", noting its catchiness.[42] Michael Cragg ofCrack dubbed it her best lead single since "Slow", describing it as "hot, heavy, and primarily controlled by Kylie's deepest desires."[43]NME writer Nick Levine called the track "brilliant" and thought it was an "outlier" toTension.[44] Guy Oddy ofThe Arts Desk described it as an "absolute banger and has been touted as one of her best tunes in years - with good reason."[34]
Jeremy Allen, writing forThe Quietus, identified key elements to the success of "Padam Padam", including "red herring, borrowed judiciously and tethered to some icy electro in a minor key, adorned with subtle musical arabesques", and how those qualities worked for her with her singles "Confide in Me" in 1994 and "Can't Get You Out of My Head" while "keeping things fresh by always being adventurous."[45] Helen Brown ofThe Independent called the track an "Advance slam-dunker", while Devon Chodzin ofPaste saw it as the album's "glimmering thesis statement—a bouncy cut under three minutes that recounts a sultry dance floor encounter and the possibilities it presents."[46] Despite its lack of personal depth, Harry Tafoya ofPitchfork praised its "charm" and called it one of the album's "camp highs", whileLoud and Quiet writer Orla Foster thought the song was about "jumpstarting the pulse of your nightclub conquest."[47][48] According to Alexa Camp ofSlant Magazine, "Padam Padam" is "an invasive earworm that feels like it could be a cover of aReagan-era pop hit".[49]
Minogue became the fourth female solo artist to have a top-ten single in the UK in five decades, after musiciansLulu,Diana Ross, andCher (pictured).[79]
In Belgium, "Padam Padam" debuted at number 48 on theUltratop Singles Chart in Flanders before peaking at number 26 in the tenth week.[93] In the Netherlands, the song peaked at number 40 on theDutch Single Top 100, marking Minogue's first Top 40 appearance since "Wow" in 2008.[94] It also peaked at number two on the region's Single Tip chart and 16 on the Airplay chart.[94] It also reached number 18 on the country'sDutch Top 40 chart.[95] In theCommonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the song reached number 34.[96] In Germany, the song did not make theTop 100 Singles Chart, but it did reach number 14 on theDownload Singles chart.[97] In Hungary, "Padam Padam" peaked inside theSingle Top 40 andDance Top 40 charts, as well as at number four on theRadio Top 40 chart.[98][99][100] "Padam Padam" also reached the top ten in Bulgaria, Croatia, Latvia and South Africa.[c] In Asia, the song topped the InternationalMedia Forest chart provided by Israel.[105]
In the United States, it peaked at number seven on theDance/Electronic Songs chart, marking Minogue's first top-10 single.[106] By early August 2023, "Padam Padam" had topped theDance/Mix Show Airplay chart, becoming her second number-one single after "Red Blooded Woman" in 2004.[107] It also marked Minogue's debut on theDigital Songs chart, peaking at number 18.[108] After being sent tocontemporary hit radio in the United States in August 2023, the song peaked on twoBillboard Airplay charts: number 33 onAdult Pop Airplay and number 32 on Mainstream Pop Airplay, her first appearance since "Can't Get You Out of My Head" and "Slow".[109][110] Furthermore, "Padam Padam" peaked at number 190 on theGlobal 200.[111] In Canada, "Padam Padam" debuted at number 98 on theHot 100 chart, becoming Minogue's first single to chart since "Timebomb" in 2012.[112] In South America, "Padam Padam" charted in several territories that received airplay fromMonitor Latino, including the top ten in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Venezuela on their English-language charts.[d]
A shot of Minogue in a junkyard wearing a customMugler outfit.
The music video for "Padam Padam" was directed by British filmmaker and long-time collaboratorSophie Muller. It was shot in April 2023 at the Pink Motel, a former working motel inSun Valley, Los Angeles that is now used for film and TV productions.[119] The visual was inspired by the films of American directorDavid Lynch andNicolas Roeg'sThe Man Who Fell to Earth (1976).[120] Muller described the music video as conveying "a sense of otherworldliness, a strangeness" that mirrored the track, adding, "There's something unusual about [the song], darkness and unease."[121][122] Minogue stated that she would rather film the video on location in the United States than in the studio.[120]
It begins with Minogue wearing a red dress and lying on a bed, with a static television in the background.[123] It then shows Minogue in a junkyard wearing a custom Mugler catsuit with a cape, alongside a group of backup dancers dressed in red.[123][124] Another shot shows Minogue in a roadside diner while the dancers perform the song in another red outfit. Minogue then dances with the backup dancers outside the Pink Motel.[123] Extra scenes from the original shoot were released on the music video's extended edit, along with a visualiser featuring Absolute's remix.[119][125][126] The music video premiered on Minogue'sYouTube channel on 18 May 2023.[127] It received positive feedback from publications; Phoebe Luckhurst ofThe Australian described Minogue's "vampiric femme fatale" look and the set as a "candy-colouredAmericana dreamland".[121] Mollie Davis ofGood Housekeeping praised Minogue's performance, calling it "incredible". She elaborated, "In classic Kylie style, the music video for "Padam Padam" is "racy, electric, and features plenty of dancing."[128]
Minogue performed "Padam Padam" for the first time atAmerican Idol in May 2023, alongside "Can't Get You Out of My Head" with Nutsa, one of the show's contestants.[129] The next month, she surprised everyone by performing the same songs atCapital's Summertime Ball.[130] She performed "Padam Padam" as part of her nine-track set at theiHeartMedia KTUphoria 2023 live show.[131] She also performed parts of the song during an interview onAndy Cohen'sSirius XM radio show as part of the single's American promotion, singing and impersonatingSiri.[132][133] She performed "Padam Padam" twice at the Horse Meat Disco in June 2023 due to technical issues with the first performance.[134] A week before the album's release, Minogue andTears for Fears co-headlinedRadio 2 in the Park in Leicester'sVictoria Park. She headlined the festival's second and final night with performances of "Padam Padam", "Tension" and "Hold On to Now."[135] Kylie attended the 2023London Fashion Week launch at Lio London, where she performed several album tracks, including "Padam Padam" and "Tension".[136] On 27 September 2023, Minogue gave a free, limited-time concert at the O2Shepherd's Bush Empire, performing "Padam Padam" and other songs from her set.[137][138]
Minogue performed "Padam Padam" at the opening ceremony of the inauguralLas Vegas Grand Prix on 15 November 2023.[139] The next night, she performed several songs withMark Ronson on theT-Mobile Arena stage in front of theSphere.[140] The song was featured on her set list for the British live television seriesAn Audience with....[141] Minogue performed the song at theBST Hyde Park show on 13 July 2024, and received critical acclaim for it.[142][143] On August 13, "Padam Padam" was included in her performance at theSziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary.[144] "Padam Padam" was featured as a lip-sync song on thesixteenth season of the American reality competition seriesRuPaul's Drag Race.[145] The track was used in the final episode as a lip-sync battle between contestantsNymphia Wind andSapphira Cristál, with the former winning both the lip-sync and overall competition.[145]
It's taken on a life of its own, and I am having the time of my life seeing what people are doing, people are hilarious. It's become a noun, a verb, an adjective. You know, friends leaving going: ‘Padam!' Like they've turned into minions or something."[146]
—Minogue's reaction to "Padam Padam"'s success.
Since its release, "Padam Padam" has been regarded as a cultural revelation in Minogue's career and current popular culture. Griffiths of the Official Charts Company coined the term "Padam-ic," which was later used by Laura Snapes ofThe Guardian to encapsulate the cultural impact of "Padam Padam", describing it as the "cultural moment in which frivolity and lightness seem to be breezing back after theCOVID-19 pandemic and after an era in which culture has been taken very seriously".[147][148] According to Yeung of AllMusic, the song was a "surprise smash" and part of "this mainstream resurgence that once again connected her to a new generation of fans[...]".[149] When the song became aninternet meme, Minogue was interviewed byAttitude, and she responded positively to the phenomenon.[150]
"Padam Padam" has been described as Minogue's biggest hit since music streaming became popular, in the same way that singersDiana Ross,Aretha Franklin, andDusty Springfield had commercial breakthroughs after unsuccessful career periods.[151] Other critics have pointed out that it is unusual for a middle-aged artist to achieve media success in recent decades.[e] According toVariety, chart analyst and historian James Masterton believes the single's success is significant because Minogue has "bridged a generation gap with a hit record that is reaching out both to her loyal (and ageing) acolytes but also a new generation of music fans," the latter attracted thanks to theTikTok platform, which "contributed to the explosion of Kylie's single; [...] bypassing all traditional media avenues."[156]
"Padam Padam" has also become agay anthem.[157][158] David Levesley ofGQ wrote an article on how the track became an "unlikely gay anthem" and how the track's title "Padam" influenced the gay community's "catch-all gay communiqué".[80] Similarly, the phrase "Padam" has been recognised as a "gay codeword"; Paul Flynn of the Evening Standard observed it as a "gay codeword for everything and nothing. It is a question, a greeting, an exclamation, an insult, and, in some shady corner of the internet, very probably dubious sex practice by now. One Padam fits all."[159] Furthermore, Karen Tongson, popular culture and gender studies specialist at theUniversity of Southern California, noted its positive significance in comparison to the violence againstLGBTQ people in the United States through 2023, saying, "There's something about the release of "Padam Padam" that coincided with this sort of moment of despair and conflict, and that reminded us of the kind of intensity, lightness, and kind of queer joy, the celebratory nature of queerness."[160] "Padam Padam" has also been featured at severalpride parades, including theNew York Pride March,Pride in London,EuroPride 2023 in Malta, and theSydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.[156][155][161] The song was also used byWilliam, Prince of Wales, andCatherine, Princess of Wales, to announce their participation in London Pride.[162]Kamala Harris, thenVice President of the United States, posted a video on Instagram of herself dancing to the song at a Pride event at theStonewall Inn in July 2023.[163]
Despite its popularity, critics questioned radio stations' agendas due to the perceived lack of airplay. Following fan backlash,BBC Radio 1 and Capital, which cater to a younger audience in the United Kingdom, decided to add "Padam Padam" to their playlists, marking Minogue's first appearance on BBC Radio 1 since 2010's "Get Outta My Way".[164] Following its inclusion on BBC Radio 1's C-List playlist, they responded to criticism by saying, "Each track is considered for the playlist based on its musical merit and whether it is right for our target audience, with decisions made on a case-by-case basis."[165] Lostboy, the track's producer, spoke out about the situation, saying that while its inclusion was a "small victory," it was ultimately "a bit of an insult...".[4] Lucy Anna Gray ofThe Independent wrote a lengthy article about the song, expressing similar concerns about its lack of airplay.[4] In contrast, Oddy fromThe Arts Desk wrote that "Padam Padam" "managed to persuade some national radio stations to rethink their policies on which tracks should be played on heavy rotation".[34]
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 40. týden 2023 in the date selector. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
