Intentions (Justin Bieber song)
"Intentions" is a song by Canadian singer Justin Bieber featuring American rapper Quavo. It was released as the second single from Bieber's fifth studio album, Changes, on February 7, 2020.[2][3] On March 19, 2020, Bieber released an acoustic version of the song, a solo version that does not include Quavo.[4] The single received positive reviews from music critics, reached number one in Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore, and reached the top forty in twenty-two additional countries. The music video for "Intentions" was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award.
"Intentions"
February 7, 2020
3:32
Background[edit]
The title of the song was first revealed in the episode titled "Bieber Is Back" of the YouTube docu-series Justin Bieber: Seasons that was released on January 27, 2020, in which "Intentions" was written down on a note on a board containing candidate tracks for Changes.[5] On February 4, 2020, Bieber posted a tweet stating: "Big announcement tomorrow".[6] He teased the song and the music video by posting a short trailer on twitter on the following day.[7] The single was released along with the music video two days later.[8] When asked why he named the song "Intentions" during an MTV interview, Bieber said: "I think a lot of us forget to set intentions. As humans, we get caught up in our everyday worries and struggles. What we set our intentions on makes a difference on the outcome of our life and the quality of life that we live".[9]
Composition and lyrics[edit]
"Intentions" is a pop and R&B song that is performed in the key of A major, with the vocals spanning from E3 to C♯5.[10][11][12] Lyrically, Bieber gives compliments to his wife, American model Hailey Bieber, and Quavo praises his then-girlfriend, fellow American rapper Saweetie, respectively.[13] The lyric, "Got that ring just like Toronto", alludes to the Toronto Raptors' 2019 NBA Championship victory.[14]
Promotion[edit]
Bieber published a lyric video to his channel on February 10, 2020.[15] Later a dance video for "Intentions" was published as a part of the project CHANGES:The Movement.[16] Bieber debuted the song with Quavo during Saturday Night Live on February 8, 2020.[17] He and Quavo also performed "Intentions" on February 14, 2020, the day the album was released, during The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[18] He and Quavo also performed "Intentions" on 4 March 2020 on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[19] He and Quavo also performed an acoustic version of "Intentions" at Global Goal: Unite for Our Future which was organized by Global Citizen on June 27, 2020.[20]
Music video[edit]
Background[edit]
The music video premiered on Bieber's YouTube channel the same day of the song. Filming took place at Alexandria house and California state University, Northridge's Oviatt Library. Directed by Michael D. Ratner,[42] the video previews Bieber (along with Quavo) drawing attention to the difficulties of women and children in need while raising awareness and funds for Alexandria House, whose mission is to help them move from crisis to stability.[43]
Speaking on the background of the music video, Bieber stated that he wanted to shine a light on social issues that are happening in the world that people are often overlooking and that he wanted to make people aware of the hurting and broken people that are suffering in humanity.[44] He then posted a short version of the music video, only the parts with the song playing, on February 12, 2020. As of January 14, 2021, the video has crossed 291 million views on the platform.[45]
Synopsis[edit]
The music video commences with the introduction of Bahri, who was born in Saudi Arabia and who is hoping to be the first from her family to graduate from college and whose intention is to help kids who are less fortunate; Marcy, who was raised in foster care, suffered from early motherhood, and whose intentions are to help foster youth find the resources they need; and Angela, who has experienced homelessness and who later sings her own verse in the music video while her intention is to giveback; spread awareness and tell the stories of homeless women and children through her art. Throughout the music video, Bieber and Quavo are seen helping Bahri, Marcy and Angela to achieve their goals and expectations. Bieber gifts Bahri with a new car so she won't have to worry about getting to class, Marcy and her family with backpacks full of supplies, and Angela with studio time so that she can spread awareness about homelessness to a wider audience in an effective way. Bieber and Quavo are also seen motivating them and uplifting their mood while dancing with them as well as raising funds for them. At the end of the video, Judith Yvonne who is the founding director of Alexandria house talks about her intentions to speak about the injustices and the need for equity.[43]
The video ends with a message of gratitude to the shelter reading that "Thank you to the Alexandria House for opening your doors and your hearts to Bahri, Marcy and Angela and the entire community in times of need," followed by the announcement that Bieber's newly established INTENTIONS Fund has donated $200,000 to the shelter in order to "support these women and the dreams of the families you support."[43]