Make Me Like You
"Make Me Like You" is a song by American singer Gwen Stefani for her third solo studio album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like (2016). The record's second single, it was released digitally on February 12, 2016, and distributed to contemporary hit radio on February 16 in the United States by Interscope. Mattias Larsson and Robin Frediksson produced the song, which was co-written by Stefani, Larsson, Frediksson, Justin Tranter, and Julia Michaels. A pop and disco recording, "Make Me Like You" incorporates light rock, with guitars and digital harps over an uptempo melody. The lyrics, which were inspired by Stefani's relationship with singer Blake Shelton, explore finding and renewing love after a fractured relationship.
"Make Me Like You"
February 12, 2016
2015–16
- Wolf Cousins Studios (Stockholm, Sweden)
- Maratone Studios (Stockholm)
- Interscope Studios (Santa Monica, California)
3:36
- Gwen Stefani
- Justin Tranter
- Julia Michaels
- Mattias Larsson
- Robin Fredriksson
"Make Me Like You" received positive reviews from music critics who praised its upbeat, radio-friendly vibe. In the United States, it debuted and peaked at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for five non-consecutive weeks. The single peaked lower in the charts of Japan, Canada and France. An extended play with three remixes of the song was released for digital download on April 22.
An accompanying music video, directed by Stefani's long-time collaborator Sophie Muller, was the first video to be filmed and broadcast on live television. The event, sponsored by the Target Corporation, took place during a commercial break for the 58th Annual Grammy Awards and cost an estimated $12 million to produce, making it one of the most-expensive music videos ever made. The video, which received positive comments from reviewers, includes several costume changes and a scene that pokes fun at the media scrutiny of Stefani's personal life. Stefani performed "Make Me Like You" live on television, during her 2016 This Is What the Truth Feels Like Tour, and as part of her one-off MasterCard Priceless Surprises and Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre concerts.
Production and release[edit]
In 2014, Stefani began working on two albums: a follow-up to The Sweet Escape, her second solo album, and a new album with her band, No Doubt.[1] Two singles, "Baby Don't Lie", and "Spark the Fire", were released towards the end of the year.[2][3] In August 2015 Stefani filed for divorce from her husband, Gavin Rossdale, after almost thirteen years of marriage,[4] and two months later she revealed that she had scrapped the work she had done for the new album, and started over with fresh material.[5][6] She began working with Justin Tranter, and Julia Michaels, and after writing several songs dealing with the breakup of her marriage, Stefani began to work on songs inspired by her new relationship with singer Blake Shelton,[6] including "Make Me Like You".[7] The song took shape quickly, in "like, 10, 15 minutes", according to Stefani.[8] The songwriting credit lists Stefani, Tranter and Michaels, and also credits Mattias Larsson and Robin Frediksson, the producers.[9]
The vocals were recorded at Wolf Cousins Studios and Maratone Studios, both in Stockholm, and Interscope Studios in Santa Monica, California. Additional recording was handled by Juan Carlos Torrado and Noah Passovoy, and Serban Ghenea mixed the audio at Mixstar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia.[9] The single's artwork, photographed by Jamie Nelson, features Stefani with a Marilyn Monroe-influenced hairstyle.[10]
Although the singer initially reported that "Misery" would be the album's second single, "Make Me Like You" was chosen instead.[11] Interscope Records released the song for digital download on February 12, 2016,[12] before distributing it to mainstream radio stations in the United States and Italy on February 16 and March 25, respectively.[13][14] On April 22, Interscope released a digital EP with three remixes of "Make Me Like You" produced by RAC, Chris Cox and Sad Money.[15]
Critical reception[edit]
"Make Me Like You" was generally praised by music critics,[18] with a Billboard staff member noting the song's "creamy, upbeat pop".[19] Idolator's Robbie Daw praised Stefani for "str[iking] Spring Pop Anthem gold", which he called "the perfect example of the type of pop we've been barely-patiently waiting for Gwen to churn out". Bianca Gracie and Mike Wass of Idolator also liked the song, with Gracie calling its melody "wildly infectious" and praising its "pure, vibrant and cheeky pop". Wass called it a "breezy anthem" and "a worthy addition to Gwen's discography".[20] Spencer Kornhaber of The Atlantic compared the song's production and Stefani's "signature pout" to Sheryl Crow (whom he preferred for standing out "strong[ly]").[21] Comparing "Make Me Like You" to the Cardigans' "Lovefool", Adam Kivel of Consequence of Sound found the song's similarity "as much compliment as it is complaint".[22] The Los Angeles Times' Mikael Wood wrote that Stefani "summon[s] a bit of the appealing insolence" of her work as lead singer of No Doubt. Wood praised her decision to work with Mattman & Robin on the track, calling their collaboration "savvy".[23] Spin critic Theon Weber agreed, comparing the track to Stefani's "synth-pop era" "Simple Kind of Life" (2000), "Underneath It All" (2002) and "Serious" (2004) (which shared a "spacious, twinkling liteness").[24] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine wrote that the song was "reminiscent of 2006's 'The Sweet Escape'",[25] and Kelly Lawler of USA Today called it "catchy" and "sweet pop candy".[26] Gregory Robinson of Redbrick agreed, calling "Make Me Like You" "another delicious slice of pop perfection" and writing, "Stefani's new release is definitely 'pop ear candy'".[27]
Several critics called it a highlight of This Is What the Truth Feels Like. According to Pitchfork's Jillian Mapes, "Make Me Like You" was the album's "only ... song that really works".[28] Carolyn Menyes of Music Times said that of the two songs which "capture ... the earliest stage[s] of a relationship" (the other was "Send Me a Picture"), "Make Me Like You" was "more exciting". Ryan Middleton, also from Music Times, wrote that its "solid production" gave him a "temporary earworm".[29] Exclaim!'s Gregory Adams praised Stefani's "signature pipes" in the chorus,[17] and Amanda Dykan of AltWire wrote that the singer had never really been away.[30] Although Adam R. Holz of Plugged In appreciated the song's "honest lyrics",[31] Lindsay Zoladz of Vulture found them "irrepressibly" and "convincingly teenage".[32] In The Michigan Daily, Christian Kennedy called them "catchy without leaning towards the tepidity of much of today's pop music" and they suited the song's "well-oiled production".[33] Mesfin Fekadu, a critic for The National, wrote that the single "do[es]n't feel connected to Stefani – it's as if another pop star could sing the track and you wouldn't notice the difference"; Fekadu found the song "disappointing for a singer who is usually a standout on the pop music scene".[34]
Commercial performance[edit]
In the United States, "Make Me Like You" reached number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the week's highest new entry. It entered on the Digital Songs chart at number 12, with digital sales of over 56,000 in its first week.[35] The following week, it dropped to number 68 on the Hot 100, leaving the chart the week after that.[36][37] After the release of This Is What the Truth Feels Like, "Make Me Like You" re-entered the Hot 100 chart at number 97.[38] It remained on the Hot 100 for five weeks, dropping off the chart from number 100 the week of April 16, 2016.[39] The song was distributed to contemporary hit radio on February 16, four days after its digital release.[13] Its addition to radio playlists boosted the track into the Adult Top 40, where it reached number 17 and spent 12 weeks on the chart.[40] For the week ending May 7, "Make Me Like You" peaked at number 24 on the Adult Contemporary chart.[41] It peaked at number 23 on the Mainstream Top 40, the lowest peak of Stefani's career.[42] Following the premiere of the song's music video, it was streamed over 1.95 million times on Spotify[43] As of March 10, 2016, "Make Me Like You" had sold 104,879 digital copies.[44]
In Canada, the song peaked at number 62, Stefani's lowest-charting single after 2015's "Used to Love You".[45] It peaked in May 2016 at number 27 on the Billboard Canada AC chart and spent 18 weeks there.[46] The song spent nine weeks at number 40 on the CHR/Top 40 chart and 12 weeks on the Hot AC chart, where it peaked at number 23.[47][48] It was number 27 on the download component of the Official Finnish Charts.[49] The song peaked at number 47 on the Japan Hot 100, Stefani's first (and only) appearance on that chart. After three weeks, it dropped off after it peaked.[50] According to the French National Syndicate of Phonographic Publishing, "Make Me Like You" debuted at number 143, peaked at number 81 three weeks later and sold 9,343 copies.[51][52]
The single was less successful elsewhere. In Australia, it debuted at number 99 and peaked at number 97 the following week, becoming Stefani's least-successful release in that country.[53] In the United Kingdom, it missed the top 100, debuting and peaking at number 140.[54] Fueled by digital downloads, the song entered the UK Singles Downloads Chart at number 63 for the week of February 19, 2016.[55]
Music video[edit]
Background and development[edit]
The music video for "Make Me Like You" was shot on February 15, 2016, in Burbank, California.[56] It was filmed at the Warner Bros. lot during the live broadcast of the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.[57] The video was directed by Sophie Muller, who had previously directed videos for Stefani's "Don't Speak" (1996), "Cool" (2005) and "Spark the Fire" (2014),[58][59][60] and was produced by Grant Jue of Wondros.[61][62] It was Stefani's first collaboration with Target Corporation, which became exclusive distributor of the deluxe edition of This Is What the Truth Feels Like.[63] In a rehearsal shortly before the live broadcast, Stefani stumbled and hit her head, and in the confusion her stunt double turned to face the camera. Stefani joked that the mistakes "knocked some sense" into her,[64][65] and the actual video went off without a hitch.[64] After it was over, Stefani released a statement through Target:
Credits adapted from the liner notes of This Is What the Truth Feels Like, Interscope Records.[9]