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"Problem" is a song recorded by American singer Ariana Grande, featuring a guest appearance from Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. The song was released as the lead single from Grande's upcoming second studio album, on April 28, 2014, by Republic Records. On May 8, 2014, the song debuted at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her biggest hit in the United States, surpassing "The Way."

Background and release

After recording multiple songs for her second studio album, Grande decided to use "Problem" as the lead single from the album. Grande then began an online countdown to the release of the song and revealed that Australian rapper Iggy Azalea would accompany her on the track. Big Sean, who is featured in Grande's previous song "Right There", provides the whisper-like vocals of the chorus although he is not credited as a featured artist. Grande premiered "Problem" at the 2014 Radio Disney Music Awards, which aired on April 27, 2014. "Problem" was written by Azalea, Ilya, Max Martin, and Savan Kotecha, while Ilya, Shellback and Max Martin produced the song.

Composition

Musically, "Problem" is a pop song with influences of contemporary urban music. Lyrically, the song is about "the feeling of being absolutely terrified to re-approach a relationship that's gone sour -- but you want to more than anything".

Critical reception

Upon its release, "Problem" received positive reviews from critics. Mike Wass of Idolator described the song as "an odd blend of '90s pop and current urban trends (the trap-lite breakdown and a sax hook a la Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty") but there's no denying that it's catchy." Entertainment Weekly called the song a "dramatic reinvention," and also notes, "The idea that Grande was collaborating with bad girl du jour Iggy Azalea prompted all kinds of speculation, and the result is more or less what everybody expected: Grande's enviable pipes are still the centerpiece, but she also invites a sax-drunk loop, sexy whisper tracks, and Azalea's Jay Z-referencing high-speed verse to the party as well." Music Times commented that "the saxophone-filled track continues the pattern set by Grande's 2013 debut album Yours Truly by being heavily influenced by the '90s R&B scene. This time, 'Problem' pulls from the funky, funky streets with a jazz-influenced riff. An overwhelming (but welcome) dose of saxophone leads the song before the more modern drum-filled beat drops." Pitchfork named it "Best New Track" saying the track "bears all the hallmarks of a future smash, as if the future wasn't actually right now."

Chart performance

"Problem" debuted on the US Digital Songs chart at number one, selling 438,000 downloads, making it Grande's first number one single on the chart. Overall, it is the overall 8th biggest debut for a digital song and is the 4th largest by a female artist, behind Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" (2012), Katy Perry's "Roar" (2013), and Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" (2011). Further, at 20 years old, Grande is the youngest woman to debut with more than 400,000 downloads. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song debuted at number 3, becoming Grande's second single to enter the top ten, following the number 10 debut of "The Way". The song was noted for being the highest debut ever for a collaboration of female soloists.

"Problem" debuted atop the New Zealand Singles Chart in early May 2014. The single also had a top ten debut in Australia and Canada, and a top 40 debut in Austria, Brazil, Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland.

Live performances

Grande first performed "Problem" at the Radio Disney Music Awards and at the White Party in Palm Springs, California on April 27, 2014. Grande later performed "Problem" at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on May 1, 2014, and on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on May 6, 2014. She then performed the song at Wango Tango alongside Azalea on May 10.

Charts

Release history

See also

• List of number-one singles from the 2010s (New Zealand)
• List of Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles in 2014

References

1. http://maratone.se/producers/maxmartin
2. http://maratone.se/producers/Shellback
3. Grande, Ariana. "#10DaysUntilProblem feat @iggyazalea". Twitter. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
4. ^ Lipshutz, Jason. "Ariana Grande talks 'Problem' & Second album, Due Out August/September". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
5. Benjamin, Jeff. "Ariana Grande Premiers New Single "Problem" At Radio Disney Music Awards". Fuse.tv. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
6. http://maratone.se/producers/Shellback
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9. Kristobak, Ryan (April 28, 2014). "Ariana Grande Drops New Single 'Problem' Featuring Iggy Azalea". Huffington Post. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
10. ^ "Ariana Grande Debuts "Problem" With Sexy Radio Disney Music Awards Performance: Watch". Idolator.com. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
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12. "Review: Ariana Grande's hot new single 'Problem' is problem-free anthem for the summer". Music Times. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
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• Single chart usages for Germany2
• 2014 singles
• 2014 songs
• Ariana Grande songs
• Iggy Azalea songs
• Pop songs
• Republic Records singles
• Songs written by Iggy Azalea
• Songs written by Max Martin
• Songs written by Savan Kotecha