Blow Your Mind (Mwah)


"Blow Your Mind " is a song by English singer Dua Lipa from her eponymous debut studio album. The song was written by Lipa alongside Lauren Christy and it's producer Jon Levine. It was released through Warner Bros. Records on 26 August 2016 as the fifth single from the album, and impacted contemporary hit radio as Lipa's first single in the United States. "Blow Your Mind " is an electropop and nu-disco song with dark moombahton and chambré tropical house elements. The production includes tropical beats, indietronica vocals and sawtooth synths. Lyrically, the song is about being comfortable in one's own skin.
"Blow Your Mind " was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, with many praising Lipa's attitude and the song's message. Commercially, it gave Lipa her second entry on the UK Singles Chart, where it reached number 30, and gave Lipa her first US Billboard Hot 100 entry, where it reached number 72. The song also reached number 23 at US Pop Radio and the summit of Billboards Dance Club Songs chart. It received a gold and platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America and British Phonographic Industry, respectively. The song additionally entered multiple official charts worldwide.
The music video for "Blow Your Mind " was directed by Kinga Burza and released on 12 September 2016. It was filmed in London's Barbican Centre and features Lipa and her girl gang posing and walking around the area. The video is a campaign for niceness. Lipa also promoted the single with live performances at BBC Radio 1's live lounge, the :nl:Gouden Televizier-Ring Gala|Gouden Televizier-Ring Gala, and Today. The song received several remixes, including ones by Alex Metric and Karma Kid as well as an acoustic version.

Background and release

Lipa co-wrote "Blow Your Mind " with Jon Levine and Lauren Christy, with Levine also handling the production. They wrote it in Los Angeles in February 2016. After working as a model, Lipa was inspired after being told that she needs to lose weight in order to be successful as a model. The collaborators decided to write about being comfortable in one's own skin. The song was recorded at The Synagogue in Los Angeles, while the vocals were recorded at TaP / Strongroom 7 in London.
Lipa announced the release of "Blow Your Mind " on 24 August 2016. It was released for digital download on 26 August of that year as the fifth single from her eponymous debut studio album, along with the pre-order of the album. The song impacted contemporary hit radio in the United States as Lipa's first single in the country. The song was also serviced to that radio format in the United Kingdom and Italy. It was later included as the sixth track on Dua Lipa, released 2 June 2017. An acoustic version and remixes by Alex Metric, Karma Kid, Night Moves and Black Saint were also released. The acoustic version includes a piano line and handclaps.

Music and lyrics

"Blow Your Mind " is an electropop and nu-disco song with tropical beats and dark moombahton and chambré tropical house elements. The song is composed in time and the key of D minor, with a moderate groove tempo of 109 beats per minute and a chord progression of B–Gm–Dm–Csus. Lipa's vocals were categorized as indietronica and span from A3 to C5. Idolator's Rachel Sonis described the lyrics as "having the upper hand in a relationship," while Sebas E. Alonso of Jenesaispop stated they are about "sending someone to hell, a fuck you to anyone who wants to change you."
The song begins slowly, with indie beats, ethereal synths and echoing tribal drums. The first verse has empowerment themes and sees Lipa being secure with herself, even though at one time she wasn't. In the pre-chorus, Lipa sings about her desire to pursue music and how people told her she was crazy for it as well as commenting how people think she's changed but her aspirations have just gotten bigger.
The chorus has bubblegum pop and k-pop sawtooth synths, electro beats and synth-bass hits. Vocally, she blows a kiss at the end of the chorus and half-talks the post-chorus. Lipa describes the chorus as being in the heat of an argument, lyrically asking someone why they keep coming back to her if they dislike her aspirations and who she is. She eventually states that the person will love her blind, meaning they've chosen her because they wouldn't want her any other way. The post-chorus sees Lipa wanting to live her life, not needing money or superficial stuff. In the second verse, Lipa addresses the person, stating they enjoy the arguments.

Critical reception

"Blow Your Mind " was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Anna Gaca of Spin called the song "a short, bombastic number" with "equal parts club-ready sultriness." Idolator's Rachel Sonis labeled it "feisty" and went on to say that "it's playful, bubbly, and a perfect number to serve as her first official single in the US." She went on to state that it "oozes confidence" and categorized the beat as "pulsing" and "infectious" Mike Nied of the same website labelled it a "flirty bop with a playful message." For The Young Folks, Manzanares de la Rosa stated it "remains the most exciting three minutes" in Lipa's career as well as calling the song "an irresistible performed with the sass and the confidence of a long-standing diva."
Ben Hogwood of musicOMH viewed "Blow Your Mind " as "a confident declaration of intent" and "outright feminine power," but criticized Lipa blowing a kiss in the style of Holly Valance, stating the song "spoils itself" with that aspect. Raúl Guillén of Jenesaispop however enjoyed the kiss, writing it's "one of those silly details that you cannot later get out of your head" and called the chorus as a whole one of her "most effective." The same website named it the 73rd best song of 2016, praising it's combination of a "forceful" bass and vocal performance as well as calling it's chorus "casual and fresh" and concluding by stating the song is "frankly irresistible." In The Line of Best Fit, Claire Biddles categorized the song's aesthetic as "high-heeled in a club" and called it "the most enticing moments in recent pop." Of the same magazine, Laurence Day stated "it's fizzing with youthful energy and oozes cheeky joy from every refrain."
For The Guardian, Hannah J Davies called "Blow Your Mind " "unapologetically in-your-face" and "strong and stylish." Alim Kheraj of DIY called the song "flirtatious," but criticized it's lack of longevity writing its "still immensely enjoyable, although over time lost some of glittery sheen." Rick Pearson for Evening Standard criticized the song, calling it "irritating in the extreme." Ryan Cole of Vocal Media called the song "a lot of fun" as well as comparing it to the works of Charli XCX. In Renowned for Sound, Rachael Scarsbrook compared the song to Carly Rae Jepsen and wrote it "gets people going." She concluded by stating "here isn’t one negative way this track could be perceived." Billboard called the song "cheeky" and stated that it "impressively showcases her attitude and nuanced voice."

Commercial performance

In the United Kingdom, "Blow Your Mind " debuted at number 50 on the UK Singles Chart issue dated 2 September 2016, becoming her second entry on the chart following "Hotter than Hell". In its seventh week, the song reached a peak of 30 and lasted for an additional eight weeks after that. In August 2019, the song received a platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry for selling over 600,000 units. In Ireland, the song debuted at number 75 on the Irish Singles Chart to eventually peak at number 40. The single was more successful in Scotland, where it debuted at number 24 on the Scottish Singles Chart and reached a peak of 15.
The song became Lipa's third entry on the ARIA Singles Chart in Australia, where it reached a peak of 59. In the United States, "Blow Your Mind " became Lipa's first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, where it debuted and peaked at number 72 on the issue dated 5 November 2016, and only lasted one week. In December of that year, it reached number 23 on US Pop Radio, receiving approximately 2,980 plays. The song also earned Lipa a spot on Billboards emerging artists of the week dated 2 September 2016. In June 2018, the song received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America for selling over 500,000 units.

Music video

Background

The music video for "Blow Your Mind " premiered via YouTube on 12 September 2016. It was directed by Kinga Burza and filmed in London's Barbican Centre. Tawan Kedkong as well as Lipa's friends Sarah and Rosie make appearances in the visual. When asked about the video, Lipa stated "the whole video is a campaign for niceness. It’s like the girl gang that everyone can be a part of."

Synopsis and reception

The video opens with Lipa and her girl gang posing against a charcoal wall. Lipa is seen wearing a diamond "Mwah" choker and the girls were noted for having individualistic appearances. They are then seen posing and dancing in the modern Barbican centre, on a bench, in a flower garden and walking around the buildings. They chew gum and blow bubbles as well as riding skateboards. They are also seen walking in a tunnel, where Lipa walks backwards singing to the camera. Eventually, the group holds a pride parade as Lipa sings through a megaphone and the girls are seen holding rainbow flags and signs that say "Dua for President" and "You Can Sit With Us." At the end, the group goes to a roof top where they dance. The video closes with the group holding a sign with the song's title over the railing of the rooftop.
Mike Nied of Idolator called the visual a "fashionable affair" and a "simple but striking offering." V, viewed it as a "walking fashion editorial" and compared it to Karl Lagerfeld's Spring 2015 Chanel runway show. For Fuse, Bianca Gracie stated the "Mwah" choker and "Dua for President" sign were video highlights. In Coup De Main Magazine, Rose Riddell called it a "sassy video of solidarity." DIY stated that the video makes London look like paradise.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Promonews.
Production companies
Personnel
"Blow Your Mind " was first performed live during Lipa's Hotter than Hell tour and was included on regular set lists for the tour. It was also performed live during her Self-Titled tour. Lipa performed the song at Capital FM's Jingle Bell Ball in 2016 and 2017 as well as the Summertime Ball in the latter year. Lipa performed the song in BBC Radio 1's live lounge, released 29 September 2016. On 13 October, she performed at the :nl:Gouden Televizier-Ring Gala|Gouden Televizier-Ring Gala in the Netherlands. On 20 November 2016, she performed the song at the Iridium in New York City as part of her MTV Setlist show. On 29 November 2016, she performed the song on American talk show Today. She also performed the song in a session for her Critics' Choice Award at the 2017 Brit Awards. The following year, she performed it in a live session with iHeartRadio.

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Dua Lipa.

Recording

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history