"Consequences" is a song recorded by Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello for her debut solo studio album, Camila. It was written by Cabello, Amy Wadge, Nicolle Galyon and Emily Weisband, and produced by Emile Haynie and Bart Schoudel. "Consequences" is a piano-led ballad. Lyrically, it is about the impact of a partner that was in Cabello's life. The singer teased its single release by sending packages to fans on October 3, 2018. Both versions of this song was released as the album's third and final single on October 9, 2018. On the same day, the original version was sent to US contemporary hit radio and the orchestral version was released digitally. The orchestral version also impacted contemporary hit radio on October 16, 2018 and hot adult contemporary radio on October 22, 2018. A music video for the orchestral version, directed by Dave Meyers, was released on October 10, 2018. A vertical video was also released, showing the singer singing in front of an orchestra. The song was performed on Le Rico Show sur NRJ, Good Morning America and the American Music Awards of 2018. It won the Best Lyrics award at the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Composition
"Consequences" is a piano-led ballad. Lyrically, it is about the impact of a partner that was in her life. Sam Lansky of Time cited the song as a "heartfelt" track both lyrically and musically while applauding its "pretty-ballad" songwriting for showcasing Cabello's voice. The song is performed in the key of C major in time with a tempo of 105 beats per minute. Cabello's vocals span from G3 to A5.
Reception
Critical response
Alexis Petridis of The Guardian portrayed, "The piano ballad Consequences is an unexpected triumph: eschewing the usual melodramatics, Cabello’s vocal is controlled, delicate and affecting, while the accompaniment vaguely recalls – of all things – Asleep by the Smiths." Writing for The Guardian, Kitty Empire opined the track, "Consequences exhibits greater-than-average originality. 'Lost a little weight because I wasn’t eating,' croons Cabello; 'loving you had consequences'." Dennis Leupold of Rolling Stone expressed, "this girl definitely puts more of her heart into the emo. Cabello has a real flair for melancholy piano break-up ballads, as in 'Consequences,' where she ponders the high price of love: 'Dirty tissues, trust issues.'" Jamieson Cox of Pitchfork stated that "The overwrought one-two punch of 'Consequences'—which sounds a little like her attempt at something like Rihanna's 'Stay'" Sam Lansky of Time applauded its "pretty-ballad" songwriting for showcasing Cabello's voice while citing the song as a "heartfelt" track both lyrically and musically. Nick Levine of NME penned, "Stripped-down piano ballad ‘Consequences’ feels even more candid: she tells a former partner that 'loving you was dumb and dark and cheap,' and says she 'lost a little weight because I wasn't eating.'"
Music videos
A music video for the orchestral version, directed by Dave Meyers, was released on October 10, 2018. It featured an appearance by Dylan Sprouse. In the video, Cabello and Sprouse run around, kiss and make music together. Cabello walks around a park while reminiscing about the couple's relationship. As of June 2019, the music video for orchestra version has over 42 million views on YouTube and 80 million streams on Spotify. A vertical video was released on November 13, 2018 on her official Vevo account. The video was previously a Spotify exclusive, released on October 30. The black-and-white video features Cabello singing in front of an orchestra in a studio, and as she writes and records the tune in the studio.
Lynnea Moorer performed the song on the of The Voice, where she was a contestant during the third week. Cabello praised Moorer's "powerful" cover, which was accompanied by a piano, cello and violin. Writing for Billboard, Emina Lukarcanin described the performance as "enchanting", stating that her "voice gracefully reached both high and low notes as she dazzled in a green off-shoulder top and matching glittery eyeshadow".
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Camila. Publishing
Sony/ATV Songs LLC O/b/O Sony ATV Music Publishing Ltd./Maidmetal Limited /Milamoon Songs // WB Music Corp. O/b/O Itself and Cookie Jar Music LLP // Warner-Temerlane Publishing Corp. O/b/O Itself and A Girl Named Charlie // WB Music Corp. O/b/O Itself and Thankful For This Music
