Photograph (J. Cole song)

"Photograph"
Song by J. Cole
from the album KOD
ReleasedApril 20, 2018
Recorded2017
Length3:38
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)J. Cole

"Photograph" is a song by American rapper J. Cole, released on April 20, 2018 from his fifth studio album, KOD.[1]

Lyrical interpretation

Pitchfork said "Cole simplifies lust on "Photograph," where he again reminds us that his ideal woman is a holy Madonna who is sexy but never shows too much skin."[2] Spin said it "renders lust as it plays out on social media when the object of affection is a complete stranger."[3]

Critical reception

Alexis Petridis of The Guardian said "there's something really haunting about Photograph, with its delicate two-note guitar sample and a chorus whose vocal appears to be slightly out of step with the beat."[4]

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[5] 41
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[6] 19
Ireland (IRMA)[7] 36
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[8] 26
Portugal (AFP)[9] 32
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[10] 6
UK Singles (OCC)[11] 30
US Billboard Hot 100[12] 14
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] 9

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[14] Gold 35,000‡
United States (RIAA)[15] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "KOD by J. Cole on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  2. ^ "J. Cole: KOD Album Review | Pitchfork". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  3. ^ Younger, Briana (April 23, 2018). "J. Cole's KOD Is a Commendable Examination of Addiction". Spin. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  4. ^ Petridis, Alexis (April 20, 2018). "J Cole: KOD review – a brilliantly brooding antidote to hip-hop excess". The Guardian. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  5. ^ "J. Cole – Photograph". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  6. ^ "J Cole Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  7. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  8. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 30, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  9. ^ "J. Cole – Photograph". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  10. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 17, 27 april 2018". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  11. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  12. ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  13. ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  14. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  15. ^ "American single certifications – J. Cole – Photograph". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 29, 2020.