Heather (Conan Gray song)

"Heather"
Cover for 7-inch vinyl single
Single by Conan Gray
from the album Kid Krow
B-side"Maniac"
ReleasedSeptember 4, 2020
Genre
Length3:18
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)Conan Gray
Producer(s)Dan Nigro
Conan Gray singles chronology
"Wish You Were Sober"
(2020) 		"Heather"
(2020) 		"Fake"
(2020)
Music video
"Heather" on YouTube

"Heather" is a song by American singer-songwriter Conan Gray released through Republic Records. Originally released as a track on Gray's debut studio album Kid Krow in March 2020, it was released as the sixth single in September 2020 after becoming a sleeper hit. "Heather" was written by Gray and produced by Dan Nigro with additional production by Jam City.

The song gained popularity on the video-sharing platform TikTok, consequently spawning the meme-like titular phrase which one can use to describe a "beautiful girl"[1] which one aspires to look like.[2][3] Commercially, "Heather" debuted at number 61 and rose to number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100, being his first entry on the chart.[4] Elsewhere, the song gave Gray his first single chart entry in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands, and his second entry in countries such as Australia, Ireland and Lithuania. "Heather" has become Gray's second most commercially successful single to date behind "Maniac", which achieved international mainstream hit radio success earlier that year.

Background and release

Initially released as part of the album in March 2020, it was re-released as the album's sixth and final single amid its popularization in August 2020. Gray announced the music video a day before its release on August 20.[5]

Composition and lyrics

"Heather" has been described as a folk and indie pop song.[6][7] On Apple Music Editor's Notes under Gray's album Kid Krow, Gray writes that "'Heather' is the song on the album that I always cry to. I think it's the most honest recount of my love life at the moment. It's about a girl named Heather—I think everyone has a Heather in their life. The person that I really, really liked was in love with Heather. They were not in love with me, and because of that, I f**king [sic] hated Heather. I hated Heather with all of my heart and soul. I had no reason to hate Heather. Heather is a perfectly nice girl. She's sweet and she's pure and she smells like daisies—she's perfect, but I hate her. It's this humiliating thing to admit, but it's just true. I'm scared to see how people are going to react, because it isn't a good thing to think something like that, but I also think it's something that I've never really heard anyone admit. I'm sorry, Heather. You're a wonderful person."[8]

During an interview on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Gray confided that he was hesitant to release the song, stating "when I wrote the song, I was really embarrassed... I just thought that, you know, nobody would relate to it, I thought maybe I was insane... I almost didn't put it on the album, I thought that I was crazy, and turns out that I'm not the only one.[9]

Critical reception

The song received critical acclaim from music critics, praising the production, crisp songwriting and vocal performance.

Sir Elton John praised Gray for being able to independently write a commercially successful, "proper song"[10]

Carolyn Droke of Uproxx wrote that Gray "spotlights his vulnerable songwriting" on the song, referring specifically to an acoustic version uploaded to YouTube in July 2020.[11] Piper Westrom of Riff wrote, "Gray's fearlessness when addressing sensitive subjects such as [unrequited romantic interest for male heterosexual friends] on his debut album show a bravery that someone so young does not always show so early in his career."[12]

Sir Elton John showed his admiration for Gray in an interview with BBC Radio 6, saying "There's a boy called Conan Gray who has a song called 'Heather' and he's about 22, he's from America and he's the only person in the [streaming charts] to actually write the song without anybody else. Everybody else there's four or five writers on [a track]. You look at most of the records in the charts — they're not real songs. They're bits and pieces and it's nice to hear someone write a proper song."[10]

Music video

On August 19, 2020, Conan Gray released a teaser for the music video set to release the following day.[5][13] The official music video premiered on August 20, 2020. In the video, directed by Dillon Matthew and Conan Gray, it shows Gray reflecting on himself trying to become the idolized "Heather."[14] Critics described the video as "an intimate visualization" of Gray as he "fluctuates between feminine and masculine beauty standards."[15][16] Rania Aniftos of Billboard described the video as "thought-provoking".[1] The video performance was officially uploaded via VEVO to Conan Gray YouTube Channel on 20 August 2020. It has over 174 million views and 3.4 million likes as of 2024.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart performance for "Heather"
Chart (2020–2022) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[17] 13
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[18] 2
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[19] 28
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20] 26
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[21] 43
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[22] 13
Global 200 (Billboard)[23] 20
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[24] 31
Iceland (Tónlistinn)[25] 26
Ireland (IRMA)[26] 12
Lithuania (AGATA)[27] 26
Malaysia (RIM)[28] 2
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[29] 48
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[30] 13
Norway (VG-lista)[31] 21
Portugal (AFP)[32] 28
Scotland (OCC)[33] 55
Singapore (RIAS)[34] 2
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[35] 48
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[36] 41
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[37] 79
UK Singles (OCC)[38] 17
US Billboard Hot 100[39] 46
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[40] 29
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[41] 30
US Rolling Stone Top 100[42] 20
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[43] 66

Year-end charts

2021 year-end chart performance for "Heather"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Portugal (AFP)[44] 130

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Heather"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[45] 4× Platinum 280,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[46] 2× Diamond 320,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[47] 3× Platinum 240,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[48] Gold 45,000‡
France (SNEP)[49] Gold 100,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[50] Gold 35,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[51] Gold 15,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[52] 2× Platinum 100,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[53] 2× Platinum 20,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[54] Platinum 60,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[56] 4× Platinum 4,000,000‡
Streaming
Central America (CFC)[57] Gold 3,500,000†
Greece (IFPI Greece)[58] Platinum 2,000,000†
Sweden (GLF)[59] Gold 4,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates for "Heather"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Worldwide August 20, 2020 music video Republic [60]
United Kingdom September 4, 2020 Contemporary hit radio Island [61]
Italy September 25, 2020 [62]
United States March 20, 2021 7" vinyl record Republic [63]
November 29, 2024 12" vinyl record [64]

References

  1. ^ a b Aniftos, Rania (August 21, 2020). "Conan Gray Transforms Into the Girl His Crush Loves in Thought-Provoking 'Heather' Video". Billboard. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  2. ^ Travis, Abi (August 17, 2020). "Who Is This Heather Person Everyone Keeps Talking About on TikTok?". Distractify. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  3. ^ Mather, Katie (18 August 2020). "What TikTokers really mean when they call each other a 'Heather'". In The Know. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  4. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (August 30, 2020). "Miley Cyrus, Drake And Conan Gray: 5 Important Moves On This Week's Hot 100". Forbes. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  5. ^ a b conan gray [@conangray] (August 20, 2020). "heather music video tomorrow" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ^ Copsey, Rob (24 August 2020). "Conan Gray's Heather set to make Top 40 debut on Official UK Singles Chart this week". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  7. ^ Fraser, Simone (June 1, 2021). "Conan Gray talks NME through his 'Firsts". NME. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  8. ^ "Kid Krow - Album by Conan Gray on Apple Music". Retrieved March 20, 2019 – via Apple Music.
  9. ^ Conan Gray (October 8, 2020). "Conan Gray: Heather". youtube.com (video). Interviewed by James Corden.
  10. ^ a b Rice, Nicholas (August 28, 2020). "Elton John Critiques Music of Today as He Says Songs on the Charts 'Isn't Real Music'". People. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  11. ^ Droke, Carolyn (July 15, 2020). "Conan Gray's Acoustic 'Heather' Displays His Vulnerable Songwriting". Uproxx. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  12. ^ Westrom, Piper (March 17, 2020). "ALBUM REVIEW: Conan Gray holds nothing back on 'Kid Krow'". RIFF Magazine. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  13. ^ Atad, Corey (August 20, 2020). "Conan Gray Releases Sensual New Video For 'Heather'". ET Canada. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  14. ^ "Conan Gray - Heather (Official Music Video)". YouTube. August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  15. ^ Droke, Carolyn (August 20, 2020). "Conan Gray Comes To Terms With Unrequited Love In His 'Heather' Video". Uproxx. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  16. ^ India, Roby (August 20, 2020). "Conan Gray Talks Unrequited Love in 'Heather'". VMan. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  17. ^ "Conan Gray – Heather". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  18. ^ "Conan Gray – Heather" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  19. ^ "Conan Gray – Heather" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  20. ^ "Conan Gray Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  21. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 37. týden 2020 in the date selector. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  22. ^ "Conan Gray: Heather" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  23. ^ "Conan Gray Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  24. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  25. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  26. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  27. ^ "Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. August 21, 2020.
  28. ^ "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  29. ^ "Conan Gray – Heather" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  30. ^ "Conan Gray – Heather". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  31. ^ "Conan Gray – Heather". VG-lista. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  32. ^ "Conan Gray – Heather". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  33. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  34. ^ "RIAS International Top Charts Week 34". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on August 25, 2020.
  35. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 37. týden 2020 in the date selector. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  36. ^ "Conan Gray – Heather". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  37. ^ "Conan Gray – Heather". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  38. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  39. ^ "Conan Gray Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  40. ^ "Conan Gray Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  41. ^ "Conan Gray Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  42. ^ "Top 100 Songs, August 21, 2020 - August 27, 2020". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  43. ^ "Conan Gray Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  44. ^ "Top 1000 Singles + EPs Digitais: Semanas 01 a 52 de 2021" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  45. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  46. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Conan Gray – Heather" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  47. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Conan Gray – Heather". Music Canada. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  48. ^ "Danish single certifications – Conan Gray – Heather". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  49. ^ "French single certifications – Conan Gray – Heather" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  50. ^ "Italian single certifications – Conan Gray – Heather" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  51. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Conan Gray – Heather". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  52. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  53. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Conan Gray – Heather" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  54. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Conan Gray – Heather". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  55. ^ "British single certifications – Conan Gray – Heather". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  56. ^ "American single certifications – Conan Gray – Heather". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  57. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Certificación Fonográfica Centroamericana. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  58. ^ "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 49/2022" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  59. ^ "Sverigetopplistan – Conan Gray" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  60. ^ Aniftos, Rania (2020-08-22). "Conan Gray Transforms Into the Girl His Crush Loves in Thought-Provoking 'Heather' Video". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  61. ^ "BBC - Radio 1 Playlist". bbc.co.uk. September 4, 2020. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  62. ^ "Conan Gray - Heather (Radio Date: 25-09-2020)". EarOne. 21 September 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  63. ^ "Heather/Maniac 7" Vinyl - Conan Gray Official Store". Archived from the original on March 20, 2021.
  64. ^ "Heather 12-inch Single". Conan Gray Official Store. Retrieved 2024-11-25.