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Make Me Like You

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"Make Me Like You"
Gwen Stefani is shown wearing a navy top whilst her hands touch her face; Stefani's eyes are not fully open; the title of the song is shown in a red, cursive font
Single by Gwen Stefani
from the album This Is What the Truth Feels Like
Released February 12, 2016 (2016-02-12)
Format Digital download
Recorded
Genre
Length 3:36
Label Interscope
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Mattman & Robin
Gwen Stefani singles chronology
"Used to Love You"
(2015)		 "Make Me Like You"
(2016)		 "Misery"
(2016)
Music video
"Make Me Like You" on YouTube

"Make Me Like You" is a song by American singer Gwen Stefani from her third solo studio album This Is What the Truth Feels Like (2016). Released as the album's second single, the song was first distributed digitally on February 12, 2016, while being serviced to contemporary hit radio four days later on February 16. Stefani co-wrote the song with Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, and its producers Mattman & Robin. It is a pop and disco song, with influences of light rock, with its instrumentation consisting of chiming guitars, "digi-harps" and a "beachy" drum progression.

"Make Me Like You" is about feeling renewed and finding love again following a fractured relationship. Many reviewers believed the song was inspired by her relationship with American singer Blake Shelton; Stefani later confirmed this. The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised the track's upbeat environment and its radio-friendly vibe. The music video for the song was the first to be created on live television and was recorded during a 2016 Grammy Awards commercial break. Stefani's long-time collaborator, Sophie Muller, directed the video which involved several costume changes and various scenes, including a car crash, a salon, and a piano lounge. It also pokes fun at the media scrutiny over her personal life. The video garnered a positive reaction from critics, for being "colorful" and "entertaining".

Background and release

Having released two songs that were meant to become singles from her then untitled third studio album,[1] Stefani suffered from writer's block and, after a tumultuous divorce from her former husband, she decided to scrap the album and start over.[2] She recalled that she was unable to write and felt insecure about it. She tried to curate an album where she was only partially involved, but that did not work for her. Stefani later returned to the studio and, after a songwriting session with Rick Nowels, she stated that the "channel was opened" and that she felt inspired again.[3] Her new found confidence allowed Stefani to begin writing songs again.[2] Asked by A&R President Aaron Bay-Schuck of Interscope Records to collaborate with Stefani on her album, producer J.R. Rotem, and songwriters Justin Tranter and Julia Michaels agreed to do so.[3]

In mid-2015, Stefani began to work with the trio writing for the album.[3] She ended up writing several songs with Michaels and Tranter including "Used to Love You", "Misery", and "Make Me Like You".[4] In an interview with Zane Lowe, Stefani expressed her excitement about the track, stating: "We were losing our minds. It was called 'Make Me Like You' and we couldn't believe it like how did we write this song? It's so good!"[5] After the moderate success of "Used to Love You", Stefani decided to release a second single as a "Valentine's Day present" to her fans.[6] "Make Me Like You" was released digitally on February 12, 2016 as the album's second single, and was serviced to mainstream radio on February 16, 2016 in the United States.[7][8]

Composition and lyrics

"Make Me Like You" was written by Gwen Stefani, Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, Mattias Larsson and Robin Fredriksson; production was handled by Larsson and Fredriksson under their stage name Mattman & Robin.[10][11] The track lasts for three minutes and 36 seconds.[12] A pop and disco song,[10][13] "Make Me Like You" also has light rock influences with "feathery guitar riffs",[10] "digi-harps",[9] and "beachy drum progression."[14] Robbie Daw of Idolator noted that the song "contains the best echoes of The Cardigans' '90s staple 'Lovefool' and classic Kylie Minogue", while Carl Williot of the same publication thought that the song reminded him of "Phoenix's 'Too Young,' or a blown-out The Bird and the Bee song."[15] Lyrically, the song talks about the other side of a break-up, when the gloom lifts and one has to face the possibility of starting over and finding love again following a fractured relationship.[16][15] In the chorus, Stefani sings: "Why'd you have to go and make me like you? / Yeah this is a feeling I'm not used to / I'm so mad at you cause now you got me missing you."[10] The song was considered "an immediate departure from the heartbreaking 'Used to Love You'," with critics suggesting that Stefani's relationship with Blake Shelton inspired the track;[10] this was later confirmed by Stefani.[17]

Critical reception

"Make Me Like You" received positive reviews from contemporary music critics. Writing for Rolling Stone, Daniel Kreps called the track "refreshing" and referred to it as "all about renewal",[16] while Billboard staff called it: "a three-and-a-half minute nugget of creamy, upbeat pop."[18] Kelly Lawler of USA Today called it "catchy" and a "sweet pop candy" song, while also praising its lyrics.[19] Gregory Adams of Exclaim! was positive, describing it as a "sugar-sprinkling pop jam," while praising the "radio-friendly pop-and-snap" and Stefani's "signature pipes" in the chorus.[9] Idolator's Robbie Daw was extremely satisfied with the track, writing that Stefani "struck Spring Pop Anthem gold" with the track and that it was "the perfect example of the type of pop we've been barely-patiently waiting for Gwen to churn out,"[15] while Bianca Gracie and Mike Wass of the same website also responded positively to it. Gracie called the song's melody "wildly infectious" and applauded it for being "pure, vibrant and cheeky pop". In the same vein, Wass labeled it a "breezy anthem" and "a worthy addition to Gwen's discography."[15]

Sal Cinquemani of Slant called it: "decidedly more buoyant [than the previous single], reminiscent of 2006's 'The Sweet Escape,' but it still scans as a peek into the newly single—and clearly revitalized—singer's personal life."[20] Gregory Robinson of Redbrick declared the track "another delicious slice of pop perfection", further exclaiming that "Stefani's new release is definitely 'pop ear candy'."[21]

Commercial performance

"Make Me Like You" achieved little success after its release. In the United States, it debuted and peaked at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100, lasting a total of five weeks on the chart.[22][23] On The Official Finnish Charts, "Make Me Like You" fared well and peaked at number 27, before dropping off the chart completely.[24] In Canada, the track peaked at number 62, and became Stefani's lowest charting single on the chart following "Used to Love You".[25] In Japan, it peaked at number 47 and was Stefani's first entry on the chart.[26] In other countries, "Make Me Like You" peaked well down on the charts. In Australia, the track entered at number 99 and peaked at number 97 the following week.[27] In the United Kingdom, "Make Me Like You" debuted and peaked at number 140, before dropping off the charts.[28]

Music video

Development

The accompanying music video for the song was the first music video to be created on live television. It was recorded during the 2016 Grammy Awards' commercial break and directed by Stefani's longtime collaborator and friend Sophie Muller.[29] On February 16, 2016, the finished project was posted on Vevo.[30] The project was co-funded by Target which had exclusive rights to release the deluxe edition of This Is What the Truth Feels Like on March 18, 2016.[31] A crew of over 250 workers set up a 32,000 sq. ft. studio in Burbank, California to shoot the video, while a creative team of 17, including Stefani, came up with various concepts and scenes for the video.[32]

Synopsis

Stefani reading a fake magazine in the music video for "Make Me Like You".

The video begins with Stefani awaking by a car crash wearing a black and white, striped gown. After walking past a line of hanging clocks, and changing into a red kimono, she enters a pink salon where her friend and hair stylist, Danilo Dixon, greets her.[33] Stefani proceeds to read a fake tabloid magazine with the headline announcing "Gwen Pregnant with Alien Baby!", referencing then recent rumors of a pregnancy with boyfriend Blake Shelton.[34] The next scene shows Stefani wearing a sequined blazer as she walks behind two male breakdancers. As the song's bridge plays, Stefani stumbles upon a dark room with five dancers wearing masks with her head on them. As she pushes two of them over, she changes into a multi-colored poncho and rides a motorcycle with other women wearing apparel from her clothing line, L.A.M.B..

When the chorus is played for the third time, Stefani changes into a long, white skirt and walks into a lounge named "Blake's", where she is served by a bartender played by social media star Todrick Hall. Stefani is then shown singing the song behind a piano as the video crew helps her put on a pair of roller skates.[35] After inline skating in a black leotard, a stunt double appears and performs a "fake" tumble.[36] The final scene shows Stefani, wearing a rose-inspired red dress, on an elevating platform mouthing the words: "Thank God. Thank God that I've found you", before the camera zooms out to display the Target logo.

Reception

Writing for TIME, Nolan Feeney stated: "Stefani wasn't scheduled to perform during the Grammys, but she may have just delivered one of the evening's most colorful performances anyway".[33] Sierra Marquina of Us Weekly also gave a positive review of the video, claiming that: "the No Doubt frontwoman teamed up with Target to pull off the near impossible".[37] After the initial broadcast of the video, several critics mistakenly thought the fake 'tumble' during the rollerblading scene was real.[33][38]

Live performances

Stefani performed the track during various public appearances. She performed "Make Me Like You" live for the first time on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on February 17, 2016,[39] followed by a performance of the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on February 25.[40] Both performances featured Stefani in leopard print clothing, accompanied by several backup dancers.[41] On April 2, she performed the song on Saturday Night Live, along with This Is What the Truth Feels Like's third single "Misery"; Stefani wore "a lacy, babydoll dress" for the performance.[42] Two days later, she performed "Make Me Like You" on Good Morning America.[43] On April 30, Stefani performed at Radio Disney Music Awards.[44]

Track listing

Digital download[45]
No. Title Length
1. "Make Me Like You"   3:36
Digital download (The Remixes)
No. Title Length
1. "Make Me Like You (RAC Mix)"   3:29
2. "Make Me Like You (Sad Money Remix)"   2:58
3. "Make Me Like You (Chris Cox DMS Remix)"   4:49

Credits and personnel

Recording
Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of This Is What the Truth Feels Like[12]

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[27] 97
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[46] 31
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[47] 62
Canada AC (Billboard)[48] 27
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[49] 40
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[50] 23
Croatia (Airplay Radio Chart)[51] 11
Croatia (Hot Urban Hits Chart)[52] 7
Croatia (Airplay Radio Chart Top 20)[53] 6
Finland (Suomen virallinen latauslista)[54] 27
France (SNEP)[55] 81
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[56] 47
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[57] 45
Russia (Tophit)[58] 168
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[59] 73
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[60] 61
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[28] 140
US Billboard Hot 100[61] 54
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[62] 24
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[63] 17
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[64] 23

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United States February 12, 2016[65] Digital download Interscope
February 16, 2016[8] Mainstream radio
Italy March 25, 2016[66] Universal

References

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  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  46. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Gwen Stefani – Make Me Like You" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  47. ↑ "Gwen Stefani – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Gwen Stefani. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  48. ↑ "Gwen Stefani – Chart history" Billboard Canada AC for Gwen Stefani. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  49. ↑ "Gwen Stefani – Chart history" Billboard Canada CHR/Top 40 for Gwen Stefani. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
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  54. ↑ "Gwen Stefani: Make Me Like You" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  55. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Gwen Stefani – Make Me Like You" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  56. ↑ "Gwen Stefani – Chart history" Japan Hot 100 for Gwen Stefani. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  57. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
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  60. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2016-02-26". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
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  62. ↑ "Gwen Stefani – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Gwen Stefani. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  63. ↑ "Gwen Stefani – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Gwen Stefani. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  64. ↑ "Gwen Stefani – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Gwen Stefani. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
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External links

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