The Middle (Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey song)

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For other similarly titled songs, see Middle (disambiguation).
"The Middle"
File:Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey The Middle.png
Single by Zedd, Maren Morris, and Grey
Released 23 January 2018 (2018-01-23)
Genre
Length 3:04
Label Interscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Zedd singles chronology
"Get Low"
(2017)		 "The Middle"
(2018)		 "Stay (Covered by Riri)"
(2018)
{{{This album}}}
{{{This album}}}
Music video
"The Middle" on YouTube

"The Middle" is a song by Russian-German record producer Zedd, American country singer Maren Morris and American musical duo Grey. It was written by Sarah Aarons, Zedd, Grey and The Monsters and the Strangerz, with production handled by the latter three. The song was released commercially for digital download and streaming on 23 January 2018 by Interscope Records. It reached the top ten of the charts in the US, the UK and several other countries. It was nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

Background and development

Release

The song was first revealed in an accompanying interview of Zedd's cover shot for Billboard, published on 10 August 2017. Zedd played interviewer Chris Martins unreleased material in a studio, one of which was "The Middle", which featured co-writer Sarah Aarons as a demo singer.[2]

On 11 January 2018, Zedd teased the song on social media, saying: "Hey guys, it's that time again. I wanted to show you a preview to my brand new song. Check it out," after which he played a short snippet of the song.[3][4] The collaboration was officially announced via social media on 19 January 2018, along with the single artwork,[5][6] which Zedd teased a day earlier without a title on it.[7][8]

Collaboration

Zedd explained in a press release that they "worked really hard on this record to get it just right". He also opened up about the opportunity to work with both collaborators, saying that working with Maren Morris was "super fun because she is clearly an amazing singer and very talented musician", and that he loves working with Grey because they strive to "make the best music possible".

Morris added: "Zedd was so great to work with and so easy-going, it felt like we'd been working together for years. The sound is reflective of my many influences as an artist – a little bit country, little pop, little R&B, relatable, emotional and catchy as hell. There are no limits with this song and I can't wait to see how the fans react." She revealed in a statement that she recorded her vocal for the song with Zedd in Nashville "several weeks ago" before the song's release. Grey admitted that they faced a few obstacles during production, but they "kept fighting for it" because the song was special.[9]

Vocal demos

Demi Lovato, Camila Cabello, Anne-Marie, Carly Rae Jepsen, Tove Lo, Bishop Briggs, Bebe Rexha, Lauren Jauregui, Daya, Charli XCX, Elle King, Elley Duhé and Lennon Stella all recorded demos of the song before Morris' version was selected.

Stefan Johnson, one-fifth of production team The Monsters and the Strangerz, stated that "it was a super long process." Jordan Johnson of the same team added: "We never lost the feeling for that song. Even a year later, I, as a creator hadn't gotten tired of it. It was special."[10]

The first iteration of the song (before Zedd and Grey were attached) was intended to be a single for Lovato, but she passed after deciding the song was "too pop" and opted to release "Sorry Not Sorry" instead.[11] Once Zedd and Grey were brought on board, Cabello's version was selected but she pulled out two weeks prior to the song's release in order to focus on promoting "Havana".[12] After Cabello backed out, Anne-Marie's version was chosen but she had to back out due to conflicts stemming from the release of "Friends".[13] After plans to release Anne-Marie's version fell through, the production team discovered that Morris has recorded a version but that it was never reviewed when initially submitted for consideration.[14] Once the production team heard Morris' version, it was selected for the final cut.

Rexha's demo leaked online in 2018,[15] Cabello's demo leaked in 2020[16] while Lovato's and XCX's demos leaked in 2021.[17][18] Briggs' demo and Sarah Aarons' original demo have also leaked online.[19][20]

Critical reception

Kat Bein of Billboard opined that the song is "relatively sparse with cute, lively flourishes", writing that it has "definite sonic similarities" to Zedd's previous song "Stay".[21] Rolling Stone's Brittney McKenna deemed the song "an infectious earworm" in which Morris "strays from her country roots". She felt that the "Nineties R&B-indebted, vocoder-driven chorus" recalls the sound of "Stay", and that Morris "deftly occupies the new, poppy space".[22] Hugh McIntyre of Fuse found Morris' appearance on the track surprising, "considering the genres she primarily works in", as he praised Morris for "supplying vocals perfectly". He felt that it "leans a lot more pop than electro", which makes the song more appealing to a broader variety of listeners. Regarding the song "an easy-to-love electronic smash" and "a slightly reductive mix" of "Stay" and "Starving", he noted that it is "not entirely original" due to its "reminiscence of what the musicians have delivered before".[23] Similarly, Madeline Roth of MTV News called the song "a poppy earworm" and a combination of "Stay" and "Starving", which is "catchy as hell and practically destined for radio domination".[24] Mike Nied of Idolator wrote that the song "blends elements of country and EDM" and praised Morris for providing "impassioned vocals".[25] Billy Dukes of Taste of Country described the song as "an unlikely combination of EDM, '90s pop and modern country music".[26]

Music video

The song's music video, directed by Dave Meyers, was premiered via Target's commercial space during the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.[21][27] On 25 April, Zedd released a vertical video on YouTube.[28] The dancing was choreographed by Nadine "Hi-Hat" Ruffin, with 50 dancers featured including Lele Pons, Jade Chynoweth, and Willdabeast Adams. More than 400 extras worked on the video.[27]

Live performances

On 28 April 2018, Zedd and Maren Morris performed the song live for the first time at the Omnia nightclub in Las Vegas.[29][30] On 20 May 2018, all three artists performed the song at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards.[31] Morris performed the song with Taylor Swift at the Arlington stop of Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour on 5 October 2018.[32] On 26 October 2019, Jess Moskaluke and The Hunter Brothers performed the song at the opening ceremonies of the 2019 NHL Heritage Classic in Regina, Saskatchewan, located roughly midway between the home cities of the participating Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets along the Trans-Canada Highway.[33]

Awards and nominations

Year Organization Award Result
2018 Radio Disney Music Awards Song of the Year Nominated
Best Dance Track Nominated
Best Collaboration Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Collaboration Nominated
Choice Electronic/Dance Song Nominated
American Music Awards Collaboration of the Year Nominated
2019 Grammy Awards Record of the Year Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Nominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards Song of the Year Won
Best Collaboration Nominated
Dance Song of the Year Won
APRA Music Awards[34] Most Played Australian Work Won
Dance Work of the Year Won

Commercial performance

The song reached No. 5 on Billboard Hot 100.[35] As of February 2019, it had sold 771,000 copies in the United States.[36] In January 2021, "The Middle" surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify,[37][38] the first song to do so for all three artists.[39]

Track listings

  • Digital download[40]
  1. "The Middle" – 3:04
  1. "The Middle" – 3:05
  2. "The Middle" (instrumental) – 3:02
  1. "The Middle (Marc Benjamin Remix)" - 3:45
  2. "The Middle (Bougenvilla Remix)" - 3:54
  3. "The Middle (Curbi Remix)" - 4:11
  4. "The Middle (UNKWN Remix)" - 3:01
  5. "The Middle (Maliboux Remix)" - 3:53

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[40]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "The Middle"
Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[119] 5× Platinum 350,000
Belgium (BEA)[120] Platinum 30,000
Brazil (ABPD)[121] Platinum Expression error: Missing operand for *.
Canada (Music Canada)[122] 4× Platinum 40,000
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[123] Platinum 0
France (SNEP)[124] Platinum 250,000
Germany (BVMI)[125] Gold 150,000
Italy (FIMI)[126] Platinum 30,000
Mexico (AMPROFON)[127] Platinum+Gold 90,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[128] Platinum 15,000
Poland (ZPAV)[129] Platinum 20,000
Portugal (AFP)[130] Platinum 20,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[131] 2× Platinum 1,200,000
United States (RIAA)[132] 6× Platinum 6,000,000
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[133] Gold 100,000
Sweden (GLF)[134] Gold 20,000

xunspecified figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales/streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history

Release dates for "The Middle"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 23 January 2018
Interscope [40]
United States 30 January 2018 Contemporary hit radio [135]
Germany 16 March 2018 CD single [41]

See also

References

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  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey – The Middle". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  43. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey – The Middle" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  44. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey – The Middle" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  45. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey – The Middle" (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance.
  46. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey – The Middle" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  47. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey – The Middle" (in French). Ultratop Dance.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ "Zedd – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Zedd.
  50. ↑ "Zedd – Chart history" Billboard Canada AC for Zedd.
  51. ↑ "Zedd – Chart history" Billboard Canada CHR/Top 40 for Zedd.
  52. ↑ "Zedd – Chart history" Billboard Canada Hot AC for Zedd.
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  54. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201822 into search.
  55. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201821 into search.
  56. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey – The Middle". Tracklisten.
  57. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey – The Middle" (in French). Les classement single.
  58. ↑ "Grey/?type=single Musicline.de – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
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  60. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  61. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  62. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey – The Middle". Top Digital Download.
  63. ↑ "Zedd – Chart history" Japan Hot 100 for Zedd.
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  66. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 16, 2018" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40
  67. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey – The Middle" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  68. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey – The Middle". Top 40 Singles.
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  70. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey – The Middle". VG-lista.
  71. ↑ "Archive Chart: 20180323". Scottish Singles Top 40.
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  73. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201838 into search.
  74. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201810 into search.
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  77. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey – The Middle". Singles Top 100.
  78. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Zedd / Maren Morris / Grey – The Middle". Swiss Singles Chart.
  79. ↑ "Archive Chart: 20180330" UK Singles Chart.
  80. ↑ "Zedd – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Zedd.
  81. ↑ "Zedd – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Zedd.
  82. ↑ "Zedd – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Zedd.
  83. ↑ "Zedd – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Zedd.
  84. ↑ "Zedd – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs for Zedd.
  85. ↑ "Zedd – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Zedd.
  86. ↑ "Zedd – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Zedd.
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  117. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  123. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Click on næste to go to page 8299 if certification from official website
  124. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  125. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  126. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter Zedd in the field Filtra. Select 2018 in the field Anno. The certification will load automatically
  127. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  128. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  129. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  130. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  131. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Enter The Middle in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  132. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  133. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Select 2022年5月 on the drop-down menu
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External links

Template:Billboard Music Award for Top Dance/Electronic Song

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