"Issues" is the debut single recorded by American singer and songwriter
Julia Michaels, from her third
EPNervous System (2017). The song was co-written with
Justin Tranter, and its producers
Benny Blanco and
Stargate. Released by
Republic Records on January 13, 2017, as the lead single from the EP, it is a confessional
downtempo pop song. Lyrically, it is a raw ode to Michaels' anxiety.
The song peaked in the top 10 of the record charts in Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Norway, Scotland and UK. In the US, the song peaked at number 11 on the
Billboard Hot 100. "Issues" is
certified Platinum or higher in twelve countries including Diamond in France. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Tabitha Denholm. It depicts Michaels hosting a party with a group of friends.[1]
"Issues" was written by Michaels, and
Justin Tranter.[3] A few artists, who
Stargate and Benny Blanco refused to name, laid claim to the song. However, Michaels refused to give the song away as it felt "too much my story to give to someone else.[4]
In 2017, a demo of the song by English singer
Charli XCX was leaked and revealed that she had recorded the song before Michaels decided to keep it.[5]
Musically, "Issues" is a confessional
downtempo pop song.[6] In terms of
music notation, "Issues" was composed using
4 4 common time in the
key of
A♭ major, with a moderate
tempo of 114
beats per minute.[7] The song follows the chord progression of
D♭-
E♭-
A♭/C-D♭sus2 and Michaels' vocal range spans from the low note
C4 to the high note of
E♭5, giving the song one octave and two
notes of range.[7] Lyrically, Michaels has described the song as a raw ode to her own anxieties.[6]
Critical reception
The song received generally positive reviews from music critics. A writer for Billboard praised the song, writing, "with blunt, honest lyricism and razor-sharp songwriting, Michaels' decision to choose minimal production proves to be wise, helping to frame her intriguing vocals expertly in order to give fans a delicious first taste of what is yet to come".[8] Writing for Idolator, Mike Wass stated "it can be hard for songwriters to carve out a unique voice when they step out on their own, but it doesn’t look like that will be a problem for Julia".[9]
Music video
The official music video for the song, directed by Tabitha Denholm, was released on March 7, 2017. It features Michaels experiencing the unknown that every relationship goes through.[10] It portrays the singer in a "loving" relationship which "feels like it could fall apart any moment".[11] The male role is played by
Alex Koch.[12] The official lyric video for the song was released after the music video on May 17, 2017. It was directed by Pedro Chaves and shot in London, England. The video displays the life of several people and several backgrounds.[13]
The song reached number seven in France and was certified Diamond.[20][21] In Sweden, it peaked at number 11 and was certified 4× Platinum.[22][23] "Issues" was certified 3× Platinum in Norway and Australia,[24][25] reaching number three in the former country and number five in the latter.[26][27] In New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number 11 and number 10,[28][29] respectively, attaining a Platinum certification in both.[30][31] It charted within the top 15 of national record charts, at number two in Belgium,[32] number three in Denmark,[33] number seven in Scotland,[34] number nine in Czech Republic,[35] number 11 in Ireland,[36] Malaysia,[37] Slovakia,[38] and number 15 in the Netherlands.[39] The song received a 2× Platinum certification in Denmark,[40] Italy,[41] Spain,[42] and Platinum in Belgium,[43] Germany.[44]
Published by Please Don't Forget To Play Me Music/Administered by Universal Music Publishing (GMR), EMI Music Publishing (ASCAP), EMI Music Publishing (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) Thanks for the Songs Richard (BMI) All Rights on behalf of Itself and Thanks for the Songs Richard Administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp, Justin's School for Girls/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp/All Rights Administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp (BMI)
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ab"
ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201728 into search. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
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ab"
ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201709 into search. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
^"
ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201709 into search. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
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Media Forest – Weekly Charts.
Media Forest. 13 November 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2018. Note: Romanian and international positions are rendered together by the number of plays before resulting an overall chart.
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ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201720 into search. Retrieved May 23, 2017.