Don't Fight the Feeling (song)

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"Don't Fight the Feeling"
Single by Exo
from the album Don't Fight the Feeling
LanguageKorean
ReleasedJune 7, 2021 (2021-06-07)
Recorded2021
Studio
  • SM LVYIN Studio (Seoul)
  • Studio 21A (Beijing)
  • doobdoob Studio (Seoul)
GenreDance-pop[1]
Length2:57
Label
Composer(s)
  • Moon Kim
  • Tiyon “TC” Mack
  • Chaz Jackson
  • Orlando Williamson
  • Damon Thomas
  • Mike J
  • Tesung Kim
Lyricist(s)Kenzie
Producer(s)The Aristocrats
Exo singles chronology
"Obsession"
(2019) 		"Don't Fight the Feeling"
(2021) 		"Bird -The Best Ver.-"
(2023)
Music video
"Don't Fight the feeling MV" on YouTube

"Don't Fight the Feeling" is a song released by South Korean–Chinese boy band Exo on June 7, 2021, as the lead single of their seventh extended play of the same name. The single marked the group's comeback from their two-year hiatus, and the only song to be released as a seven-member group.

Background[edit]

After the release of Obsession, and embarking on their fifth world tour in 2019, Exo entered hiatus in the following year and did not release new materials after two of its members, Suho and Chen enlisted for their mandatory military service on May 14, and October 26, respectively.[2][3] Their previously enlisted members — Xiumin was discharged on December 6, followed by D.O. on January 25, 2021 per the protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, and they resumed their activities with the group not long after.[4][5]

On April 8, the group uploaded a video in which active members – Xiumin, Chanyeol, Baekhyun, D.O, Kai, and Sehun commemorated their ninth anniversary and revealed that they have been preparing for their next release before the enlistments of Chanyeol and Baekhyun.[6][7][8] On May 26, Exo released teaser photo on their Twitter account confirming Lay's participation in the upcoming comeback. This marked his first activity with the group since his last appearance in the Chinese version of "Tempo" in 2018.[9] However, Lay was unable to meet up with his bandmates during the album production due to the pandemic.[10]

The single along with its music video was released alongside the album on June 7.[11]

Composition[edit]

"Don't Fight the Feeling" is a funky dance-pop song written by Kenzie and produced by The Aristocrats.[11][12] The lyrics encourage the listeners to believe in themselves and always look for the future when facing difficulty.[13]

Music video[edit]

The music video revolves around science fiction themes showing the band dancing in what appears to be the deck of an aircraft carrier before it became a vessel heading to space.[14] During an interview with Zach Sang, Lay said his appearance in the music video was made possible due to CGI because he was unable to meet up with his bandmates during the pandemic.[15]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
NME[16]

Writing for the NME, Natasha Mulenga praised the song's uplifting theme and its catchy retro beats. However, she argued the song lacked attention-grabbing elements, unlike the band's previous releases, "Monster" (2016) and "Obsession."

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for Don't Fight the Feeling
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Global 200 (Billboard)[17] 64
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[18] 77
South Korea (Gaon)[19] 15
South Korea (Kpop Hot 100)[20] 57
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[21] 51
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[22] 52
US World Digital Songs (Billboard)[23] 6

Credits[edit]

Credits adapted from the EP's liner notes.[24]

Studio[edit]

  • SM LVYIN Studio – recording, digital editing
  • Studio 21A – recording
  • doobdoob Studio – recording
  • SM Starlight Studio – digital editing
  • SM Big Shot Studio – engineered for mix
  • SM Concert Hall Studio – mixing
  • 821 Sound – mastering

Personnel[edit]

  • SM Entertainment – executive producer
  • Lee Soo-man – producer
  • Lee Sung-soo – production director, executive supervisor
  • Tak Young-jun – executive supervisor
  • Yoo Young-jin – music and sound supervisor
  • Exo – vocals
  • Kenzie – lyrics
  • Moon Kim – composition
  • Tiyon "TC" Mack – composition, background vocals
  • Chaz Jackson (The Aristocrats) – producer, composition, arrangement
  • Orlando Williamson (The Aristocrats) – producer, composition, arrangement
  • Damon Thomas – composition
  • Mike J – composition
  • Tesung Kim – composition
  • Onestar – vocal directing, background vocals
  • Tone Stith – background vocals
  • Lee Ji-hong – recording, digital editing
  • Z.Y.Lee – recording
  • Jang Woo-young – recording
  • Eugene Kwon – recording
  • Jeong Yoo-ra – digital editing
  • Lee Min-kyu – engineered for mix
  • Nam Koong-jin – mixing
  • Kwon Nam-woo – mastering

References[edit]

  1. ^ Abanes, Mariel (June 7, 2021). "EXO head to space in futuristic video for 'Don't Fight The Feeling'". NME. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  2. ^ Angelina, Tarida; Noviana, Riki (May 4, 2020). "EXO Suho Underwent Military Conscription May 14". Voice of Indonesia. Jakarta. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  3. ^ "EXO's Chen to join military". KBS World. October 19, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  4. ^ "EXO's Xiumin is getting discharged from the military this December". GMA Integrated News. November 24, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  5. ^ Lee, Minji (January 25, 2021). "EXO's D.O. discharged from military". Yeonhap News Agency. Seoul. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Hwang, You-mee (April 8, 2021). "EXO to release album to mark 9th anniversary". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  7. ^ Kim, Na-young (March 29, 2021). "EXO's Chanyeol to begin mandatory military service". Yeonhap News Agency. Seoul. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  8. ^ Kim, Boram (April 3, 2021). "EXO's Baekhyun to join military next month". Yeonhap News Agency. Seoul. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  9. ^ "Lay Akan Berpartisipasi dalam Album Comeback EXO" [Lay Will Participate in EXO's Comeback Album]. CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). May 28, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  10. ^ Pramesti, Fitri Asta; Khotimah, Chusnul (June 7, 2021). "4 Fakta Comeback EXO Don't Fight The Feeling, Partisipasi Mengejutkan Lay" [4 facts about EXO's comeback Don't Fight The Feeling, Lay's surprising participation]. Suara.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Zhafira, Arnidhya Nur (June 7, 2021). Nurcahyani, Ida (ed.). "EXO pecahkan rekor lewat album "Don't Fight the Feeling"" [EXO breaks record with "Don't Fight the Feeling" album]. ANTARA (in Indonesian). Jakarta. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  12. ^ Abanes, Mariel (June 7, 2021). "EXO head to space in futuristic video for 'Don't Fight The Feeling'". NME. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  13. ^ Kim, U. (June 7, 2021). "Watch: EXO Says "Don't Fight The Feeling" In Energetic Space-Inspired Comeback MV". Soompi. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  14. ^ Abanes, Mariel (June 7, 2021). "EXO head to space in futuristic video for 'Don't Fight The Feeling'". NME. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  15. ^ "Lay Zhang on Reuniting with EXO". YouTube. Zach Sang Show Clips. November 30, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  16. ^ Mulenga, Natasha (June 14, 2021). "EXO – 'Don't Fight The Feeling' review: a seamless transition into the next phase of the boyband's journey". NME. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  17. ^ "Exo Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  18. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 2021/6/21". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  19. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 24 of 2021". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  20. ^ "Billboard Kpop Hot 100". Billboard. June 26, 2021. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  21. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  22. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  23. ^ "Exo Chart History: World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 13, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  24. ^ Exo (2021). Don't Fight the Feeling (photobook). South Korea: SM Entertainment, Dreamus. Credits.
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