Really Love (KSI song)

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"Really Love"
A cartoon illustration of a girl stood in front of a pinball machine, in front of a blue sky and white clouds. The title "Really Love" appears in large white font at the top, with the artists' names in small white font below.
Single by KSI featuring Craig David and Digital Farm Animals
from the album All Over the Place
Released23 October 2020
Genre
Length2:57
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Olajide Olatunji
  • Craig David
  • Nicholas Gale
  • Mustafa Omer
  • James Murray
  • Uzoechi Emenike
  • Aminata Kabba
  • Ashley Livingstone
  • Paul Newman
  • Eugene Nwohia
  • Ronald Nwohia
  • Steve Wickham
Producer(s)
  • Digital Farm Animals
  • Mojam
KSI singles chronology
"Loose"
(2020) 		"Really Love"
(2020) 		"Don't Play"
(2021)
Craig David singles chronology
"Do You Miss Me Much"
(2019) 		"Really Love"
(2020) 		"Who You Are"
(2021)
Digital Farm Animals singles chronology
"Undo My Heart"
(2020) 		"Really Love"
(2020) 		"Home Sweet Home"
(2020)
Music video
"Really Love" on YouTube

"Really Love" is a song by British YouTuber and rapper KSI from his second studio album, All Over the Place. The song features guest vocals from British singer-songwriter Craig David and production from British DJ and record producer Digital Farm Animals. It was released for digital download and streaming by RBC Records and BMG on 23 October 2020 as the lead single from the album. A UK garage and dance-pop track, its lyrics describe the confusion and misunderstanding of love and question whether the love that one is experiencing is real.

"Really Love" received positive reviews from music critics, who commonly praised David's infectious chorus and KSI's confident and energetic verses. The song charted at number three in the United Kingdom, where it has been certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), and further charted in seven other countries. An accompanying music video was released on 23 October 2020. The winter-themed video stars the three artists, dressed in full winter gear, at a ski resort.

Writing and production[edit]

"Really Love" was co-produced by British DJ and record producer Digital Farm Animals and British record production duo Mojam.[1] The chorus was co-written by British singer-songwriters MNEK and KABBA. They gave the chorus to KSI, who wrote and recorded two verses for "Really Love".[2] Being a UK garage track, KSI "thought it made sense" to ask British singer-songwriter Craig David to perform the chorus. KSI recalled, "We [sent the track] to Craig, hoping [that] he'd say yes. And he gave a resounding yes."[3] David recalled, "[KSI] reached out to me [and said], 'I've got this song that I think you'd be perfect on.' And I was like, 'Yeah, I'd be well up for it. Let me hear the song.' I heard it and I was like, 'Bro, this is a tune.' So I jumped on it that [same] night [and] vocalled it. I was going back and forth with [KSI], asking him, 'What [do you] think?' And he was so on it."[4][5]

Speaking on collaborating with David, KSI said, "To say [that] I’m excited is a complete understatement. I’m still in disbelief. I’m working with Craig David; a childhood hero of mine."[6] KSI continued, "I saw him perform last year at Ibiza Rocks and he was amazing. I was in awe of seeing him perform. It was cool to finally be able to make a song with him. I didn't even think I'd be able to make a song with him."[5] KSI affirmed, "We just clicked... It was so easy [to work with him]. He's the nicest guy and a lot of fun to work with."[7] Reflecting on the collaboration, David said, "Working with KSI has been an amazing experience for me and also a lot of fun. He’s a great guy with an amazing energy."[6] David affirmed, "I just really appreciate the fact that [KSI] called me to say, 'Would you jump on this?' I know about [his] career and what he's done, [so] I was like, 'Wow, man. You've got such a huge fan base and you've drawn for me for this record.'"[8] When asked if they would work together again in the future, both artists expressed interest; David said, "[I'd] love too", and KSI said, "Of course. Of course... I'm excited to do more in the future if that ever happens."[5] Regarding the involvement of MNEK, KSI said, "It was a match made in heaven. And his energy is amazing. He's the nicest guy ever."[2]

The song interpolates the guitar hook of "Do You Really Like It?" by DJ Pied Piper and the Masters of Ceremonies.[9] All members are therefore credited as co-songwriters on "Really Love".

Music and lyrics[edit]

"Really Love"
A 15-second sample of the chorus, performed by Craig David. He delivers the chorus in a falsetto vocal register, over an old-school UK garage-inspired instrumental.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Really Love" is an uptempo UK garage and dance-pop track.[2][7][10][11] It has been described as a throwback track to the original, old-school UK garage vibe.[7][12] David performs the chorus, which he delivers in a falsetto vocal register.[11] KSI raps two energetic verses, over bass-heavy beats.[11]

The song's lyrics combine the emotions of love and uncertainty to analyse if love really is love. David's chorus describes the confusion and misunderstanding of love, as he questions whether the love that he is experiencing is really love, while KSI raps about a liberating and carefree method of finding out whether the love that he is experiencing is real.[10] Speaking on the meaning of "Really Love", David explained, "[KSI] was saying that it's more about the friendship zone and trying to find out if someone [is] into [you]. From my side, it's [about] putting out the message of when you're really into somebody and you're a bit vulnerable. You've never felt this feeling before. So you're sort of checking in with yourself, like, 'Is it really love? Why am I thinking about this person all the time.' It's nice that we both have slightly different takes on the same chorus."[5] KSI has labelled "Really Love" as "a winter anthem" due to its winter-time release.[6]

Release and promotion[edit]

On 7 October 2020, KSI revealed via Twitter that he would soon be releasing a new single.[13] Two days later, KSI announced via social media that the song is titled "Really Love" and features Craig David and Digital Farm Animals, and the song was made available to pre-order on digital download services and pre-save on streaming services.[14][15] "Really Love" was released for digital download and streaming by RBC Records and BMG on 23 October 2020 as the lead single from KSI's upcoming second studio album.[16] The song's cover art shows a cartoon illustration of a girl stood in front of a pinball machine, in front of a blue sky and white clouds.[16] The song was accompanied by the release of a lyric video to Craig David's YouTube channel on the same day.[17] An application that produces a hologram of KSI and David performing "Really Love" inside the user's home was released on 2 November 2020 to promote the song.[18]

KSI, David and Digital Farm Animals performed "Really Love" in a live performance video that was released to KSI's YouTube channel on 30 October 2020.[19][20] The three artists performed "Really Love" on ITV's The Jonathan Ross Show on 31 October 2020.[21][22] They also performed the song at the KISS Haunted House Party on 31 October 2020.[23] "Really Love" was performed by the three artists on BBC One's Top of the Pops Christmas Special, which aired on 25 December 2020.[24][25] Several Remixes of "Really Love" have been released. A remix by British DJ and record producer Blinkie was released on 13 November 2020.[26] A remix by Digital Farm Animals that features new verses by British rappers Tinie Tempah and Yxng Bane was announced and made available for pre-order on 19 November 2020 and released one day later.[27][28] An audio video for this remix was released to KSI's YouTube channel on the same day.[29] A remix by Moroccan-Dutch DJ and record producer R3hab that features a new verse by Jamaican rapper Sean Paul was released on 12 December 2020.[30] An audio video for this remix was released to KSI's YouTube channel on the same day.[31]

Critical reception[edit]

"Really Love" was met with positive reviews from music critics. GRM Daily's Jade Dadalica called "Really Love" a "care-free and enjoyable [song] with some catchy melodies and rhythms". She remarked that the song "will make it feel as if summer is still here". Dadalica liked David's "smooth and infectious chorus" and she observed that "KSI delivers some confident and witty bars, bringing his well-known humour into his music". Dadalica acclaimed, "[KSI proves that] he has discovered his sound in recent times."[32] GRM Daily's Courtney Wynter liked how "KSI steers away from his usual hip hop inspired sound and takes on [a] house-infused production". Wynter praised KSI's "fun lyrics" and David's "affectionate chorus".[33] In his review for CULTR, Oliver Tryon called the song a "soon to be hit". He praised David for "[coming] in with his signature sound". Tyron observed that "KSI has really diversified his sound since Dissimulation (2020)", with "Really Love" presenting "a more upbeat and fun sound, similar to his Nathan Dawe collaboration "Lighter" (2020)".[1] Writing for Stereoboard, Laura Johnson praised David's "melodic chorus".[11] In their review, the staff of InCeleb called the song "uplifting" and proclaimed that it "will be known as a party anthem to dance in the club to".[10] Rowan Faife of Reader's Digest remarked that "having Craig David on [the] song immediately turns it [into] a noughties garage track".[2]

Music video[edit]

The music video for "Really Love" was directed by Troy Roscoe.[34] It premiered on KSI's YouTube channel on 23 October 2020 at 15:00 UTC.[35] A behind-the-scenes video of the music video shoot was released to the channel on 9 November 2020.[36] On 24 October 2020, KSI released a reaction video, in which he watches and reacts to the music video, followed by another reaction video, in which he is joined by David and Digital Farm Animals, being released on 26 October 2020.[37][38]

The winter-themed music video stars the three artists, dressed in full winter gear, at a ski resort.[6][33] It makes heavy use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) and Chroma key compositing.[6][39] The video opens with shots of David on top of a snowy mountain, before KSI climbs up the side of the mountain. This is followed by David riding a snowmobile through the mountains and shots of the three artists inside a large ice cube. Other scenes include KSI chipping away at a large block of ice with an ice pick, carving out the word "SDMN", and shots of KSI and David petting husky dogs. Towards the end of the video, the three artists are accompanied by a crowd of people, living their best lives and dancing inside a log cabin.[6][39] The staff of Sports Playlists described the music video as "a mesmerising VFX movie [that takes] fans into an icy universe".[12]

Commercial performance[edit]

In the United Kingdom, "Really Love" was the country's most downloaded song in its first week of release.[40] It was the second highest new entry on the UK Singles Chart, debuting at number three, becoming Craig David's 16th, KSI's 4th and Digital Farm Animals' 2nd top 10 hit.[41][42] The song debuted at number two on the UK Dance Singles Chart and remained at that position for six weeks, being held off the top spot by Joel Corry and MNEK's track "Head & Heart" (2020).[43] On 28 May 2021, "Really Love" was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales of 400,000 track-equivalent units in the UK.[44]

In Ireland, "Really Love" debuted at number 18 on the Irish Singles Chart and spent a total of 16 weeks on the chart.[45][46] Elsewhere in Europe, "Really Love" charted at number 25 on the Hungary Singles Chart and number 87 on the Romania Airplay 100. In the United States, "Really Love" debuted at number 17 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and spent a total of 11 weeks on the chart.[47]

Credits and personnel[edit]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[48]

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for "Really Love"
Chart (2020–2021) Peak
position
Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[49] 32
Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[50] 2
Global Excl. US (Billboard)[51] 111
Hungary (Single Top 40)[52] 25
Ireland (IRMA)[53] 18
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[54] 7
Romania (Airplay 100)[55] 87
Scotland (OCC)[56] 2
UK Singles (OCC)[57] 3
UK Dance (OCC)[43] 2
UK Indie (OCC)[58] 1
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[47] 17

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for "Really Love"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[44] Gold 400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

Release dates and formats for "Really Love"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label(s) Ref.
Various 23 October 2020
Original
[16]
United Kingdom Contemporary hit radio [59]
Various 13 November 2020
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Blinkie Remix [26]
20 November 2020 Digital Farm Animals Remix [28]
12 December 2020 R3HAB Remix [30]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Tryon, Oliver (23 October 2020). "KSI Teams Up With Craig David & Digital Farm Animals For 'Really Love'". CULTR. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Faife, Rowan (26 October 2020). "KSI Interview: 'I'm like a cheat code'". Reader's Digest. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  3. ^ White, Jack (29 October 2020). "KSI talks new single Really Love with Craig David, confirms new album to be released in 2021". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  4. ^ "In conversation with Craig David, ahead of the VELO ESERIES launch". Dazed. 9 January 2021. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d "KSI Reveals His Shrine to Lorraine Kelly After Fans Spot Her in His Videos | Lorraine". Lorraine. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Woodcock, Zara (23 October 2020). "KSI teams up with Craig David for new 'winter anthem' single". Metro. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Savage, Mark (28 October 2020). "How KSI earned more than his teachers by playing Fifa". BBC News. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  8. ^ "KSI Discusses His Fight With Logan Paul & New Song With Craig David | The Jonathan Ross Show". The Jonathan Ross Show. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ "KSI feat. Craig David and Digital Farm Animals's 'Really Love' - Discover the Sample Source". WhoSampled.
  10. ^ a b c "Single Review: Craig David And KSI 'Really Love'". InCeleb. 8 November 2020. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d Johnson, Laura (23 October 2020). "KSI, Craig David And Digital Farm Animals Team Up For New Single Really Love". Stereoboard. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  12. ^ a b "KSI follows up debut album with 'Really Love' featuring Craig David". Sports Playlists. 23 October 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  13. ^ KSI [@KSI] (7 October 2020). "This Friday, I'm dropping the pre order link to my new song with an absolute legend. Who do you think it is? He has had over 10 top tens in the official charts" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2020 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ KSI [@KSI] (9 October 2020). "Really love ft Craig David & DFA. Link in bio" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2020 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ KSI (9 October 2020). "When you hear this tune fam...Madness. Legit so crazy that I have a song with Craig. From bangers like 7 days to Walking away to Rise and Fall, this man was a big part of my childhood. He's an absolute legend and I can't wait for you to hear the song we've created together. Shoutout to DFA for making the beat and absolutely killing it too. Really love ft Craig David & Digital Farm Animals is available for pre order now. Link in Bio. 📷: @dvisualsz". Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2020 – via Instagram.
  16. ^ a b c RBC Records (24 October 2020). "Hyped to announce that our guy @ksi just dropped garage banger with @craigdavid & @digitalfarmanimals. Available on @spotify @applemusic and everywhere else. Check out #ReallyLove now! Link in bio". Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2020 – via Instagram.
  17. ^ "KSI – Really Love (feat. Craig David & Digital Farm Animals) [Official Lyric Video]". 23 October 2020. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ "KSI And Craig David Perform Single Really Love As Hologram". LADbible. 2 November 2020. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  19. ^ "KSI – Really Love ft. Craig David & Digital Farm Animals – Live Performance". 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ "KSI, Craig David & Digital Farm Animals Team Up For Debut Performance of 'Really Love'". GRM Daily. 30 October 2020. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  21. ^ "KSI – Really Love (feat. Craig David & Digital Farm Animals) [Live] | The Jonathan Ross Show". The Jonathan Ross Show. 2 November 2020. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ Miller, Adam (30 October 2020). "KSI quite rightly admits he made a big mistake challenging Mike Tyson to a fight". Metro. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  23. ^ Thornton, Laura (27 October 2020). "The full line-up for The KISS Haunted House Party 2020". KISS. Archived from the original on 6 January 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  24. ^ "Top of the Pops' Christmas Day and New Year 2020 line-up revealed". Official Charts Company. 2 December 2020. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  25. ^ "KSI ft Craig David & Digital Farm Animals – Really Love (Top of the Pops Christmas 2020)". BBC Music. 25 December 2020. Archived from the original on 28 December 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020 – via YouTube.
  26. ^ a b Blinkie (13 November 2020). "New Remix!⁣ My new remix of @ksi @craigdavid @digitalfarmanimals "Really Love" is now available to download and stream on all digital & streaming platforms! ⁣Check it out! And don't forget to let me know what you think 💭". Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2020 – via Instagram.
  27. ^ Digital Farm Animals [@DigiFarmAnimals] (19 November 2020). "#ReallyLove remix with @tinie and @yxngbane out tomorrow. Pre-save/add here" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 November 2020 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ a b "KSI drops Really Love remix with Tinie Tempah and Yxng Bane". The List. 20 November 2020. Archived from the original on 6 January 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  29. ^ "KSI – Really Love (feat. Craig David, Tinie Tempah & Yxng Bane) [Digital Farm Animals Remix]". 20 November 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020 – via YouTube.
  30. ^ a b R3HAB [@R3HAB] (14 December 2020). "Check out my remix of 'Really Love' with @KSI @duttypaul @CraigDavid @DigiFarmAnimals https://k-s-i.lnk.to/R3HABRemix" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2020 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ "KSI – Really Love (feat. R3HAB, Sean Paul, Craig David, & Digital Farm Animals) [R3HAB Remix]". 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020 – via YouTube.
  32. ^ Dadalica, Jade (20 November 2020). "Tinie Tempah & Yxng Bane Join KSI & Craig David On Big 'Really Love' Remix". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  33. ^ a b Wynter, Courtney (23 October 2020). "KSI Enlists Craig David & Digital Farm Animals On Latest Single 'Really Love'". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 6 January 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  34. ^ KSI (23 October 2020). "'Really Love' Music Video Out Now On YouTube. Directed By @troyroscoe". Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2020 – via Instagram.
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  39. ^ a b Avoledo, Pam (13 November 2020). "Video Review: KSI, Craig David & Digital Farm Animals 'Really Love'". I Want My Pop Culture. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
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  43. ^ a b "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  44. ^ a b "British single certifications – Ksi/Craig David/Digital Farm Animals – Really Love". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
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  47. ^ a b "KSI Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
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  49. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 2 November 2020". The ARIA Report. No. 1600. Australian Recording Industry Association. 16 June 2023. p. 9.
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  52. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
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  55. ^ Arvunescu, Victor (15 February 2021). "Top Airplay 100 – Cum sună liniştea primului loc, cu Iuliana Beregoi" (in Romanian). Un site de muzică. Archived from the original on 15 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
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  59. ^ "Capital FM Playlist". Capital FM. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.

External links[edit]


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