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I Need You (Paris Hilton song)

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"I Need You" is a song recorded by American socialite Paris Hilton. Michael Green produced the song and co-wrote it with Hilton and Simon Wilcox. Heiress Records released it as a digital download on February 14, 2018. A version of the song leaked in 2010, but Hilton said she re-recorded portions of the vocals and instrumental as a dedication to her fiancé Chris Zylka. It is a doo-wop and pop ballad that features holiday-related puns about love. Green based the single's style on 1950s music.

"I Need You"

An image of Paris Hilton posing in lingerie on a bed near a rotary telephone. The image has the song's title and Hilton's name.

Single by Paris Hilton

Released

February 14, 2018

Genre

Doo-woppop

Length

3:35

Label

Heiress

Songwriter(s)

Michael GreenParis HiltonSimon Wilcox

Producer(s)

Michael Green

Paris Hilton singles chronology

"High Off My Love"

(2015) "I Need You"

(2018) "B.F.A. (Best Friend's Ass)"

(2019)

Critics praised "I Need You", partially as a departure from Hilton's previous dance-oriented and EDM songs. The single peaked at number 32 on the Dance Club Songs chart, Hilton's fifth appearance. A music video, directed by Zylka, was released on February 14, 2018, through Hilton's YouTube account. Inspired by Marilyn Monroe's performance of "I Wanna Be Loved by You" and Jessica Rabbit, the music video features Hilton wearing lingerie, posing in a bed covered with red rose petals, and popping out of a cake. Critics described the bed scene as a homage to the 1999 film American Beauty. Remixes by other artists, including Hector Fonseca, were released to promote the track.

Background and release

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A photo of Paris Hilton posing in an office.

Paris Hilton (pictured in 2021) co-wrote "I Need You"

Socialite Paris Hilton became widely known in 2003 for the reality television series The Simple Life, and the show's success led her to expand her career into other ventures,[1] including creating her own record label, Heiress Records.[2] In August 2006, Hilton released her self-titled debut album which peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 chart and performed well internationally.[1] Following the album's release, she began work as a disc jockey in 2012 and released "Good Time" (2013), "Come Alive" (2014), and "High Off My Love" (2015) after signing a record deal with Cash Money in 2013.[1][3]

Hilton co-wrote "I Need You" with its producer Michael Green and songwriter Simon Wilcox.[4][5][a] On receiving the instrumental track, Hilton wrote the lyrics in a few hours and described the process as the "first time I had someone send me a song that I immediately was like, I could write to this right away".[7] Heiress Records digitally released it on February 14, 2018.[8][b] "I Need You" was Hilton's first ballad and her first single in three years, following her 2015 release "High Off My Love".[9][10]

A week before the song's release, Hilton posted photos from the music video on Instagram as part of a countdown.[11] Paper's Claire Valentine wrote that Hilton was channeling Marilyn Monroe for the images,[11] and Allure's Emily Wang considered pin-up models to be the inspirations.[12] When describing the direction of her second album, Hilton said it would be more dance-oriented, and clarified that "I Need You" would be "the only song on there like this".[7]

Although Hilton promoted it as a "new single" on her social media, the song leaked in 2010; music critics had believed it was a track from her second album, initially expected for release in the fall or winter of that year.[6] Hilton said she re-recorded portions of the vocals and instrumental,[4] and released it as a dedication to her fiancé Chris Zylka;[9][c] she explained: "At that point in my life [when I wrote it], I wasn't with anyone, so this is the perfect point in my life to release it because now the words definitely mean something."[9] Hilton played the song for Zylka while they were driving home from the recording studio; he cried upon hearing it.[14]

Music and lyrics

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"I Need You"

0:22

"I Need You" is a doo-wop and pop song and Hilton performs its lyrics with breathy vocals

Problems playing this file? See media help.

"I Need You" is a doo-wop and pop ballad that lasts three minutes and 35 seconds.[8][15][16] Michael Green looked to 1950s music as inspiration for the composition.[7] Hilton described "I Need You" as "the ultimate Valentine's Day song" and said: "I've always done pop and dance music and EDM, and with this song I wanted to make something timeless and classic."[9] Time's Raisa Bruner described its tone as "a sugary doo-wop vibe".[17] Critics noted that Hilton uses a breathy voice throughout the song.[17][18]

Through the track, Hilton sings about love and how she will "never lose sight of the reasons that I love you" and the safety felt in a relationship: "You make me want to be the woman I've always wanted to be."[10] The lyrics feature puns about holidays, such as "I wanna be the bunny in your Easter".[17][19] Other examples include: "I wanna put the happy in your birthday / And I wanna be the merry in your Christmas / I'm always giving thanks for you on every Thanksgiving."[10][15] Paper's Michael Love Michael said it was about a "profound neediness" and a desire to spend a day with a significant other.[18]

Reception

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"I Need You" received generally positive reviews from music critics. It was included in Vulture's list of the best songs for the week of February 14, 2018,[19] and a playlist for 2018 Best Songs of the Week.[20] People's Nicole Sands praised the lyrics as "written in the name of love".[9] The song's composition was also the subject of praise.[18][21] Michael Love Michael enjoyed its "featherlight doo-wop arrangement",[18] and the Gay Times's Sam Damshenas identified the song as a "bubbly, doo-wop inspired affair".[21] In a less enthusiastic review, Vogue Australia's Francesca Wallace wrote "the song actually isn't too bad".[22]

Some critics praised Hilton for pursuing a different musical style. Raisa Bruner believed a doo-wop single would surprise listeners based on Hilton's past work with pop and dance music. Citing "I Need You" as part of Hilton's "ongoing reinvention", Bruner considered it one of the top five songs released in the week of February 16, 2018.[17] Michael Love Michael contrasted "I Need You" with Hilton's debut album, which he described as "a series of criminally underrated club-pop bangers, sex, and love jams". He praised the track as a "refreshing sonic direction" in her music career.[18] Out magazine writer Hilton Dresden said the single reflected a "softer, moodier direction" for Hilton and thought the "over-the-top syrupy and smothering" lyrics were well suited for Valentine's Day.[23]

Commercially, "I Need You" debuted at number 48 and peaked at number 32 on the Dance Club Songs Billboard chart.[24][25] It marked Hilton's fifth appearance on the chart.[24] According to Cait Munro of Refinery29, the song was not as commercially successful as "Stars Are Blind", which she labeled a "cult hit".[26]

Music video and promotion

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An image of a nude, blonde woman laying on top of red rose petals. Her breasts and waist are covered by the petals

Critics said a scene in the video (pictured) evoked the film American Beauty

Chris Zylka directed and produced the single's accompanying music video,[7][27] which was released on February 14, 2018, through Hilton's YouTube account.[28] Hilton felt "more comfortable" with Zylka as the director rather than "having some stranger behind the camera".[29] The video was shot in February 2018, and the editing process took roughly a week.[10] A behind the scenes video was uploaded on YouTube on May 28, 2018.[30] Hilton explained that Marilyn Monroe, specifically her performance of "I Wanna Be Loved by You", and Jessica Rabbit inspired it.[7]

Hilton appears in "various stages of undress" throughout the video.[22] She is shown wearing different wigs and 1950s-inspired fashion,[22] including several types of lingerie.[16][31][d] She bakes cupcakes while wearing a polka dot apron and pops out of a cake.[16][31] In another scene, she appears naked on a bed covered in red rose petals,[12][16] which critics felt was an homage to the character Angela Hayes from the 1999 film American Beauty.[12][33] For the shot, Hilton wears nude fish-net leggings and jewelry[e] rather than being fully naked like Hayes was in the movie.[12] Emily Wang wrote that Hilton's outfits included "other photographic homages to classic Americana imagery", likening some of her looks in the video to those of Jayne Mansfield and Barbie dolls from the 1950s.[12]

Remixes by disc jockeys, including Stash Konig, Dirty Disco, Nitemover, Hector Fonseca, and Zambianco, were made available to promote the track.[24][34][35] Hilton commissioned the remixes while working as a DJ in Ibiza.[10]

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from a Time Out article:[4]

Songwriting – Paris Hilton, Simon Wilcox, Michael Green

Production – Michael Green

Charts

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Chart performance for "I Need You"

Chart (2018) Peak

position

US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[25] 32

References

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Notes

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Some media outlets erroneously reported that Hilton co-wrote "I Need You" with the Madden Brothers.[4][6]

Even though Paris Hilton was signed to Cash Money, she still released music under her own label Heiress; she explained: "I have my own record label, so when I do projects with them I can have their people and their team come in, but this I did all on my own."[7]

Hilton ended the engagement in November 2018 to focus on her career.[13]

For the video, Hilton wears lingerie from her own personal line.[32]

One of the pieces of jewelry is Hilton's engagement ring, which is 20-carats and worth $2 million.[9][12]

Citations

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Donelson, Marcy. "Paris Hilton Biography by Marcy Donelson". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022.

"Paris Hilton To Launch Record Label". Contactmusic.com. World Entertainment News Network. June 29, 2004. Archived from the original on February 18, 2015.

Horowitz, Steven J. (July 28, 2017). "Paris Hilton on Her Music Career: 'I'm More Talent Than Name'". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022.

Gil, Virginia (April 13, 2018). "Paris Hilton on music and why she only dances with closed fists now". Time Out. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018.

Mahjouri, Shakiel (February 15, 2018). "Paris Hilton Officially Releases 'I Need You' On Valentine's Day". Entertainment Tonight Canada. Archived from the original on June 1, 2018.

Cush, Andy (February 14, 2018). "Paris Hilton's New Song 'I Need You' Is Actually 8 Years Old". Spin. Archived from the original on February 17, 2018.

Horowitz, Steven J. (February 14, 2018). "Paris Hilton Unveils Romantic Video For 'I Need You': Exclusive Premiere". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018.

"I Need You – Single". Apple Music. February 14, 2018. Archived from the original on April 1, 2018.

Sands, Nicole (February 14, 2018). "Paris Hilton's New Single 'I Need You' Is Inspired by Her 'Perfect' Fiancé Chris Zylka". People. Archived from the original on April 1, 2018.

Simon, Samantha (February 15, 2018). "Paris Hilton Is in Love and Wants to Tell You All About It". InStyle. Archived from the original on April 26, 2018.

Valentine, Claire (February 11, 2018). "Paris Hilton Teases New Single for Valentine's Day". Paper. Archived from the original on June 1, 2018.

Wang, Emily (February 13, 2018). "Paris Hilton Channeled American Beauty by Posing Nude on a Bed of Roses". Allure. Archived from the original on June 1, 2018.

Bailey, Alyssa (November 19, 2018). "Paris Hilton and Chris Zylka Have Ended Their Engagement". Elle. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018.

Reslen, Eileen (February 14, 2018). "Paris Hilton Reveals the Inspiration Behind Her New Love Song, 'I Need You'". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on June 1, 2018.

Braca, Nina (February 14, 2018). "Paris Hilton Drops Romantic Valentine's Day Song 'I Need You': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 1, 2018.

Maslow, Nick (February 15, 2018). "Paris Hilton on new music, #MeToo, marriage, and children: 'I've grown up'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 9, 2018.

Bruner, Raisa (February 16, 2018). "5 Songs You Need to Listen to This Week". Time. Archived from the original on March 22, 2018.

Michael, Michael Love (February 14, 2018). "Enjoy These Lovely Serenades by Paris Hilton, Kim Petras and More". Paper. Archived from the original on February 14, 2018.

"9 Best New Songs of the Week". Vulture. February 14, 2018. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018.

"8 Best New Songs of the Week". Vulture. March 21, 2018. Archived from the original on April 1, 2018.

Damshenas, Sam (February 14, 2018). "Paris Hilton releases brand new single I Need You – listen here!". Gay Times. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018.

Wallace, Francesca (February 15, 2018). "Paris Hilton releases a new song dedicated to her fiancé". Vogue Australia. Archived from the original on February 15, 2018.

Dresden, Hilton (February 14, 2018). "Paris Hilton Gives Us the V-Day Present We Begged For With New Single 'I Need You'". Out. Archived from the original on February 18, 2018.

Murray, Gordon (April 19, 2018). "Billboard Dance Chart Upstarts: Azealia Banks, Yellow Claw & Paris Hilton". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018.

"Paris Hilton Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2018.

Munro, Cait (July 30, 2018). "Can An Heiress Be Self-Made? Paris Hilton Thinks So". Refinery29. Archived from the original on July 31, 2018.

Eckardt, Stephanie (March 1, 2018). "Paris Hilton and Chris Zylka Present: A Completely True Guide to Their Relationship". W. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018.

"Paris Hilton – "I Need You" (Official Music Video)". Paris Hilton. February 14, 2018. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018 – via YouTube.

Joyce, Kathleen (February 16, 2018). "Paris Hilton opens up on #MeToo movement and marriage: 'I'm more mature'". Fox News. Archived from the original on April 13, 2018.

"Paris Hilton – I Need You (Behind the Scenes)". Paris Hilton. May 28, 2018. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018 – via YouTube.

"'I Need You', Paris Hilton Hides Her Private Parts With Flower Petals in New Music Video". Al Bawaba. February 15, 2018. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018.

Chavda, Sanaya (May 19, 2018). "Celebs with lingerie lines". Daily News and Analysis. Archived from the original on June 6, 2018.

Martin, Annie (February 13, 2018). "Paris Hilton channels 'American Beauty' in teaser for new single". United Press International. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018.

Several remixes of "I Need You" were released through SoundCloud:

"Paris Hilton – I Need You (Stash Konig Remix) by Stash Konig". SoundCloud. March 29, 2018. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018.

"Paris Hilton – I Need You (Dirty Disco Mainroom Remix)". SoundCloud. March 27, 2018. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018.

"Paris Hilton – I Need You (Esteban Lopez & Binomio Remix)". SoundCloud. May 10, 2018. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018.

"Paris Hilton: I Need You (John 'J–C' Carr Funky Club Mix)". SoundCloud. April 11, 2018. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018.

"Paris Hilton – I Need You (Hector Fonseca & Zambianco Remix)". Facebook. May 27, 2018. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018.

External links

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"I Need You" (music video) on YouTube

Last edited 12 minutes ago by Migfab008

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