Genesis (Grimes song)

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"Genesis"
Single by Grimes
from the album Visions
B-side"Ambrosia"
ReleasedJanuary 9, 2012 (2012-01-09)
RecordedAugust 2011
Genre
Length4:15
Label4AD
Songwriter(s)Grimes
Producer(s)Grimes
Grimes singles chronology
"Genesis"
(2012)
"Phone Sex"
(2012)
Music video
"Genesis" on YouTube

"Genesis" is a song by Canadian singer and songwriter Grimes, released on January 9, 2012, as the lead single from her third studio album, Visions (2012).[4] The song is one of Grimes' most successful releases so far, as a result of the song's music videos becoming viral, mostly through micro-blogging site Tumblr. The NME placed the song at number 16 on its list of 50 Best Tracks of 2012.[5]

Music video[edit]

The self-directed video for "Genesis" premiered on August 22, 2012.[6] It was filmed in Los Angeles and co-stars rapper and stripper Brooke Candy, whom Grimes describes as "a very contemporary muse". In the video, Grimes is seen alongside a group of friends while driving an Escalade in the desert, holding an albino python in the back of a limousine, and posing in the woods. She said of the concept of the video: "It's loosely based on this painting by my favorite painter, Hieronymus Bosch, called The Seven Deadly Sins and the Four Last Things. I wanted to play with Medieval/Catholic imagery. I was raised in a Catholic household and went to a Catholic school, and my childhood brain perceived medieval Catholicism as an action movie: There's this crazy omnipresent guy who can destroy you at any moment."[7]

Charts[edit]

Chart (2012) Peak
position
UK Indie (OCC)[8] 37
Mexico (Mexico Ingles Airplay, Billboard)[9] 44

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[10] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[11] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Track listings[edit]

  • Digital download[4]
  1. "Genesis" – 4:15
  • Limited-edition cassette single[12]
A. "Genesis" – 4:15
B. "Ambrosia" – 3:31

References[edit]

  1. ^ "NPR Music's 100 Favorite Songs Of 2012". NPR. December 22, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  2. ^ Marsh, Calum (February 7, 2012). "Grimes Visions". Cokemachineglow. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  3. ^ Ryan, Larry (January 13, 2012). "Caught in the Net - Genesis and an artist's evolution". The Independent. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Genesis – Single by Grimes". iTunes Store (US). Apple. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  5. ^ "Album and Tracks of the Year". NME. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  6. ^ "Watch The New Video for 'Genesis' by Grimes". 4AD. August 22, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  7. ^ Battan, Carrie (August 27, 2012). "Director's Cut: Grimes: "Genesis"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  8. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  9. ^ "Mexico Ingles Airplay / Billboard / Genesis Grimes". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  10. ^ "British single certifications – Grimes – Genesis". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  11. ^ "American single certifications – Grimes – Genesis". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  12. ^ Yin-Wong, Flora (March 20, 2012). "EXCLUSIVE: Grimes Cassette Tape Treasure Hunt". Dazed. Retrieved December 14, 2015.