Confident (Justin Bieber song)

"Confident"
Single by Justin Bieber featuring Chance the Rapper
from the album Journals
ReleasedDecember 9, 2013 (2013-12-09)
RecordedAugust–September 2013
Genre
Length4:08
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Soundz
Justin Bieber singles chronology
"Change Me"
(2013) 		"Confident"
(2013) 		"We Were Born for This"
(2014)
Chance the Rapper singles chronology
"Life Round Here"
(2013) 		"Confident"
(2013) 		"Sunday Candy"
(2014)
Music video
"Confident" on YouTube

"Confident" is a song by Canadian singer Justin Bieber, featuring vocals from American rapper Chance the Rapper. The song is taken from Bieber's second compilation Journals (2013). Written by Bieber in addition to Kenneth Coby, Maurice "Verse" Simmonds, Chancelor Bennett and produced by Soundz, "Confident" was released as a single on December 9, 2013, by Island Records, as the tenth and last song from a ten-week digital download campaign entitled Music Mondays, in which one new song was released every Monday night, held from October 7, 2013 to December 9, 2013.

"Confident" received positive feedback from music critics, who deemed it a highlight from the album. Commercially, it debuted and peaked at number 41 but only stayed on the chart for one week in the United States, and while it reached the top 40 in Canada, it only spent two weeks on the chart. Internationally, it peaked at numbers eight and one in Belgium and Denmark, respectively. The accompanying music video for "Confident", directed by Colin Tilley, depicts the singer stalking his confident love interest until they share a kiss in its end.

Background

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On October 3, 2013, Bieber announced that he would release one new song every Monday for ten weeks in a campaign entitled Music Mondays, leading up to the release of his Justin Bieber's Believe theatrical film, which will see a limited one-week release on Christmas Day 2013. The first song released by Bieber was "Heartbreaker", on October 7, 2013, while the last, "Confident" was released on December 9.[3][4] The same day, Bieber announced that the ten Music Monday releases would be packaged with an additional five new songs in a compilation entitled Complete My Journals.[5] Although the album was initially set for release on December 16, 2013, the date was pushed back one week to December 23, as Bieber intended to include one more song on the compilation. Though it does not appear on the album itself, the bonus track, "Flatline," is available for a free download on the iTunes Store.[6] Journals would be available on iTunes until January 2, 2014, and all sixteen songs will be available for purchase individually thereafter.[5]

Composition

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"Confident" is a song composed by hip-hop and reggae elements which features American recording artist Chance the Rapper.[1][2] Lyrically, it is different from his previous Music Mondays releases and focuses on a new love interest, singing "She's confident/Oh no no, oh no no/And I'm down with it".[7] Later, Chance the Rapper raps about twerk education and playing the comedic counterpart to Bieber's straight-faced heartthrob.[7] According to Ben Rayner from Toronto Star, the song was a "sexual momentum" on the album.[2]

Critical reception

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Jason Lipshutz from Billboard deemed "Confident" as the strongest track from Music Mondays.[7] Glenn Gamboa from Newsday also complimented the track, saying it showed the singer moving into "hip-hop with a catchy, memorable groove and first-rate help from Chance the Rapper. It's a sign that Bieber will move through his current struggles into even greater success".[1] Alex Griffin from website Mad Good Music shared a similar comment, stating the song "wouldn't sound out of place on a Justin Timberlake album and has the pair discussing how they're transfixed with the most confident girl in the room, with a typically hyper Chance verse, laden with his screeching adlibs".[8]

Music video

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An accompanying music video for the song was filmed on December 18, 2013, by director Colin Tilley.[9] It was released on January 29, 2014.[10] He had previously posted two photos from its shooting through Instagram in December.[11] In the video, Bieber tries to seduce a young woman, played by Cailin Russo, in a gas station but he missteps with an ineffective pun-based pickup line. Although he definitely piques her interest, she says he has to "try harder than that" to get her. Bieber spends most of video following her around and singing and dancing about how into her he is. A group of dancers is also shown dancing with Bieber. During its end, Bieber startles Russo and spins her around; everything becomes steamier between the two as Russo licks her lips. After that, the singer surprises his love interest with a sensual kiss; he then asks her, "Can I have your number now?" before they share another steamy kiss at the end while her love interest is shown leaning on the Jeep Wrangler.[12]

The video received positive reviews. Emily Longeretta from Hollywood Life commented, "We knew Justin was smooth, but he took things to a whole new level this time!"[12] Spin's Chris Martins stated the video was fun.[13] Writer Ton Breihan from Stereogum noted that it was paying homage to Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" music video (1987).[14]

Live performance

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On April 13, 2014, Chance the Rapper brought out Bieber during his performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where they performed "Confident."[15]

Track listing

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Digital download[16]
No.TitleLength
1."Confident" (featuring Chance the Rapper)4:08

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Confident"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[35] Platinum 70,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[36] Diamond 250,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[37] Gold 45,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[38] Platinum 50,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[40] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Gamboa, Glenn (December 23, 2013). "Review: Justin Bieber, 'Journals'". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e Rayner, Ben (December 24, 2013). "Justin Bieber's Journals aims for maturity: Album review". Toronto Star. Star Media Group. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  3. ^ "Confident - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  4. ^ Jason Lipshutz (October 28, 2013). "Justin Bieber Makes Full 'Recovery' On Music Mondays Track". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Werde, Bill (December 9, 2013). "Justin Bieber's 'Journals' Collection to Drop In Time For Christmas (Exclusive)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  6. ^ "BIG NEWS!!! Wrote another smash this week! Want you to have it! Making it a Christmas gift and moving #journals to the 23rd! So..." Twitter. December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c "Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper Get 'Confident': Listen To New Collaboration". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  8. ^ "Review: Justin Bieber – Journals". Mad Good Music. December 24, 2013. Archived from the original on December 25, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  9. ^ "Justin Bieber f/ Chance The Rapper "Confident" (Colin Tilley, dir.)". Video Static. December 17, 2013.
  10. ^ "Justin Bieber Delays 'Journals'". rap-up.com. December 13, 2013.
  11. ^ "Justin Bieber's 'Confident' Video: Sneak A Peek". MTV. Archived from the original on August 21, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  12. ^ a b Longeretta, Emily (January 30, 2014). "Justin Bieber Looks Sexy In 'Confident' Music Video — Watch". Archived from the original on October 21, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  13. ^ "Justin Bieber Plays A Douche In 'Confident' Video With Chance The Rapper - SPIN". January 30, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  14. ^ "Justin Bieber – "Confident" (Feat. Chance The Rapper) Video". January 30, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  15. ^ Colin Stutz (April 13, 2014). "Coachella 2014: Justin Bieber Joins Chance the Rapper Onstage as Surprise Guest". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  16. ^ "Confident (single) – Justin Bieber (feat. Chance the Rapper)". US: iTunes Store. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  17. ^ "The ARIA Report: Issue 1242 (Week Commencing 16 December 2013)" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 16, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  18. ^ "Justin Bieber feat. Chance The Rapper – Confident" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  19. ^ a b "Justin Bieber feat. Chance The Rapper – Confident" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  20. ^ "Justin Bieber feat. Chance The Rapper – Confident" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  21. ^ "Justin Bieber Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  22. ^ "Justin Bieber feat. Chance The Rapper – Confident". Tracklisten. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  23. ^ "Justin Bieber feat. Chance The Rapper – Confident" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  24. ^ "Justin Bieber feat. Chance The Rapper – Confident" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  25. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Justin Bieber". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  26. ^ "Justin Bieber feat. Chance The Rapper – Confident" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  27. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  28. ^ "Justin Bieber feat. Chance The Rapper – Confident" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  29. ^ "Justin Bieber feat. Chance The Rapper – Confident". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  30. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  31. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  32. ^ "Justin Bieber Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  33. ^ "Justin Bieber Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  34. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  35. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  36. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Justin Bieber – Confident" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  37. ^ "Danish single certifications – Justin Bieber feat. Chance the Rapper – Confident". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  38. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  39. ^ "British single certifications – Justin Bieber ft Chance – Confident". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  40. ^ "American single certifications – Justin Bieber – Confident". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
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