"Talk" is a song by American singer Khalid Robinson. It was written by Khalid and produced by English electronic music duo Disclosure. It was released on February 7, 2019, as the first single from Khalid's second studio album, Free Spirit.[2][A] The song also appeared in the deluxe edition of Disclosure's third studio album, Energy. "Talk" became Khalid's fifth top 10 hit and highest-charting single as a solo artist in the US, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] The song was nominated for Record of the Year at the 62nd Grammy Awards.[5]

"Talk"
Single by Khalid
from the album Free Spirit
ReleasedFebruary 7, 2019 (2019-02-07)
Recorded2018
GenreElectro-R&B[1]
Length3:17
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Disclosure
Khalid singles chronology
"Saturday Nights Remix"
(2019)
"Talk"
(2019)
"Beautiful People"
(2019)
Music video
"Talk" on YouTube

Billboard ranked "Talk" 29th on their 100 Best Songs of 2019 list.[6]

Music and composition

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"Talk" is a midtempo, R&B-tinged[2] song that runs for 3 minutes and 17 seconds.[7] It features production and songwriting by English electronic music duo Disclosure, who incorporate synths that "bubble and twinkle above a staccato bass".[8] Carolyn Bernucca of Complex magazine noted how Khalid "opts for a more mature vocal sound [...] without losing the youthful charm he's employed since American Teen".[8]

Speaking on the conception of the song, Khalid said he initially met up with Disclosure, and they played him what he called a "crazy-ass instrumental".[2][9] Khalid described "Talk" as the first taste of his second album, with the song's theme being "the beginning honeymoon stages of a relationship". Rap-Up said the song finds the singer "navigating the waters of a relationship".[10]

Promotion and release

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Khalid officially announced the song on Twitter on February 4, 2019, posting the cover art, which shows a purple wolf behind red flames.[11] In late January, he had posted a video of himself listening to a clip of the song in his car.[12] "Talk" was premiered as Zane Lowe's World Record on Apple Music's Beats 1 radio on February 7, 2019, and released the same day.[2]

On August 28, 2020, "Talk" was also included as the 18th track in the deluxe edition of Disclosure's 3rd studio album ENERGY.

Chart performance

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The song would go on to reach a peak of number three for four non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, and spent 11 weeks at the top of the Hot 100 Airplay chart, in addition to topping the Pop Songs, Rhythmic Songs, and Hip-Hop/R&B Airplay charts.

Remixes

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Disclosure, who produced the original song, released their own house remix of "Talk" on March 29, 2019. This version of the song is titled "Talk (Disclosure VIP)".[13]

A second official remix of "Talk" with American rappers Megan Thee Stallion and Yo Gotti was released on April 12, 2019.[14] Billboard magazine reacted positively to Megan's verse, calling it "steamy", and complimented her singing but was less approving of Yo Gotti's feature, saying his "appearance feels much like he just stumbled into the wrong house and didn't know what he was getting himself into".[14]

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[71] 4× Platinum 280,000
Austria (IFPI Austria)[72] Gold 15,000
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[73] Diamond 160,000
Canada (Music Canada)[74] 5× Platinum 400,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[75] Platinum 90,000
France (SNEP)[76] Gold 100,000
Mexico (AMPROFON)[77] 2× Platinum 120,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[78] 2× Platinum 60,000
Norway (IFPI Norway)[79] Gold 30,000
Poland (ZPAV)[80] Gold 25,000
Portugal (AFP)[81] Gold 5,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[82] Gold 10,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[83] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[84] 7× Platinum 7,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Notes

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  1. ^ Khalid's own Spotify account previously stated on one of its playlists "New song "Talk" with Disclosure on 2/7", but now no longer does. However, the quote is still archived by Google and can be searched.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Faulkner, Brent (February 13, 2019). "Khalid, Talk Track Review". musicalhype. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Khalid & Disclosure Drop New Single 'Talk': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  3. ^ "Khalid Talk on Spotify". Retrieved February 6, 2019 – via Spotify. New song "Talk" with Disclosure on 2/7
  4. ^ Trust, Gary (June 3, 2019). "Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Tops Billboard Hot 100 for Ninth Week, the Most This Year, & DaBaby's 'Suge' Hits Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  5. ^ "Khalid Grammys History". The Recording Academy. November 26, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  6. ^ "The 100 Best Songs of 2019: Staff List". Billboard. December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  7. ^ "Talk – Single by Khalid". Retrieved February 10, 2019 – via Apple Music.
  8. ^ a b Bernucca, Carolyn (February 9, 2019). "The Best New Music This Week". Complex. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  9. ^ "Watch 'Khalid on "Talk"' posted by Zane Lowe on Apple Music". Retrieved February 10, 2019 – via Apple Music.
  10. ^ "New Music: Khalid – 'Talk'". Rap-Up. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  11. ^ "Nowy Khalid we czwartek ("Talk" nowym singlem)". Muzotakt (in Polish). February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  12. ^ Acevedo, Angelica (February 4, 2019). "Khalid Announces Release Date for New Song 'Talk'". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  13. ^ "Disclosure Unleash Creative VIP For Khalid Collaboration "Talk"". Run The Trap. March 29, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  14. ^ a b "Khalid Taps Megan Thee Stallion & Yo Gotti for 'Talk' Remix: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  15. ^ "Khalid – Talk". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  16. ^ "Khalid – Talk" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  17. ^ "Khalid – Talk" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  18. ^ "Khalid – Talk" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  19. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  20. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  21. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  22. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  23. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 09. týden 2019 in the date selector. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  24. ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 14, 2019". Hitlisten. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  25. ^ "Le Top de la semaine: Top Singles (téléchargement + streaming) – SNEP (Week 20, 2019)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  26. ^ "Khalid & Disclosure – Talk" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  27. ^ "Greece Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart: 27/2019". IFPI Charts. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  28. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  29. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  30. ^ "Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. February 28, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  31. ^ "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  32. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 2019" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  33. ^ "Khalid – Talk" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  34. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 25, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  35. ^ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single uke 8, 2019". VG-lista. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  36. ^ "Khalid – Talk". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  37. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  38. ^ "Singapore Top 30 Digital Streaming Chart Week 13" (PDF). Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 8, 2019.
  39. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 10. týden 2019 in the date selector. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  40. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 31 of 2019". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  41. ^ "Khalid – Talk". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  42. ^ "Khalid – Talk". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  43. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  44. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  45. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  46. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  47. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  48. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  49. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  50. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  51. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  52. ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. June 28, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  53. ^ "ARIA End of Year Singles Chart 2019". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  54. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2019". Ultratop. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  55. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  56. ^ "Track Top-100 2019" (in Danish). Hitlisten. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  57. ^ White, Jack (January 9, 2020). "Ireland's Official Top 50 biggest songs of 2019". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  58. ^ "Digitālās Mūzikas Tops 2019" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  59. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2019". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  60. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2019". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  61. ^ "Top Selling Singles of 2019". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  62. ^ "Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 3000 Singles + EPs Digitais" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  63. ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2019". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  64. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  65. ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  66. ^ "Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  67. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  68. ^ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  69. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  70. ^ "Top 100 Songs of 2019". Rolling Stone. January 10, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  71. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  72. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Khalid Ft. Disclosure – Talk" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  73. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Khalid feat. Disclosure – Talk" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  74. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Khalid – Talk". Music Canada. March 12, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  75. ^ "Danish single certifications – Khalid – Talk". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  76. ^ "French single certifications – Khalid [feat. Disclosure] – Talk" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  77. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved May 12, 2022. Type Khalid feat. Disclosure in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Talk in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  78. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Khalid and Disclosure – Talk". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  79. ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Khalid – Talk" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  80. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 9, 2023. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Talk in the search box.
  81. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Khalid – Talk" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  82. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Talk')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  83. ^ "British single certifications – Khalid – Talk". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  84. ^ "American single certifications – Khalid – Talk". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 1, 2021.