Real Friends (Camila Cabello song)

"Real Friends" is a song recorded by Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello for her debut solo studio album, Camila (2018). Written by Cabello, William Walsh, Louis Bell, Brian Lee and its producer, Frank Dukes, it was released as a promotional single with "Never Be the Same" on December 7, 2017. "Real Friends" has an acoustic guitar foundation. In its lyrics, Cabello reflects on her life and asks for an honest friendship. The song's minimalist production has elements of reggae, Latin and tropical music. The reimagined version of the song featuring American musician Swae Lee was released on August 16, 2018.[2][3][4]

"Real Friends"
Promotional single by Camila Cabello
from the album Camila
ReleasedDecember 7, 2017 (2017-12-07)
StudioElectric Feel Recording Studio
(West Hollywood, California)
GenrePop[1]
Length3:34
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Camila Cabello promotional singles chronology
"OMG"
(2017)		 "Real Friends"
(2017)

"Real Friends" was inspired by Cabello's dissatisfaction and loneliness from work-focused life in Los Angeles while she was finishing recording Camila. Music critics praised its acoustic sound and Cabello's vocals. "Real Friends" debuted in the top 100 of several countries, including Canada, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Belgium and Ireland. Although it did not chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, it debuted at number six on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.

Background and release
Cabello wrote "Real Friends" in Los Angeles (Hollywood Boulevard is pictured), reflecting on her life while annoyed by the city's environment.

"Real Friends" was written by Cabello, Frank Dukes, William Walsh, Louis Bell and Brian Lee, while production was handled by Dukes. Cabello was motivated to write the song when she was in Los Angeles finishing her debut solo album, Camila (2018). Dissatisfied with the city and its industrial environment, she found herself lonely and disappointed – prioritising work, without a social life.[5]

"Real Friends", the last song created for the album, was recorded at Electric Feel Recording Studios in West Hollywood by Louis Bell and mixed at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia by Serban Ghenea and John Hanes.[6] The song was released a week after its recording with "Never Be the Same" on December 7, 2017, as an instant-gratification track to accompany digital pre-orders of Camila.[7][8][9]

Composition and lyrics

"Real Friends" is a low-key song characterized by a minimalist production, with an acoustic guitar as the main instrument and a solo handclap as percussion.[10][11] The verses are sung gently, with Cabello using her low register instead of her soprano voice. In the lyrics, she reflects on being surrounded by negative things and people, while asking for an honest friendship.[12][13] In the chorus, Cabello sings: "I'm just lookin' for some real friends / All they ever do is let me down / Every time I let somebody in / Then I find out what they're all about".[14] According to Mike Nied of Idolator, the singer "laments her ability to find true companionship over acoustic strings".[14]

Lasting three minutes and 33 seconds, the song is influenced by tropical, reggae and Latin music.[15][16][17][18] According to sheet music published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing on Musicnotes.com, "Real Friends" is composed in the key of C minor and set in common time at a moderate tempo of 92 beats per minute. Cabello's voice ranges from a low of B♭3 to a high of C5, and the music has a Cm7–Fm7–B♭–E♭/D chord progression.[19]

Reception

Critical response

"Real Friends" received media attention for its lyrics, which were speculated to be about Cabello's relationship with her former girl group Fifth Harmony.[20][21][22] Cabello denied that speculation in an Access interview, saying that the song did not refer to anyone in particular but was about her lonely experience in Los Angeles while she was recording the album.[23]

Alex Petridis of The Guardian felt that the lyrics explored "nights spent feeling isolated while on tour".[24] Elias Leight of Rolling Stone called "Real Friends" Cabello's sparest song in comparison with her past work.[11] Variety described it as a "gentle, sparsely arranged ballad" that resembles "Love Yourself" (2015) by Canadian singer Justin Bieber.[25] Jamieson Cox of Pitchfork complimented the softness of the track and Cabello singing "with real delicacy".[26] Sam Lansky of Time cited the song and the "heartfelt" track, "Consequences", as "pretty" ballads which showcased Cabello's voice.[27]

Chart performance

"Real Friends" debuted in the top 100 in Canada, the Netherlands, Scotland, Slovakia and Australia, while reaching the top 40 in Portugal, Denmark, Ireland and Belgium.[28][29][30][31][32][33][34] The song did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, but it debuted at number six on the Bubbling Under Hot 100.[35]

Track listing
  1. "Real Friends" – 3:36

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Camila.[6]

Publishing

Recording

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (2017–18) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[31] 86
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[37] 20
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[38] 34
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[28] 60
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[39] 59
Denmark (Tracklisten)[33] 32
France (SNEP)[40] 137
Hungary (Single Top 40)[41] 37
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[42] 27
Ireland (IRMA)[34] 39
Malaysia (RIM)[43] 15
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[29] 64
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[44] 3
Portugal (AFP)[32] 32
Scotland (OCC)[30] 88
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[45] 58
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[46] 83
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[47] 1
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[35] 6

Year-end charts
Chart (2019) Position
Portugal (AFP)[48] 302

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[49] Gold 35,000
Canada (Music Canada)[50] Platinum 80,000
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[51] Gold 45,000
Poland (ZPAV)[52] Gold 10,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
List of release dates, showing region, format(s), label(s) and reference(s)
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various December 7, 2017[lower-alpha 1]
[36]

Notes

  1. Released as a promotional single preceding the album Camila's release.[53]

Swae Lee reimagined version
"Real Friends"
Single by Camila Cabello featuring Swae Lee
ReleasedAugust 16, 2018 (2018-08-16)
RecordedElectric Feel Recording Studios
(West Hollywood, California)
Length3:43
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Camila Cabello
  • Adam Feeney
  • Louis Bell
  • Brian Lee
  • Swae Lee[2]
Camila Cabello singles chronology
"Beautiful"
(2018)		 "Real Friends"
(2018)		 "Consequences"
(2018)
Swae Lee singles chronology
"Hopeless Romantic"
(2018)		 "Real Friends"
(2018)		 "Sunflower"
(2018)

On August 16, 2018, a reimagined version of the song featuring American musician and rapper Swae Lee of Rae Sremmurd was made available worldwide.[4][2][54][3][55]

Background

Speaking with Rolling Stone, when asked of all the features he did, does he have a favorite, Swae Lee addressed that,

I decided to work with Camila Cabello [on the reimagined version of “Real Friends”] even though that song went under the radar and they didn’t put the right push on it. But I was excited to work with Camila Cabello. I’m a fan of hers. We need to make another one, an original song. I feel like we would make a smash.[56]

— Swae Lee, speech with Rolling Stone about his 2018[56]

Chart performance

The remix peaked at number 37 in Hungary Single Top 40, number 99 in Ireland and RMNZ's New Zealand Hot Single chart position number 12.[57][34][58]

Track listing
  • Digital download – reimagined version[2]
  1. "Real Friends" (featuring Swae Lee) – 3:43

Charts
Chart (2018) Peak
position
Hungary (Single Top 40)[57] 37
Ireland (IRMA)[34] 99
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[58] 12

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[59] Silver 200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
List of release dates, showing region, format(s), label(s) and reference(s)
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various August 16, 2018
  • Epic
  • Syco
 [2]

References
  1. "Album of the Week: Camila Cabello's 'Camila'". Billboard. November 1, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  2. "Real Friends (feat. Swae Lee) - Single by Camila Cabello". US: Epic Records / Syco Music. 2018-08-16 – via iTunes Store.
  3. https://www.rap-up.com/2018/08/15/new-music-camila-cabello-swae-lee-real-friends/
  4. @Camila_Cabello (August 15, 2018). "ok I'm too excited to wait till Friday. #RealFriends coming out midnight ET" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. Cabello, Camila (January 18, 2018). "Camila Cabello Talks 'Camila', Demi Lovato & Havana". YouTube. Interviewed by Zach Sang. Zach Sang Show. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  6. Camila (CD). Camila Cabello. US: Epic Records / Syco Music. 2018. 88985472222.CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. Dandridge, Ben (December 7, 2017). "Listen to Camila Cabello's new songs "Never Be The Same" and "Real Friends"". The Fader. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  8. Gore, Sydney (December 7, 2017). "Camila Cabello Releases "Real Friends" & "Never Be The Same"". MTV News. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  9. Hughes, Hilary (December 10, 2017). "Here's Why 'real Friends' Almost Didn't Make It Onto Camila Cabello's Solo Album". MTV News. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  10. Stubblebine, Allison (December 7, 2017). "Camila Cabello Drops Two New Tracks Off Upcoming Debut, 'Never Be The Same' & 'Real Friends'". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  11. Leight, Elias (December 7, 2017). "Hear Camila Cabello's Desolate New Song 'Real Friends'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  12. Collar, Matt (February 4, 2018). "Camila – Camila Cabello". The Independent. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  13. Hodkinson, Will (January 5, 2018). "Pop Review: Camila Cabello – 'Camila'". The Times. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  14. Nied, Mike (December 7, 2017). "Camila Cabello Delivers Pop Perfection With "Never Be The Same" & "Real Friends"". Idolator. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  15. Schonfeld, Zach (January 11, 2018). "Camila Cabello's Self-titled Album: Release Date, Track List And Everything You Need To Know". Newsweek. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  16. Aplaza, Kevin (December 7, 2017). "They're Here: Listen To Camila Cabello's New Song "Real Friends" And Studio Version Of "Never Be The Same"!". Direct Lyrics. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  17. Post, Chantilly (December 7, 2017). "Camila Cabello Is Looking For "Real Friends" On New Single". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  18. "Camila Cabello: Real Friends - Music on Google Play". Google Play. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  19. "Camila Cabello - "Real Friends" Sheet Music - Download & Print". Sony ATV/Music Publishing. Retrieved February 15, 2018 – via Musicnotes.com.
  20. Devote, Noelle (December 8, 2017). "Camila Cabello's Time in Fifth Harmony is the Reason There Aren't Many Collabs on Her Album". Seventeen. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  21. Ginsberg, Gabriella (December 7, 2017). "Camila Cabello Reveals Fifth Harmony Never 'Felt Like Home' On New Track: They 'Let Me Down'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  22. Warner, Sam (December 7, 2017). "Is Camila Cabello's new track 'Real Friends' a sly dig at Fifth Harmony?". Digital Spy. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  23. Cabello, Camila (January 12, 2018). "Camila Cabello Shuts Down Rumors That 'Real Friends' Is About Fifth Harmony". Access (Interview). Interviewed by Gia Peppers. Retrieved February 18, 2018 – via YouTube.
  24. Petridis, Alexis (January 11, 2018). "Camila Cabello: Camila review – Havana hitmaker makes breakups look easy". The Guardian. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  25. Variety Staff (December 7, 2017). "Camila Cabello Drops Two New Songs: 'Real Friends' and 'Never Be the Same' (Listen)". Variety. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  26. Cox, Jamieson (January 17, 2018). "Camila Cabello: Camila Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  27. Lansky, Sam (January 11, 2018). "Camila Cabello Shines in Her Solo Act on Camila". Time. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  28. "Camila Cabello Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  29. "Dutchcharts.nl – Camila Cabello – Real Friends" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  30. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  31. "ARIA Chart Watch #456". auspOp. January 20, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  32. "Portuguesecharts.com – Camila Cabello – Real Friends". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  33. "Track Top-40 Uge 3, 2018". Hitlisten. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  34. "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  35. "Camila Cabello Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  36. "Real Friends". Various: Epic Records / Syco Music. 2017-12-07 – via Spotify.
  37. "Ultratop.be – Camila Cabello – Real Friends" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  38. "Ultratop.be – Camila Cabello – Real Friends" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  39. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 20181 into search. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  40. "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles (téléchargement + streaming) – SNEP (Week 3, 2017)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  41. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  42. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  43. "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles in Malaysia" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  44. "NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 18, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  45. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 20181 into search. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  46. "Top 100 Canciones – Semana 3: del 12.1.2018 al 18.1.2018" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  47. "Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 3, 19 januar 2018". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  48. "Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 3000 Singles + EPs Digitais" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  49. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  50. "Canadian single certifications – Camila Cabello – Real Friends". Music Canada. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  51. "Danish single certifications – Camila Cabello – Real Friends". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved 13 August 2020. Scroll through the page-list below until year 2020 to obtain certification.
  52. "Polish single certifications – Camila Cabello – Real Friends" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  53. @Camila_Cabello (December 5, 2017). "to my camilizers..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  54. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/camila-cabello-calls-on-swae-lee-for-her-remix-to-real-friends-new-song.1979923.html
  55. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-camila-cabello-revamp-real-friends-with-rae-sremmurds-swae-lee-711862/
  56. Leight, Elias (December 22, 2018). "Swae Lee Made Enough Hits in 2018 to Last Him a Lifetime". Rolling Stone.
  57. "Single (track) Top 40 lista - Week 34 2018". zene.slagerlistak.hu. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  58. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 27, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  59. "British single certifications – Camila Cabello & Swae Lee – Real Friends". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
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