I Need You (Paris Hilton song)

"I Need You"
An image of a blonde woman posing in pink lingerie. She is lounging on a heart-shaped, padded bed near a pink, rotary telephone. The words "I Need You" is in a pink, cursive, neon font, and the words "Paris Hilton" appear above in white capital letters.
Single by Paris Hilton
Released February 14, 2018
Format Digital download
Genre
Length 3:35
Label Heiress
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Michael Green
Paris Hilton singles chronology
"High Off My Love"
(2015)		 "I Need You"
(2018)

"High Off My Love"
(2015)		 "I Need You"
(2018)

"I Need You" is a song recorded by American socialite Paris Hilton. Heiress Records released it as a digital download on February 14, 2018, (Valentine's Day). Michael Green produced "I Need You" and co-wrote it with Hilton and Simon Wilcox. The song leaked in 2010, but Hilton clarified that she re-recorded portions of the vocals and instrumental as a dedication to her fiancée Chris Zylka. It is a doo-wop and pop ballad that features holiday-related puns about love. Green used 1950s music as inspiration for the single's sound; music critics noted that it was a departure from Hilton's previous pop and dance-oriented releases.

"I Need You" was praised by critics, partially for Hilton's decision to experiment with a different musical genre. It peaked at number 31 on the Dance Club Songs Billboard chart, Hilton's fifth appearance on it. A music video, directed by Zylka, was released on February 14, 2018, through Hilton's official YouTube account. Hilton said Marilyn Monroe's performance of "I Wanna Be Loved by You" from the 1959 film Some Like It Hot, and Jessica Rabbit inspired the video. In it, Hilton wears lingerie, poses in a bed covered with red rose petals, and pops out of a cake. Commentators described the bed scene as an homage to the character Angela Hayes from the 1999 film American Beauty. Remixes by various artists, including Hector Fonseca, were made to promote the track.

Recording and release

A headshot of a man with slicked-back blonde hair and a collared shirt and jacket. He is talking into a microphone.
Paris Hilton released "I Need You" as a Valentine's Day gift for her fiancée Chris Zylka and her fans.[1]

Paris Hilton co-wrote "I Need You" with its producer Michael Green and songwriter Simon Wilcox for her second studio album.[2][3][lower-alpha 1] On receiving the instrumental track, Hilton described it as the "first time I had someone send me a song that I immediately was like, I could write to this right away", and said she wrote the lyrics in "a few hours".[5] Heiress released it as a digital download on February 14, 2018.[6][lower-alpha 2] "I Need You" was Hilton's first single in three years, following her 2015 release "High Off My Love",[7] and her first ballad.[8] A week before the song's release, she posted photos from the music video on her Instagram account as part of a countdown.[9][10] Paper's Claire Valentine and Evan Real of Life & Style wrote that Hilton was channeling Marilyn Monroe and Bettie Page for the images,[10][11] while Emily Wang of Allure said that pin-up models inspired her.[12] When describing the direction of her second album, Hilton clarified that it would be more dance-orientated, and explained that "I Need You" would be "the only song on there like this".[5]

Even though Hilton promoted it as a "new single" on her social media, the song leaked in 2010; music critics believed it was a track from her second studio album, initially expected for release in the fall or winter of that year.[4] Hilton said that she re-recorded portions of the vocals and instrumental,[2] and released it as a dedication to her fiancée Chris Zylka;[7] 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."[7] Hilton previewed the song for Zylka while they were driving home from the recording studio; he cried on hearing it.[13]

Composition and lyrics

Lasting three minutes and 35-seconds,[6] "I Need You" is a doo-wop and pop ballad that features lyrics about love.[7][14][17] Green referenced 1950s music as inspiration for the single's composition.[5][18] A departure from Hilton's previous pop and dance-oriented releases, she said she wanted to record "something timeless and classic".[7] Hilton described "I Need You" as "the ultimate Valentine’s Day song",[7] and "a song that people could listen to ... , smile and make out to".[13]

Eileen Reslen of Cosmopolitan wrote that "I Need You" has a softer sound compared to her 2006 singles "Stars Are Blind" and "Nothing in This World".[13] Time's Raisa Bruner described the single as having "a sugary doo-wop vibe",[15] and several commentators noted that Hilton uses "breathy vocals".[14][15][16] Out magazine writer Hilton Dresden described the lyrics as "over-the-top syrupy and smothering",[19] while Michael Love Michael of Paper determined that the song was about a "profound neediness" and a desire to share a day with a significant other.[16]

The track opens with Hilton saying: "Babe I love you so much so I wrote you this song. I need you."[9] Hilton talks about love by singing that she will "never lose sight of the reasons that I love you".[7] Lyrics include puns related to holidays: "I wanna be the bunny in your Easter.[15][20] She describes the safety felt in her relationship singing: "You make me want to be the woman I've always wanted to be."[8] Other lines 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."[8][14] In the chorus, Hilton sings: "Every hour of the day (every hour of the day), every day of the week (every day of the week). I need you (I need you)."[18]

Reception

The critical response was largely positive. Vulture.com included "I Need You" on its list of the best songs for the week of February 14, 2018,[20] and its 2018 Best Songs of the Week playlist.[21] Commentators praised the song as appropriate for Valentine's Day.[11][18][22] Mike Wass of Idolator described Hilton as "the true messenger of love" instead of Cupid during the track.[18] Evan Real and Bustle's Shannon Carlin referred to the song as a Valentine's Day gift.[11][22] Citing the lyrics as "incredibly extra", Carlin compared "I Need You" to "a deliciously over-the-top holiday treat".[22] People's Nicole Sands praised it as "hot" and "written in the name of love".[7] The song's composition also received positive reviews from critics.[9][16][23] Mike Nied of Idolator wrote that it was a "massive pop moment".[9] Michael Love Michael responded positively to Hilton's vocals and the song's "equally featherlight doo-wop arrangement".[16] Commending it as a "bop", Gay Times' Sam Damshenas described it as "a bubbly, doo-wop inspired affair".[23] In a less enthusiastic review, Francesca Wallace of Vogue Australia wrote "the song actually isn’t too bad".[24]

Some critics praised Hilton for pursuing a different musical style with "I Need You".[15][16][19] Dresden responded positively to the single for its "softer, moodier direction",[19] while Michael wrote that it was "a refreshing sonic direction".[16] Including "I Need You" in her list of the top five songs released in the week of February 16, 2018, Raisa Bruner viewed it as "another episode in Paris’s ongoing reinvention".[15]

Commercially, "I Need You" debuted at number 48 and peaked at number 32 on the Dance Club Songs Billboard chart.[25][26] It marked Hilton's fifth appearance on the chart, following "Stars Are Blind", "Turn It Up", "Nothing in This World", and "High Off My Love".[25] According to Cait Munro of Refinery29, the song was not as commercially successful as "Stars Are Blind", which she labeled a "cult hit".[27]

Music video and promotion

An image of a nude, blonde woman laying on top of red rose petals. Her breasts and waist are covered by the petals.
Hilton, in a scene from the video. Critics described the moment as a homage to the 1999 film American Beauty.

Chris Zylka directed and produced the single's accompanying music video,[5][28] which was released on February 14, 2018, through Hilton's official YouTube account.[29] Hilton felt "more comfortable" with Zylka as the director.[30] The video was shot in February 2018, and the editing process took roughly a week.[8] A behind the scenes video was uploaded on her YouTube account on May 28, 2018.[31] She explained Marilyn Monroe, specifically her performance of "I Wanna Be Loved by You" from the 1959 film Some Like It Hot, and Jessica Rabbit inspired it.[5][13] She described it as "a Valentine to [Zylka] and to all of my fans".[1]

Hilton appears in "various stages of undress" throughout the video. She is shown wearing different wigs and 1950s-inspired fashion,[24] including various types of lingerie.[17][32][lower-alpha 3] She bakes cupcakes while wearing a polka dot apron and pops out of a cake.[17][32] For another scene, she appears naked on a bed covered in red rose petals,[12][17] which critics felt was an homage to the character Angela Hayes from the 1999 film American Beauty.[12][22][34] For the shot, Hilton wears nude fish-net leggings and jewelry rather than being fully naked like Hayes was in the movie.[12][lower-alpha 4] Emily Wang wrote that Hilton's various 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] Shannon Carlin of Bustle compared the clip to a David Lynch production.[22]

Remixes by various artists, including Stash Konig, Dirty Disco and Nitemover, were made available to promote the track.[25][35] They were released primarily on SoundCloud through the individual producers' accounts,[35] while Hector Fonseca and Zambianco posted it on their Facebook account.[36] Hilton commissioned the remixes "so that [she] can play it in Ibiza and during [her] concerts".[8]

Track listing

Digital download[6]
No.TitleLength
1."I Need You"3:35

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from a Time Out article:[2]

  • Songwriting – Paris Hilton, Simon Wilcox, Michael Green
  • Production – Michael Green

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[26] 32

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref
Worldwide February 14, 2018 Digital download Heiress [6]

Notes

  1. ↑ Some media outlets erroneously reported that Hilton co-wrote "I Need You" with The Madden Brothers.[2][4]
  2. ↑ Even though Paris Hilton is signed to Cash Money, she releases 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."[5]
  3. ↑ For the video, Hilton wears lingerie from her own personal line.[33]
  4. ↑ One of the pieces of jewelry is Hilton's "$2 million, 20-carat diamond engagement ring".[7][12]

References

  1. 1 2 Aktar, Alev (February 13, 2018). "Paris Hilton reveals her wedding plans". New York Post. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 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.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. 1 2 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.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "I Need You - Single". Apple Music. February 14, 2018. Archived from the original on April 1, 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 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.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Nied, Mike (February 8, 2018). "Paris Hilton Prepares A New Song Called "I Need You" For Valentine's Day". Idolator. Archived from the original on June 1, 2018.
  10. 1 2 Valentine, Claire (February 11, 2018). "Paris Hilton Teases New Single for Valentine's Day". Paper. Archived from the original on June 1, 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 Real, Evan (February 14, 2018). "Paris Hilton Just Blessed Us With the Best Valentine's Day Present Ever — New Music". Life & Style. Archived from the original on February 14, 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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.
  13. 1 2 3 4 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.
  14. 1 2 3 4 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.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bruner, Raisa (February 16, 2018). "5 Songs You Need to Listen to This Week". Time. Archived from the original on March 22, 2018.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 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.
  17. 1 2 3 4 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.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Wass, Mike (February 14, 2018). "Paris Hilton Puts The Romance In Valentine's Day With "I Need You"". Idolator. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  19. 1 2 3 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.
  20. 1 2 "9 Best New Songs of the Week". Vulture.com. February 14, 2018. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018.
  21. ↑ "8 Best New Songs of the Week". Vulture.com. March 21, 2018. Archived from the original on April 1, 2018.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 Carlin, Shannon (February 14, 2018). "Paris Hilton's New Song Lyrics Are An Over-The-Top Holiday Treat — Video". Bustle. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  23. 1 2 Damshenas, Sam (February 14, 2018). "Paris Hilton releases brand new single I Need You – listen here!". Gay Times. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  24. 1 2 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.
  25. 1 2 3 Murray, Gordon (April 19, 2018). "Billboard Dance Chart Upstarts: Azealia Banks, Yellow Claw & Paris Hilton". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  26. 1 2 "Paris Hilton Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  27. ↑ Munro, Cait (July 30, 2018). "Can An Heiress Be Self-Made? Paris Hilton Thinks So". Refinery29. Archived from the original on July 31, 2018.
  28. ↑ 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.
  29. ↑ "Paris Hilton – "I Need You" (Official Music Video)". YouTube. February 14, 2018. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018.
  30. ↑ 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.
  31. ↑ "Paris Hilton - I Need You (Behind the Scenes)". YouTube. May 28, 2018. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018.
  32. 1 2 "'I Need You', Paris Hilton Hides Her Private Parts With Flower Petals in New Music Video". Al Bawaba. February 15, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  33. ↑ Chavda, Sanaya (May 19, 2018). "Celebs with lingerie lines". Daily News and Analysis. Archived from the original on June 6, 2018.
  34. ↑ 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.
  35. 1 2 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.
  36. ↑ "Paris Hilton - I Need You (Hector Fonseca & Zambianco Remix)". Facebook. May 27, 2018. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018.

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