Be the One (Dua Lipa song)

"Be the One" was written by Lucy Taylor, Digital Farm Animals, and Jack Tarrant and given to Lipa by the former two.[2][3] It is one of two songs on Dua Lipa that Lipa does not have a writing credit on, with the other being "New Rules".[2] At first, she was reluctant to record the song due to that fact, although, she formed a connection to it and forced herself to get over it.[3][4][5] Lipa called her connection to the song "different" than songs she has written due to the fact that when performing a song, she reminisces about when she wrote it.[5]

"Be the One" was first announced by Lipa in an interview with Nylon in October 2015 for her previous single "New Love".[6] It was released on 30 October 2015 through the singer's independent record label, Dua Lipa Limited.[7] Lipa later admitted that she wasn't very excited to release it due to the writing credits.[8] The song was interpolated by Ellie Goulding in her 2020 single "Power".[9]

"Be the One" is an uptempo Europop, power pop, and synth-pop song,[10][11][12] with gospel and dream pop elements.[1][13] It is composed in ⁴
₄ time and the key of B♭ major, with a tempo of 176 beats per minute. The song's intro follows a chord progression of F–E♭–E♭maj7–F–Fsus4 while the rest of the song has an F–E♭6–E♭maj7 sequence.[14] It has a airy production, containing a tropical R&B beat,[15][16] 1980s grooves,[17] electropop riffs,[16] layered melodies,[18] calypso synths,[11] handclaps, a vinyl hiss, and a guitar arpeggio.[1] Lipa uses sensuous alto vocals, spanning from F₃ to D₅.[14][16] Described by Lipa as about "self belief, perseverance, and fighting for what you want," the song sees her pleading for a romantic redemption after a falling out.[19][20]

"Be the One" received generally favourable reviews from music critics. Claire Biddles of The Line of Best Fit called "Be the One" a standout on Dua Lipa comparing it to Shura, as well as calling it "gorgeous enough to warrant a reappraisal [in 2017]."[21] In a separate The Line of Best Fit review, Paul Bridgewater called it a "fresh breath of pop air."[22] Writing for musicOMH, Ben Hogwood called the song "utterly beguiling," praised it's production as well as stating that it is "arguably her best song to date."[23] The Young Folks' Manzanares de la Rosa compared the song to the works of Haim.[24] Writing for DIY, Jamie Milton called the song "a sweet club track given pop takeover potential" as well as comparing it to Justin Bieber's My World 2.0 (2010).[25] Alim Kheraj, also of DIY, stated that the song has an "airy wistfulness" as well as calling it "transcendent" and a "euphoria."[26] Carl Williott of Idolator called the track "bouncier and catchier" than Lipa's previous release "New Love".[27] Writing for The Fader, Jeff Ihaza called the song "blissful."[28]

Writing for Clash, Alex Green stated that "Be the One" "sparkles" with the "zeal" that "Hotter than Hell" misses.[18] Richard Jones, in a separate Clash review, called the song a "dark and seductive anthem."[29] In the Evening Standard, Rick Pearson called it's chorus "irresistible."[17] Sean Ward of The 405 called the song a standout on Dua Lipa, categorized the chorus as "rushing" and lyrical structure as "sophisticated" as well as comparing it to Body Talk by Robyn.[11] Nylon's Laura Studarus called the song "perfect club music" as well as calling it's hooks "sticky" and melodies "moody."[16] Writing for Vice, Alexandra Hayward called it "glossily" and "anthemic" as well as commenting on the "desperation" in Lipa's vocals.[30] The staff at The Singles Jukebox gave the song an average of 6.83. Crystal Leww praised it's production but criticized it's meaning, writing it doesn't "make sense," while Thomas Inskeep praised Lipa's vocals calling them "rich" and "luscious."[1] In April 2020, Glamour's Christopher Rosa ranked "Be the One" as Lipa's third best song, calling it "ethereal" and comparing it to Florence and the Machine.[31]

After it's release in October 2015, "Be the One" did not chart and received little airplay. However, it became a sleeper hit in 2016 after being picked up by radio stations in Germany, and later, across Europe.[12][32] The song later peaked at number 11 in Germany. It debuted at number 70 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart dated 13 January 2017.[33] The following week, it entered the UK Singles Chart for the first time at number 54, becoming Lipa's fourth entry on the chart.[34] It later peaked at number 9 on the chart dated 17 February 2017, becoming Lipa's highest charting single at the time.[35] It was overtaken by "New Rules" later that year, which peaked at number 1. The song departed the chart in July 2017.[36] In September 2017, it received a platinum certification by the British Phonographic Industry.[37] The song additionally peaked inside the top 10 of 7 other European territories.

"Be The One" was also a success in Oceania, peaking at number 6 and 20 respectively in Australia and New Zealand. In the United States, "Be the One" began receiving early airplay in February 2017, before it's official radio impact on 21 March 2017.[38][39] After it's official American radio release, it became the most added song, being picked up by 31 Mediabase-monitored pop stations.[40] The song peaked at number 40 on the US Mainstream Top 40 chart and peaked atop the Dance Club Songs chart.

Screenshots from the first (top) and second (bottom) "Be the One" videos.

"Be the One" was accompanied by two music videos. The first video was directed by Nicole Nodland, who also directed Lipa's video for "New Love". It premiered through Nylon on 29 October 2015 and was filmed in Soho, London.[13][19] The video sees Lipa frolicking around Soho, an empty room, and a field.[19][41][42] Writing for Nylon, Sydney Gore praised the video's wardrobe.[19] In The Fader, Jeff Ihaza wrote "the [video] skips the melancholy, though, instead opting to dance in the face of vulnerability, and who wouldn't."[28] Courtney Buck of The 405 stated that the video "[compliments]" the song "seamlessly."[41] The video has received over 450 million views on YouTube.[43]

The second music video for "Be the One" was released through Vevo on 5 December 2016. It was directed by Daniel Kaufman and stars Ansel Elgort as Lipa's love interest.[44] The video was made as a collaboration between Lexus and Vevo and features a Lexus IS wrapped in 41,999 LEDs that generates visuals based on the song.[45] It was made after Lipa saw fans asking her on social media for a second video to be shot.[46] The video begins with Lipa and Elgort having an argument in a neon-lit motel room. Lipa then storms out with Elgort following her.[47] Elgort follows Lipa down an empty motorway where flashback scenes are shown as well as clips of Lipa driving the Lexus IS.[29] The video concludes with Elgort catching up to Lipa, where she then begins to levitate. Writing for V, William Defebaugh called the video "futuristic" and Jordan Miller of Breatheheavy called it "other-worldly".[47][48] The video has received over 50 million views on YouTube.[44]

"Be the One" was performed for the first time by Lipa on 13 January 2016 at the 2016 Eurosonic festival.[49] It was also included on the set lists of Lipa's Hotter Than Hell tour and Self-Titled tour.[50][51] On 29 January 2016, Lipa performed the song at BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.[52] She performed the song at the Glastonbury Festival in 2016 and 2017.[53] In 2017, Lipa performed "Be the One" at the 2017 Brits for the Critics' Choice Award, EBBA awards and the NME Awards.[54][55] Also in 2017, Lipa performed the song at Capital FM's Summertime Ball and Jingle Bell Ball, at The O2 Arena.[56][57] That year in the United States, Lipa performed the song on iHeartRadio, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Good Morning America.[58][59][60] The song a part of Lipa's setlists for 2017s BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, Bonnaroo and 2018s Tomorrowland.[61][62][63] On 31 October 2017, she performed it on Later... with Jools Holland.[64] On 16 November 2018, Lipa performed the song at the Bambi Awards.[65]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Dua Lipa.[2]

• List of number-one dance singles of 2017 (U.S.)

• "Be the One" on YouTube
• "Be the One" (second version) on YouTube