Language (Porter Robinson song)

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"Language"
Single by Porter Robinson
ReleasedApril 10, 2012
Recorded2011
Genre
Length6:08
3:19 (UK radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Heather Bright
  • Porter Robinson
Producer(s)Porter Robinson
Porter Robinson singles chronology
"The Wildcat"
(2011) 		"Language"
(2012) 		"Easy"
(2013)
Heather Bright singles chronology
"Don't Blame the Party (Mode)"
(2012) 		"Language"
(2012) 		"We Are the Sun"
(2012)

"Language" is a song by American electronic music producer and DJ Porter Robinson.[4] The song was uploaded on YouTube by Porter Robinson on April 1, 2012. The song was released in the United States on Big Beat Records as a digital download on April 10, 2012. The song was later released in the United Kingdom in an EP package from the Ministry of Sound on August 12, 2012. It debuted at number nine on the UK Singles Chart. The song features uncredited vocals from Heather Bright.[5] The song received remixes from producers Kayzo together with Gammer, and from Jauz.[6][7][8][9][10]

Background[edit]

In 2010, Porter Robinson released his first hit, "Say My Name", which topped Beatport's electro house charts.[11] After capturing Skrillex's interest with the track,[12] Robinson signed with Skrillex's then-new label, Owsla, in the summer of 2011.[13] Robinson's debut EP, Spitfire was released on September 13 as the label's first release.[14] After Skrillex and Tiësto tweeted a link to it, Beatport crashed.[11] Robinson later toured North America in support of the EP.[14]

While Robinson was initially known for his "aggressive" electro and complextro music,[a] with Robinson describing his initial sound as "very heavy" and "bass-aggressive",[11] "Language" was his first song to have a greater emphasis on melody.[18][12] Tatiana Cirisano of Billboard said that "Robinson takes a detour toward a more delicate, trance-like sound", with the song presenting "piercing vocals" followed by "pumping fists to lush synths, a thumping bass kick and euphoric chords".[17]

Music video[edit]

A music video to accompany the release of "Language" was first released on YouTube on August 1, 2012, with a total length of three minutes and thirty-three seconds.[19] The music video portrays a young woman (Susannah Hart Jones)[citation needed] running away from wolf-like creatures and befriending a giant-like creature. As of July 2017, the video has over 10.2 million views.

Reception[edit]

Although the song was a departure from his earlier sound, "Language" was accepted by audiences, surprising Robinson.[11] In 2017, Tatiana Cirisano of Billboard chose "Language" as the best track in Robinson's discography at the time, writing: "It's no surprise 'Language' is one of the best-known Porter Robinson songs — and our most-loved".[17]

"Language" was how he first conceived the idea for his 2014 debut studio album Worlds.[11]

In popular media[edit]

  • "Language" was included as part of the soundtrack to the game Forza Horizon, and is heard in the main menu of the game. The song was also added in Forza Horizon 5's Horizon Mixtape radio station as part of its 10th anniversary update.

Track listing[edit]

Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Language" (UK Edit)3:19
2."Language" (Extended Mix)6:08
3."Language" (Instrumental)6:07
4."Language" (Instrumental Edit)3:42

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for "Language"
Chart (2012-2013) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[20][21] 53
Ireland (IRMA)[22] 63
Scotland (OCC)[23] 4
UK Singles (OCC)[24] 9
UK Dance (OCC)[25] 3
UK Indie (OCC)[26] 1
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[27] 7
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[28] 33

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for "Language"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[29] Gold 35,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[30] Silver 200,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

Release history and formats for "Language"
Region Date Format Label
United States April 10, 2012[31][32] Digital download Big Beat
United Kingdom August 12, 2012[33] Ministry of Sound
Australia September 21, 2012[34] Ministry of Sound

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Attributed to multiple references:[15][12][16][17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Sachs, Elliot (August 1, 2012). "Porter Robinson – 'Language' (Official Video)". Your EDM. Archived from the original on September 17, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  2. ^ Dancing Astronaut Staff (January 6, 2020). "Dancing Astronaut's Top 100 Songs of the Decade". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on January 7, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  3. ^ Jones, Connor. "Jauz Takes On Porter Robinson's 'Language' With DnB Remix". We Got This Covered. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  4. ^ Bhansali, Akshay (April 9, 2012). "Porter Robinson Aims To 'Make The Ravers Cry' With 'Language'". MTV. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  5. ^ Language feat. Bright Lights - Porter Robinson by Bright Lights on SoundCloud
  6. ^ "Kayzo & Gammer Share Absolutely Beautiful Hardcore Remix of Porter Robinson's "Language"". Nest HQ. September 14, 2016. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  7. ^ Genosa, Wendel (September 15, 2016). "Kayzo & Gammer's remix of Porter Robinson's "Language" is quite the trip". Earmilk. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  8. ^ Piedl, Alana (September 15, 2016). "Porter Robinson – Language (Kayzo & Gammer Remix)". EDMTunes. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  9. ^ Robinson, Rain (September 7, 2016). "Listen To Sick New Remixes Of Porter Robinson's "Language" From Jauz & More". Your EDM. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  10. ^ Kusnierek, Timmy (September 14, 2016). "Porter Robinson's Biggest Hit Just Got An Insane New Remix You Have To Hear". Your EDM. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c d e Cooper, Duncan (July 31, 2014). "Porter Robinson conquered EDM, and now he wants more". The Fader. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Ochoa, John (January 22, 2019). "10 moments that defined Porter Robinson". DJ Mag. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  13. ^ Marchese, David (March 14, 2012). "Breaking Out: Porter Robinson". Spin. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Saliba, Emmanuelle (October 4, 2011). "How Skrillex, OWSLA Records Are Helping Porter Robinson Make An EDM Name For Himself". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  15. ^ Ochoa, John (February 15, 2018). "Porter Robinson: DJ Mag North America cover feature". DJ Mag. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  16. ^ Moen, Matt (August 24, 2021). "Let Porter Robinson Nurture You". Paper. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  17. ^ a b c Cirisano, Tatiana (July 6, 2017). "Porter Robinson's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  18. ^ Fitzmaurice, Larry (August 11, 2014). "Porter Robinson: Worlds". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 14, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  19. ^ Porter Robinson - Language (Official Video) (Ministry of Sound TV). YouTube
  20. ^ ARIA Music News. "Chartifacts - Wednesday, 19th December 2012".
  21. ^ ARIA Music News. "Chartifacts - Tuesday 19th August 2014". Archived from the original on June 10, 2015.
  22. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Porter Robinson". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  23. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  24. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  25. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  26. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company.
  27. ^ "Porter Robinson Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard.
  28. ^ "Porter Robinson Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard.
  29. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  30. ^ "British single certifications – Porter Robinson – Language". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  31. ^ Language on Beatport
  32. ^ Language - Single by Porter Robinson on iTunes (US)
  33. ^ Language (Remixes) - EP by Porter Robinson on iTunes (UK)
  34. ^ Language (Remixes) - EP by Porter Robinson on iTunes (AU)
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