"I Think" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rapper Tyler, the Creator, released as the third track from his fifth studio album Igor (2019). The song features additional vocals from American singer Solange, as well as background vocals from singers Ryan Beatty, Anthony Evans, Amanda Brown and Tiffany Stevenson.[2]
| "I Think" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Tyler, the Creator | |
| from the album Igor | |
| Released | May 17, 2019 |
| Recorded | 2018 |
| Studio | Villa Batell (Lake Como) |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:32 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Songwriter(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | Tyler, the Creator |
| Music video | |
| "I Think" on YouTube | |
Composition
editIn the song, Tyler, the Creator questions his feelings and a relationship he has, stating: "I don't know where I'm going / But I know what I'm showing / Feelings, that's what I'm pouring / What the fuck is your motive?"[4] The song also begins to reveal the signs of Tyler's unhealthy attachment to his love interest, commenting: "I'm your puppet, you are Jim Henson"[5] Henson being the founder of the Muppets franchise. He also makes a reference to the novel turned film Call Me by Your Name ("Man, I wish you would call me / By your name cause I'm sorry").[6][7]
The song takes heavy inspiration from Nigerian funk records. Both the chord progression and the chorus ("I think I'm falling in love / This time I think it's for real") are derived from the 1982 song "Special Lady" by Bibi Mascel. The drum loop is sampled from the 1982 Nkono Teles song "Get Down."
Music video
editA music video for the song was released on October 24, 2019. Directed by Tyler, the Creator (under his alias Wolf Haley), the video is about two minutes long. It opens in a bathroom, where a group of people are playing dice and a couple comes out of a stall. Tyler, wearing a pastel "color-block" suit, blonde wig and shades, observes himself in the mirror. He is shoved out of the bathroom by dice players. After brushing himself off, he chases after someone of his affection, moving through a crowd at a dance party.[4][8][9] Eventually, Tyler gives up and goes for taking pictures. Kendall Jenner makes a cameo, as one of the attendees posing for pictures. Wyatt and Fletcher Shears of the Garden also make an appearance as people having their photo taken. Tyler becomes lonely, until the man he was looking for comes and taps him on the shoulder. Tyler looks up, and the video ends.[8][10]
Charts
edit| Chart (2019) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[11] | 30 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] | 51 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[13] | 28 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] | 30 |
| Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[15] | 6 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[16] | 30 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[17] | 51 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] | 22 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[19] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[20] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[21] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3426/title.review-tyler-the-creators-igor-is-a-fantastic-continuation-of-his-artistic-transformation
- ^ Blais-Billie, Braudie (May 28, 2019). "Here Are the Full Credits for Tyler, the Creator's New Album IGOR: Kanye, Solange, Pharrell, More". Pitchfork.
- ^ Skelton, Eric (May 23, 2019). "Everything We Learned From Tyler, the Creator's First Performance of 'IGOR'". Complex.
- ^ a b Legaspi, Althea (2019-10-24). "Tyler, the Creator Showcases Vulnerable Side of Love in New 'I Think' Video". Rolling Stone.
- ^ "I'm your puppet, you are Jim Henson". Genius. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ^ Pierce, Sheldon (2019-05-17). "5 Takeaways from Tyler, the Creator's New Album, IGOR". Pitchfork.
- ^ Bloom, Madison (2019-05-17). "Listen to Tyler, the Creator's New Album IGOR". Pitchfork.
- ^ a b Alston, Trey (October 24, 2019). "Tyler, The Creator Heads To The Prom In 'I Think' Video". MTV News. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019.
- ^ Sawyer, Jonathan (2019-10-24). "Tyler, the Creator's "I THINK" Video: Watch It Here". Highsnobiety.
- ^ Lamarre, Carl (October 24, 2019). "Tyler, the Creator Goes On a Search to Find His Love, Kendall Jenner Cameos in 'I Think' Video: Watch". Billboard.
- ^ "Tyler, the Creator – I Think". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Tyler the Creator Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Tyler, the Creator". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Tyler, the Creator – I Think". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 21, 2019".
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Tyler the Creator Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Tyler the Creator Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Tyler, the Creator – I Think". Music Canada. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
- ^ "British single certifications – Tyler, the Creator – I Think". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – Tyler, the Creator – I Think". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 27, 2022.