Say So (Doja Cat song)


"Say So" is a song by American singer and rapper Doja Cat, released as the fifth single from her second studio album, Hot Pink. It was sent to American radio on January 28, 2020. The song was written by Doja Cat, Lydia Asrat, Yeti Beats, and Dr. Luke. The song was produced by Dr. Luke, under the pseudonym Tyson Trax. It gained popularity after a dance created by TikTok user Haley Sharpe went viral on the platform.
The song reached the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 following the release of two remixes featuring rapper Nicki Minaj, earning the first number-one song for both artists. The song is the first collaboration between two female rappers to top the Hot 100. Minaj charted for two weeks as a featured artist. The song's commercial performance has been described as a comeback for producer Dr. Luke, following the 2014 Kesha v. Dr. Luke case. The single also reached number one on Latvian radio, the top five in sixteen additional countries, and is certified Gold or higher in twelve countries. "Say So" earned the Song of the Year nomination at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards.

Background

"Say So" was originally released as the fifth track on Doja Cat's second studio album Hot Pink. During late 2019 and early 2020, the song gained popularity on the social media app TikTok due to several dance challenge videos that featured the song, and videos containing the song have now been viewed over 7.5 billion times on the platform. Following this, the song was sent to United States contemporary hit radio as an official single from the album.

Composition

"Say So" has been described as a "steamy, groovy" pop, pop-rap, and disco song. According to the sheet music of the song published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, "Say So" is composed in the key of D Major and follows a Tempo of 116 beats per minute. The song additionally draws inspiration from 1970s funk and especially "Good Times" by Chic.

Critical reception

"Say So" received positive reviews from music critics, some of whom deemed the song as the standout track from Hot Pink. In her review for Hot Pink, Lucy Shanker of Consequence of Sound deemed the song a "traditional pop hit". Nerisha Penrose of Elle wrote that the song "offers a healthy dose of nostalgia as Doja's hushed, airy voice floats over a bed of iridescent synths and a funky bassline." Clash wrote that the song is "tied together with Doja's always perfect vocal performance."
In Billboard, Denise Warner argued "how does one support the success of "Say So" without marginalizing Kesha's accusations or story?" In the same magazine, Gab Ginsberg stated "If Doja has her own reasons for wanting to work with Luke, I don't have to like it, but that's her deal. I do wish there was a way to support Doja and not Luke, but the fact is he helped her make a hit, and I do enjoy it," while Andrew Unterberger opined "it's something we have to keep reminding ourselves and each other about—and to continue to ask Doja and other present and future collaborators about—to make sure that everyone stays informed about Gottwald's resumed presence in pop's mainstream, and can respond and demand general accountability accordingly."
In June 2020, the song was listed as the fourth best song of 2020 so far by Billboard, describing it as one of "the year's best floor-fillers," however, they highlighed, " Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald—the writer/producer accused by Kesha of sexual assault and other abuse—who Doja's sharing the floor with on "Say So," an uncomfortable fact that shouldn't be ignored."

Commercial performance

In the United States, "Say So" initially entered the Bubbling Under Hot 100 at number 19 on the chart issue dated January 4, 2020, where it moved up to number six the following week. After two weeks, "Say So" earned Doja Cat her third Billboard Hot 100 entry, and second from the parent album Hot Pink, debuting at number 95 on the chart dated January 18, 2020. It jumped to number 77 in its second week on the chart and gradually climbed up the chart. It subsequently started at number 33 on the Mainstream Top 40, becoming her second single to chart on pop airplay following "Juicy"; it has since risen to a peak of number three on the chart. Following the release of its music video, "Say So" ascended 18 positions to number 33 on the Hot 100 in its eighth week charting, while placing number 26 on Streaming Songs. It later entered the top 10 of the chart, later peaking at number 2. The song also reached number one on both the Rhythmic and Dance/Mix Show Airplay charts, and was certified platinum in the country for moving 1 million units.
Outside of the United States, "Say So" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. It has also peaked within the top forty in countries, including Greece and Slovakia.
In the United Kingdom, "Say So" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 83 on January 3, 2020 – for the week ending date January 9, 2020. It gradually ascended through the chart, cracking the top 40 at number 35 on February 7, 2020 – for the week ending date February 13, 2020. It entered the top 20 at number nineteen on February 22, 2020 – for the week ending February 28, 2020. The following week, it entered the top ten and has peaked at number 2 so far.

Live performances and other usages

The song was performed by Doja on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, on February 26, 2020. The performance features Doja Cat dressed in a baby pink bodysuit, along with two backup singers/dancers who execute disco-influenced choreography, which incorporated some of the dance moves from the viral TikTok routine. On April 4, 2020, the singer performed the song on MTV Push. On May 11, 2020, Doja did a at-home performance of "Say So" on the show The Voice, wearing a pink '70s inspired costume and performed on top of a giant disco ball. The song is featured on DJ Kurupt Presents: Love & Music, a compilation album hosted by Ashthon Jones.

Music video

In November 2019, Doja Cat announced plans to release a music video for "Say So". The music video for "Say So" was released on February 27, 2020. It is "disco-era" themed set in late 1970s Los Angeles, and filmed at the Sheats–Goldstein Residence. In the video, directed by Hannah Lux Davis, Doja appears in several different "shimmery" outfits and walks a tiger with a leash. The video features Josué de La Vega as Doja's love interest and features cameo appearances from TikTok stars Dontè Colley and Haley Sharpe, the latter of whom created the viral dance for the song. The dance itself, which made the song popular, was featured in the music video. This music video was filmed entirely using 35 mm Scopitone style camera.
On May 4, 2020, Doja Cat released a live music video in partnership with Vevo Lift. The video features Doja in a box-like structure room with pink carpeted walls as she performs the song in a one-piece fur outfit with cat ears to match.

Cover versions

Japanese version

A Japanese version of the song was recorded by Indonesian singer Rainych and was released on March 31, 2020. The song was translated by fellow YouTuber Datenkou, with the video gaining 12 million views as of July 2020. The cover gained the attention of Doja Cat while streaming on Instagram Live after a fan suggested that she listen to the cover. During her reaction, Doja Cat called Ran’s voice “beautiful” while dancing, saying that "she’s fire. She knows exactly what the fuck she’s doing."
Ran expressed her happiness on Twitter multiple times, thanking the fan that suggested the song and she "smiling while crying" over the reaction. Ran also said that she is honored and thankful that the song is being used on TikTok.

Korean version

On June 23, 2020, South Korean singer Luna from the group f released a Korean version of the song. The music video includes Luna wearing a bra and bikini with two dancers and has a "flirtatious and retro vibe." The cover is Luna's first release since "Even If It Hurts and Hurts."

PJ version

R&B singer PJ covered the song for her The Quarantine Tapes campaign.

Track listing

Jax Jones Midnight Snack Remix
  1. "Say So" – 3:30
Friend Within Remix
  1. "Say So" – 2:52
Snakehips Remix
  1. "Say So" – 3:20

    Charts

Certifications

Release history

Nicki Minaj remix

Doja Cat announced a remix of the song featuring Nicki Minaj, a day before its release on May 1, 2020.

Background and composition

Having expressed her admiration for Minaj, Doja Cat has said that the pairing for the remix came naturally. Following rumors of the collaboration, the original version of the track leaked online.
Produced by Dr. Luke, the instrumental is nearly identical to the original with additional 808s and a mix in the note progression for Minaj's part. Althea Legapsi of Rolling Stone described the "retro-grooving pop song" as "sassy". The song references Naomi Campbell, Cassie, and Lauryn Hill. On May 8, 2020, a version containing the original composition in Minaj's verse was released.

Critical response

Jackson Lagnford of NME praised Minaj's addition to the remix, saying "they bookend the remix".

Commercial performance

Following the release of the remix featuring Minaj, "Say So" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. Minaj was officially credited as a featured artist on the song as her remix contributed to a majority of the chart points that surged the song to the top. Around 90% of the song's radio airplay was for the original solo version, therefore Minaj is not credited as an artist on any airplay charts. The song's peak at the top marked the first number-one song on the Hot 100 chart for both Doja Cat and Minaj. Following the remix, the song vaulted from number sixteen to number one on the Digital Songs sales chart with a 966% increase in sales to 66,000 downloads sold. On the Streaming Songs chart, the song rose from number ten to number four with an 87% increase. Additionally, the song rose to number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and on the Hot R&B Songs charts, giving Doja Cat her first number one on each chart and giving Minaj her fifth and first, respectively.
The song became the first collaboration between two female rappers to top the Hot 100. Minaj also broke the record for having the longest wait to reach number one on the Hot 100, as the remix became her 109th entry on the chart.
After charting for two weeks as a featured artist, Billboard removed Minaj's credit since the chart issue dated May 30, 2020, with Doja Cat charting unaccompanied again.

Music video

While no official music video has been announced for the remix, a dance visual featuring three performers was posted to Minaj's official YouTube channel on May 2. Prior to the dance visual's release, Doja Cat released the lyric video for the song onto her official YouTube channel.

Track listing

Say So
  1. "Say So" – 3:26
Say So
  1. "Say So" – 3:26

Release history