"Painkiller"
Single by Ruel
from the EP Free Time
Released1 May 2019 (2019-05-01)
GenrePop
Length3:33
LabelRCA/Sony Music Australia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)M-Phazes
Ruel singles chronology
"Say"
(2019)		 "Painkiller"
(2019)		 "Flames"
(2019)
Music video
"Painkiller" on YouTube

"Painkiller" is a song recorded by Australian singer-songwriter Ruel. The song was released on 1 May 2019 as the lead single from his second extended play, Free Time.[1] The song sees Ruel reunite with producer M-Phazes and Sarah Aarons (whom he had both collaborated with on his 2017 EP Ready), and collaborate with songwriter Hiren Mor for the first time.[2]

In May 2020, a remix featuring American rapper Denzel Curry was released, alongside the announcement of a forthcoming remix EP. The Painkiller remix EP was released on 12 June 2020.[3]

The song placed third at the 2020 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition.[4]

Music video

The music video for "Painkiller" was released on 1 May 2019.[5]

Critical reception

Sose Fuamoli from Triple J said the song is "marked by bold bass and melodic work", saying "'Painkiller' is a track that sees Ruel step into a more mature songwriting space, leaning more into rich R&B notes and letting his natural cadence and rhythmic notes flourish. His soul and jazz influences bleed through on this single too, finding and connecting with that bass groove with ease."[6]

Alissa Arunarsirakul from Ones to Watch said "'Painkiller' is drenched with warm violins, groovy bass lines, and luscious vocals".[7]

Track listing

Digital download[1]
No.TitleLength
1."Painkiller"3:33
Digital download — Remix[8]
No.TitleLength
1."Painkiller" (featuring Denzel Curry)3:47
Remix EP[9][10]
No.TitleLength
1."Painkiller" (featuring Denzel Curry)3:47
2."Painkiller (Mr. Carmack Remix)" (featuring Denzel Curry)3:30
3."Painkiller (Taka Perry Remix)"3:23
4."Painkiller (Young Franco Remix)" (featuring Denzel Curry)4:22
Total length:15:02
RSD2021 Limited Edition 7" Transparent Yellow Vinyl (150 copies)[11]
No.TitleLength
1."Painkiller"3:33
2."Painkiller (Instrumental Version)"3:33

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2019–2020) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[12] 35
Australian Artist Singles (ARIA)[13] 5
South Korea (Gaon)[14] 52

Year-end charts

Chart (2019) Position
Australian Artist (ARIA)[15] 16
Chart (2020) Position
Australian Artist (ARIA)[16] 33
Chart (2021) Position
South Korea (Gaon)[17] 185

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[18] 3× Platinum 210,000‡
United States (RIAA)[19] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Date Format Version Label
Australia 1 May 2019[1] Digital download, streaming Original RCA, Sony Music Australia
Australia 27 May 2020[8] Digital download, streaming Denzel Curry remix RCA, Sony Music Australia

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Painkiller – Single by Ruel on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  2. ↑ "SOTD: Ruel sets the tone for next EP with 'Painkiller'". The Music Network. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  3. ↑ Newstead, Al (26 May 2020). "First Spin: Ruel drops 'Painkiller' remix featuring Denzel Curry". ABC. Retrieved 27 May 2020. ...This new version of 'Painkller' [sic] forms part of a complete remix package - alongside reworks from Young Franco, Taka Perry, and Mr. Carmack - that's released Friday 5 June.
  4. ↑ "Thelma Plum's "Better in Blak" Wins Vanda & Young Songwriting Comp". Billboard. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  5. ↑ "Ruel - Painkiller (Official Video)". 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019 – via YouTube.
  6. ↑ "First Spin: Ruel's 'Painkiller' is another addictive piece of pop-R&B from one of Australia's brightest". ABC. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  7. ↑ "Ruel's Refreshingly Soulful "Painkiller" Is Just What the Doctor Ordered". Ones to Watch. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  8. 1 2 "Painkiller (feat. Denzel Curry) – Single by Ruel on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  9. ↑ Jova, Natalie (27 May 2020). "Ruel releases "Painkiller featuring Denzel Curry"". Holr Magazine. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  10. ↑ "Painkiller (Remix Pack) – EP by Ruel on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  11. ↑ Hood, Sara (14 July 2021). "Ruel. Painkiller". Record Store Day Australia. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  12. ↑ "Ruel – Painkiller". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  13. ↑ "ARIA Australian Artist Singles Chart". ARIA. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  14. ↑ "Digital Chart – Week 12 of 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  15. ↑ "ARIA Australian Artist End of Year Singles Chart 2019". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  16. ↑ "ARIA Australian Artist End of Year Singles Chart 2020". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  17. ↑ 2021년 Digital Chart [2021 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  18. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  19. ↑ "American single certifications – Ruel – Painkiller". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
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