"Skinny Love"
Single by Bon Iver
from the album For Emma, Forever Ago
ReleasedApril 28, 2008 (2008-04-28)
GenreIndie folk
Length3:58
Label
Songwriter(s)Justin Vernon
Bon Iver singles chronology
"Skinny Love"
(2008)		 "For Emma"
(2008)

"Skinny Love" is a song written by American musician and songwriter Justin Vernon. It was originally released by indie folk band Bon Iver, of which Vernon is a member, in 2007. A cover version by the British vocalist Birdy was released in 2011. Both versions charted internationally and have been featured in multiple television and film soundtracks. The song has since become a popular tune for various singing competition shows around the English-speaking world.[1]

Background

"Skinny Love" was the first single released from Bon Iver's 2007 debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, in the United States. The song was released as a single in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2008. While "Skinny Love" has been considered a reference to singer Justin Vernon's relationship with former girlfriend Christy Smith,[2] Vernon countered this as "not entirely accurate [...] it's about that time in a relationship that I was going through; you're in a relationship because you need help, but that's not necessarily why you should be in a relationship. And that's skinny."[3]

The song was used in the second episode of Grey's Anatomy's fifth season. The digital download track "Skinny Love" was selected to be iTunes (UK) single of the week and was available for free during that time, as well as being featured as the track of the day on National Public Radio. On October 6, 2008, "Skinny Love" was featured in the NBC series Chuck (season 2, episode 3).[4][5] On December 11, 2008, Bon Iver performed "Skinny Love" on the Late Show with David Letterman.[6] On January 26, 2009, "Skinny Love" was announced at #21 by the Australian national radio station Triple J in the annual Hottest 100 countdown of the previous year's best songs.[7] In July 2009, "Skinny Love" was announced at #92 in Triple J's Hottest 100 of All Time countdown.[8] In June 2013, "Skinny Love" was announced at #16 in Triple J's Hottest 100 of the Last 20 Years countdown.[9]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Skinny Love"3:59

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver
Chart (2012) Peak
position
Denmark (Tracklisten)[10] 32
Portugal (AFP)[11] 18
UK Official Streaming Chart Top 100[12] 88
Chart (2016) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA Hitseekers)[13] 20

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[14] Platinum 90,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[15] Gold 25,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[16] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[17] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Birdy version

"Skinny Love"
Single by Birdy
from the album Birdy
ReleasedJanuary 30, 2011 (2011-01-30)
Length3:22
Label
Songwriter(s)Justin Vernon
Producer(s)Alex H. N. Gilbert
Birdy singles chronology
"Skinny Love"
(2011)		 "Shelter"
(2011)

British musician Birdy released a cover version of the song in 2011 as her debut single. The single has been B-listed on Xfm and is a particular favourite with listeners of Shak's overnight show. The song was also chosen as "Record of The Week"[18] by UK radio DJ Fearne Cotton. This version was used in Season 2 Episode 21 of The Vampire Diaries and in Season 1 Episode 1 of Prisoners' Wives.

The song also skyrocketed in Australian popularity within the ARIA Charts' top ten, partly because of Bella Ferraro, an X Factor 2012 Top Four contestant who performed the song at the X Factor auditions aired in Australia in August 2012. The song reached number two on the ARIA Singles Chart in September, kept off the number-one spot by Guy Sebastian's song "Battle Scars" for three weeks.[19] A similar event took place in New Zealand in May 2013 after X Factor winner Jackie Thomas performed the song at her audition. The song entered the top 40 for the first time and reached number two on the RIANZ chart following the broadcast, behind Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines".[20]

In 2011, "Skinny Love" sold 259,000 copies in the UK, becoming the third biggest selling rock single of that year.[21] As of August 2016, the song had sold 744,502 copies in the UK.[22]

Music videos

There are three music videos for this single. The first music video for the song was uploaded to YouTube on April 1, 2011.[23] It features Birdy playing the piano of walking in a dark house. The second music video was shot in one take and framed on Birdy's face. The camera changes focus as she sings. It was uploaded on October 14, 2011.[24] The third music video was uploaded on January 15, 2014.[25]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Skinny Love"3:22

Charts

Decade-end charts

Chart (2010–2019) Position
Australia (ARIA)[60] 51

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[61] 7× Platinum 490,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[62] 2× Platinum 60,000*
Belgium (BEA)[63] Platinum 30,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[64] Gold 40,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[65] Platinum 90,000‡
France (SNEP)[66] Platinum 150,000*
Germany (BVMI)[67] 3× Gold 450,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[68] Platinum 50,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[69] 2× Platinum 30,000*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[70] Platinum 30,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[71] 2× Platinum 744,502[22]
United States (RIAA)[72] Platinum 1,000,000‡
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[73] Gold 900,000†

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
United Kingdom January 30, 2011 Digital download Atlantic [74]
United States January 24, 2012 [72]
February 11, 2014 Contemporary hit radio [75]

References

  1. ↑ Clayton, Richard (May 27, 2016). "The Life of a Song: 'Skinny Love'". www.ft.com. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  2. ↑ Grayson Haver Currin (July 27, 2011). "Bon Iver's long wager". Indy Week. Archived from the original on November 26, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  3. ↑ Grayson Currin (June 13, 2011). "Interviews: Bon Iver". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  4. ↑ ""Chuck" Chuck Versus the Break-Up (TV Episode 2008) - IMDb". IMDb.
  5. ↑ "BON IVER: Anywhere From Here". Volume One magazine. December 4, 2009. Archived from the original on June 15, 2009.
  6. ↑ Letterman, David; indiemusicfilter. "The Late Show Musical Guest Bon Iver 12/11/08 HQ Video". Vodpod.com. Late Show with David Letterman. Archived from the original (video) on August 4, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Kings of Leon top Triple J's Hottest 100". The Courier-Mail. January 25, 2009. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Countdown | Hottest 100 – Of All Time | triple j". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. January 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Countdown | Twenty Years of Triple J's Hottest 100 | triple j". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. April 18, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Bon Iver – Skinny Love". Tracklisten.
  11. ↑ "Skinny Love by Bon Iver - Music Charts". ACharts. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Official Streaming Chart Top 100 – 19th January 2013 The Official Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  13. ↑ "ARIA Report: Issue 1371" (PDF). ARIA. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 20, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Bon Iver – Skinny Love". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Bon Iver – Skinny Love" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  16. ↑ "British single certifications – Bon Iver – Skinny Love". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  17. ↑ "American single certifications – Bon Iver – Skinny Love". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  18. ↑ River Studios News, 2011 Archived May 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ↑ "Single Top 50 09/09/2012". Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Single Top 50 03/06/2013". Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  21. ↑ "The Top 20 rock singles and albums of 2011 revealed". The Official Charts Company. January 17, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  22. 1 2 "Birdy Reveals How She Flew From Sync Queen To Sales Queen". Music Week. Intent Media. August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Birdy – Skinny Love [Official Music Video". YouTube. April 1, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Birdy – Skinny Love [One Take Music Video]". YouTube. October 14, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Birdy – Skinny Love [One Take Music Video]". YouTube. October 14, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Birdy – Skinny Love". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  27. ↑ "Birdy – Skinny Love" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  28. ↑ "Birdy – Skinny Love" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  29. ↑ "Birdy – Skinny Love" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  30. ↑ "Birdy – Skinny Love" (in French). Les classement single.
  31. ↑ "Birdy – Skinny Love" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  32. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Skinny Love". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Birdy – Skinny Love". Top Digital Download. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Birdy Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Birdy" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  36. ↑ "Birdy – Skinny Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  37. ↑ "Birdy – Skinny Love". Top 40 Singles.
  38. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  39. ↑ "Birdy – Skinny Love". Swiss Singles Chart.
  40. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  41. ↑ "Birdy Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Birdy Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Birdy Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  44. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2011". Ultratop. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  45. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2011". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  46. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2011" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  47. ↑ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2011". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  48. ↑ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2012". Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  49. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2012". Ultratop. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  50. ↑ "Rapports Annuels 2012". Ultratop. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  51. ↑ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2012" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  52. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2012". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  53. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2012" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  54. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2012 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  55. ↑ "End of Year 2012" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  56. ↑ "Rapports Annuels 2013". Ultratop. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  57. ↑ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2013" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  58. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 2013". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  59. ↑ "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  60. ↑ "2019 ARIA End of Decade Singles Chart". ARIA. January 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  61. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  62. ↑ "Austrian single certifications – Birdy – Skinny Love" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  63. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2012". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  64. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Birdy – Skinny Love". Music Canada. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  65. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Birdy – Skinny Love". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  66. ↑ "French single certifications – Birdy – Skinny Love" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  67. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Birdy; 'Skinny Love')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  68. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Birdy – Skinny Love" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved May 17, 2017. Select "2017" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Skinny Love" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  69. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Birdy – Skinny Love". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  70. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Skinny Love')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  71. ↑ "British single certifications – Birdy – Skinny Love". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  72. 1 2 "American single certifications – Birdy – Skinny Love". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  73. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Birdy – Skinny Love". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  74. ↑ "Skinny Love – Single by Birdy www.amazon.co.uk/". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  75. ↑ "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates".
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