So What (Pink song)

Infobox Single
Name=So What


Caption=
Artist=Pink
from Album=Funhouse
B-side="Could've Had Everything"
Released=start date|2008|8|15
(see Release history)
Format=Digital download, CD single
Recorded=2008
Genre=Pop rock, pop punk, electronic rock
Length=3:36
Label= LaFace
Writer= Pink, Max Martin, Shellback
Producer=Max Martin
Certification= Platinum (ARIA, RIAA)
Gold (RIANZ)
Last single="'Cuz I Can"
(2006)
This single="So What"
(2008)
Next single="Sober"
(2008)
Misc=Extra chronology
Artist=Pink's
Type=American singles
Last single="Who Knew"
(2007)
This single="'So What"
(2008)
Next single="Sober"
(2008)

"So What" is a song written by American pop singer Pink, Max Martin and Shellback and released as the first single from Pink's forthcoming fifth studio album "Funhouse". The track was also produced by Martin, who previously collaborated with Pink on her hits "U + Ur Hand", "'Cuz I Can" and "Who Knew". [http://www.sonybmg.com.au/news/details.do?newsId=20030829005731 P!nk Returns With New Single 'So What'] Sony BMG Australia. Retrieved July 24, 2008.]

"So What" was performed by Pink at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, on September 7, 2008, and is being used to promote the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards Latin America.

On the weeks ending of September 26, 2008, Pink scored her first solo number-one hit in her native USA. It has also reached #1 in several countries, including a large part of the Anglophonic world.

Background

The song was written by Pink, in collaboration with Max Martin and Sellback. Martin also produced the track. Pink and Martin are responsible for their hit songs from Pink's previous album, including the US top-10 hits "Who Knew" and "U + Ur Hand".Many critics and fans thought the song was about Pink's divorce in the beginning of this year. The first lines of the song say:cquote|Guess I just lost my husband.
I don't know where he went.|cquote An indication that the song was about the divorce. But in interviews the singer stated that the song was not autobiographic, only a few aspects of the song. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3gbacsEcN8 NEW P!NK INTERVIEW - CNN INTERVIEW AT MAKING OF SO WHAT] "Youtube" and "CNN". Retrieved August 31, 2008.]

The song was intended to be released to radio in the States later than its release date. Because the song leaked on the internet La Face Records decided to release the song on radio on August 18, 2008, as well as the digital version. It is not yet known if there's going to be a physical release. The track was released on the American CHR on August 18, 2008. [ [http://www.allaccess.com/site/futureReleases/index.php?bs=sk&sn=futureReleases&d=top40M&f=body&ng=top40M&ag=78 Latest Breaking Radio and Music News] "All Access". Retrieved August 9, 2008.] It was released digitally on American iTunes on August 19th , 2008, and on September 2nd, it reached #1 on the store. [ [http://www.apple.com/euro/itunes/charts/top10songs.html iTunes top 10 songs] "iTunes".Retrieved August 10, 2008.] The track has also peaked at #1 on iTunes Canada.

The song leaked onto New Zealand radio station, The Edge on August 5, [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llGBzxca5rI NEW Pink - So What (2008)] "Youtube". Retrieved August 5, 2008.] but they were instructed from SonyBMG that they were not to play it due to an international embargo on the track.

Meanwhile, in Australia, the song began receiving actual radio airplay from August 7 and was instantly on high rotation across both the Austereo and DMG Radio Australia Networks. In New York, WHTZ better known as ". Retrieved August 5, 2008.]

The song was released in the UK on September 29, 2008. The song is currently on the A-list of BBC Radio 1 playlist. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/playlist/ Radio 1 Playlist A-List] "BBC Radio". Retrieved August 28, 2008.]

It has been questioned whether Pink has something against singer Jessica Simpson, as this is the second time Simpson has been negatively referenced in a Pink single, the first being "Stupid Girls".

Music video

Dave Meyers directed the video for "So What". Pink previously worked with him for the videos to "U + Ur Hand" and "Stupid Girls", which earned MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video. Pink also worked with Meyers on the videos for "There You Go", "Most Girls", "You Make Me Sick", "Get the Party Started", "Don't Let Me Get Me" and the track "Feel Good Time". The video was shown on August 22 on "FNMTV". [ [http://www.pinkspage.com/event/2008/08/22 Pink "So What" Premiere on FN MTV!] "Pinkspage Pink's Official Website". Retrieved July 24, 2008] The video has premiered on 22nd August on the UK music site Popjustice.

Pink posted a message on her website for her fans what it was like to shoot the video: cquote|If you EVER get a chance to drive a lawnmower down Sunset Blvd - I highly suggest it. Thanks for making my day. I'm really, really, really excited. This video was too much fun...glad you likey's and don't worry - Carey likey's too. We are insane.|20px|20px|P!nk|"Pink's official website" [ [http://www.connietalk.com/pinks_comeback_080708.html The Wait Will Soon Be Over For Pink Fans] "Connie Talk". August 7, 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2008]

The video begins in a tattoo parlour, Pink is getting a tattoo on her arm before the scene cuts to Pink riding down Sunset Boulevard on a lawnmower drinking alcohol. Pink is then shown entering Guitar Center browsing guitars. She pretends to play before attempting to smash it into the ground, but she is restrained by a store clerk which leads to them engaging in a fight. Pink is shown cutting down a tree engraved with her and her ex-husband's names with a chainsaw. She cries on the chainsaw, while telling herself that she is alright, right before the tree falls and nearly crushes her neighbor. After this, Pink is sitting in a bar after losing her table to Jessica Simpson, accompanied by a man who is playing the drums out of glasses.

The next scene goes to Pink on a motorbike, while a newly wedded couple in a car pull up beside her. Jealous and outraged at the happy newlyweds, Pink is shown throwing objects at the car and popping the wedding balloons, before climbing onto it and playfully (albeit violently) attacking the vehicle. Pink is then shown stripping on the red carpet, surrounded by photographers, she takes off her jacket to reveal her nude body. The paparazzi all snap photos of her as she does choreography from Michael Jackson's video for Thriller naked. Then while getting her hair done, her stylist applies hairspray, as Pink turns on her lighter, accidentally setting her hair on fire. Also shown are two men urinating in bottles, which they give to Pink, however Pink passes them to two guys walking past her. They drink it and then realizing what it is, spit it out in disgust. Finally, Pink is shown surrounded by men and women in their underwear engaging in a pillow fight. The video then cuts between all the scenes shown in the video before ending with Pink poking her tongue at the camera with her ex-husband.

Pink is also shown performing the song in concert near the end. Pink's ex-husband Carey Hart makes cameos throughout the video, such as a scene where they are talking as newspaper headlines flash behind them. Producer Butch Walker also makes a cameo. Pink has stated that Hart had not heard the song prior to arriving for the video shoot. [cite web|url = http://music.ndtv.com/story.asp?section=music&id=ENTEN20080065911|title = Pink tricked her ex-husband into acting|accessdate = 2008-09-21|date = 2008-09-18|publisher = ndtv.com]

The video was released on Saturday, September 6th on iTunes, and quickly jumped to the #1 video spot on the iTunes chart in less than 24 hours of it being listed.

Critical reception

"So What" has been critically well-received, with the website Popjustice giving it a positive review. Popjustice described the song as 'very amazing'. [ [http://popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2827&Itemid=279 Song of the Day: Pink - So What] "Popjustice". Retrieved August 7, 2008.]

Chris Williams of "Billboard" gave the track a very positive review, enjoying the "insatiable melodic verses meant for massive car singalongs and a chorus combustion followed by a fist-in-the-air refrain." He also called it "an irresistible soundscape that will transform listeners into rock stars singing their very own breakup song." [ [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/singles/e3i602b52c6d164943a2e6fcd80c9edf22d So What Review] , "Billboard". Retrieved August 29, 2008.] Ryan Dumble of "Blender" gave "So What" a 3 out of 5 stars, commenting, "The disses are a bit immature ("I'm just fine and you're a tool") but there's a voyeuristic allure to the track", later saying "she's going for it." [ [http://www.blender.com/Listen-Pink-Flips-Off-her-Ex-Husband/Blender-Blog/blogs/1168/39880.aspx Pink Flips Off her Ex-Husband] , "Blender". Retrieved August 29, 2008.]

UK entertainment website Digital Spy also praised the song, calling it "packed with attitude" and "terrifically catchy" [ [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a120187/pinks-new-single-has-landed.html Pink's new single has landed] "Digital Spy". Retrieved August 7, 2008.] Guide gave a positive review saying: "A singsongy intro gives way to a martial beat and chorus that's likely to send fists pounding into the air." [http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/pinksowhat.htm Pink- "So What"] "About.com". Retrieved August 31.] About.com lauds the track noting that this song is a good comeback for the singer; "Pink is back and not to be ignored." Wellheart Music Journal says of the song 'kick-ass spit fire tune which rank among her fiercest, and she has the charisma to pull it off and remain relevant, unlike her contemporaries who continue to wither and wash up (Avril Lavigne).' [http://www.wellheartmusicjournal.com/singlereviews.htm]

Track listings and formats

;2 Track CD 88697-37277-2 [http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=446179]
# "So What" - 3:35
# "Could've Had Everything" - 3:09

;Maxi CD 88697-37281-2 [http://pink.shread.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=170520]
# "So What" - 3:35
# "So What" (Instrumental) - 3:35
# "Could've Had Everything" - 3:09
# "So What" (Video) - 3:41

;2 Tracks Limited Collector's Edition CD 88697-40941-2 [http://pink.shread.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=172001]
# "So What" - 3:35
# "So What" (Bimbo Jones Radio Mix) - 3:36

;US Promo CD 88697-36800-2 [http://pink.shread.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=170209]
# "So What" (Clean) - 3:35
# "So What" (Main) - 3:35

;UK Promo CD-R
# "So What" (Clean Version) - 3:34

;UK Promo CD-R (Remix)
# "So What" (Bimbo Jones Radio Mix) - 3:38
# "So What" (Bimbo Jones Full Remix) - 7:32

Chart performance

"So What" debuted at #9 on the "Billboard" Hot 100, making it Pink's highest debut to date on the chart. The song has since peaked at #1, making it her first solo #1, and second overall after "Lady Marmalade," a collaboration with Christina Aguilera, Mya, and Lil' Kim. It is Pink's ninth top ten hit on the chart, and her third consecutive. In its first week the song debuted at #4 on the Hot Digital Songs chart with sales of 116,611 downloads, moving up to #2 on the chart the following week. It has reached a total of 1,274,954 legal downloads. For the week ending 3 October, 2008, "So What" jumped to claim the top spot on the Hot 100 knocking off T.I's single Whatever You Like from the top spot. It also peaked at #1 on the Digital Track Chart and the Digital Songs Chart. [ [http://pulsemusic.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=gmn&action=display&thread=63211&page=3 Digital Track Chart] . "Billboard". Retrieved August 27, 2008.] [ [http://www.pinkspage.com/news/pnk-kind-a-big-deal Pink Kind A Big Deal] "Pink's official website". Retrieved September 20, 2008.] [ [http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/pnks-so-what-1-single-in-the-country,546531.shtml Pink's 'So What'#1 Single in the Country] "The Earth Times". Retrieved September 18, 2008.] The song has also been a huge success in Canada where it has peaked at #1. [http://www.hot100brasil.com/chtsinglesb.html] , October 4, 2008. ] Where it also got to #1 on the Digital Chart of Canada and on the airplay chart it is currentley at #12. [ [http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/BDS_1.html Canada Airplay Chart] "Nielsen". Retrieved September 20, 2008] [ [http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/DIGITAL.html Canada Digital Chart] "Nielsen". Retrieved September 20, 2008.]

The track set an iTunes record in Australia where it debuted at number one only eight minutes after release. [ [http://www.apple.com/euro/itunes/charts/top10songs.html] .] The following week it went to #1 on the ARIA Digital Chart [ [http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display_digital.asp?chart=1DT40] ] and debuted at #4 on the ARIA Singles Chart, reaching # 1 on September 21. [ [http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display.asp?chart=1U50] ] It has also been certified Platinum with 70,000 in sales. It is Pink's 4th #1 in Australia. [http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=P!nk&titel=So+What&cat=s]

In Sweden it had Pink's highest debut there, at #9, and has climbed to #2, making it her highest charting single there. In other Scandinavian countries it also debuted, in Denmark it debuted at #14 and in Finland it debuted at #13. In the Netherlands, the song debuted at #28 on the official Dutch Top 40, where it has peaked at #11 so far. In Belgium So What debuted at #48 in Flanders and at #32 in Wallonia, and in the combined chart at #36. The next weeks So What climed to a number 4 in Flanders.Also in Austria it debuted at number #14 on Austrian Top 75, but dropped out the chart in the second week.

The song was released to the iTunes Store in New Zealand on August 19, 2008 where it peaked at number one later that day. It has reached #1 on the official New Zealand RIANZ chart becoming her first number one since Don't Let Me Get Me in 2002 [ [http://charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=P%21nk&titel=Don%27t+Let+Me+Get+Me&cat=s P!nk: Don't Let Me Get Me] "New Zealand Charts". retrieved September 20, 2008.] and the first country that "So What" became number one in. "So What" has so far spent five consecutive weeks at number one in New Zealand and was certified Gold after eight weeks with sales of 7,500+.

The song was added to the iTunes Store in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2008. The following day it peaked at number one, replacing Kings of Leon's "Sex on Fire".

On September 28, 2008, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at #38 on downloads alone based on two days worth of sales. After the songs physical release, the following week "So What" knocked Kings of Leon's "Sex On Fire" from number one, beating the comeback singles from Oasis ("The Shock of the Lightning") and Boyzone ("Love You Anyway"). [ [http://uk.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUKTRE49521B20081006 Pink's "So What" beats Oasis to top UK pop chart] "Reuters". retrieved October 6, 2008.] "So What" is Pink's second solo number one single in the UK, the first being "Just Like a Pill" and third overall, including "Lady Mamalade". It also sets the record for the biggest jump to number one within the top 40 as it jumped 37 places to number one, beating last year's 34 place jump by Sugababes with "About You Now". It also has become R&B singer bigges UK hit.

"So What" entered the German Singles Chart at #1 on the October 11, 2008 chart, making it Pink's first solo #1 there as well. It has also knocked off Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" on the United World Chart.

Charts

Chart procession and succession

Release history

References

External links

*Youtube|dJZDsJ8UU64|Official "So What" music video