Waves (Miguel song)

"Waves"
Promotional single by Miguel
from the album Wildheart
Released	2016
Genre	R&B psychedelic
Length	3:22
Label	RCA Black Ice ByStorm
Songwriter(s)	Miguel Pimentel Nathan Perez
Producer(s)	Pimentel Happy Perez Flippa
Miguel singles chronology
"Simple Things" (2015) "Waves" (2016) "2 Lovin U" (2017)

"Waves" is a song recorded by the American recording artist Miguel for his third studio album, Wildheart (2015). It was released as a promotional single from the album in 2016 through RCA Records.

In 2016, the singer released an extended play titled Rogue Waves, containing reimagined takes on the original song, from artists like Tame Impala, Kacey Musgraves and Travis Scott. Both the Tame Impala and Travis Scott remix received a music video, in addition to the original song.^[1]

Music video

The song's original music video depicts Miguel performing at a club, interspersed with shots of him floating in water with his necklaces detached.^[2]

The remix video, directed by Jennifer Massaux,^[3] consists of clips of Miguel and Kevin Parker of Tame Impala along a furniture-littered beach,^[4] gazing upon the sky against a raging tempest. The clip only selects a minute and a half of the remix's original runtime.^[5] Chris Riotta at Mic further described the clip: "[It] shows both singers seated as waves come crashing ashore on a dimly lit beach. Both Miguel and Parker stare off into the distance as swarms of birds float above them."^[2] The video was shot in Los Angeles, with Miguel joking that "it only rains in LA when you’re filming [with Tame Impala]."^[6]

Reception

The Tame Impala remix received acclaim; author Michael Gonik at Okayplayer suggested "Tame Impala's variation has proven to have just as much staying power as the original."^[5] Collin Robinson at Stereogum called Parker's iteration the standout piece from the Rogue Waves EP,^[7] while Nastassia Baroni at Music Feeds dubbed the remix a "masterpiece".^[6] Jayson Greene at Pitchfork "Tame Impala are an irresistibly remix-able rock band because they offer so much good stuff to strip out and build around—the big drum breaks, the killer bass lines, ghostly, detached vocals. [..] it's clear from his take on "Waves" that [Parker] is becoming a capital-P Producer, separate from his own project."^[8] Musgraves' reimagining also received praise. "The singer transforms "Waves" into something nocturnal and mysterious, all dimmed lights and smoke, as tinkling percussion, rumbling guitar and wisps of steel faintly echo into the distance," wrote Rolling Stone contributor Jon Freeman.^[9] Brennan Carley of Spin called it the best of the bunch: "Something about the pair trading off lines makes the already sensual song all that more resonant, and the steel guitar quivering in the background is a countrified cherry on top of the whole gorgeous arrangement."^[10]

Charts and certifications

Chart (2016) Peak position US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] 46 US R&B Songs (Billboard)[12] 20

Region Certification Certified units/sales Canada (Music Canada)[13] Gold 40,000^‡ United States (RIAA)[14] Gold 500,000^‡ ^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

Musicians

• Miguel – vocals, production, songwriting
• Jack Davey – additional vocals
• Nathan Perez – songwriting

Production

• Flippa – production
• Happy Perez – production
• Manny Marroquin – mixing
• Chris Galland – mixing assistance
• Ike Schultz – mixing assistance

References

1. Morris, Jessie (February 26, 2016). "Here's Miguel's 'Rogue Waves' EP f/ Travi$ Scott, Kacey Musgraves, and More". Complex. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
2. Riotta, Chris (March 1, 2016). "Miguel and Tame Impala Team Up for "Waves" Remix Video". Mic. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
3. Leight, Elias (March 1, 2016). "Watch Miguel And Tame Impala's Kevin Parker Play In The Waves". The FADER. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
4. Renshaw, David (March 2, 2016). "Tame Impala and Miguel hit the surf in 'Waves' video – watch". NME. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
5. Music - 1 month ago (March 1, 2016). "Watch The Video For Tame Impala's Remix Of Miguel's "Waves"". Okayplayer. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
6. "Tame Impala, Miguel Frolick On The Beach In New 'Waves' Remix Video". Music Feeds. March 1, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
7. Robinson, Collin (March 1, 2016). "Miguel – "Waves (Tame Impala Remix)" Video (Feat. Kevin Parker)". Stereogum. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
8. Greene, Jayson (February 25, 2016). "Miguel: "Waves (Tame Impala Remix)"". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
9. Freeman, Jon (February 26, 2016). "Hear Kacey Musgraves and Miguel's Sensual 'Waves' Remix". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
10. Carley, Brennan (February 26, 2016). "Kacey Musgraves and Miguel Are a Match Made in Heaven on 'waves' Remix". SPIN. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
11. "Miguel Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
12. "Miguel Album & Song Chart History: Hot R&B Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
13. "Canadian single certifications – Miguel – Waves". Music Canada. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
14. "American single certifications – Miguel – Waves". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 21, 2022.