The Feels (song)

Prior to the release of "The Feels", Twice has released songs recorded in English, including the English versions of "Cry for Me", "I Can't Stop Me", and "More & More".[2] On June 15, 2018, they released a cover of the Jackson 5's 1969 single "I Want You Back". It was released as a digital single and recorded in its original English lyrics.[3][4] The cover later appeared on their first Japanese album, BDZ, as the tenth and final track, and was featured in the 2018 Japanese film Sensei Kunshu.[5] On November 20, 2019, they released their second Japanese album, &Twice, which features the group's first original English-language track, "What You Waiting For".[6]

Following the release of their tenth EP, Taste of Love,[7] Twice announced on June 25, 2021, that their first official English single will be released on a Friday in September.[2][8] The single's title was not revealed until August 6, when they posted a photo teaser showing someone holding a letter.[8][9] On August 23, JYP Entertainment announced October 1 to be the release date of "The Feels" through an 11-second videoclip.[10][11][12] Pre-orders for the single started on September 3.[13] Twice held a question and answer event on Twitter on the day of the single's release.[14]

"The Feels" was written by Anna Timgren, Boy Matthews, Justin Reinstein, and Woo Min Lee "collapsedone". Reinstein and collapsedone also handled its production.[15] According to JYP Entertainment, the song is "a fast-tempo disco pop track that combines groovy bass sounds and disco synth beats".[16] Running for 3 minutes and 18 seconds, it is composed in the key of A major with a tempo of 120 beats per minute.[17]

In an interview with Bustle, Momo described "The Feels" as a "bold introduction" to a "new chapter" in their career.[18] "Not only is this song very addictive — it has great hooks — but it shows who we are. It shows our colors and our style", Chaeyoung added.[18] The song was in part meant to cater Twice's international audience,[19] especially those from the United States.[18][20]

Rhian Daly of NME gave the song a five-star rating, describing "The Feels" as "an infectiously fun bop" and noting that if the song was released to garner attention in the Western market that Twice "deserve on the global stage" then "their mission should hopefully be accomplished".[21] Writing for Atwood Magazine, Danny Vagnoni contrasted "The Feels" with Twice's second Korean studio album, Eyes Wide Open, as it took an opposite direction from the album—which he described as a "catalogue of darker, minor key tracks"—and gave something that resembles "their early tracks".[22] Allison S. Park of The Harvard Crimson praised the song's "excellent job of encompassing the all-consuming nature of love through its obsessive yet clichéd lyrics" and acknowledged Twice's "dependable character as a top K-pop group".[23]

"The Feels" debuted at number 12 on the Billboard Global 200, making it Twice's highest performing song on the chart.[25] In Canada, it debuted at number 56 on the Canadian Hot 100, the group's second entry on the chart after "Feel Special".[26] In Japan, it peaked at number 3 on both the Billboard Japan Hot 100[27] and Oricon's Digital Singles Chart.[28] "The Feels" became the group's first song to appear[29] on the Billboard Hot 100 (at number 83),[30] the Spain Digital Song Sales chart (at number 10),[31] the US Digital Song Sales chart (at number 5),[32] and the UK Singles Chart (at number 80).[33]

"The Feels" accumulated 50.9 million global streams and 8,800 global downloads in its first week.[34] In the United States alone, the song garnered 4.7 million streams, 208,000 radio impressions, and 10,400 digital sales in its first week.[35]

The first concept photo for "The Feels" was uploaded on September 3, 2021.[13] Due to her panic and anxiety disorder, Jeongyeon was not able to join the group during the song's promotion.[12][36][37] The remaining members of Twice appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and GMA3: What You Need To Know to perform "The Feels".[37][38][39]

Before the end credits, the music video shows a poster teasing Twice's upcoming projects and activities

The music video of "The Feels" was uploaded on October 1, 2021. Directed by Oui Kim, the video starts off with members receiving an invitation to a prom.[40] Their sixth anniversary week, third Korean studio album (sixth overall) and fourth world tour were teased at the end of the music video.[41] The music video peaked at number one on YouTube's weekly ranking of the most-viewed music videos in the world, replacing Blackpink member Lisa's performance video for her song, "Money".[42][43]

• Digital download / streaming[44][45]

1. "The Feels" – 3:18
2. "The Feels" (The Stereotypes Remix) – 3:22
3. "The Feels" (Yves V Remix) – 2:15
4. "The Feels" (Instrumental) – 3:18
5. "The Feels" (The Stereotypes Remix Instrumental) – 3:22
6. "The Feels" (Yves V Remix Instrumental) – 2:15

Credits adapted from Melon.[15]