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"Sober" is a song by American rapper G-Eazy, featuring vocals from American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth. It was released via RCA Records on December 8, 2017, as the third single from G-Eazy's third studio album, The Beautiful & Damned. Puth produced the song with Dakari and the Futuristics, and they wrote the song with G-Eazy alongside Matt Dragstrem and Edgar Machuca.

Background

G-Eazy revealed the album's full track listing alongside the single release. Talking about how the collaboration came together, G-Eazy told MTV News: "Charlie is one of the most talented individuals in music. He's a really special artist. We met a while ago when we're touring in Europe, and we're playing venues right next to each other. We clicked up that night and just talked and just vibed, and I found out he is a huge fan of the Bay Area hip hop, it was a huge new found respect for him on that level." He also explained his reasoning for the title of the song, saying: "I try to illustrate both sides, you know what I mean? There's definitely the fun side of going out and partying. I'm out all the time. But then there's also that reality of — I try to paint the picture of the other side, living with that , what did I do last night? But it's all about finding that medium, and I think that's ultimately The Beautiful & Damned, is to not end up way out there, and to keep yourself in check and try to find that balance, find moderation, or whatever."

In an interview with Billboard, Puth said that he wrote the song with Breyan Issac and Ester Dean in 2015, which was a dark point in his life, and that he had someone in mind when he wrote it. He continued: "You never know where these songs are gonna go. I had originally written verses, like sing-y verses, and it just didn't feel right. It felt like it needed an Eminem type story. When I heard G's verses on it, they just happened to be something similar to what I went through. There is no other person who could have done it better than G. I love G. Young Gerald, Eazy season. He's my tallest friend."

Music video

The music was released on March 14, 2018 on Vevo and YouTube.

Critical reception

Megan Armstrong of Billboard made the metaphor of G-Eazy's rapping being "the devil on one shoulder" and Puth's voice being "the angel on the other ". She praised both artists for playing off their contrast in styles. Deepa Lakshmin of MTV News felt "G-Eazy's rap verses blend perfectly with Puth's smooth vocals". Mike Wass of Idolator regarded the song as "a bro-anthem" and "an ode to, and a cautionary tale about, drunken nights". He praised Puth for providing "an instantly hummable chorus".

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.

• G-Eazy – songwriting
• Charlie Puth – songwriting, production
• Breyan Isaac – songwriting
• The Futuristics – songwriting, production
• Ester Dean – songwriting
• Matt Dragstrem – songwriting
• Dakarai Gwitira – songwriting, production, record engineering
• Edgar Machuca – songwriting
• Jaycen Joshua – mix engineering
• Ben Milchev – engineering assistance
• David Nakaji – engineering assistance

Charts

Certifications

Release history

References

1. Findlay, Mitch (December 7, 2017). "G-Eazy Reflects On Drunken Lust In Charlie Puth Assisted "Sober"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
2. Hudelson, Molly (December 11, 2017). "G-Eazy shares new single "Sober" featuring Charlie Puth". Substream Magazine. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
3. Dj Felli Fel (December 8, 2017). "G-Eazy Recruits Charlie Puth For New Single "Sober"". KPWR. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
4. Sterling, Scott (December 8, 2017). "G-Eazy Recruits Charlie Puth For 'Sober'". CBS Radio. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
5. Powell, Jon (December 10, 2017). "G-Eazy Recruits Charlie Puth for "Sober"". Respect. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
6. "New Music: G-Eazy feat. Charlie Puth – 'Sober'". Rap-Up. December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
7. G-Eazy (November 20, 2017). "G Eazy X MTV News". MTV News (Interview). Interviewed by Gaby Wilson. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
8. Weatherby, Taylor (December 28, 2017). "Charlie Puth Recalls Recording With Selena Gomez in a Closet, Liam Payne's Weird Studio Habits & More Duet Details". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
9. Armstrong, Megan (December 8, 2017). "G-Eazy & Charlie Puth Prepare For Drunken Mistakes in New Song 'Sober'". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
10. Lakshmin, Deepa (December 8, 2017). "G-Eazy And Charlie Puth's New Song Is A Hangover Waiting To Happen". MTV News. Archived from the original on December 9, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
11. Wass, Mike (December 8, 2017). "G-Eazy Teams Up With Charlie Puth For New Buzz Track "Sober"". Idolator. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
12. ^ "The Beautiful & Damned / G-Eazy TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
13. "G-Eazy feat. Charlie Puth – Sober" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
14. "G-Eazy Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
15. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 50. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
16. "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 25, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
17. "G-Eazy Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
18. "G-Eazy Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
19. "G-Eazy Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
20. "G-Eazy Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
21. "Canadian single certifications – G-Eazy – Sober". Music Canada. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
22. "American single certifications – G-Eazy – Sober". Recording Industry Association of America.
23. "Singles To Radio - The Music Network". themusicnetwork.com.
24. "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
25. "G-EAZY FT CHARLIE PUTH "Sober" - (Radio Date: 23/3/2018)". radiodate.it. Retrieved 8 December 2018.

• 2017 songs
• 2017 singles
• G-Eazy songs
• Charlie Puth songs
• RCA Records singles
• Songs written by Breyan Isaac
• Songs written by Ester Dean
• Songs written by Charlie Puth
• Song recordings produced by the Futuristics
• Songs written by Joe Khajadourian
• Songs written by Alex Schwartz
• Songs written by Matt Dragstrem
• Songs written by G-Eazy