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"NO" (stylized as "NØ") is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor for her fifth studio album Thank You (2016). Written by Trainor, Eric Frederic, and Jacob Kasher, the production was handled by Ricky Reed. The song was released as the lead single from the album on March 4, 2016. A dance-pop song featuring R&B, early millennium-pop elements and ripping guitars leading instrumentation, its lyrics incorporates themes of female independence. It was well received by music critics, who found the musical direction new for Trainor and a noticeable departure from her previous work. "NO" will be serviced to US contemporary hit radio on March 8, 2016.

Background and recording

In an interview with Fuse's Jason Lipshutz, Trainor stated the song is "a big anthem for ladies about telling a dude, 'Nah, I'm good—I’m out here on my own, and I'm good with it.'" She also said "The scene is me in a club, and the dude comes up to me and I go, 'No no no. I don't need your hands all over me. I'm good. I'm gonna dance on my own with my girls.'" Billboard gave a preview of the lyrics: "My name is 'no'/My number is 'no.'" Musically, she described the material as "something that's not on the radio" and "different."

In an interview with Popdust, producer Ricky Reed described Trainor’s single as “a bizarre song.” He explained how the song was evolving musically: “It started with this dance-hall drum rhythm, and Meghan ran into the studio after an upsetting meeting with her record label. We started with a rap, and that turned into a chant. Then, we brought in some funk elements. It is the core of the album, but more so, it is a gateway drug. It is definitely a perfect introduction to her next musical journey.” He added, “ angry, and we immediately started a concept for the song using that energy. She is very involved with every song and is easily one of the most talented people I’ve ever been in a room with. This song is very different from what’s she’s done before. It’s urgent and has a very strong female-forward message.”

Refering to the meeting, Trainor revealed label director L.A. Reid, told the singer she didn’t have a proper lead single yet for her upcoming album: “he said I have an album of Nice Meghan". Trainor said it took little time to craft the song with producer Ricky Reed. “I told my producer we needed a big eff-you song, an anthem about girl power that sounded like nothing on the album. We wrote it that day.” She added “I was too scared to go by myself . L.A. played it 29 times—and we kept counting. I’ll never forget that moment.” Ultimately, the song changed the direction of its parent album, as they started experimenting with new musical styles and produced six more records.

Composition

Lyrically, the song discusses men who approach women and "can’t take the hint" when their advances are rejected. Musically "No" is a dance pop song, with ripping guitars leading instrumentation. The song opens with modern doo-wop vocals, before it charges up into a R&B, early millennium-pop vibe with its beat and crunchy guitar; for Billboard's Joe Lynch "there's a twist - the retro music plays through an old-timey crackle, and then it suddenly comes to a stop. A massive, Neptunes-esque beat kicks in." Trainor half-sings, half-raps "My name is no / My sign is no / My number is no / You need to let it go."

Critical reception

Writing for Billboard, Joe Lynch stated Trainor "is making one thing clear from outset of her new song "NO," it's that there's a lot more to Meghan Trainor than what you think you know", adding "Trainor was confident on "Bass," but on "NO," she's entirely in charge." In a positive review, Brennan Carley from Spin wrote “NO” "is definitely a new direction for Trainor, who’s mostly tossing aside her sock-hopping persona for no-nonsense truth-telling." Digital Spy's Amy Davidson described the song as "gloriously '90s". Forbes contributor Hugh McIntyre thought it is "a noticeable departure from her previous hits. It’s sultrier and a little more aggressive." Carolyn Menyes from Music Times wrote "No" "is the sort of anthem that women have been looking for. She sings in an out-of-character show of female empowerment and independence."

Release history

References

1. ^ "Top 40/Mainstream > Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
2. Lipshutz, Jason (February 1, 2016). "Meghan Trainor Says New Single 'No' Coming In March: Interview". Fuse. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
3. Fonseca, Selma (February 19, 2016). "New Meghan Trainor Album on the Way, 1D's Louis Tomlinson Talks Fatherhood & More Inside Scoop". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
4. Garibaldi, Christina (January 7, 2016). "Meghan Trainor Has A Lot Of 'Big Songs' On Her Next Album". MTV News. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
5. Scott, Jason (March 3, 2016). "Ricky Reed Dishes On Meghan Trainor's New Single 'No' & Upcoming Album 'Thank You'". Popdust Inc. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
6. O'Donnell, Kevin (March 4, 2016). "Meghan Trainor returns with 'big eff-you' song 'No'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
7. ^ Kennedy, Gerrick (March 4, 2016). "Ready for a different Meghan Trainor? She says she's 'intense' with new album 'Thank You'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
8. ^ Lynch, Joe (March 4, 2016). "Meghan Trainor Drops 'NO' Single, Teases Caribbean Influences on 'Thank You' Album". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
9. ^ Menyes, Carolyn (March 4, 2016). "Meghan Trainor 'No' Review: Bold New Single Harkens Back to Early 2000s with Feminist Tones". Music Times. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
10. Spanos, Brittany (March 4, 2016). "Hear Meghan Trainor's Feisty New Song 'No'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
11. Carley, Brennan (March 4, 2016). "Meghan Trainor Gives a Firm 'NO' on New Ricky Reed-Produced Single". Spin. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
12. Davidson, Amy (March 4, 2016). "Meghan Trainor's new single 'No' has arrived and it's so gloriously '90s". Digital Spy. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
13. McIntyre, Hugh (March 4, 2016). "Meghan Trainor Releases 'NO', The First Single From Her Sophomore Album". Forbes. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
14. "Thank You - Meghan Trainor". iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. Retrieved March 4, 2016. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help)
15. "Hot/Modern/AC > Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Retrieved March 1, 2016.

• 2016 songs
• 2016 singles
• Meghan Trainor songs
• Songs written by Jacob Kasher
• Songs written by Meghan Trainor