"21 Reasons" is a song by British DJ/producer Nathan Dawe featuring vocals from British singer-songwriter Ella Henderson. It was released on 29 April 2022 by Atlantic Records (UK) and Warner UK for digital download and streaming. Written by Henderson, John Nicholas Ealand Morgan, Maegan Cottone, Dawe, Rune Reilly Koelsch and William Martyn Lansley, with production from Dawe and Punctual, "21 Reasons" features a prominent sample of Rune's 2003 dance song "Calabria". It is Henderson's second collaboration with Dawe since co-writing and having uncredited vocals on Dawe's 2020 single "Lighter" with rapper KSI.
Ella Henderson previously collaborated with Nathan Dawe on the song "Lighter" with rapper KSI. "Lighter", which was released as a single in 2020, featured uncredited vocals, and was co-written by Henderson.[1] The Official Charts Company's George Griffiths noted the song's prominent sample of Rune's 2003 dance song "Calabria", also notable for its sample in Alex Gaudino's 2007 single "Destination Calabria". Speaking to Griffiths, Dawe noted that it had been "a while since he released anything" and therefore took his time to come up with the right song. He also said that the sample took a long time to clear.[1]
Explaining about his inspiration for the sample, Dawe said he was inspired as a fan of Gaudino's "Destination Calabria" but knew he needed to do it justice if he wanted to work with that song. Aside from the sample, the song featured lyrics and verses that speak of the 21 reasons why someone is loved.[1] Speaking about how Henderson became involved in the song, Dawe said they had kept in touch after working together on "Lighter" and that upon finishing the demo it was Henderson that sprung to his mind. He wanted to feature her "unfiltered vocals" unlike those "chipmunk vocals" on "Lighter". The duo wrote the lyrics in two hours over Zoom.[1] Ahead of the song's release on 29 April, Dawe and his label partnered with TikTok influencers to build up anticipation for the song. Dawe said that despite the single not being out, during an early set people were able to sing the lyrics back to him when he played the song.[1] Throughout May, June and July 2022, "21 Reasons" was promoted with a number of remixes including an acoustic version, as well as remixes by Toyboy & Robin, Lusso, Billen Ted, and Alle Farben.[2][3][4][5][6]
On the Official UK Singles Chart for 2 June 2022, the single jumped up 21 places into the top 20 from number 41, making it Henderson's second simultaneous top-twenty single; "Crazy What Love Can Do", Henderson's collaboration with Becky Hill and David Guetta was placed at number 14.[7] A week later, "21 Reasons" was charting alongside the song "Je M'appelle" by London drill music artist Benzz. The latter song was also built around the same Rune RK sample "Calabria".[8] On the UK Singles Chart dated 17 June 2022, Carl Smith of the Official Charts Company noted that "heatwave weather" in the UK had contributed to dance songs receiving a boost on the charts. At the time, both of Henderson's collaborations were still charting, "Crazy What Love Can Do" reached a new peak of 12, while "21 Reasons" sat at number 14.[9] As a result, "21 Reasons" became Dawe's 2nd UK top-ten single and Henderson's 6th.[10] On the UK Dance Singles Chart, "21 Reasons" peaked at number four on the week dated 17 June 2022.[11] After dipping one place for two weeks, it rebounded to number four again on 8 July 2022, where it remained for a further five weeks. During this time, Henderson's other collaboration "Crazy What Love Can Do" remained one position ahead of "21 Reasons".[12]
At the time of the song's release, Dawe confirmed that a music video had not been shot but said he was open to working on one so long as he was not dancing in it.[1] On 29 April 2022, a lyric video for the song was released.[13] A second lyric video for the acoustic version song was unveiled on 27 May 2022.[14] Just under a month later, it was revealed that Dawe and Henderson were filming a video for "21 Reasons" in Ibiza. The duo announced a series of YouTube Shorts teasing the video in the countdown to 1 July when the full video would be released.[15]
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202239 into search. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
^"Top Singles (Week 36, 2022)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202238 into search. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
^"ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202233 into search. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
