"Doing It" is a song by English singer
Charli XCX
Charlotte Emma Aitchison (born 2 August 1992), known professionally as Charli XCX, is a British singer and songwriter. She began posting songs on Myspace in 2008 before entering the London rave scene. Signing a recording contract with Asylum Re ...
from her second studio album, ''
Sucker'' (2014). An alternative version of the song featuring English singer
Rita Ora
Rita Sahatçiu Ora (; born Rita Sahatçiu; 26 November 1990) is a British singer-songwriter, television personality, and actress. Born in Pristina, modern-day Kosovo, she rose to prominence when she featured on DJ Fresh's 2012 single, "Hot Rig ...
was released on 3 February 2015 as the album's third single. The single peaked at number eight on the
UK Singles Chart. "Doing It" was named "Best New Track" the week of its release by ''
Pitchfork
A pitchfork or hay fork is an agricultural tool used to pitch loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves. It has a long handle and usually two to five thin tines designed to efficiently move such materials.
The term is also applie ...
''.
Charli is seen performing a snippet of the song in a commercial for
Pepsi
Pepsi is a Carbonated water, carbonated soft drink with a cola flavor, manufactured by PepsiCo which serves as its flagship product. In 2023, Pepsi was the second most valuable soft drink brand worldwide behind Coca-Cola; the two share a long ...
's "Out of the Blue" music campaign, which aired during the
57th Annual Grammy Awards
The 57th Annual Grammy Awards were held on February 8, 2015, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The show was broadcast live by CBS at 5:00 p.m. PST ( UTC−8). Rapper LL Cool J hosted the show for the fourth consecutive ti ...
, on 8 February 2015. Ahead of the release of her 2022 album ''
Crash'', ''
Consequence of Sound
''Consequence'' (previously ''Consequence of Sound'') is an independently owned New York-based online magazine featuring news, editorials, and reviews of music, movies, and television.
History
''Consequence of Sound'' was founded in Septem ...
'' ranked "Doing It" as Charli's fourth best song.
Release
On 7 January 2015, it was announced the European version of XCX's second studio album would be delayed, to allow for the release of a remix of "Doing It" featuring Rita Ora.
A. G. Cook of
PC Music
PC Music is a record label and art collective based in London and run by producer A. G. Cook. It was founded in 2013, uploading its first releases to SoundCloud that year. Artists on its roster have included Hannah Diamond, GFOTY, Danny L H ...
contributed an official remix. This was her first collaboration with the English producer, who would later go on to be her creative producer for future projects.
Music video
The music video for "Doing It" was directed by Adam Powell and premiered on 20 January 2015. It was filmed in
the Californian desert and takes inspiration from ''
Thelma & Louise
''Thelma & Louise'' is a 1991 American crime drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Callie Khouri. The film stars Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis as Louise and Thelma, two friends who embark on a road trip that ends up in unforese ...
'' (1991), ''
Natural Born Killers
''Natural Born Killers'' is a 1994 American romantic crime action film directed by Oliver Stone and starring Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Robert Downey Jr., Tommy Lee Jones, and Tom Sizemore. The film tells the story of two victims ...
'' (1994),
Barbie
Barbie is a fashion doll created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler, manufactured by American toy and entertainment company Mattel and introduced on March 9, 1959. The toy was based on the German Bild Lilli doll, Bild Lilli doll which Hand ...
,
Florida
Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...
strip clubs,
1970s fashion and the work of
David LaChapelle
David LaChapelle (born March 11, 1963) is an American photographer, music video director, and film director. He is best known for his work in fashion and photography, which often references art history and sometimes conveys social messages. His ...
.
The video depicts Charli and Ora arriving at a gas station and stealing several items before the gas station cashier could stop them. They then leave the gas station with the stolen items and get chased by the police. Eventually, they escape and stop at a payphone. Later, they are found at a party where the police find them. These scenes are intercut with Charli and Ora singing into microphones with lights surrounding them.
Live performances
Charli performed "Doing It" for the first time on ''
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
''Jimmy Kimmel Live!'', sometimes shortened to ''JKL'', is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, and broadcast on ABC. The nightly hour-long show tapes and is based out of the Hollywood Masonic Temple in Hollywo ...
'' on 3 February 2015. On 10 February 2015, she performed the song on
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and Contemporary hit radio, current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including ...
's
Live Lounge
The Live Lounge is a segment on the British radio stations BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra. It was originally hosted by Simon Mayo, and later by Jo Whiley on her weekday mid-morning, and later weekend lunchtime radio shows, then by Fearne Cott ...
, along with a cover of
Taylor Swift
Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. Known for her autobiographical songwriting, artistic versatility, and Cultural impact of Taylor Swift, cultural impact, Swift is one of the Best selling artists, w ...
's "
Shake It Off
"Shake It Off" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and the lead single from her fifth studio album, '' 1989'' (2014). She wrote the song with its producers, Max Martin and Shellback. Inspired by the media scrutiny on Swif ...
".
Charli performed the song with Ora on ''
The Graham Norton Show
''The Graham Norton Show'' is a British comedy chat show presented by Graham Norton. It was initially broadcast on BBC Two, from 22 February 2007, before moving to BBC One in October 2009. It currently airs on Friday evenings, with Norton ...
'' on 13 February 2015. The following evening, Charli performed it on
The National Lottery. She also performed the track on ''
Sunday Brunch'' on 15 February 2015. Charli performed the song with
Jack Antonoff
Jack Michael Antonoff (born March 31, 1984) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is the lead vocalist of the rock band Bleachers, and previously the guitarist and drummer for the pop band Fun and the lead vocalist of t ...
on ''
Today
Today (archaically to-day) may refer to:
* The current day and calendar date
** Today is between and , subject to the local time zone
* Now, the time that is perceived directly, present
* The current, present era
Arts, entertainment and m ...
'' on 5 June 2015.
Commercial performance
"Doing It" debuted at number eight on the
UK Singles Chart with 34,810 copies sold in its first week, becoming Charli's fourth UK top 10 entry and Ora's seventh.
Track listings
*Digital download
#"Doing It" – 3:48
*Digital download
#"Doing It" – 3:48
#"Doing It" (
Manhattan Clique Remix) – 3:38
*Digital download – Remixes
#"Doing It" (
A. G. Cook Remix) – 4:00
#"Doing It" (Westfunk Remix) – 3:23
Charts
Certifications
Release history
References
{{authority control
2015 songs
2015 singles
Asylum Records singles
Atlantic Records singles
Charli XCX songs
Rita Ora songs
Music videos directed by Adam Powell
Songs written by Charli XCX
Songs written by Ariel Rechtshaid
Songs written by Jarrad Rogers
Songs written by Noonie Bao
Songs written by Burns (musician)
Song recordings produced by Ariel Rechtshaid
Torch songs