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Everything Is Embarrassing
Everything Is Embarrassing
from Wikipedia
"Everything Is Embarrassing"
Single by Sky Ferreira
from the EP Ghost
B-side"Sad Dream"
ReleasedApril 16, 2013 (2013-04-16)
StudioHeavy Duty (Los Angeles, California)
Genre
Length4:09
Label
Songwriters
ProducerAriel Rechtshaid
Sky Ferreira singles chronology
"Red Lips"
(2012)
"Everything Is Embarrassing"
(2013)
"You're Not the One"
(2013)
Music video
"Everything Is Embarrassing" on YouTube

"Everything Is Embarrassing" is a song by American singer Sky Ferreira from her second extended play (EP), Ghost (2012). It was first premiered online on August 30, 2012, and was later released as a single on April 16, 2013, by Capitol Records in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The song was written by Ferreira, Ariel Rechtshaid, and Dev Hynes, while the latter two produced the track. An accompanying music video for "Everything Is Embarrassing" was directed by Grant Singer with no budget; it was premiered through Pitchfork on October 1, 2012, and sees Ferreira singing in various locations throughout Los Angeles.

"Everything Is Embarrassing" was widely acclaimed and hailed by music critics as one of the best songs of recent years. In 2015, Pitchfork placed the song at number 14 on its list of "The 200 Best Tracks of 2010–2014". In 2019, Pitchfork placed the song at number 12 on its list of "The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s".

Composition

[edit]

"Everything Is Embarrassing" is a synth-pop,[1] electropop,[2] dance-pop,[3] alternative pop,[4] and synth-rock[2] ballad.[5] It was written by Ferreira, Ariel Rechtshaid, and Dev Hynes, while the latter two produced and co-produced the track, respectively. Hynes, a former friend of Ferreira, had sent her a demo of the song, which was inspired by a failed relationship; Ferreira then modified the original lyrics and structure along with Rechtshaid.[1][6][7][8]

Release and promotion

[edit]

Single release

[edit]

With her debut studio album having been frequently delayed throughout the early 2010s,[9] Ferreira released her second extended play Ghost on October 2, 2012, while simultaneously continuing production of her full-length record.[10] "Everything Is Embarrassing" appears as the fifth of five songs on the track listing.[11] The track was premiered through Pitchfork on August 30, 2012,[12] and was later released as a single in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2013.[13] It was later included on the compilation album Now That's What I Call Music! 46 compilation album, released on May 7, 2013.[14] Remixes by Twin Shadow and Krystal Klear were released digitally on February 5 and March 25, 2013, respectively,[15][16] while a remix by Unknown Mortal Orchestra was included on Ferreira's third extended play Night Time, My Time: B-Sides Part 1, released on November 25, 2013.[17]

In her debut television performance, she performed the track on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on January 7, 2013.[18] She has also performed the track at the SXSW festival.[19]

As of July 2013, "Everything Is Embarrassing" had sold 19,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[20] In Belgium, the song peaked at numbers 20 and 46 the Flanders and Wallonia Ultratip charts, respectively.[21]

Media appearance

[edit]

The main protagonist of the Special series on Netflix, Ryan Hayes (portrayed by Ryan O'Connell), in the first episode of season 2 says Sky Ferreira is his "diva of choice" and that "Everything Is Embarrassing" is "a perfect pop song." The song was featured in episode 5.[22]

Critical response

[edit]

"Everything Is Embarrassing" was met with acclaim from music critics. The single was named "Best New Track" by Pitchfork the day following its premiere[3] In his review of Ghost, Jon Caramanica of The New York Times called the song "counterintuitive and brilliant" and "one of the year's unlikely pop gems".[23]

Several publications and music blogs listed the song among the best of 2012, including Pitchfork,[24] The Guardian,[25] the Los Angeles Times,[26] Billboard,[27] Spin,[28] Fact,[29] the Bangkok Post,[30] and New York, the latter of which named it the best song of the year.[31] It was placed at number fifteen in the 2012 Pazz & Jop critics' poll.[32] In 2014, Pitchfork placed "Everything Is Embarrassing" at number 14 on its list of "The 200 Best Tracks of the Decade So Far (2010–2014)", writing: "[The song] is ostensibly a done-with-your-shit kiss-off, and it's a glorious one", adding "she might be ready to move on, but she's still feeling a million conflicting emotions, and few songs capture that internal strife as honestly and effortlessly as 'Everything Is Embarrassing' does."[33] In 2018, NPR ranked the track as the 149th greatest song by a female or nonbinary artist in the 21st century, saying:

Sky Ferreira's 'Everything Is Embarrassing' marked her first foray into pop stardom – by that point, the 20-year-old had a successful career as a model and actress, but this downtrodden dance-pop single produced by 1980s revisionists Dev Hynes and Ariel Rechtshaid ushered in a new musical moment. Ferreira's vocals are impossibly cool, fully embracing the humiliation of anxiety and unfulfilled romances. It's a song that submits to mundane mortifications, the sound of sweet suffering.[34]

In 2019, Pitchfork ranked the song at number 12 on its list "The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s".[35] On October 9, 2019 Ferreira in an Instagram post celebrated the recognition by Pitchfork, with a screenshot photo from the list, stating she would be 'releasing new music right before the decade (2010s) is over'.[36]

Music video

[edit]

Capitol Records requested that an accompanying music video for "Everything Is Embarrassing" with no budget be filmed following the track's online premiere; it was directed by Grant Singer, who had previously directed the clips for Ferreira's tracks "Sad Dream" and "Lost in My Bedroom", and was filmed in one day in Los Angeles before Ferreira was scheduled to depart for New York City shortly after.[37] It was premiered through Pitchfork on October 1, 2012;[38] the black-and-white clip sees Ferreira singing in various locations throughout the city, including a playground, on the Los Angeles Metro and the roof of the Capitol Records Building.[37]

Track listings

[edit]
Digital download[13]
No.TitleLength
1."Everything Is Embarrassing"4:09
2."Sad Dream"3:34
3."Everything Is Embarrassing" (MK Remix)5:55
4."Everything Is Embarrassing" (Unicorn Kid Remix)3:31
Total length:17:09
Digital download – Twin Shadow Remix[15]
No.TitleLength
1."Everything Is Embarrassing" (Twin Shadow Remix)4:53
Total length:4:53
Digital download – Krystal Klear Remix[16]
No.TitleLength
1."Everything Is Embarrassing" (Krystal Klear Remix)6:13
2."Everything Is Embarrassing" (Krystal Klear Radio Edit)3:37
3."Everything Is Embarrassing" (Krystal Klear Instrumental)3:37
Total length:13:27

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Night Time, My Time: B-Sides Part 1.[39]

Recording

[edit]

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2014) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[21] 20
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[40] 46

Other cover versions

[edit]

In 2021, British singer Will Young covered "Everything Is Embarrassing" on his album Crying on the Bathroom Floor.[41][42][43]

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Worldwide August 30, 2012 Online premiere Single version [12]
United States February 5, 2013 Digital download Twin Shadow Remix [15]
March 25, 2013 Krystal Klear Remix [16]
United Kingdom April 16, 2013 Single version [13]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
"Everything Is Embarrassing" is a song by American Sky , included on her Ghost, released October 16, 2012, by , and later issued as a single in the UK on April 14, 2013. Co-written and co-produced by Ferreira, (of Blood Orange), and , it is a and track characterized by snappy verses and a wistful chorus. The song explores themes of longing, resignation, and emotional disappointment in love. The track originated from a demo by Hynes, inspired by a failed relationship, which Ferreira adapted to fit her experiences with unrequited affection and vulnerability. It was first premiered online on August 30, 2012, and served as the second single from Ghost following "Red Lips". An official music video, directed by Grant Singer, was released on October 1, 2012, shot in Los Angeles on an ultra-low budget in a single day, featuring Ferreira in everyday settings to emphasize raw emotion. Critically acclaimed upon release, "Everything Is Embarrassing" was named Pitchfork's Best New Track on August 31, 2012, and later ranked #14 on their list of the 200 Best Tracks of the Decade So Far (2010–2014) and #12 on the 200 Best Songs of the 2010s. It was also selected as #149 on NPR's list of the 200 Greatest Songs by 21st Century Women (Part 1). New York magazine honored it as Song of the Year in their 2012 Culture Awards, praising its emotional resonance and pop craftsmanship. Though it did not achieve significant commercial chart success, the song marked a breakthrough for Ferreira, solidifying her reputation in indie pop and influencing subsequent discussions on her artistry; as of 2025, it continues to be recognized as a defining hit amid her independent releases and tours.

Background

Development

"Everything Is Embarrassing" was co-written by , (known as ), and in 2012. The track originated from an initial demo composed by Hynes, which he sent to Ferreira; she then revised the lyrics and vocal structure to incorporate her personal perspective, making structural changes that enhanced the song's emotional depth. The song's development occurred during sessions for Ferreira's EP Ghost, marking a shift from her earlier pop-oriented material toward more introspective and alternative influences. This period coincided with Ferreira's growing frustrations with , her label since 2009, which had delayed her career through repeated changes to her debut album and pressure to conform to a conventional pop image. In reflecting on the co-writing process with Hynes, Ferreira emphasized the emotional vulnerability involved, noting how the collaboration in New York allowed her to channel raw, honest sentiments into the track amid her ongoing industry struggles.

Composition

"Everything Is Embarrassing" is classified as a and song with influences from R&B and alternative pop elements, often evoking a dream-like atmosphere through its hazy production. The track is composed in the key of at a of 117 beats per minute and runs for a duration of 4 minutes and 9 seconds. Lyrically, the song explores themes of , self-doubt, and the transience of , capturing the of unrequited affection and missed opportunities . Key lines such as "Hanging on the telephone / Like I'm waiting for my man to call" and the titular "Everything is embarrassing" underscore the narrator's vulnerability and emotional exposure. The instrumentation features prominent frosty synths and a perky beat, creating a wistful yet danceable groove layered with Sky Ferreira's breathy vocals treated with reverb for an ethereal quality. These elements contribute to the song's sullen, resigned tone, blending electronic pulses with subtle R&B-inflected rhythms. Structurally, "Everything Is Embarrassing" follows a verse-chorus form, beginning with an intro of echoed vocals, progressing through verses that build , and exploding into a chorus that amplifies the emotional core. A bridge introduces a vocal flourish that heightens tension, leading to an emotional climax in the final chorus before fading out on lingering synths. This progression mirrors the lyrical arc from quiet longing to overt frustration.

Production

Recording

"Everything Is Embarrassing" was recorded in 2012 as part of the sessions for Sky Ferreira's second extended play, Ghost, which was released digitally on October 16, 2012, by Capitol Records. The track was produced by Ariel Rechtshaid, with co-production from Dev Hynes (known as Blood Orange), who also contributed to its songwriting alongside Ferreira and Rechtshaid. A key production choice was the incorporation of a sample from the bassline of Glenn Jones's 1984 R&B track "It Hurts Too Much," which provides the song's foundational groove and adds a layer of soulful warmth to its arrangement. Mixing was completed by at Eldorado Recording Studios in ; the track was mastered by Kevin Bartley at Capitol Mastering in Hollywood, . Engineering was handled by Chris Kasych, assisted by Mark Santangelo. These efforts resulted in the song's distinctive ethereal vocal texture and polished electronic elements, captured during the EP's focused creative period that summer.

Personnel

  • Sky Ferreira – lead and backing vocals
  • – producer, keyboards, recording
  • – co-producer, keyboards
  • Chris Kasych – engineer
  • Mark Santangelo – assistant engineer
  • – mixing
  • Kevin Bartley – mastering

Release and promotion

Single release

"Everything Is Embarrassing" was initially premiered as an online stream on Pitchfork on August 31, 2012, featured on Sky Ferreira's EP Ghost. The song was issued as the second single from Ghost on April 14, 2013, through Capitol Records, marking a key step in Ferreira's campaign leading to her debut full-length album Night Time, My Time the following October; it followed the EP's lead single "Red Lips," which had been released in July 2012. Available as a digital download, the single featured the (3:40), album version (4:09), and version. The track later appeared on select vinyl editions and reissues of , including expanded pressings that incorporated bonus material from the era.

Promotion and media appearances

"Everything Is Embarrassing" was initially promoted through advanced streaming on music blogs, with premiering the track on August 31, 2012, ahead of its inclusion on the Ghost EP. Ferreira made her network television debut performing the song on on January 7, 2013, backed by house band . This appearance marked a key promotional moment, showcasing the track's live energy and helping to elevate her profile in the indie-pop scene. Additional live outings included performances at festivals, such as her set at Fort during (SXSW) on March 13, 2013, where she delivered the song amid a string of U.S. tour dates supporting the Ghost EP. Capitol Records' strategy emphasized integrating the single into Ferreira's broader EP rollout, with live debuts and festival slots from late 2012 through early 2013 amplifying its reach ahead of the formal single release.

Music video

The music video for "Everything Is Embarrassing" was directed by and premiered via on October 1, 2012. It was produced on an ultra-low budget in a single day in , as a last-minute response to the song's leak, at the request of . The shoot involved a minimal crew of just Singer, his assistant (handling the camera bag), and Ferreira. Locations included the rooftop of , a subway, and a , filmed handheld to capture Ferreira's natural presence and beauty without a scripted plot. The video depicts Ferreira pouting, posing, and singing in various everyday urban settings such as rooftops, stairwells, trains, and playgrounds, emphasizing themes of vulnerability and raw emotion.

Critical reception

"Everything Is Embarrassing" received widespread critical acclaim upon its release. named it their Best New Track on August 31, 2012, praising its "snappy verses and a wistful, sullen chorus" that subverts expectations, describing it as a " theme for people whose dates stumbled out the door" and highlighting themes of longing and resignation. The publication noted it as a potential breakout moment for Ferreira, marking her shift toward more personal songwriting. In a review of the Ghost EP for The New York Times, Jon Caramanica called the song "counterintuitive and brilliant," labeling it "one of the year's unlikely pop gems" and a "sly, lush seduction" where Ferreira's "natural indifference" enhances its emotional depth. awarded the single 4.5 out of 5 stars, declaring it "one of 2012's hottest tunes" and emphasizing its amazing pop appeal. Retrospectively, the song has been frequently ranked among the best of the . placed it at number 14 on their "200 Best Tracks of the Decade So Far" (2010–2014) and number 12 on the "200 Best Songs of the " in 2019. NPR ranked it 149th on their list of the "200 Greatest Songs by Women" in 2018, crediting it with marking Ferreira's entry into pop stardom. New York magazine named it Song of the Year in their 2012 Culture Awards, lauding its emotional resonance and pop craftsmanship. It was also included in Rolling Stone's "100 Best Songs of the " (2019) and NME's greatest songs of the decade list.

Commercial performance

Charts

"Everything Is Embarrassing" achieved modest chart success upon its 2013 release, reflecting its cult appeal within alternative and indie circles rather than mainstream pop dominance. In the United States, the single did not enter the but received some airplay in alternative formats. Internationally, the track entered several European charts with limited traction. In , it peaked at number 45 on the Ultratip chart. In the streaming era, "Everything Is Embarrassing" has seen renewed popularity, accumulating over 106 million streams on as of November 2025. Relative to Sky Ferreira's discography, the single outperformed other tracks from the EP but underperformed compared to later album singles like "I Blame Myself" from .

Sales figures

In the United States, "Everything Is Embarrassing" sold 19,000 digital downloads as of July 2013, according to Nielsen SoundScan data. The single did not receive any . Sales of the track were bolstered by its inclusion on Sky Ferreira's 2012 EP Ghost and the 2013 full-length album Night Time, My Time, which bundled digital purchases. No verified global digital sales figures beyond the U.S. have been publicly reported. As of November 2025, the song has surpassed 106 million streams on Spotify. The official music video on YouTube has garnered over 12.4 million views since its upload in October 2012. These streaming metrics reflect a resurgence in popularity following Ferreira's increased visibility in media and performances post-2020. Vinyl reissues of Night Time, My Time in 2025, including limited-edition colored variants, have contributed to renewed physical sales of her album.

Covers and legacy

Cover versions

One of the earliest notable reinterpretations of Sky Ferreira's "Everything Is Embarrassing" was the remix, released in January 2013, which transformed the original's dreamy pop into a dramatic electronic club track with added synth layers and a pulsating beat. Later that year, in January 2013, producer Krystal Klear delivered a dance-oriented remix, emphasizing a house-infused groove while retaining the song's emotional core through Ferreira's vocals. Fan covers began proliferating on platforms like starting around 2014, with amateur and semi-professional renditions ranging from versions to lo-fi bedroom recordings that highlighted the song's introspective lyrics. By the late 2010s and into the 2020s, these grassroots efforts continued, exemplified by Sad Boys Club's raw take in June 2020. In August 2020, Jimmy Stigma released an indie-style cover on , stripping the track to minimal instrumentation to foreground vulnerable vocals and a folk-tinged melody. More recently, in April 2025, performed an acoustic rendition live on SiriusXMU, showcasing her soaring vocals and a stripped-back arrangement that accentuated the song's melancholic themes during a session promoting her own work. The song has also appeared in various tribute recordings, such as versions by NonStop Music in 2013 and piano adaptations by in 2014, often featured in compilation-style albums dedicated to Ferreira's catalog. These covers, along with the official remixes, have kept "Everything Is Embarrassing" circulating in indie and electronic circles, inspiring reinterpretations that explore its versatility beyond the original's framework.

Cultural impact

"Everything Is Embarrassing" has solidified its status as an cornerstone, frequently appearing in retrospective "best of the 2010s" compilations for its innovative blend of and emotional vulnerability. ranked it at number 12 on their list of the 200 best songs of the decade, praising its simple yet effective production by and . The track's narrative of personal and professional turmoil has also come to symbolize broader artist-label conflicts, as explored in Ferreira's interviews where she detailed ' interference with her creative output during that era. The song experienced a notable resurgence in 2024 and 2025, coinciding with Ferreira's departure from and the release of her independent single "." Ferreira confirmed her split from the label in late 2023, with full details emerging in 2024 interviews where she described the "fraught" relationship and efforts to reclaim her masters. "," released on December 5, 2024, as part of the film Babygirl soundtrack, marked her first output free from Capitol, reigniting interest in her early work including "Everything Is Embarrassing." She performed the track live at Australia's Rising Festival on June 4, 2024, closing her set with it to enthusiastic crowds, and joined Norwegian duo onstage in on October 18, 2025, for a collaborative performance that highlighted her ongoing stage presence. Culturally, "Everything Is Embarrassing" has inspired online memes on , where users pair its chorus with humorous vignettes of everyday awkwardness under hashtags like #everythingisembarrassing. The song's 1980s-inspired synth aesthetics have also influenced fashion, appearing in editorials that evoke retro revival styles, such as i-D's feature on Ferreira's Tumblr-era looks tied to the track's minimalist production. On a broader level, the song helped establish Ferreira's as a "troubled " in the music industry, fueling discussions on challenges faced by young performers. In reflections on her Capitol tenure, Ferreira has recounted being labeled "crazy" or "difficult" amid struggles with and , experiences that echoed the song's themes of and isolation. These disclosures have contributed to wider conversations about predatory dynamics and support systems for artists, as covered in outlets like .

Release history

"Everything Is Embarrassing" was first included on Sky Ferreira's EP Ghost, released on October 16, 2012, by Capitol Records in various formats including CD, digital download, and vinyl. The track premiered online on August 30, 2012. It was later released as a standalone digital single in the United Kingdom on April 14, 2013, by Polydor and Capitol Records. A promotional CD single was also issued in the UK in January 2013.
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
WorldwideOctober 16, 2012CD, digital download, vinyl (EP)Capitol Records
United KingdomJanuary 2013CD (promo)Capitol Records
United KingdomApril 14, 2013Digital downloadPolydor, Capitol Records

References

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