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Homemade Dynamite
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| "Homemade Dynamite" | |
|---|---|
| Promotional single by Lorde | |
| from the album Melodrama | |
| Released | 16 June 2017 |
| Recorded | mid-2015 |
| Studio |
|
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:09 |
| Label | Universal New Zealand |
| Songwriters |
|
| Producers | |
"Homemade Dynamite" is a song by New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde from her second album, Melodrama (2017). She wrote the lyrics with Tove Lo and composed the music with Lo, Jakob Jerlström, and Ludvig Söderberg, and produced it with Frank Dukes and vocal producer Kuk Harrell. Critics described "Homemade Dynamite" as a R&B and synth-pop song with vocal sound effects, reverberated percussion, a staccato hook, electronic flourishes, synthesizers, and hip hop beats. In the lyrics, Lorde talks about having a feeling of euphoria at a house party with friends.
"Homemade Dynamite" received favourable reviews from music critics, who praised its strong lyrical content, Lorde's vocal delivery and its production. While the track failed to match the success of the album's lead single, it had minor chart placements in Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Lorde premiered the song at the Coachella Valley Music Festival and performed it at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards. "Homemade Dynamite" was one of five songs used as part of a re-imagined Vevo series at the Electric Lady Studios, where she recorded most of her album.
A remix version of the song featuring guest appearances by Khalid, Post Malone, and SZA was released as the third single from the album on 15 September 2017. Music critics praised its production and each guest's verse. It performed modestly on international record charts, peaking at number 20 in New Zealand and at mid-tier positions in Canada and the Netherlands as well as 92 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This version received a double platinum certification in Australia and a platinum certification in Canada and New Zealand.
Background
[edit]In an interview with The Spinoff, Lorde described "Homemade Dynamite" as the moment when "everyone's at a good level and maybe the sharp edges of the evening haven't quite shown themselves yet."[1] During production, the singer mentioned that the song started out with a "bootleg" sound but soon developed into a "shiny pop mix."[2] Producer Frank Dukes brought in bootleg soundboards with drums that were not hi-fi and used keyboard stabs which Lorde gravitated towards. To her, the song represented a departure from the album's breakup theme, as it centred around friendship.[2]
When writing "Homemade Dynamite", Lorde did not have a specific setting or theme in mind.[2] She worked with Swedish pop singer Tove Lo and stated that they both understood each other and spent a "wonderful time" writing. Despite their different musical backgrounds, Lorde was intrigued to work with someone whose production style contrasted with hers.[2] The song was written in Los Angeles at a compound owned by Swedish producer Max Martin which Lorde called the "Gingerbread House". In the studio, the microphone had a mattress around it for noise-cancelling effects.[2] Critic Claire Shaffer felt the "cute" vocals on Purity Ring's 2012 song "Fineshrine" were a source of influence on "Homemade Dynamite".[3]
Composition and lyrical interpretation
[edit]
The song was recorded at two locations in the United States. Recording began at Conway Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with help from Tove Lo. The rest of the track was completed at Electric Lady Studios, in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. Serban Ghenea mixed the song at MixStar Studios with assistance from engineer John Hanes. Laura Sisk served as the audio engineer. It was mastered at Sterling Sound Studios by Randy Merrill. Other personnel include songwriters Jakob Jerlström and Ludvig Söderberg, Kuk Harrell who provided vocal production, and producer Frank Dukes.[4] This is the only track on the record that is not produced or written by Jack Antonoff.[5]
"Homemade Dynamite" is composed in the key of B-flat major with a moderate tempo of 108 beats per minute. Lorde's vocals span a range of F3 to D5 and its chord progression follows a basic sequence of Cm–Gm–B♭.[6] It was described as a mid-tempo R&B[7] and synth-pop[8] song with vocal sound effects,[9] reverberated percussion,[10] a staccato hook,[11] electronic flourishes,[12] synthesizers,[13] and hip hop beats.[14] The Chicago Tribune editor Greg Kot noted that Lorde's vocals turn to "rap-singing" in some of the song's verses,[14] while DIY writer Will Richards asserted that her "whispered vocals sound like hurricanes."[15] David Greenwald from The Oregonian stated that she delivered the track in falsetto.[16]
Several publications interpreted the lines "Might get your friend to drive, but he can hardly see / we'll end up painted on the road in red and chrome, all the broken glass sparkling," as an imagery describing a car crash involving Lorde and her new crush.[17] The Guardian compared the car crash scenario to The Smiths 1992 song "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out".[17] Like "The Louvre", this song reveals Lorde's sense of humor and intimacy with the explosion effect she makes.[18]
Critical reception
[edit]"Homemade Dynamite" received favourable reviews from music critics. Will Hermes of Rolling Stone called the song's "tiny explosion amid total silence" the most striking part of the album.[17] Hermes also wrote the track was "emblematic of a modern pop record that prizes old-school intimacy."[19] Dan Weiss of Consequence of Sound labelled it "excellent" and called the singer's mouth explosion noise "adorable,"[20] while Drowned in Sound editor Joe Giggins called the song's ending "electrifying."[21] Paste writer Emily Reily noted that its production brings an "absolutely liberating chorus."[10]
The Guardian said that while the song was "not bad," there was "nothing melodically or sonically" that would set it apart on a radio playlist. The publication considered it be the weakest song on the record. While Sputnikmusic was more favorable towards the song, the website did share similar sentiments on the track's "sense of familiarity", but stated that it was "quite strong and well-executed."[22] Despite several mixed reviews, Rolling Stone included "Homemade Dynamite" at number two on their year-end list. The publication called it a "nervously sexy synth-pop thriller."[8] On his list of the Best Songs of the 2010s, Rob Sheffield ranked "Homemade Dynamite" at number 32.[23] The song was ranked the 14th greatest song of 2017 by Australian alternative music station Triple J.[24]
Commercial performance
[edit]In the United Kingdom, the solo version debuted at number 82 on the chart dated 22 September 2017.[25] It performed similarly in other European countries such as Sweden[26] and Ireland,[27] peaking at number 84 and 61. The song was a commercial success in Belgium,[28] however, charting within the top five on both of the country's main charts.[29] Like the original song, the remix had minor chart placements in Canada[30] and the Netherlands,[31] where it charted at number 54 and 92. The song peaked and debuted at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100, recording 5.9 million U.S. streams (up 697%) and 10,000 song sales (up 276%).[32] The remix managed to enter the top 20 in Lorde's native New Zealand.[33] It also held a moderate placement in Australia, peaking at number 23.[34] Since its release, the remix has received a double platinum certification in Australia,[35] and a platinum certification from the New Zealand and Canada.[36][37]
Live performances
[edit]Lorde performed "Homemade Dynamite" for the first time at the Coachella Valley Music Festival. She introduced it by saying it was meant to "capture the feeling of a night out, from the high to the low" and the part "where everything is good."[38] The song was to have been premiered at the restaurant and music venue Pappy & Harriet's in California, but was scratched from the set list.[39] During the performance, Lorde wore a "dazzling silver trousers and an embellished bodice-style top," which The Daily Telegraph noted to be a change in her wardrobe style.[40] The full performance was met with positive reactions from critics,[41] with Entertainment Weekly calling it one of the festival's highlights.[42]
During her set at the Osheaga Festival on 4 August 2017, Lorde invited Tove Lo to sing a duet of "Homemade Dynamite" with her.[5] The track was also performed at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards. Lorde said hours before the performance that she was diagnosed with the flu.[43] Instead of singing, she opted to perform an interpretive dance. It was met with conflicting reviews from critics and audiences,[44] with many calling it "bizarre" and Maroon 5 vocalist Adam Levine saying it was "utterly horrible";[45] it later became a meme.[46] Lorde later defended her performance in a podcast interview, saying that viewers overreacted to her dancing. She said that it was "sort of embarrassing to watch someone experience intense joy" which she thinks is why people find what she does "disconcerting".[47] The song was part of her Melodrama World Tour (2017–2018) set list. She also performed "Homemade Dynamite", with five other songs, as part of a re-imagined Vevo series at the Electric Lady Studios where most of the album was recorded.[48]
Remixes
[edit]| "Homemade Dynamite" (remix) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Lorde featuring Khalid, Post Malone and SZA | ||||
| from the album Melodrama[a] | ||||
| Released | 16 September 2017 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:34 | |||
| Label | Universal New Zealand | |||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producers | ||||
| Lorde singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Khalid singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Post Malone singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| SZA singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio video | ||||
| "Homemade Dynamite" (remix) on YouTube | ||||
Khalid, Post Malone and SZA remix
[edit]On 16 September 2017, a remix version featuring vocals from Khalid, Post Malone, and SZA, was released.[50] Lorde first teased the track on Instagram after the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, with the caption written in 21 asterisks. This was later revealed to be the announcement for the remix.[51] This marked Lorde's first collaboration since "Magnets" (2015) with Disclosure and the first as a lead artist. It was released as the third single from the singer's second album, Melodrama (2017).[52]
The remix's cover art features a "Polaroid-esque portrait in a room of helium balloons" with one hiding Lorde's face.[53] The song maintained its original rhythms, with an extra line in the first chorus and three more verses sung by the featured artists. Khalid, SZA and Post Malone wrote their own verses and Lorde changed parts of the chorus, moving the line "Now you know it's really gonna blow" to the end of the song as the outro.[54] At the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Festival, Lorde surprised the crowd by bringing Khalid on-stage to sing the remix.[55]
The remix received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Several publications praised the verses of the guest vocalists.[56] Billboard magazine called it an "infectious party banger."[57] Mike Wass from Idolator stated that the remix had "all the ingredients [for] a multi-format hit."[58] Exclaim's Sarah Murphy said that the "additional verses put a fresh spin on the brooding pop track, while [also] retaining the undeniable infectiousness of the original" version.[59] Noisey editor Phil Witmer called the remix "explosive,"[60] while Uproxx labelled it "ethereal."[61] Pigeons & Planes placed the remix on its Best Songs of the Week list for 15 September 2017. Charlotte Freitag, writing for the publication, lauded the final chorus which delivers "stunning four-part harmonies."[56]
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[62] | 23 |
| Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[30] | 54 |
| Latvia (DigiTop100)[63] | 43 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[31] | 92 |
| Netherlands (Mega Top 50)[64] | 48 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[33] | 20 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[65] | 92 |
Other remixes
[edit]Australian radio station Triple J held a contest shortly after the release of Lorde's official remix to find the best remix for "Homemade Dynamite". More than 1,000 entries were submitted. Five finalists were announced before the reveal date: Aela Kae, Eilish Gilligan, Sweet Potato, Tone Youth and Vincent Sole.[66] Lorde handpicked the winner, Sweet Potato, saying his submission reminded her of the chopped and screwed vocals she used as a beat in her 2013 song "Million Dollar Bills". Lorde also gave a "highly commended" to Vincent Sole, finding his "house groove [...] super interesting."[67]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Homemade Dynamite" (featuring Khalid, Post Malone and SZA) | 3:34 |
Credits and personnel
[edit]Recording and management
- Recorded at Conway Recording Studios (Los Angeles, California) and Electric Lady Studios (Greenwich Village, Manhattan, NY)
- Mixed at MixStar Studios (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
- Mastered at Sterling Sound Studios (New York City)
- Published by Songs Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Warner Chappell Music Scand (STIM), Wolf Cousins and vocal production administered for Suga Wuga Music, Inc.
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Melodrama.[4]
- Ella Yelich-O’Connor – lead vocals, songwriting, production
- Tove Lo – songwriting
- Laura Sisk - engineer
- Eric Eylands – assistant engineer
- Greg Eliason – assistant engineer
- John Hanes – mixing engineer
- Randy Merrill – mastering
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- Frank Dukes – production
- Kuk Harrell – vocal production
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[34] | 71 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[28] | 5 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[29] | 3 |
| Czech Republic Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[68] | 46 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[27] | 61 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[69] | 13 |
| Portugal (AFP)[70] | 68 |
| Slovakia Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[71] | 42 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[26] | 84 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[25] | 82 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[35] Remix |
5× Platinum | 350,000‡ |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[72] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[73] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[37] Remix |
Platinum | 80,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[74] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[36] Remix |
Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[75] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[76] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 16 September 2017 | Digital download | Universal Music New Zealand | [50] |
| Italy | 13 October 2017 | Contemporary hit radio | Universal | [77] |
| United States | 24 October 2017 | Republic | [78] |
References
[edit]Notes
[edit]Citations
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- ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – Lorde ft. Khalid, Post Malone & SZA – Homemade Dynamite". Music Canada. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- ^ Shelter, Carter (17 April 2017). "Watch Lorde Debut New Melodrama Material During Her Coachella Performance". Paste. Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ^ Wang, Steffanee (15 April 2017). "Lorde Shares New Music From Melodrama At Surprise LA Show". The Fader. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ^ Hawkes, Rebecca (17 April 2017). "Lorde sends crowd wild as she performs new song at Coachella". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 22 April 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ^ Stecher, Nicholas; Appleford, Steve (17 April 2017). "25 Best Things We Saw at Coachella 2017: Weekend One". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
Masley, Ed (17 April 2017). "Coachella review: Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, Hinds, Twin Peaks, T.S.O.L., Whitney, Toots & the Maytals". The Arizona Central. Retrieved 4 January 2018. - ^ Hall, Gerrad (17 April 2017). "11 Coachella highlights: Kendrick Lamar is a DAMN good headliner". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ^ Abad-Santos, Alex (27 August 2017). "Lorde had the flu. She performed at the VMAs anyway". Vox.com. Archived from the original on 1 September 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
- ^ Leight, Elias; Murray, Nick; Shipley, Al (28 August 2017). "Worst: Lorde's Wordless Interpretive Dance". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 14 September 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ^ "Lorde fires up at critics over her weird MTV VMAs performance". news.co.au. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
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External links
[edit]Homemade Dynamite
View on GrokipediaBackground and development
Writing process
Lorde co-wrote the lyrics for "Homemade Dynamite" with Swedish singer Tove Lo, Ludvig Söderberg, and Jakob Jerlström during a session in Los Angeles.[1] The collaboration occurred at a compound owned by producer Max Martin, which Lorde affectionately referred to as the "Gingerbread House," a creative space known for its whimsical and productive atmosphere.[7] The song's theme drew inspiration from Purity Ring's 2012 track "Fineshrine," particularly its "cute" vocals that influenced Lorde's delivery in capturing euphoric friendship and party energy.[8] Lorde aimed to evoke the euphoric sensation of group dynamics in social settings, reflecting the chaotic joy of youthful connections.[9] This intent is embodied in lyrics like "We'll be a wrecking ball crashing through walls."Recording and production
The recording sessions for "Homemade Dynamite" formed part of the broader production for Lorde's second studio album, Melodrama, which took place primarily from 2016 across multiple locations in the United States and New Zealand.[10] Canadian producer Frank Dukes oversaw the primary production and programming, with vocal production handled by Kuk Harrell, while Lorde contributed as co-producer, shaping the track's overall sound and structure.[11][12] Work primarily took place at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, supplemented by sessions at Electric Lady Studios and Rough Customer Studio in New York.[13] The production incorporated hip-hop-influenced beats and layered, glittering synths to craft a buoyant, dreamy texture blending R&B and synth-pop elements.[14] Lorde, in her co-producer role, determined key artistic choices including the song's tempo of 108 BPM and its key of B-flat major.[15]Composition and lyrics
Musical elements
"Homemade Dynamite" is classified as a synth-pop track incorporating R&B and hip hop influences through its percussive elements and rhythmic delivery.[16][17] The song has a runtime of 3:10.[18] It employs a verse-chorus form augmented by a bridge, with verses building tension through restrained instrumentation before transitioning into dynamic chorus sections. This structure features a gradual escalation, culminating in explosive drops that emphasize release and energy.[19] Musically, the track is set in B-flat major at a tempo of 107 beats per minute, contributing to its moderate pace and danceable groove.[18] Key sonic components include reverberated percussion providing an echoing drum effect, synth pads delivering atmospheric electronic flourishes, and a minimalistic bassline that warps subtly for depth.[20] These elements were shaped in production by Frank Dukes, who handled programming and engineering alongside Lorde.[21] Within the broader context of Melodrama, "Homemade Dynamite" aligns with the album's arc by capturing peaks of emotional intensity, evoking the euphoric highs of nocturnal escapism through its vibrant, celebratory sound.[22]Lyrical themes
"Homemade Dynamite" centers on the celebration of platonic friendships and the chaotic joy of partying, employing the dynamite metaphor to depict the explosive energy arising from group dynamics. Lorde introduced the track at Coachella as embodying the sensation of being at a party with friends, arms linked, immersed in the surrounding chaos. She elaborated in an interview that the song captures simple moments of connection, such as "having your arms around your friend’s shoulders and being drunk and being into the same song," underscoring the euphoric bond formed in such settings.[23][9] The chorus—"Our rules, our dreams, we're blind / Blowing shit up with homemade d-d-d-dynamite"—serves as a key lyrical anchor, symbolizing the self-made fun and recklessness inherent in youthful revelry. This repeated phrase illustrates how friends and drinks fuel an inspired, unbridled force, akin to improvised explosives that disrupt norms and amplify the night's intensity. The metaphor extends to the song's portrayal of destructive euphoria, where the group's abandon mirrors the volatile thrill of detonation, evoking a sense of liberation through shared abandon.[24][25] Lorde connects these themes to her personal reflections on teenage social dynamics, drawing from observations of her Auckland friend group to explore vulnerability amid crowd energy. The lyrics reflect the post-breakup phase of high-spirited outings, where the chaos of partying with peers provides both exhilaration and emotional exposure. Co-written with Tove Lo, the track subtly evolved from initial demos to emphasize collective empowerment in social bonds over solitary introspection.[23][9]Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Upon its world premiere at Coachella in April 2017, "Homemade Dynamite" was praised for its wavy, energetic vibe that hinted at the introspective pop direction of Lorde's forthcoming album Melodrama, with Billboard describing it as a track that captured the festival's celebratory spirit.[26] When Melodrama arrived in June 2017, the song drew acclaim as a standout for blending euphoric production with relatable themes of youthful recklessness and friendship, often compared to the album's lead single "Green Light" for its propulsive energy.[27] Rolling Stone highlighted the track's "sly, simmering" quality and "explosive energy," commending its clever lyricism that balanced vulnerability with a danceable beat, calling it a key example of Lorde's innovative fusion of pop introspection and bold sonics.[20] Pitchfork noted its role in the album's party sequences, praising Lorde's self-deprecating delivery amid the bacchanalian highs, which added emotional depth to the catchy hooks.[27] NME, awarding Melodrama a perfect five-star review as a "rudely excellent" record, praised its vibrant, hook-driven soundscape that innovatively explored relational dynamics through shimmering production. While largely celebrated, some critics offered minor critiques; The Guardian deemed it the album's weakest link for its somewhat predictable chorus structure and lack of sonic distinction amid mainstream pop trends, though it still appreciated the vivid lyrical metaphors of chaotic camaraderie.[28] Variety praised the album's overall blend of whimsy with raw emotion.[29] Following its official single release in September 2017, initial responses continued to affirm its infectious appeal, solidifying its status as a highlight of Melodrama's euphoric yet confessional tone.Rankings and accolades
Upon its release, "Homemade Dynamite" received widespread critical acclaim and featured prominently in several year-end lists for 2017. It ranked at number 2 on Rolling Stone's 50 Best Songs of 2017, praised for its eccentric whisper and role as a standout track from Melodrama.[30] In retrospective decade-end rankings, "Homemade Dynamite" solidified its place as a defining pop moment of the 2010s. It placed at number 32 on Rolling Stone contributor Rob Sheffield's 50 Best Songs of the 2010s, noted for its lively verses and effective use of pop pauses that captured youthful rebellion.[31] The track frequently appeared in best-of-Melodrama lists, often ranked among the album's top singles for its infectious production and thematic depth. While "Homemade Dynamite" did not secure major Grammy nominations—the album Melodrama earned a nod for Album of the Year at the 2018 Grammys, but the song itself was overlooked—it received recognition in pop categories elsewhere. The remix featuring Khalid, Post Malone, and SZA was nominated for Best Remix at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards.[32] No APRA Music Awards were awarded to the track, though Lorde's work on Melodrama contributed to her ongoing accolades in New Zealand songwriting circles.[33] Into the 2020s, "Homemade Dynamite" maintained strong streaming presence, appearing in curated playlists such as Spotify's Strong Women and International Women's Day collections, reflecting its enduring appeal in empowerment-themed rotations.[34] By 2025, it achieved Double Platinum certification in Canada from Music Canada, underscoring its sustained popularity through digital streams and downloads.[35] Recent Lorde retrospectives further highlighted its cultural impact, with the song ranking at number 5 on The Guardian's 20 Best Lorde Songs in 2025 and number 21 on GQ's definitive ranking of her catalog that year.[36][37]Commercial performance
Chart performance
The original version of "Homemade Dynamite" debuted on charts in June 2017, marking an initial modest reception following its premiere during Lorde's Coachella performance earlier that month. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number 82 on the Official Singles Chart, spending five weeks in the top 100.[38] Similarly, in Sweden, the track reached number 84 on the Sverigetopplistan, with just one week on the chart.[39] In New Zealand, Lorde's home market, the original achieved a stronger peak of number 13 on the Recorded Music NZ chart, lasting two weeks, underscoring early regional support in Oceanic territories.[40] The release of the remix featuring Khalid, Post Malone, and SZA in September 2017 provided a significant boost, propelling the song to higher positions across multiple markets. On the US Billboard Hot 100, the remix debuted and peaked at number 92.[41] It fared better in Oceanic regions, reaching number 20 on the New Zealand Recorded Music NZ chart with an extended run of 22 weeks, and number 23 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, where it entered the top 40 and benefited from Lorde's established fanbase. In Canada, the remix climbed to number 54 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, representing a mid-tier performance driven by increased streaming and digital sales post-remix.[42] Overall, the song demonstrated notable longevity, particularly on streaming-focused charts, with the remix maintaining visibility into the 2020s through sustained plays on platforms like Spotify, where the versions amassed approximately 438 million streams as of November 2025 (remix ~338 million, original ~100 million).[43] This enduring presence highlighted its appeal in digital metrics, even as traditional radio airplay waned after the initial promotional push. The track's trajectories illustrated stronger resonance in Oceanic markets, attributable to Lorde's New Zealand origins and regional promotional efforts.Sales and certifications
"Homemade Dynamite" has seen significant streaming success, largely propelled by platforms where the track has amassed approximately 438 million plays on Spotify as of November 2025 across its original and remix versions. The remix featuring Khalid, Post Malone, and SZA has been a key driver, with ~338 million Spotify streams, while the original version accounts for approximately 100 million. This streaming dominance reflects a post-pandemic surge in consumption during the 2020s.[43][44] The track's certifications highlight its regional success, particularly for the remix version. In Australia, it received 5× Platinum certification from ARIA, equivalent to 350,000 units. New Zealand's Recorded Music NZ awarded Platinum status, representing 30,000 units. In the United Kingdom, the British Phonographic Industry certified it Silver for 200,000 units, while the remix earned Platinum certification in the United States from the RIAA, denoting 1 million units, awarded on December 11, 2020. These awards underscore the remix's broader appeal due to the featured artists.[45]| Country | Certification (Version) | Units Sold | Certifying Body | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 5× Platinum (Remix) | 350,000 | ARIA | - |
| New Zealand | Platinum (Remix) | 30,000 | RMNZ | - |
| United Kingdom | Silver (Remix) | 200,000 | BPI | - |
| United States | Platinum (Remix) | 1,000,000 | RIAA | 2020-12-11 |
Promotion and legacy
Live performances
"Homemade Dynamite" received its live debut on April 16, 2017, during Lorde's set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where it served as the third preview of material from her then-upcoming album Melodrama.[46] On August 27, 2017, Lorde performed the song at the MTV Video Music Awards, delivering an interpretive dance routine to a pre-recorded track amid reports of illness that prevented her from singing live. The choreography, featuring angular movements and emotional expression, drew mixed reactions but highlighted the song's thematic intensity.[5][47] During the Melodrama World Tour from October 2017 to April 2018, "Homemade Dynamite" became a setlist staple, typically opening the show alongside "Sober" and accompanied by group choreography from backup dancers that evoked the track's explosive, chaotic energy. Staging elements included dynamic lighting and occasional confetti bursts to symbolize the "dynamite" motif, enhancing the performance's party-like atmosphere across 62 dates.[48][49][50] In the Solar Power Tour (2022–2023), the song was reinterpreted in a stripped-down, acoustic style as part of Act 1, played in nearly every show to emphasize its emotional core with minimal instrumentation and intimate crowd engagement.[51][52] Post-2020 performances remained selective, with notable renditions at 2023 festivals such as Sziget Festival, Flow Festival, and Boardmasters, where fan sing-alongs amplified the communal vibe during these outdoor sets. As of 2025, it has not been performed on the Ultrasound World Tour.Remixes
Several remixes of "Homemade Dynamite" were released in 2017 to prolong the single's promotion and appeal to broader audiences, with the most notable being the official featured version incorporating additional verses from guest artists.[53] The primary remix, produced by Lorde alongside Frank Dukes and vocal producer Kuk Harrell, retained the original's synth-pop foundation while integrating R&B-infused rap verses from the collaborators to enhance radio compatibility and urban market reach.[54][55] Recorded at studios like Conway in Los Angeles and Electric Lady in New York, it extended the track's runtime slightly to 3:34 and was issued as a digital single on September 14, 2017.[53] These production choices emphasized collaborative energy, aligning with Lorde's vision for a party-anthem evolution from the base track's introspective tone.[53] The remixes significantly amplified the song's visibility, with the featured version accumulating over 91 million streams on Spotify in 2017 alone, ranking among the platform's top remixes that year.[56] This surge propelled "Homemade Dynamite" onto the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time, debuting and peaking at number 92 and boosting overall chart performance across global markets.[41] Additionally, a remix contest hosted by Australia's triple j Unearthed in collaboration with Lorde yielded further impact, as the winning entry by Sydney producer Sweet Potato—selected personally by Lorde—was highlighted in media and contributed to fan engagement during the Hottest 100 poll period.[57] Beyond featured collaborations, non-featured variants included minor edits such as clean versions for radio playlists and the official contest winner's electronic reinterpretation, which added layered synths and beats without guest vocals to suit streaming rotations.[58] These adaptations helped maintain playlist momentum on services like Spotify, where instrumental or shortened cuts appeared in curated 2017 pop and chill selections.[59]Release formats
Track listings
"Homemade Dynamite" was initially released as a digital single on June 16, 2017, featuring the original version of the song at a length of 3:10.[60] The song appears on the standard Melodrama CD and vinyl editions of the album.[61] A remix single featuring Khalid, Post Malone, and SZA was released digitally on September 14, 2017.[53]Digital single (2017)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Homemade Dynamite | 3:10 |
Remix single (2017)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Homemade Dynamite" (feat. Khalid, Post Malone & SZA) [Remix] | 3:34 |
Original version
Songwriters- Ella Yelich-O'Connor (Lorde) – lyrics, music[24]
- Ebba Tove Elsa Nilsson (Tove Lo) – lyrics, music[24]
- Jakob Jerlström – music[24]
- Ludvig Söderberg – music[24]
- Lorde (Ella Yelich-O'Connor) – production[62]
- Adam Feeney (Frank Dukes, as A. Strut) – production, keyboards, programming[62]
- Kuk Harrell – vocal production[61]
- Lorde (Ella Yelich-O'Connor) – lead vocals[61]
- Frank Dukes (Adam Feeney) – keyboards, programming[62]
- Laura Sisk – engineering[61]
- Serban Ghenea – mixing[61]
- Randy Merrill – mastering[61]
- Ron Perry – A&R[61]
- Rebekah Woods – A&R administration[61]
- Trieste Douglas – A&R administration[61]
- Alex Sarti – management[61]
- Bob McLynn – management[61]
- Jonathan Daniel – management[63]
Remix version (featuring Khalid, Post Malone & SZA)
Songwriters- Ella Yelich-O'Connor (Lorde) – lyrics, music[64]
- Ebba Tove Elsa Nilsson (Tove Lo) – lyrics, music[64]
- Jakob Jerlström – music[64]
- Ludvig Söderberg – music[64]
- Khalid Robinson (Khalid) – lyrics[64]
- Austin Post (Post Malone) – lyrics[64]
- Solána Imani Rowe (SZA) – lyrics[64]
- Lorde (Ella Yelich-O'Connor) – production[64]
- Kuk Harrell – vocal production[64]
- Ging (Frank Dukes) – production[64]
- FTR$ (LV) – additional production[64]
- Lorde (Ella Yelich-O'Connor) – lead vocals[64]
- Khalid (Khalid Robinson) – featured vocals[64]
- Post Malone (Austin Post) – featured rap[64]
- SZA (Solána Imani Rowe) – featured vocals[64]
- Serban Ghenea – mixing[61]
- Randy Merrill – mastering[61]
