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"Speed Drive"
Cover art for "Speed Drive": the letters "XCX" debossed onto a pink background
Single by Charli XCX
from the album Barbie the Album
Released29 June 2023 (2023-06-29)
Recorded2023
GenreHyperpop
Length1:57
LabelAtlantic
Songwriters
ProducerEasyfun
Charli XCX singles chronology
"Hot Girl"
(2022) 		"Speed Drive"
(2023) 		"In the City"
(2023)
Music video
"Speed Drive" on YouTube

"Speed Drive" is a song by British singer Charli XCX from Barbie the Album, the soundtrack of the 2023 film Barbie. The song was released on 29 June 2023 as the fourth single from the soundtrack and reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Charli XCX's sixth top 10 single in the chart.

Background and composition

[edit]
Charli XCX was one of the first artists involved with Barbie the Album

Charli XCX was one of the first artists that Mark Ronson, the producer of the Barbie soundtrack, contacted to be featured on the album;[1] she, however, felt Ronson asked her "a little late in the game".[2] In an Instagram post on 22 June 2023, Charli XCX shared that she "always loved the escapism" that her Barbie dolls provided and that it was "kind of a full circle moment to be a part of this soundtrack and movie."[3] She revealed in a 2024 Billboard cover story that she had written the song in 30 minutes.[2] Ronson talked about the work with Charli XCX:[4]

"When you’re telling someone where you want their song in the film, everyone wants to hear ‘opening credits’ or ‘closing credits,’ but not ‘car chase. [...] I remember Charli asked: ‘Where are you thinking this song is gonna go?’ And I said, ‘Err, I dunno, car chase?’ under my breath. And Charli just said: ‘This speaks to me in an immense way.’ Because Charli is just so amazing and she just loves that raw energy"

"Speed Drive" contains an interpolation of "Mickey", written by Mike Chapman and Nicholas Chinn, and performed by Toni Basil.[1] It also contains an interpolation of "Cobrastyle", written by Klas Åhlund, Joakim Åhlund, Patrick Arve, Ewart Brown, Fabian Torsson, Troy Rami, Paul Rota, David Parker and Sylvia Robinson, and performed by Robyn; which itself is a cover of "Cobrastyle", performed by Teddybears featuring Mad Cobra.[5] This caused the writing credits to be excessive in length, which Charli said "really sucks" for the writers as they didn't make much money from the publishing.[2]

Release

[edit]

"Speed Drive" was the third single to be released from the Barbie soundtrack.[1][6] Ahead of its release, Charli XCX shared a snippet of the song over a clip of Margot Robbie from the Barbie film.[7]

Reception

[edit]

Alex Gonzalez of Uproxx wrote that "Charli taps into her glimmery, pink energy, giving the Barbie universe the bop of the century."[8] Liberty Dunworth of NME wrote that the single "may be brief—coming in at less than two minutes long—but still manages to pack a punch as one of the most energetic songs on the soundtrack."[9]

Steffanee Wang of Nylon wrote that "Speed Drive" sounded "hyperpop frenzy" and "one of the album's highlights".[10] Cat Zhang of Pitchfork also called the track the "relative highlight" of its parent album and "more clever than the rest of Barbie's selections".[11]

Year-end lists

[edit]
Select year-end rankings of "Speed Drive"
Publication List Rank Ref.
The Guardian The 20 Best Songs of 2023
12
 [12]
Pitchfork The 100 Best Songs of 2023
56
[13]

Music video

[edit]

On 1 August 2023, Charli filmed an official music video for the song, which was released on the 16th of August 2023. The music video for "Speed Drive", directed by Ramez Silyan, premiered via Charli XCX YouTube channel.[14] The video featured a cameo of Sam Smith and Devon Lee Carlson.[15][16][17]

Commercial performance

[edit]

In the United Kingdom, "Speed Drive" reached number nine on the Official Singles Chart, becoming Charli XCX's sixth top 10 single and her first as a lead artist since "Doing It" with Rita Ora in 2015.[18] In the United States, the song became the singer's first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 since "Break the Rules" in 2014,[19] her fifth song to chart overall.[10]

The commercial success of "Speed Drive", which Charli dubbed "random", inspired her to write her 2024 track "Rewind".[2]

Personnel

[edit]

All credits are adapted from CD liner notes of Barbie the Album.[20]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Speed Drive"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[21] 22
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[22] 47
Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[23] 44
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[24] 48
Czech Republic Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[25] 37
Germany (GfK)[26] 82
Global 200 (Billboard)[27] 58
Guatemala Anglo (Monitor Latino)[28] 17
Ireland (IRMA)[29] 7
Latvia (EHR)[30] 30
Netherlands (Single Tip)[31] 9
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[32] 22
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[33] 39
Slovakia Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[34] 61
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[35] 9
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[36] 89
UK Singles (OCC)[37] 9
US Billboard Hot 100[38] 73
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[39] 22

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Speed Drive"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[40] Gold 40,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[41] Gold 15,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[42] Gold 25,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[43] Gold 400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Speed Drive"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various 29 June 2023
Atlantic [44]
Italy 30 June 2023 Radio airplay Warner [45]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Speed Drive

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Speed Drive" is a song by English singer from '''', the soundtrack to the 2023 film '''' directed by . The song was released on June 29, 2023, as a single from the album.

Background

Writing and inspiration

was among the first artists contacted by producer to contribute to the soundtrack, an opportunity that resonated deeply with her personal history of playing with dolls during childhood. At age 4, she won a talent competition on a family by performing "" a capella, which she recalled as a memorable moment. This connection fueled her enthusiasm for the project, aligning her creative vision with the film's playful aesthetic. The song emerged from a spontaneous writing session prompted by Ronson's request for a track to accompany a scene in the film, which XCX completed in approximately 30 minutes without overthinking its potential impact. During the process, she incorporated key interpolations from Toni Basil's "," adapting the hook into "Ah, Barbie, you're so fine," and drew energy from Robyn's "" to craft a high-octane, chaotic vibe that balanced cute sweetness with bold femininity. Lyrically, "Speed Drive" emphasizes themes of empowerment, carefree cruising, and Barbie's adventurous spirit, portraying the doll as an inspirational best friend who enables escapist thrills, as captured in lines like "I feel like a spaceship" to evoke joyful detachment and speed. This approach mirrors the film's humorous, lighthearted tone while infusing XCX's signature hyper-pop edge.

Recording and production

"Speed Drive" was produced by Easyfun, the alias of British songwriter and producer Finn Keane, who collaborated closely with during the track's creation. The song was recorded at the London studio of , drummer for , as part of the broader sessions for the soundtrack. Keane has described the process as a swift and intuitive session, where he developed an initial beat featuring a prominent synth line, aggressive bass sounds, and a driving drum pattern while XCX prepared lunch, with her providing real-time feedback to shape the track's high-energy direction. This efficient workflow, spanning just a few hours, allowed the pair to capture a raw, exhilarating vibe tailored to the film's playful aesthetic. The production emphasized a style, blending electronic elements with bubblegum pop influences to evoke the vibrant, doll-like world of . Key techniques included layering XCX's vocals for a dynamic, anthemic chorus—particularly in the interpolation of Toni Basil's 1981 hit "Mickey," reimagined as "Ah, , you're so fine"—over synth-heavy beats and pulsating basslines that propel the track forward. Engineered for intensity, the song clocks in at 1:57, a concise length designed to maximize replayability and match the fast-paced energy of the movie's chase scene it accompanies. Mixing occurred at Larrabee Sound Studios in , ensuring a polished, radio-ready sound. Songwriting credits extend to , Easyfun (Finn Keane), and additional contributors including Klas Åhlund, reflecting the incorporation of sampled and interpolated elements from classic pop tracks to enhance the song's nostalgic yet modern edge. Keane highlighted XCX's songwriting prowess, noting how she rapidly fleshed out lyrics and melodies from his foundational sounds, transforming simple sonic ideas into a cohesive, adrenaline-fueled piece. The final of 174 beats per minute contributes to its relentless momentum, underscoring the track's role as a high-octane highlight.

Release

Announcement

"Speed Drive" by was first publicly announced as part of the soundtrack for the 2023 film on May 25, 2023, when the full tracklist for was revealed by . The song was listed as the fourth track on the album, positioned after contributions from , , and , signaling its role in the film's extensive promotional music campaign led by . Building anticipation for its launch, the track was confirmed as the next single from the soundtrack, following "" by and "" by and . shared a snippet of the chorus on days before its debut, heightening excitement among fans for the high-energy pop number tied to the movie's vibrant aesthetic. The single was released on June 29, 2023, further integrating the song into the marketing push ahead of the film's July 21 theatrical debut.

Formats and promotion

"Speed Drive" was released as a digital single on June 29, 2023, by , serving as the third single from the soundtrack album . The track premiered on Italian the following day, June 30, 2023. As a standalone digital download and streaming release, "Speed Drive" was not issued in any dedicated physical formats such as vinyl or cassette singles. It appears on Barbie the Album, which was made available in physical editions including compact disc and vinyl LP on July 21, 2023, aligning with the theatrical debut of the Barbie film. Promotion for "Speed Drive" was closely tied to the film's marketing campaign, leveraging the movie's global buzz to amplify the track's visibility. Charli XCX shared teasers of the song on platforms like ahead of its release, building anticipation among fans. The song featured prominently in the film itself during a high-energy sequence, and post-release, it was incorporated into official promotional content, including posts from the film's accounts encouraging engagement with its upbeat, driving theme. During promotional interviews around the film's July 21, 2023, premiere, Charli XCX highlighted the track's creation and its fit within the soundtrack's empowering pop aesthetic.

Critical reception

Reviews

Critics praised "Speed Drive" for its energetic vibe, drawing on the song's fast-paced production and bubblegum elements that evoke a sense of exhilarating speed and fun, perfectly aligning with the film's playful aesthetic. The track's lyrics, celebrating female friendship and unapologetic confidence with lines like "Top 40, she on the charts" and "I feel like a femmebot," were highlighted for their empowering, bratty tone that captures a carefree, badass . As a standout on the Barbie soundtrack, the song was frequently noted for its infectious energy and earworm chorus, which interpolates Toni Basil's "Mickey" to create a propulsive, adrenaline-fueled hook. Reviewers from The Guardian described it as conjuring "exhilarating cognitive dissonance through its hyperactive bubblegum pop," emphasizing its fit as a vibrant companion to the movie's themes of empowerment and joy. Similarly, Stereogum called it a "metallic banger," underscoring its club-ready appeal and seamless integration into the album's diverse pop palette. The song's brevity at under two minutes was often cited as a deliberate strength, delivering maximum impact in a concise burst that suits the quick-hit nature of modern streaming and social media platforms like TikTok, where its chorus quickly became a viral staple. While the broader Barbie soundtrack received mixed reviews, aggregating to a Metacritic score of 69 out of 100 based on 13 critics, "Speed Drive" stood out as a consistent favorite, with no major negative critiques directed at the track itself amid the album's generally positive reception for its high-energy contributions.

Rankings and accolades

"Speed Drive" received notable recognition in several year-end music lists for 2023. It ranked at number 9 on The Guardian's list of the 20 best songs of the year, praised for its energetic interpolation of Basil's "Mickey" and its thematic ties to Charli XCX's affinity for fast-paced driving anthems. The track placed at number 56 on Pitchfork's 100 Best Songs of 2023, where it was highlighted for subverting the original "Hey " into a bold, empowering pop statement. The song was tied to accolades for the Barbie soundtrack, from which it originated. While "Speed Drive" itself did not receive individual Grammy nominations, the album won Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media at the in 2024, with other tracks from the project winning awards in categories like Song of the Year. By 2025, "Speed Drive" had not secured any major solo awards, but its viral success and mainstream exposure significantly elevated Charli XCX's profile, setting the stage for the blockbuster reception of her 2024 album Brat, which debuted at number one on the and spawned multiple top-10 singles.

Media appearances

Music video

The official music video for "Speed Drive" was directed by Ramez Silyan and released on August 16, 2023, via Charli XCX's YouTube channel. In the video, Charli XCX is depicted riding shotgun in a hot pink Corvette convertible, driven by Devon Lee Carlson through Barbie-inspired landscapes, including elements evoking the film's whimsical world. Sam Smith makes a cameo appearance via a video call on a flip phone, teasing a potential collaboration. The visuals feature high-energy drifting and doughnut maneuvers in an industrial setting under bright California sunlight, emphasizing the song's fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled theme. The production was tied to Warner Bros.' Barbie film, incorporating promotional elements like a Samsung Galaxy Flip phone placement, and aligns with the soundtrack's executive production by . As of November 2025, the video had accumulated approximately 8.1 million views on .

Live performances

"Speed Drive" made its live debut during Charli XCX's performance at Spotify's Wrapped Live event in on November 30, 2023, as part of promotional activities tied to the song's inclusion on the Barbie soundtrack. The high-energy rendition highlighted the track's elements, setting the tone for its stage adaptations. The song was fully integrated into Charli XCX's co-headlining Sweat Tour with in 2024, where it became a staple of the setlist, delivering bolt-rattling tempos and vibrant, fast-paced visuals that amplified its driving rhythm. Notable performances included the in , , on July 6, 2024, where it contributed to a relentlessly energetic hour-long set, and in on September 23, 2024, featuring electrifying audience engagement and stage chemistry between the artists. These shows adapted the track with live band support and interactive elements, preserving its intensity while fostering crowd participation through synchronized movements and sing-alongs. By 2025, "Speed Drive" remained a fixture in Charli XCX's Brat Arena Tour setlists, appearing alongside tracks from her Brat album and earlier works, which helped sustain its popularity through dynamic arena spectacles. Performances during this tour, such as at the in on April 30, 2025, maintained the song's turbo-charged delivery, blending nostalgic Barbie-inspired flair with contemporary production to keep audiences immersed. The consistent inclusion across major tours underscored its role in bridging her Barbie-era hit with ongoing live repertoire.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

"Speed Drive" achieved significant chart success worldwide following its release. In the , the song peaked at number 9 on the Official Singles Chart, marking Charli XCX's sixth top 10 entry overall. It spent a total of 15 weeks on the chart, with notable longevity including a re-entry at number 19 in 2024 amid renewed interest from her album Brat. In the United States, "Speed Drive" debuted and peaked at number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Charli XCX's first entry on the chart since "Boom Clap" in 2014. The track also reached number 22 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, reflecting its appeal in alternative radio formats. It charted for five weeks on the Hot 100, bolstered by streaming gains. Internationally, the song peaked at number 7 on the Irish Singles Chart, number 22 on the ARIA Singles Chart in Australia, and number 44 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100. It also entered the top 50 in several European countries, including number 47 in Austria and number 82 in Germany. The track's performance was sustained for multiple weeks across global charts, primarily driven by robust streaming volumes exceeding 300 million on platforms like Spotify and consistent radio airplay extending into 2024.

Certifications and sales

"Speed Drive" has achieved gold certifications in multiple territories, reflecting its commercial success tied to the . In the , the (BPI) certified the single on August 4, 2024, for combined sales and streaming equivalent to 400,000 units. Similarly, awarded a certification on October 4, 2023, denoting 40,000 units in that market. In , (RMNZ) certified it for 15,000 units by late 2023. Poland's ZPAV also granted status for 25,000 units in 2024.
CountryCertifying BodyCertificationUnits (as of certification date)Date
CanadaMusic CanadaGold40,000October 4, 2023
New ZealandRMNZGold15,0002023
PolandZPAVGold25,0002024
United KingdomBPIGold400,000August 4, 2024
As of November 2025, "Speed Drive" has surpassed 500 million global streams on , a milestone that has bolstered the overall streaming performance of the Barbie soundtrack. Despite this, the single had not attained any certifications worldwide by 2025, with its robust digital sales largely attributed to the film's global triumph exceeding $1.4 billion. The song's enduring popularity has notably influenced streaming figures across 's discography, acting as a pivotal entry point for listeners following the June 2024 release of her album Brat, which amplified renewed interest in her earlier work including "Speed Drive."

Credits

Personnel

"Speed Drive" was written by (Charlotte Aitchison), Finn Keane, and Klas Åhlund, with additional writing credits attributed to , , , and others due to its interpolation of "Hey Mickey" by and sample of "" by . The was produced by Easyfun (Finn Keane). served as executive producer for the overall soundtrack. performs lead vocals on the track. , including synths and drums, was handled by the production team led by Easyfun. Mixing was conducted by , with mastering by , as part of the soundtrack's engineering team.

Release history

"Speed Drive" was first released as a digital download and for streaming worldwide on June 29, 2023, through as part of the soundtrack. The track received its radio premiere in on June 30, 2023. It was subsequently included on the physical CD edition of , which was released on July 21, 2023, coinciding with the film's theatrical debut. An official remix, "Speed Drive (jamesjamesjames Remix)", was released as a digital single on September 15, 2023, through . As of November 2025, no additional official remixes or re-releases of the song have been issued beyond the 2023 remix.

References

  1. https://open.spotify.com/track/5VxmI3IdgAxWVvUnJoLuY2
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxZwCpgxttQ
  3. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/charli-xcx-song-barbie-soundtrack/
  4. https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/charli-xcx-brat-billboard-cover-story-interview-1235732025/
  5. https://www.musicweek.com/interviews/read/hitmakers-finn-keane-on-charli-xcx-s-speed-drive/089124
  6. https://www.musicradar.com/news/charli-xcx-speed-drive-barbie-finn-keane
  7. https://genius.com/Charli-xcx-speed-drive-lyrics
  8. https://music.apple.com/us/song/speed-drive/1689239213
  9. https://musicstax.com/track/speed-drive-from-barbie-the-album/5VxmI3IdgAxWVvUnJoLuY2
  10. https://people.com/barbie-soundtrack-features-dua-lipa-lizzo-ice-spice-ryan-gosling-7503987
  11. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/barbie-soundtrack-announced-dua-lipa-lizzo-more-1234741923/
  12. https://www.thefader.com/2023/06/30/charli-xcxs-speed-drive-barbie
  13. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/charli-xcx-speed-drive-barbie-soundtrack-single-1234781175/
  14. https://press.atlanticrecords.com/sites/g/files/g2000014001/files/2023-06/PR%2520-%2520Charli%2520XCX%2520Speed%2520Drive%2520-%25206.30.23.docx
  15. https://radiodate.it/radio-date/charli-xcx-speed-drive-from-barbie-the-album-235368-30-06-2023-radiodate/
  16. https://press.atlanticrecords.com/sites/g/files/g2000014001/files/2023-07/PR%2520-%2520ATLANTIC%2520RECORDS%2520UNVEILS%2520BARBIE%2520THE%2520ALBUM%2520-%25207.21.23.docx
  17. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jul/21/barbie-the-album-review-a-cynical-exercise-in-corporate-synergy
  18. https://bleachedistheword.com/2023/07/03/single-review-charli-xcx-speed-drive/
  19. https://www.themarysue.com/best-charli-xcx-songs-ranked/
  20. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/04/the-20-best-songs-of-2023
  21. https://lede-v2.stereogum.com/2228804/charli-xcx-speed-drive/music/
  22. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/r-theman-j/album/672497-speed-drive/
  23. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/charli-xcx/speed-drive/
  24. https://www.metacritic.com/music/barbie-the-album/various-artists
  25. https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/barbie-soundtrack-review-film-3471113
  26. https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-songs-2023/
  27. https://grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list
  28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7jzzvKxgZ8
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28741663/
  30. https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/charli-xcx-goes-drifting-with-devon-lee-carlson-in-speed-drive-video
  31. https://themusicuniverse.com/charli-xcx-releases-speed-drive-video/
  32. https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/60605/1/watch-the-new-video-for-charli-xcx-devon-lee-carlson-barbie-banger-speed-drive
  33. https://people.com/charli-xcx-speed-drive-music-video-7644505
  34. https://musictech.com/news/events/spotify-wrapped-live-london-drumsheds/
  35. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/charli-xcx/2023/the-drumsheds-london-england-1baeed54.html
  36. https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/charli-xcx-and-troye-sivan-conquer-madison-square-garden-live-review/
  37. https://diymag.com/review/live/opener-2024
  38. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/charli-xcx-troye-sivan-sweat-tour-concert-review-1235110759/
  39. https://uproxx.com/pop/charli-xcx-brat-tour-setlist-2025/
  40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBGjRpzBBeQ
  41. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/average-setlist/charli-xcx-33d5dcdd.html?tour=63dc767f
  42. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/21419/charli-xcx/
  43. https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/charli-xcx-speed-drive-barbie-music-video-1235393410/
  44. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/irish-singles-chart/20230825/ie7501/
  45. https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?key=2382893&cat=s
  46. https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2023-08-12/
  47. https://genius.com/Charli-xcx-speed-drive-lyrics/q/writer
  48. https://secondhandsongs.com/work/299004/all
  49. https://genius.com/albums/Various-artists/Barbie-the-album
  50. https://themusicuniverse.com/charli-xcx-releases-speed-drive-from-barbie-album/
  51. https://www.amazon.com/Barbie-Album/dp/B0C65XFBZB
  52. https://www.target.com/p/various-barbie-the-album-cd/-/A-89210179
  53. https://music.apple.com/us/album/speed-drive-jamesjamesjames-remix-from-barbie-the-album-single/1706381024
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