Backburner (song)
| "Backburner" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Niki | ||||
| from the album Nicole | ||||
| Released | May 15, 2023 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:56 | |||
| Label | 88rising | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Nicole Zefanya | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Niki singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Backburner" on YouTube | ||||
"Backburner" is a song by Indonesian singer-songwriter Niki. It was released as a digital single for her second album Nicole on May 15, 2023, through 88rising. Written by Nicole Zefanya and produced by Niki and Ethan Gruska, the alternative R&B and alternative pop[1] track explores the concept of looking back fondly at a past relationship, despite being conflicted and open to the possibility of reuniting.
Background and release
After the release of her debut album, Moonchild in 2020. She released her second album, Nicole in 2022, alongside her pre-singles, "Before", "Oceans & Engines", and "High School in Jakarta".[2]
Her second album, Nicole, features reimagined archived songs from Niki's past, along with several new tracks. She revealed that during the pandemic, she delved into her archived YouTube videos from middle school and discovered that these songs hold a special place in her heart. Niki also shared that the collaborative process of creating songs in their collaborators' garages and living rooms was carefree and energizing, resembling a child at the playground. The record helped Niki trust his gut and gain confidence as a songwriter and producer, making it more fun and freeing.[3]
Composition and lyrics
"Backburner" is three minutes and fifty-six seconds long, composed in the key of G with a time signature of 4
4, and has a tempo of 168 beats per minute.[4] It was written by Nicole Zefanya and produced by Niki and Ethan Gruska.[5]
Niki describes "Backburner" as a "replacement boyfriend" who offers the chance to find a compatible partner who may be exactly what one desires.[6] Lyrically, it also explores the concept of looking back fondly at a past relationship, despite being conflicted and open to the possibility of reuniting.[7] It tells the story of a woman who loves her crush even though she's not his priority. She's even willing to be his side interest.[8]
Music video
Directed by Isaac Ravishankara, it features her perspective on the tragic romance. Niki tries to repair the damaged connection between her and her partner by rewatching old footage to restore her fantasy world. However, her mission is unsuccessful, and her fantasy world is toppled, leaving her to rebuild the pieces.[9]
Critical performance
The song peaked in the Philippines at number eighteen on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 charts in March 2025.[10] The song debuted on the same month and later on peaked at number seventeen on the Billboard Indonesia Songs chart in May 2025.[11]
Listicles
| Publisher | Year | Listicle | Placement | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Philippines | 2025 | 8 Anthems For Those Not Ready To Move On | Placed | [12] |
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from Apple Music.[5]
- Niki — vocals, songwriter, producer
- Ethan Gruska — producer, recording engineer
- Rob Moose — arranger, violin, strings, string instrument
- Trevor Taylor — mixing engineer
- Dale Becker — mastering engineer
- Fili Filizzola — assistant mastering engineer
- Ivan Handwerk — assistant mixing engineer
- Katie Harvey — assistant mastering engineer
- Noah McCorkle — assistant mastering engineer
- Jeff Ellis — mixing engineer
Charts
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Indonesia (Billboard)[13] | 17 |
| Philippines (Philippines Hot 100)[14] | 18 |
References
- ^ a b Chelosky, Danielle (August 18, 2022). "Niki Turns To Vulnerability And Alternative Pop On Her New Album, Nicole". Uproxx. Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ Mitchell, Ashlee (August 12, 2022). "NIKI Is Ready To Reveal Her True Self On 'Nicole': "I Have A Better Idea Of Who I Am And Who I Want To Be"". GRAMMY. Archived from the original on March 21, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ "Music: Jakarta-born songwriter Niki's new album 'Nicole' is out now". Adobo Magazine. August 16, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ "Backburner | Track Analytics | Songstats". Songstats. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ a b "Backburner — Song by NIKI — Apple Music". Apple Music (PH). Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ "Lirik Lagu "Backburner" - NIKI" (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ Agustin, Carl Martin (May 19, 2023). "Listening Party: NIKI Releases Music Video for Backburner". Inquirer.net. Archived from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Lirik Lagu Backburner-Niki dan Terjemahan, Artinya Bikin Galau Maksimal" (in Indonesian). Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ Pointer, Flisadam (May 15, 2023). "Niki's 'Nicole World Tour' Is No Longer A 'Backburner' Item, But Rather A Set Plan Coming This Summer". Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ "Philippines Hot 100 — Week of May 15, 2025". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on March 18, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ "NIKI Chart History: Indonesia Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ Saenz, Rome (May 23, 2025). "8 Anthems For Those Not Ready To Move On – Staff Picks". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
- ^ Peak chart positions on RIM's Top 20 most streamed international & domestic songs in Malaysia:
- "Top 20 Most Streamed International + Domestic Songs - Week 4 (21/01/2022- 27/01/2022)". January 21–27, 2022. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2022 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Philippines Hot 100 for the week of March 15, 2025". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved July 11, 2025.