Jump to content

Back to Friends

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the Lauren Spencer Smith song, see Lauren Spencer Smith.
"Back to Friends"
Single by Sombr
ReleasedDecember 27, 2024 (2024-12-27)
GenreIndie pop[1]
Length3:19
Label
Songwriter(s)Shane Boose
Producer(s)Boose
Sombr singles chronology
"Makes Me Want You"
(2024) 		"Back to Friends"
(2024) 		"All I Ever Asked" (remix)
(2025)
Music video
"Back to Friends" on YouTube

"Back to Friends" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sombr. Written and produced solely by Sombr, the song was released as a single on December 27, 2024, through Warner Records and his own imprint SMB.[2]

The song became Sombr's breakout hit, alongside his 2025 single "Undressed", both of which entered several charts concurrently after going viral on the video-sharing app TikTok. In his home country, "Back to Friends" marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 31. Outside the United States, the song reached the top five in Australia, Ireland, Latvia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Singapore, the top 10 in Lithuania, Malaysia and the United Kingdom, and the top 20 in Greece, Indonesia, Luxembourg Norway and the United Arab Emirates. It has been certified Platinum in Australia and Canada as well as Gold in New Zealand and Portugal, and has accumulated over 400 million streams on Spotify.

Composition

[edit]

"Back to Friends" is composed in the key of C-sharp major with a time signature of 4
4, and has a tempo of 93 beats per minute.[3]

Reception

[edit]

In June 2025, Rolling Stone named "Back to Friends" one of the year's best songs so far, highlighting Sombr's ability to channel the nostalgic 2014 Tumblr grunge aesthetic era. The magazine also wrote that "the indie pop record plays out like an impassioned conversation that bleeds through the walls and captures the melodrama of teenage love".[4]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Back to Friends" experienced a significant increase in on-demand streams in March 2025 following viral popularity on the video-sharing platform TikTok.[2] The song subsequently debuted at number 140 on the Billboard Global 200 chart for the week ending April 5, 2025, becoming Sombr's first entry on the chart.[5] In its tenth week, it entered the top 10 at number nine,[6] and later peaked at number six.[7]

In the United States, "Back to Friends" debuted at number eight on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart dated April 5, 2025.[8] The following week, the song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 90, marking Sombr's first appearance on the chart.[2] It has since reached the top 40, peaking at number 31.[9] The song also charted on several rock and alternative charts,[10] including a peak at number four on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs.[11] In addition to rising streams, the song gained increased radio airplay, leading to its debut on the Alternative Airplay chart in the same week it entered the Hot 100,[2] eventually peaking at number one.[12][13] It also entered the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart on the issue date April 26, 2025,[14] later peaking at number six in its eleventh week.[15] In Canada, the song debuted at number 74 on the Canadian Hot 100 for the week of April 12, 2025,[16] and has since peaked at number 29 in its twelfth week.[17] It has been certified Platinum by Music Canada.[18]

In the United Kingdom, "Back to Friends" debuted at number 97 on the UK Singles Chart. In its thirteenth week, it reached a peak of number seven.[19] In Ireland, the song debuted at number 33 on the Irish Singles Chart and reached its current peak of number four in its fourteenth week, becoming Sombr's second top-five song in the country, following "Undressed".[19] Elsewhere in Europe, the song achieved a top 10 position in Lithuania,[20] and reached the top 50 in Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland and Sweden.[21][22][23][24][25]

In Australia, "Back to Friends" debuted at number 39 on the ARIA Singles Chart dated April 14, 2025,[26] and peaked at number three in its seventh week.[27] In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 36 for the week beginning April 4, 2025,[28] and peaked at number four in its ninth week, dated May 30, 2025.[29] It has been certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association and Gold by the Recorded Music NZ.[30][31] Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia, "Back to Friends" has peaked within the top five in the Philippines and Singapore,[32][33] the top 10 in Malaysia,[34] and the top 20 in Indonesia.[35]

On April 19, 2025, "Back to Friends" surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify, becoming Sombr's first song to reach the milestone. A month later, on May 19, the number exceeded 200 million. As of July 1, it has accumulated over 400 million streams.[36] On the same day, the song also reached the top of the US Spotify Daily Chart, on its 106th day charting.[37]

Music video

[edit]

The music video, directed by Gus Black was released on April 3, 2025, and features model Charlotte D'Alessio.[38]

Live performance

[edit]

On May 20, 2025, Sombr made his television performance debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing "Back to Friends".[39]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Back to Friends"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[27] 3
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[40] 32
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[17] 29
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[41] 21
France (SNEP)[42] 178
Germany (GfK)[43] 48
Global 200 (Billboard)[7] 6
Greece International (IFPI)[44] 17
Indonesia (Billboard)[35] 17
Ireland (IRMA)[45] 4
Israel International Airplay (Media Forest)[46] 16
Latvia Airplay (LaIPA)[47] 20
Latvia Streaming (LaIPA)[48] 3
Lithuania (AGATA)[20] 6
Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[49] 71
Luxembourg (Billboard)[22] 19
Malaysia (IFPI)[34] 8
Malaysia International (RIM)[50] 4
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[51] 41
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[29] 4
Norway (VG-lista)[23] 19
Philippines (IFPI)[52] 4
Philippines (Philippines Hot 100)[32] 3
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[24] 29
Portugal (AFP)[53]
[54] 		39
Singapore (RIAS)[33] 4
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[55] 34
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[25] 25
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[56] 22
United Arab Emirates (IFPI)[57] 13
UK Singles (OCC)[58] 7
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 31
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[13][12] 1
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[11] 4
US Rock & Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[15] 7

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Back to Friends"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[30] Platinum 70,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[18] Platinum 80,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[31] Gold 15,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[59] Gold 5,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lee, Derrick (April 5, 2025). "Sombr 'Back to Friends' Is the Breakfout Single That Proves He's More Than a Viral Sensation". Blurred Culture. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Zellner, Xander (April 8, 2025). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Sombr Scores First Entry With 'Back to Friends'". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  3. ^ "Back to Friends | Track Analytics | Songstats". Songstats. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  4. ^ "The Best Songs of 2025 So Far". Rolling Stone. June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  5. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of April 12, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  6. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of June 7, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Billboard Global 200: Week of June 21, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  8. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of April 5, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Billboard Hot 100: Week of June 28, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  10. ^ Billboard charts [@billboardcharts] (March 12, 2025). "sombr appears on Billboard's charts for the first time this week with 'Back To Friends.' The song, released on SMB/Warner Records, debuts at No. 23 on Hot Alternative Songs, No. 24 on Hot Rock Songs and No. 33 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 10, 2025 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ a b "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of June 21, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  12. ^ a b Rutherford, Kevin (June 6, 2025). "Sombr Earns His First Radio Chart No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  13. ^ a b "Alternative Airplay: Week of June 14, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  14. ^ "Rock & Alternative Airplay: Week of April 26, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  15. ^ a b "Rock & Alternative Airplay: Week of July 5, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  16. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of April 12, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  17. ^ a b "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of June 21, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  18. ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – Sombr – Back to Friends". Music Canada. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  19. ^ a b "Sombr Songs and Albums". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  20. ^ a b "2025 20-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  21. ^ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 19/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  22. ^ a b "Luxembourg Songs: Week of July 5, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  23. ^ a b "Singel 2025 uke 27". VG-lista. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  24. ^ a b "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 20.06.2025–26.06.2025.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  25. ^ a b "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 27, 2025". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  26. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. April 14, 2025. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  27. ^ a b "Morgan Wallen has no problems at #1". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  28. ^ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. April 4, 2025. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  29. ^ a b "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. May 30, 2025. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  30. ^ a b "ARIA Top 50 Singles for week of 9 June 2025". Australian Recording Industry Association. June 9, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  31. ^ a b "New Zealand single certifications – Sombr – Back to Friends". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  32. ^ a b "Philippines Hot 100: Week of June 28, 2025". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  33. ^ a b "The Official Singapore Charts Week 24 (6 - 12 Jun 2025)". RIAS. Archived from the original on June 17, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  34. ^ a b "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Malaysia Chart Top 20 from 06/20/2025 to 06/26/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 1, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 26]
  35. ^ a b "Indonesia Songs: Week of July 1, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  36. ^ "back to friends by sombr - Spotify stream count". My Stream Count. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  37. ^ "Daily Top Songs USA". Spotify Charts. July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  38. ^ "SOMBR SERVES UP 'BACK TO FRIENDS' VIDEO". Hits Daily Double. April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  39. ^ "Sombr Makes Late Night TV Debut On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". antiMusic. May 21, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  40. ^ "Sombr – Back to Friends" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  41. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 22. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  42. ^ "Tops De La Semaine | Top Singles − Semaine du 13 juin 2025" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  43. ^ "Sombr – Back to Friends" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  44. ^ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 26/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  45. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  46. ^ "מדיה פורסט – המצעד הבינלאומי השבועי – Week 26 – 22/06 – 28/06/2025" [Media Forest – International Weekly Chart – Week 26 – 22/06 – 28/06/2025] (Select the year 2025 and the option "26 22-06-25 28-06-25" from the stretched lists, then click "שירים מובילים - רדיו - בינלאומי" to see the chart.) (in Hebrew). Media Forest. June 29, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  47. ^ "Latvijas dziesmu topā viļņojas aktuālie hiti" [Current hits are making waves in the Latvian song chart] (in Latvian). TV Net [lv]. April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  48. ^ "Latvijas atskaņotākās mūzikas topā raibs pašmāju un ārzemju dziesmu klājums" [Latvian music chart features a varied mix of local and foreign songs] (in Latvian). TV Net [lv]. June 17, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  49. ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: May 8, 2025". TopHit. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  50. ^ "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 26 (20/6/2025-26/6/2025)". RIM. July 6, 2025. Retrieved July 6, 2025 – via Facebook.
  51. ^ "Sombr – Back to Friends" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  52. ^ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Philippines Chart Top 20 from 06/20/2025 to 06/26/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 1, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 26]
  53. ^ "Sombr – Back to Friends". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  54. ^ "Top 200 Singles Semana 26 de 2025" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 8. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  55. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 23. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  56. ^ "Sombr – Back to Friends". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  57. ^ "The Official MENA Chart | Weekly Chart – Week 26, 2025 – 20/06 to 26/06/2025". The Official MENA Chart (Select year 2025, week 26, and UAE chart to view peak.). Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  58. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  59. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Sombr – Back to Friends" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Back_to_Friends&oldid=1299114026"