Better (Khalid song)

2018 single by Khalid

"Better"

Single by Khalid
from the EP  Suncity
Released| September 14, 2018 (2018-09-14)
Genre| R&B
Length| 3:49 (single/album version)

* 3:20 (radio edit)

Label| RCA
Songwriter(s)|

* Mikkel Storleer Eriksen
* Tor Erik Hermansen
* Ryan Vojtesak
* Jamil Chammas
* Khalid Robinson

Producer(s)|

* Denis Kosiak
* StarGate
* Digi
* Charlie Handsome

Khalid singles chronology
| "Eastside"
(2018)  | "Better"
(2018)  | "Saturday Nights Remix"
(2019)

|
|

Music video
"Better" on YouTube

"Better" is a song by American singer Khalid from his first EP Suncity (2018). It was released as the lead single from the EP on September 14, 2018.[1][2] It was also included on the album Free Spirit. The song was a commercial success and became Khalid's first solo top 10 single in the United States.[3]

## Commercial performance

[edit]

"Better" peaked at number eight in the US in its 30th week, making it one of the slowest ascends to the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] Internationally, the song peaked at number 14 in Canada, number four in Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore, six in Australia, and various spots in the top 10 and top 40.

Additionally, "Better" marked Khalid's second number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, following the 11-week run of "Young Dumb & Broke".[5] It also became his first number-one on Billboard's Rhythmic chart in its February 16, 2019 issue.[6][7]

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (2018–2019)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[8] | 6
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[9] | 36
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[10] | 3
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[11] | 26
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] | 14
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[13] | 24
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[14] | 46
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[15] | 21
Denmark (Tracklisten)[16] | 10
Germany (GfK)[17] | 49
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[18] | 24
Ireland (IRMA)[19] | 8
Lithuania (AGATA)[20] | 9
Malaysia (RIM)[21] | 4
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[22] | 30
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[23] | 4
Norway (VG-lista)[24] | 9
Portugal (AFP)[25] | 6
Romania (Airplay 100)[26] | 91
Scotland (OCC)[27] | 57
Singapore (RIAS)[28] | 4
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[29] | 65
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[30] | 28
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[31] | 13
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] | 26
UK Singles (OCC)[33] | 15
US Billboard Hot 100[34] | 8
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[35] | 37
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[36] | 18
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[37] | 5
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[38] | 5
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[39] | 1
US Rolling Stone Top 100[40] | 37
Chart (2022)  | Peak
position

|

South Africa (RISA)[41] | 93

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (2018)  | Position

|

Australia (ARIA)[42] | 77
Denmark (Tracklisten)[43] | 95
Portugal (AFP)[44] | 81
Chart (2019)  | Position
Australia (ARIA)[45] | 28
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[46] | 34
Denmark (Tracklisten)[47] | 98
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[48] | 13
Portugal (AFP)[49] | 52
US Billboard Hot 100[50] | 20
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[51] | 12
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[52] | 21
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[53] | 10
US Rolling Stone Top 100[54] | 21

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[55] | 8× Platinum  | 560,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[56] | Gold  | 15,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[57] | Diamond  | 160,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[58] | 9× Platinum  | 720,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[59] | Platinum  | 90,000‡
France (SNEP)[60] | Platinum  | 200,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[61] | Gold  | 200,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[62] | Gold  | 35,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[63] | 6× Platinum  | 180,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[64] | Platinum  | 60,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[65] | Platinum  | 20,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[66] | Platinum  | 10,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[67] | Gold  | 30,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[68] | Gold  | 10,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[69] | 2× Platinum  | 1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[70] | 6× Platinum  | 6,000,000‡
Streaming
Sweden (GLF)[71] | Gold  | 4,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Region  | Date  | Format  | Label  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

United States  | October 9, 2018  | Contemporary hit radio | RCA | [72]
Rhythmic contemporary radio | [73]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Colburn, Randall (September 14, 2018). "Khalid shares sexy new jam 'Better': Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
2. ^ Ch, Devin (September 13, 2018). "Khalid Drops "Better" In Anticipation Of His 2nd LP". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
3. ^ Folk, Antwane (2019-02-23). "Khalid Scores First Solo Top 10 Single on Pop Radio with 'Better'". Rated R&B. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
4. ^ "Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road,' Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, Spends Second Week at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 With Record-Shattering Streams". Billboard. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 2019-04-29.
5. ^ "Khalid's 'Better' Hits No. 1 on Hot R&B Songs Chart". Billboard. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 2019-01-17.
6. ^ "Rhythmic Songs, February 16, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
7. ^ "Khalid's 'Better' Hits No. 1 On Rhythmic Songs, Top 10 On Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" from Billboard (February 13, 2019)
8. ^ "Khalid – Better". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
9. ^ "Khalid – Better" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
10. ^ "Khalid – Better" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
11. ^ "Khalid – Better" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
12. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
13. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
14. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
15. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 39. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
16. ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 43, 2018". Hitlisten. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
17. ^ "Khalid – Better" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
18. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
19. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
20. ^ "2018 40-os SAVAITĖS (rugsėjo 28 d. – spalio 4 d.) SINGLŲ TOP100" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. October 5, 2018. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
21. ^ "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles in Malaysia" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
22. ^ "Khalid – Better" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
23. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 29, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
24. ^ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single uke 39, 2018". VG-lista. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
25. ^ "Khalid – Better". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
26. ^ "Airplay 100 – 2 iunie 2019" (in Romanian). Kiss FM. June 2, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
27. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
28. ^ "Singapore Top 30 Digital Streaming Chart – Week 43" (PDF). Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 5, 2018.
29. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 07. týden 2019 in the date selector. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
30. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 38. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
31. ^ "Sverigetopplistan – Sveriges Officiella Topplista". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
32. ^ "Khalid – Better". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
33. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
34. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
35. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
36. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
37. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
38. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
39. ^ "Khalid Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
40. ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. July 2, 2019. Archived from the original on July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
41. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 11-2022". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
42. ^ "ARIA End of Year Singles 2018". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
43. ^ "Track Top-100 2018" (in Danish). Hitlisten. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
44. ^ "Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 200 Singles 2018" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
45. ^ "ARIA End of Year Singles Chart 2019". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
46. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
47. ^ "Track Top-100 2019" (in Danish). Hitlisten. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
48. ^ "Top Selling Singles of 2019". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 21, 2019.[dead link‍]
49. ^ "Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 3000 Singles + EPs Digitais" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
50. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
51. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
52. ^ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
53. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
54. ^ "Top 100 Songs of 2019". Rolling Stone. January 10, 2020. Archived from the original on March 7, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
55. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
56. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Khalid – Better" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
57. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Khalid – Better" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
58. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Khalid – Better". Music Canada. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
59. ^ "Danish single certifications – Khalid – Better". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
60. ^ "French single certifications – Khalid – Better" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
61. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Khalid; 'Better')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
62. ^ "Italian single certifications – Khalid – Better" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
63. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Khalid – Better". Radioscope. Retrieved January 9, 2025. Type Better  in the "Search:" field.
64. ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Khalid – Better" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
65. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2020 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
66. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Khalid – Better" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
67. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Khalid – Better". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
68. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Better')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
69. ^ "British single certifications – Khalid – Better". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
70. ^ "American single certifications – Khalid – Better". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
71. ^ "Sverigetopplistan – Khalid" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
72. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
73. ^ "Top 40/R Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.

* v
* t
* e

Khalid

* Discography

Studio albums|

* American Teen (2017)
* Free Spirit (2019)
* Sincere (2024)

Mixtapes|

* Scenic Drive (2021)

Extended plays|

* Suncity (2018)

Singles|

* "Location"
* "Young Dumb & Broke"
* "Love Lies"
* "Lovely"
* "OTW"
* "Eastside"
* "Better"
* "Saturday Nights"
* "Talk"
* "Right Back"
* "Trigger"
* "Up All Night"
* "Eleven"
* "Know Your Worth"
* "Experience"
* "Be Like That"
* "Working"
* "New Normal"
* "Fall in Love at Christmas"
* "Numb"
* "The Hard Way"

Featured singles|

* "1-800-273-8255"
* "Rollin"
* "Silence"
* "Homemade Dynamite" (remix)
* "Youth"
* "Ocean"
* "Beautiful People"
* "Hurts 2B Human"
* "So Done"

Promotional singles|

* "My Bad"

Other songs|

* "As I Am"

Concert tours|

* Roxy Tour
* Free Spirit World Tour

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work

|

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