Painkiller (Ruel song)

2019 single by Ruel

"Painkiller"

Single by Ruel
from the EP  Free Time
Released| 1 May 2019 (2019-05-01)
Genre| Pop
Length| 3:33
Label| RCA/Sony Music Australia
Songwriter(s)|

* Ruel
* Sarah Aarons
* Hiren Mor

Producer(s)| M-Phazes
Ruel singles chronology
| "Say"
(2019)  | "Painkiller"
(2019)  | "Flames"
(2019)

|
|

Music video
"Painkiller" on YouTube

"Painkiller" is a song recorded by Australian singer-songwriter Ruel. The song was released on 1 May 2019 as the lead single from his second extended play, Free Time.[1] The song sees Ruel reunite with producer M-Phazes and Sarah Aarons (whom he had both collaborated with on his 2017 EP Ready), and collaborate with songwriter Hiren Mor for the first time.[2]

In May 2020, a remix featuring American rapper Denzel Curry was released, alongside the announcement of a forthcoming remix EP. The Painkiller remix EP was released on 12 June 2020.[3]

The song placed third at the 2020 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition.[4]

## Music video[edit]

The music video for "Painkiller" was released on 1 May 2019.[5]

## Critical reception[edit]

Sose Fuamoli from Triple J said the song is "marked by bold bass and melodic work", saying "'Painkiller' is a track that sees Ruel step into a more mature songwriting space, leaning more into rich R&B notes and letting his natural cadence and rhythmic notes flourish. His soul and jazz influences bleed through on this single too, finding and connecting with that bass groove with ease."[6]

Alissa Arunarsirakul from Ones to Watch said "'Painkiller' is drenched with warm violins, groovy bass lines, and luscious vocals".[7]

## Track listing[edit]

Digital download[1]No.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Painkiller"| 3:33

Digital download — Remix[8]No.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Painkiller" (featuring Denzel Curry)| 3:47

Remix EP[9][10]No.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Painkiller" (featuring Denzel Curry)| 3:47
2.| "Painkiller (Mr. Carmack Remix)" (featuring Denzel Curry)| 3:30
3.| "Painkiller (Taka Perry Remix)"| 3:23
4.| "Painkiller (Young Franco Remix)" (featuring Denzel Curry)| 4:22
Total length:| 15:02

RSD2021 Limited Edition 7" Transparent Yellow Vinyl (150 copies)[11]No.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Painkiller"| 3:33
2.| "Painkiller (Instrumental Version)"| 3:33

## Charts[edit]

### Weekly charts[edit]

Chart (2019–2020)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[12] | 35
Australian Artist Singles (ARIA)[13] | 5
South Korea (Gaon)[14] | 52

### Year-end charts[edit]

Chart (2019)  | Position

|

Australian Artist (ARIA)[15] | 16
Chart (2020)  | Position
Australian Artist (ARIA)[16] | 33
Chart (2021)  | Position
South Korea (Gaon)[17] | 185

## Certifications[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[18] | 3× Platinum  | 210,000‡
United States (RIAA)[19] | Gold  | 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history[edit]

Country  | Date  | Format  | Version  | Label

|
|
|
|

Australia  | 1 May 2019[1] | Digital download, streaming | Original  | RCA, Sony Music Australia
Australia  | 27 May 2020[8] | Digital download, streaming  | Denzel Curry remix  | RCA, Sony Music Australia

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Painkiller – Single by Ruel on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
2. ^ "SOTD: Ruel sets the tone for next EP with 'Painkiller'". The Music Network. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
3. ^ Newstead, Al (26 May 2020). "First Spin: Ruel drops 'Painkiller' remix featuring Denzel Curry". ABC. Retrieved 27 May 2020. "...This new version of 'Painkller'  [sic] forms part of a complete remix package - alongside reworks from Young Franco, Taka Perry, and Mr. Carmack - that's released Friday 5 June."
4. ^ "Thelma Plum's "Better in Blak" Wins Vanda & Young Songwriting Comp". Billboard. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
5. ^ "Ruel - Painkiller (Official Video)". 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019 - via YouTube.
6. ^ "First Spin: Ruel's 'Painkiller' is another addictive piece of pop-R&B from one of Australia's brightest". ABC. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
7. ^ "Ruel's Refreshingly Soulful "Painkiller" Is Just What the Doctor Ordered". Ones to Watch. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
8. ^ a b "Painkiller (feat. Denzel Curry) – Single by Ruel on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
9. ^ Jova, Natalie (27 May 2020). "Ruel releases "Painkiller featuring Denzel Curry"". Holr Magazine. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
10. ^ "Painkiller (Remix Pack) – EP by Ruel on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
11. ^ Hood, Sara (14 July 2021). "Ruel. Painkiller". Record Store Day Australia. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
12. ^ "Ruel – Painkiller". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
13. ^ "ARIA Australian Artist Singles Chart". ARIA. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
14. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 12 of 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 26 March 2020.
15. ^ "ARIA Australian Artist End of Year Singles Chart 2019". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
16. ^ "ARIA Australian Artist End of Year Singles Chart 2020". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
17. ^ 2021년 Digital Chart [2021 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
18. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
19. ^ "American single certifications – Ruel – Painkiller". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 5 February 2021.

* v
* t
* e

Ruel

* Discography

Studio albums|

* 4th Wall

Extended plays|

* Ready
* Free Time
* Bright Lights, Red Eyes

Singles|

* "Golden Years"
* "Don't Tell Me"
* "Dazed & Confused"
* "Younger"
* "Not Thinkin' Bout You"
* "Say"
* "Painkiller"
* "Face to Face"
* "Real Thing"
* "Down for You"
* "As Long as You Care"
* "Growing Up Is"

Featured singles|

* "Human"
* "Flames"

Related articles|

* M-Phazes
* ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Release
* 2018

*[No.]: Number
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template