Transparent_Soul

Transparent Soul

Transparent Soul

2021 single by Willow Smith

"Transparent Soul" (stylized as "t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l")[3] is a song by American singer-songwriter Willow featuring American drummer Travis Barker. It was released on April 27, 2021, by MSFTS and Roc Nation, as the lead single from her fourth solo studio album Lately I Feel Everything.[4] The song has been described by publications such as Rolling Stone[1] and Guitar World[5] as a pop-punk track about ingenuine people. A remix of the song featuring American rapper Kid Cudi was released on November 19, 2021.[6]

Quick Facts from the album Lately I Feel Everything, Written ...

Background

"Transparent Soul" was written during a "very introspective time" at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and was inspired by a quote from guru Radhanath Swami.[7] Willow was inclined to enter the punk rock genre by her mother Jada Pinkett Smith, who previously fronted the nu metal band Wicked Wisdom.[8][9]

Lyrically, the song details Willow's struggles with fake people who seek to exploit her, which she can tell by her ability to see the qualities through their "transparent" souls.[7] She plays an Ernie Ball Music Man St. Vincent signature guitar on the track.[10]

Music video

A performance visual for "Transparent Soul" was released alongside the song on April 27, 2021. The visual features Willow dressed in "classic punk attire—spiked collars and all" while performing the single.[11] Revolt described it as "almost reminiscent of classic rock and roll videos", with Willow "rocking wild fashions that range from colorful to goth" overlaid with various special effects." Travis Barker does not make an appearance in the "short-yet-energetic" production.[3] As of March 2022, the visual has received over 17 million views on YouTube.[12]

The official music video for "Transparent Soul", with both Willow and Barker, was released on May 28, 2021.[13] The video featured a cameo appearance from DJ duo Simi and Haze Khadra.[14] In the video, Willow is seen in a "dingy rock club" performing the song with Barker, when she runs into a mysterious and terrifying figure who follows her. She collapses on the ground, and the video ends with her reaching her hand out to the figure.[15]

Remix

On November 19, 2021, Willow released the official remix to "Transparent Soul" featuring vocals from American rapper Kid Cudi, marking the second collaboration between the two, following Willow’s appearance on "Rose Golden" from Cudi's sixth album Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin' (2016).[16]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[17]

  • Willow Smith – vocals, composition, lyrics
  • Travis Barker – drums, composition, lyrics
  • Tyler Cole – production, composition, lyrics
  • Emerson Mancini – mastering
  • Mario J. McNulty – mixing
  • Zach Brown – engineering

Charts

More information Chart (2021), Peak position ...

Certifications

More information Region, Certification ...

Release history

More information Region, Date ...

References

  1. [1]
    Shaffer, Claire. "Willow Smith Goes Full Pop-Punk on New Track 'Transparent Soul'". Rolling Stone. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  2. [2]
    Rolling Stone Staff (December 6, 2021). "50 Best Songs of 2021". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 11, 2022. And it was tough to resist their scrappy skate-punk anthem.
  3. [3]
    Powell, Jon (April 27, 2021). "Willow teams up with Travis Barker for "transparent soul"". Revolt.
  4. [4]
    Benitez-Eves, Tina. "Willow Smith Fills Upcoming Fifth Album with 'Transparent Soul'". American Songwriter. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  5. [5]
    Owen, Matt (2021-04-27). "Willow Smith unleashes her inner pop-punk in guitar-centric new single, Transparent Soul". guitarworld. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
  6. [6]
    Shaffer, Claire (2021-04-27). "Willow Smith Goes Full Pop-Punk on New Track 'Transparent Soul'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
  7. [7]
    Rice, Nicholas (April 28, 2021). "Willow Smith Releases Video for New Punk Rock Song 'Transparent Soul': 'Let the Vibes Commence'". People.
  8. [8]
    Haylock, Zoe (April 27, 2021). "Willow Shreds Expectations in Her New Track, "Transparent Soul"". Vulture.
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    Valdivia, Pablo (April 28, 2021). "Willow Smith Is The Pop-Punk Icon We've Always Deserved". BuzzFeed.
  10. [10]
    Owen, Matt (April 27, 2021). "Willow Smith unleashes her inner pop-punk in guitar-centric new single, Transparent Soul". Guitar World.
  11. [11]
    Shaffer, Claire (April 27, 2021). "Willow Smith Goes Full Pop-Punk on New Track 'Transparent Soul'". Rolling Stone.
  12. [12]
    Wally, Maxine (May 10, 2021). "Willow Enters Her Pop-Punk Era". W.
  13. [13]
    Iasimone, Ashley (May 29, 2021). "Willow Meets a Strange Figure in 'Transparent Soul' Video Featuring Travis Barker". Billboard Magazine.
  14. [14]
    "Palestinian duo Simi and Haze Khadra get starring role in Willow Smith's new music video". Arab News. 2021-05-29. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
  15. [15]
    Blistein, Jon (May 28, 2021). "Willow Smith Confronts a Terrifying Figure in a Dingy Rock Club in 'Transparent Soul' Video". Rolling Stone.
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    "Kid Cudi Links With Willow and Travis Barker on "Transparent Soul" Remix". Complex. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
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  31. [31]
    "British single certifications – Willow – t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
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    "American single certifications – Willow – t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
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