Pick Up Your Feelings

Album: Heaux Tales (2020)
Charted: 75
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Pick Up Your Feelings" is the second single from Heaux Tales, an album that according to Jazmine Sullivan, is about her "observation of today's women standing in their power and owning who they are." This song is a ferocious kiss-off to a former lover who the singer caught "slippin up." Sullivan tells the dude she's done with him and has "put a lock on the door" where her heart once was.
  • "Pick Up Your Feelings" is one of two singles released from Heaux Tales concerning the ending of relationships. The first single, "Lost One," is the complete opposite - a melancholy ballad that finds Sullivan blaming herself for losing love and struggling to cope with the consequences of her actions.
  • Sullivan wrote the song with:

    Oklahoma-based singer-songwriter Audra Mae, who also co-penned Miranda Lambert's "Little Red Wagon" and Kelly Clarkson's "Heartbeat Song."

    Denisia "Blu June" Andrews and Brittany "Chi" Coney, who comprise the production duo Nova Wav. They also created the instrumental for Kehlani's "CRZY" single.

    Producer Michael "DZL" Holmes, who supplied the track's simple, pummeling beat. His other credits include 6lack's "Ex Calling" and Future's "Perkys Calling."
  • Released on November 20, 2020, "Pick Up Your Feelings." topped Billboard's Adult R&B chart, becoming Sullivan's first #1 on the tally. Her previous best placement on that listing had been her 2008 debut single "Need U Bad," which peaked at #2.
  • Sullivan performed the song on BET during the Soul Train Music Awards on November 29, 2020.
  • This tied with "Leave The Door Open" by Silk Sonic in the Best R&B Performance at the Grammy Awards in 2022. Heaux Tales won for Best R&B Album.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.