Intentions (Justin Bieber song)


"Intentions" is a song by Canadian singer Justin Bieber featuring American rapper Quavo from the hip-hop trio Migos. It was released with a music video on February 7, 2020, as the second single from Bieber's fifth studio album Changes. This is their third collaboration since they both featured alongside American rapper Chance the Rapper on both DJ Khaled's "I'm the One", with an extra feature from American rapper Lil Wayne in 2017 and "No Brainer" in 2018.
On March 19, 2020, Bieber released an acoustic version of the song, a solo version without Quavo.

Background

The title of the song was first revealed In the episode titled "Bieber Is Back" of the YouTube docu-series that was released on January 27, 2020 where "Intentions" was written down on a note on a board containing candidate tracks for Changes.
On February 5, 2020 Bieber posted a tweet stating "Big announcement tomorrow". He teased the song and the music video by posting a short trailer on twitter on the following day. The single was released along with the music video on the next day.
When asked why he named the song "Intentions" during a MTV interview, Bieber said "I think a lot of us forget to set intentions. As humans we get caught up in our everyday worries and struggles. What we set our intentions on makes a difference on the outcome of our life and the quality of life that we live".

Promotion

Bieber published a lyric video to his channel on February 10, 2020. Later a dance video for "Intentions" was published as a part of the project CHANGES:The Movement.
Bieber debuted the song with Quavo during Saturday Night Live on February 8, 2020. He and Quavo also performed "Intentions" on February 14, 2020, the day the album released, during The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He and Quavo also performed "Intentions" on March 4, 2020 on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He and Quavo also performed an acoustic version of "Intentions" at which was organized byGlobal Citizen on June 27, 2020.

Composition and lyrics

"Intentions" is performed in the key of maj7 major. It follows a chord progression of maj7–E♯m–C–C9, and the vocals span from E4 to C♯6. The lyrics feature compliments by Both Bieber and Quavo to their fiancées Hailey Bieber and Saweetie respectively.

Critical reception

Music critics complimented on Bieber's vocal performance and the catchiness of the song while some praised the positive messages depicted in the music video.
"Intentions" was named the 32nd best songs of 2020 by Billboard and the 45th by Uproxx. "Intentions" was also named as one of the best summer songs of 2020 by Marie Claire.

Commercial performance

In Australia, the single topped the charts 12 weeks after its debut giving Bieber his eighth chart-topper making Bieber the second most successful act in the history of the TMN Hot 100 overall behind P!NK joining Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran and Delta Goodrem to reach the milestone while the single peaked at number two in the ARIA Singles Chart. "Intentions" also topped the charts in countries including Belgium, Singapore, Malaysia and New Zealand.
In the US, "Intentions" debuted at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated February 22, 2020 making it the "Hot Shot Debut" of the week. The following week the song entered the top-ten by rising up-to number nine giving Bieber his 18th top-ten entry and Quavo's sixth. This is also Quavo's third top-ten single via a collaboration with Bieber. 16 weeks later, "Intentions" peaked at number five giving Bieber his 16th top-five hit and Quavo's third – of which all are from collaborations with Bieber. Bieber tied Drake as the artist with most top-five hits since 2010 with both having 16 each surpassing Bruno Mars and Rihanna who have scored 15 each. As of July 2020 the song has spent 19 non-consecutive weeks inside the top-ten and is one of the longest running top-ten singles released in 2020.
It also debuted at number one on the Hot R&B Songs chart, marking Bieber's third number-one on the said chart, following "Yummy", which "Intentions" dethroned. On the chart dated June 27, 2020, the song reached number one on the Pop Songs airplay chart, making it Bieber's seventh leader and Quavo's second; Bieber also becomes the youngest male artist to obtain seven chart-toppers on the said chart.
On the UK Singles Chart "Intentions" peaked at number eight giving Bieber his 19th top-ten hit and Quavo's fourth - which is also his third top-ten single in the UK via a collaboration with Bieber.

Music video

Background

The music video premiered on Bieber's YouTube channel the same day of the song. Filming took place at Alexandria house and California state University, Northridge's Oviatt Library. Directed by Michael D. Ratner, the video previews Bieber drawing attention to the difficulties of women and children in need while raising awareness and funds for Alexandria House, whose mission is to help them move from crisis to stability.
Speaking on the background of the music video Bieber has stated that he wanted to shine a light on social issues that are happening in the world that people are often overlooking and that he wanted to make people aware of the hurting and broken people that are suffering in humanity.
He then posted a short version of the music video, only the parts with the song playing, on February 12, 2020.

Synopsis

The music video commences with the introduction of Bahri, who was born in Saudi Arabia and who is hoping to be the first from her family to graduate from college and whose intention is to help kids who are less fortunate; Marcy, who was raised in foster care, suffered from early motherhood, and whose intentions are to help foster youth find the resources they need; and Angela, who has experienced homelessness and who later sings her own verse in the music video while her intention is to giveback; spread awareness and tell the stories of homeless women and children through her art.Throughout the music video, Bieber and Quavo are seen helping Bahri, Marcy and Angela to achieve their goals and expectations. Bieber gifts Bahri with a new car so she won’t have to worry about getting to class, Marcy and her family with backpacks full of supplies, and Angela with studio time so that she can spread awareness about homelessness to a wider audience in an effective way. Bieber and Quavo are also seen motivating them and uplifting their mood while dancing with them as well as raising funds for them. At the end of the video, Judith Yvonne who is the founding director of Alexandria house talks about her intentions to speak about the injustices and the need for equity.
The video ends with a message of gratitude to the shelter reading that “Thank you to the Alexandria House for opening your doors and your hearts to Bahri, Marcy and Angela and the entire community in times of need,” followed by the announcement that Bieber's newly established INTENTIONS Fund has donated $200,000 to the shelter in order to “support these women and the dreams of the families you support.”

Donations

The video sparked an increase in donations to the women's shelter. The video helped to raise over $10,000 for the charity within the first 3 days of its release.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.

Certifications

Release history