"My Ex's Best Friend"
Single by Machine Gun Kelly featuring Blackbear
from the album Tickets to My Downfall
ReleasedAugust 7, 2020 (2020-08-07)
Recorded2019
GenrePop-punk
Length2:19
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Machine Gun Kelly singles chronology
"Concert for Aliens"
(2020)		 "My Ex's Best Friend"
(2020)		 "Acting Like That"
(2020)
Blackbear singles chronology
"Monsters"
(2020)		 "My Ex's Best Friend"
(2020)		 "Hard on Yourself"
(2020)
Music video
"My Ex's Best Friend" on YouTube

"My Ex's Best Friend" (stylized in all lowercase) is a song by American musician Machine Gun Kelly featuring fellow American musician Blackbear. It is the third single off of the former's pop-punk fifth studio album Tickets to My Downfall. The song reached number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the third top-40 hit for both artists.

Background and release

Colson Baker, better known as Machine Gun Kelly, released his fourth studio album, Hotel Diablo, on July 5, 2019, via EST 19XX, Bad Boy, and Interscope Records.[1] The third single from that album, "I Think I'm Okay", was a collaboration with Yungblud and Travis Barker, which served as a segue for Baker's transition towards rock music. Baker described the song as "our first 'Oh shit. I think we might be onto something' moment".[2] Baker booked a studio session with Barker, recording what would become the song "Bloody Valentine". Machine Gun Kelly describes the session as "so powerful that Travis was like, 'Fuck it, I'm blocking off two months of my life and we're doing this album'".[3] On December 4, 2019, Machine Gun Kelly tweeted, "rock album in 2020".[4]

Baker first collaborated with Blackbear on "End of the Road", the final track on Baker's 2012 debut album Lace Up.[5] Both artists made a guest appearance on "Shoot'Em Down", from Mod Sun's 2015 album Look Up.[6] In 2017, Machine Gun Kelly appeared as a featured vocalist on Blackbear's track "E.Z.", from his album Cybersex.[7] Baker teased another collaboration with Blackbear in December 2019, posting a screenshot of their text conversation on his Instagram account, with the caption, "ayy the @bear vocals came in".[8] "My Ex's Best Friend" was officially released on August 7, 2020.[7]

This song is featured as a DLC in Fuser, released on June 15, 2021,[9] alongside Follow You by Imagine Dragons.

Composition and themes

The song was described as pop punk,[10][11][12][13] but as a modern take on it, rather than the "classic" form of the genre.[14][15] Publications described it as a "guitar-laden" song with the two singers covering the complications of relationship breakups and rebound relationships.[16][12] The song's "infectious guitar line" has been noted as being one of the most memorable moments on the Tickets to My Downfall album.[17]

Reception

HotNewHipHop praised the song, but noted that the enjoyment the listener gets would vary based on their attitude on the music's new sound, stating "If you're not on board for MGK's departure from hip-hop... you'll likely hit skip within the opening moments of [the song]. For those who decide to stay, you'll be treated to a tale of forbidden passion, the likes of which have fueled pop-punk balladry for years."[10]

In an otherwise negative review of Tickets to My Downfall, Sputnikmusic contended that while he felt it is not a good song by any means, it makes an effort to experiment and amalgamate pop-punk riffs with his familiar rap sensibilities.[13]

Accolades

Awards and nominations for "My Ex's Best Friend"
Year Organization Award Result Ref(s)
2021 Billboard Music Awards Top Rock Song Nominated [18]
MTV Video Music Awards Best Alternative Won [19]
2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards Alternative Rock Song of the Year Nominated [20]

Live performances

On August 30, 2020, Machine Gun Kelly and Blackbear performed "My Ex's Best Friend" live at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards.[21]

Machine Gun Kelly also performed this song on the September 25th episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, a day after he made an appearance on the show the day before. MGK performed it during the 2020 American Music Awards on November 22, and on New Year’s Eve during Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2021 with Ryan Seacrest. Coincidentally, both events were produced by Dick Clark Productions and aired on ABC.

He also performed the song on the January 30th episode of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, which was hosted by John Krasinski.

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[22]

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[58] Platinum 70,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[59] 2× Platinum 160,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[60] Gold 200,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[61] Gold 35,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[62] Gold 5,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[63] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[64] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Date Format Label Ref.
Various August 7, 2020
[22]
Italy September 25, 2020 Contemporary hit radio Universal [65]
United Kingdom October 2, 2020 [66]
United States October 13, 2020 Interscope [67]

References

  1. ↑ Spruch, Kirsten (July 8, 2019). "Machine Gun Kelly Drops Genre-Bending 'Hotel Diablo' Album: Stream it Now". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  2. ↑ Unterberger, Andrew (December 17, 2020). "How Machine Gun Kelly Found His Inner Rock Star". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  3. ↑ Greenwood, Koltan (May 1, 2020). "Machine Gun Kelly wants his new album to be about more than just music". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly Says He's Releasing A Rock Album In 2020". Kerrang!. December 5, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  5. ↑ Dowd, Rachael (August 7, 2020). "Machine Gun Kelly and blackbear join forces again for 'my ex's best friend'". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Mod Sun Hits the Frontier with Machine Gun Kelly and blackbear in 'Shoot 'Em Down' Video". XXL. January 30, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Mamo, Heran (August 7, 2020). "Machine Gun Kelly & blackbear Try to Get With 'My Ex's Best Friend' in New Collab". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  8. ↑ Greenwood, Koltan (December 5, 2019). "Machine Gun Kelly teases another blackbear collab, rock album in 2020". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  9. ↑ "FUSER™ - Machine Gun Kelly & blackbear - "my ex's best friend"". SteamDB. June 15, 2021.
  10. 1 2 Findlay, Mitch (August 7, 2020). "Machine Gun Kelly & Blackbear Connect For "My Ex's Best Friend"". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  11. ↑ Hofer, Tess (August 9, 2020). "Machine Gun Kelly releases new single, 'My Ex's Best Friend'!". Dead Press. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020. Continuing his path into the world of pop-punk, Machine Gun Kelly has now released a new single called 'My Ex's Best Friend'
  12. 1 2 Lavin, Will (August 8, 2020). "Listen to Machine Gun Kelly's new track 'My Ex's Best Friend' featuring Blackbear". NME. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  13. 1 2 K., Simon (September 26, 2020). "Review: Machine Gun Kelly - Tickets to My Downfall". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly drops new single featuring Blackbear". Kerrang. August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  15. ↑ Dowd, Rachael (August 7, 2020). "Machine Gun Kelly and Blackbear join forces again for 'My Ex's Best Friend'". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  16. ↑ Mamo, Heran (August 7, 2020). "Machine Gun Kelly & blackbear Try to Get With 'My Ex's Best Friend' in New Collab". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  17. ↑ Murray, Madison (November 6, 2021). "6 Of The Best Guitar Moments On Machine Gun Kelly's Tickets To My Downfall". The Honey POP. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  18. ↑ "The Weeknd Leads All Finalists for the 2021 Billboard Music Awards: See the Full List". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
  19. ↑ Martoccio, Angie (August 11, 2021). "2021 MTV VMAs: Justin Bieber, Megan Thee Stallion, Olivia Rodrigo Lead Nominations". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Breaking News - iHeartMedia and FOX Announce Nominees for the 2021 "iHeartRadio Music Awards" | TheFutonCritic.com". www.thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  21. ↑ Pierre, Mekishana (August 30, 2020). "Watch Machine Gun Kelly Perform "My Ex's Best Friend" and "Bloody Valentine" at the 2020 MTV VMAs". PopSugar. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  22. 1 2 "my ex's best friend / Machine Gun Kelly – TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly & Blackbear – My Ex's Best Friend". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly & Blackbear – My Ex's Best Friend" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly & Blackbear – My Ex's Best Friend" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  30. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202052,53 into search. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  31. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202037 into search. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly & Blackbear – My Ex's Best Friend" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  35. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Top 20 Paraguay Anglo – Del 13 de Marzo al 19 de Marzo 2021" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly & Blackbear – My Ex's Best Friend". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Top 20 Puerto Rico – Anglo – Del 17 al 23 de Mayo, 2021" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  39. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  40. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202040 into search. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 40, 2020" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  43. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  46. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  47. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  48. ↑ "Machine Gun Kelly Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  49. ↑ "Top 100 Popular Songs | Rolling Stone Music Charts". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  50. ↑ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  51. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2021". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  52. ↑ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  53. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  54. ↑ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  55. ↑ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  56. ↑ "Pop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  57. ↑ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  58. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  59. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Machine Gun Kelly & blackbear – My Ex's Best Friend". Music Canada. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  60. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Machine Gun Kelly & Blackbear; 'My Ex's Best Friend')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  61. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Machine Gun Kelly & Blackbear – My Ex's Best Friend" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  62. ↑ "Portuguese single certifications – Machine Gun Kelly & Blackbear – My Ex's Best Friend" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  63. ↑ "British single certifications – Machine Gun Kelly & Blackbear – My Ex's Best Friend". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  64. ↑ "American single certifications – Machine Gun Kelly & Blackbear – My Ex's Best Friend". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  65. ↑ "MACHINE GUN KELLY "my ex's best friend" | (Radio Date: 25/09/2020)". radiodate.it. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  66. ↑ "BBC - Radio 1 Playlist". BBC Radio 1. October 2, 2020. Archived from the original on October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  67. ↑ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
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