Lemon (N.E.R.D. and Rihanna song)

"Lemon" is a song by American band N.E.R.D. from their fifth studio album, No One Ever Really Dies (2017).^[5] The song features vocals from Barbadian singer Rihanna, and was released as the album's lead single on November 1, 2017.^[6]

"Lemon"
Single by N.E.R.D. and Rihanna
from the album No One Ever Really Dies
Released	November 1, 2017 (2017-11-01)
Recorded	2017
Studio	South Beach Studios (Miami Beach, FL)[1] Conway Recording Studios (Los Angeles, CA)[1] Jungle City Studios (New York, NY)[1] The Lunchtable (Los Angeles, CA)[1] Chalice Recording Studios (Los Angeles, CA)[1]
Genre	Hyphy[2]
Length	3:39 (single version) 3:07 (radio edit)[3] 2:27 (w/out first verse)[4]
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Pharrell Williams Robyn Fenty
Producer(s)	Pharrell Williams Kuk Harrell
N.E.R.D. singles chronology
"Hypnotize U" (2010) "Lemon" (2017) "1000" (2017)
Rihanna singles chronology
"Loyalty" (2017) "Lemon" (2017) "Believe It" (2020)
Music video
"Lemon" on YouTube

Former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Arlen Specter is sampled in the song as the man saying "wait a minute."^[7]

Several alternate versions of the songs were produced, including a version without the Rihanna feature (which sees Pharrell rapping a similar verse), a radio edit, and an edited version submitted to streaming services that omits Pharrell's first verse. The remix featuring Drake was released on March 17, 2018.^[8][9][10]

Music video

The music video for "Lemon" was uploaded to N.E.R.D.'s Vevo page on YouTube on November 1, 2017. The video was directed by Todd Tourso and Scott Cudmore, and produced by Stacey Thiel and stars dancer Mette Towley.

Track listing

Digital download^[6]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Lemon"	3:39

Digital download^[11]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Lemon" (edit)	2:26

7" vinyl^{[citation needed]}

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Lemon (N.E.R.D. and Rihanna)"
2.	"Lemon (N.E.R.D.)"

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2017–18) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[12] 44 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[13] 7 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] 33 Colombia (National-Report)[15] 80 France (SNEP)[16] 47 Ireland (IRMA)[17] 51 Israel International TV Airplay (Media Forest)[18] 7 Japan (Japan Hot 100) (Billboard)[19] 99 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] 87 Portugal (AFP)[21] 78 Scotland (OCC)[22] 30 Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[23] 94 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[24] 59 UK Singles (OCC)[25] 31 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[26] 14 US Billboard Hot 100[27] 36 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[28] 23 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[29] 16 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[30] 22 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[31] 1

Year-end charts Chart (2018) Position US Billboard Hot 100[32] 83 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[33] 42 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[34] 25 US Rap Songs (Billboard)[35] 36

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[36]	Platinum	70,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[37]	2× Platinum	160,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[38]	2× Platinum	60,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[39]	Gold	10,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[40]	Gold	400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[41]	3× Platinum	3,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Version	Label	Ref.
United States	November 1, 2017	Digital download	Original	Columbia	[6]
Italy	November 2, 2017	Contemporary hit radio		Sony	[42]
United States	November 7, 2017	Rhythmic contemporary	Radio Edit	Sony Columbia	[43]
	November 19, 2017	Contemporary hit radio			[44]
United Kingdom	December 1, 2017		Original	Columbia Sony i am OTHER	[45]
		Digital download	Radio Edit	Columbia	[11]

Drake remix

"Lemon (Drake Remix)"
Single by N.E.R.D. and Rihanna featuring Drake
Released	March 17, 2018 (2018-03-17)
Length	3:46
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Pharrell Williams Robyn Fenty Aubrey Graham[8]
Producer(s)	Pharrell Williams Kuk Harrell
N.E.R.D. singles chronology
"Don't Don't Do It" (2018) "Lemon (Drake Remix)" (2018)
Drake singles chronology
"Look Alive" (2018) "Lemon (Remix)" (2018) "Walk It Talk It" (2018)

The official remix, titled the "Drake Remix", featuring Canadian rapper Drake was premiered on Episode 58 of OVO Sound Radio and made available for purchase on March 17, 2018.^{[8][9][10][46][47][48]}

Chart performance

The remix charted on RMNZ's New Zealand chart, peaking at number 37.^[49]

Track listing

Digital download – Drake remix^[8]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Lemon" (Drake remix) (featuring Drake)	3:46

Charts

Chart (2018)	Peak position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[49]	37

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[50]	Gold	15,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
United States	March 17, 2018	Digital download	Columbia	[8]
Australia	March 23, 2018	Contemporary hit radio	Universal Music Australia	[51]