Painkiller (Ruel song)

"Painkiller" is a song recorded by Australian singer-songwriter Ruel. The song was released on 1 May 2019 as the lead single from his second extended play, Free Time.^[1] The song sees Ruel reunite with producer M-Phazes and Sarah Aarons (whom he had both collaborated with on his 2017 EP Ready), and collaborate with songwriter Hiren Mor for the first time.^[2]

"Painkiller"
Single by Ruel
from the EP Free Time
Released	1 May 2019 (2019-05-01)
Genre	Pop
Length	3:33
Label	RCA/Sony Music Australia
Songwriter(s)	Ruel Sarah Aarons Hiren Mor
Producer(s)	M-Phazes
Ruel singles chronology
"Say" (2019) "Painkiller" (2019) "Flames" (2019)
Music video
"Painkiller" on YouTube

In May 2020, a remix featuring American rapper Denzel Curry was released, alongside the announcement of a forthcoming remix EP. The Painkiller remix EP was released on 12 June 2020.^[3]

The song placed third at the 2020 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition.^[4]

Music video

The music video for "Painkiller" was released on 1 May 2019.^[5]

Critical reception

Sose Fuamoli from Triple J said the song is "marked by bold bass and melodic work", saying "'Painkiller' is a track that sees Ruel step into a more mature songwriting space, leaning more into rich R&B notes and letting his natural cadence and rhythmic notes flourish. His soul and jazz influences bleed through on this single too, finding and connecting with that bass groove with ease."^[6]

Alissa Arunarsirakul from Ones to Watch said "'Painkiller' is drenched with warm violins, groovy bass lines, and luscious vocals".^[7]

Track listing

Digital download^[1]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Painkiller"	3:33

Digital download — Remix^[8]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Painkiller" (featuring Denzel Curry)	3:47

Remix EP^[9][10]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Painkiller" (featuring Denzel Curry)	3:47
2.	"Painkiller (Mr. Carmack Remix)" (featuring Denzel Curry)	3:30
3.	"Painkiller (Taka Perry Remix)"	3:23
4.	"Painkiller (Young Franco Remix)" (featuring Denzel Curry)	4:22
Total length:		15:02

RSD2021 Limited Edition 7" Transparent Yellow Vinyl (150 copies)^[11]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Painkiller"	3:33
2.	"Painkiller (Instrumental Version)"	3:33

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2019–2020)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[12]	35
Australian Artist Singles (ARIA)[13]	5
South Korea (Gaon)[14]	52

Year-end charts

Chart (2019)	Position
Australian Artist (ARIA)[15]	16
Chart (2020)	Position
Australian Artist (ARIA)[16]	33
Chart (2021)	Position
South Korea (Gaon)[17]	185

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[18]	3× Platinum	210,000‡
United States (RIAA)[19]	Gold	500,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country	Date	Format	Version	Label
Australia	1 May 2019[1]	Digital download, streaming	Original	RCA, Sony Music Australia
Australia	27 May 2020[8]	Digital download, streaming	Denzel Curry remix	RCA, Sony Music Australia

References

1. "Painkiller – Single by Ruel on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
2. "SOTD: Ruel sets the tone for next EP with 'Painkiller'". The Music Network. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
3. Newstead, Al (26 May 2020). "First Spin: Ruel drops 'Painkiller' remix featuring Denzel Curry". ABC. Retrieved 27 May 2020. ...This new version of 'Painkller' [sic] forms part of a complete remix package - alongside reworks from Young Franco, Taka Perry, and Mr. Carmack - that's released Friday 5 June.
4. "Thelma Plum's "Better in Blak" Wins Vanda & Young Songwriting Comp". Billboard. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
5. "Ruel - Painkiller (Official Video)". 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019 – via YouTube.
6. "First Spin: Ruel's 'Painkiller' is another addictive piece of pop-R&B from one of Australia's brightest". ABC. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
7. "Ruel's Refreshingly Soulful "Painkiller" Is Just What the Doctor Ordered". Ones to Watch. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
8. "Painkiller (feat. Denzel Curry) – Single by Ruel on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
9. Jova, Natalie (27 May 2020). "Ruel releases "Painkiller featuring Denzel Curry"". Holr Magazine. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
10. "Painkiller (Remix Pack) – EP by Ruel on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
11. Hood, Sara (14 July 2021). "Ruel. Painkiller". Record Store Day Australia. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
12. "Ruel – Painkiller". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
13. "ARIA Australian Artist Singles Chart". ARIA. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
14. "Digital Chart – Week 12 of 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 26 March 2020.
15. "ARIA Australian Artist End of Year Singles Chart 2019". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
16. "ARIA Australian Artist End of Year Singles Chart 2020". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
17. 2021년 Digital Chart [2021 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
18. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
19. "American single certifications – Ruel – Painkiller". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 5 February 2021.