Spectrum (song)

For the Florence and the Machine song, see Spectrum (Say My Name).

"Spectrum" is a song by Russian–German electronic music producer Zedd. It features the vocals from American singer Matthew Koma.^[1] It was released as a single on June 4, 2012,^[2] and serves as the second single from Zedd's debut studio album Clarity. It was written by Koma and Zedd.^[3]

"Spectrum"
Single by Zedd featuring Matthew Koma
from the album Clarity
Released	June 4, 2012
Genre	Electro house progressive house complextro
Length	4:03
Label	Interscope
Songwriter(s)	Matthew Koma Anton Zaslavski John Martin (singer) Gareth Emery Demi Lovato
Producer(s)	Zedd
Zedd singles chronology
"Shave It" (2011) "Spectrum" (2012) "Clarity" (2012)
Matthew Koma singles chronology
"Spectrum" (2012) "Years" (2012)
Music video
"Spectrum" on YouTube

An extended play of the track – featuring remixes by Armin van Buuren, Arty, Deniz Koyu, as well as Congorock – was released on July 31, 2012. It also features a track titled "Human" (a collaboration with Nicky Romero), which was also released as a single on July 31, 2012.^[4]

TVXQ's Yunho, Super Junior's Donghae and Eunhyuk, EXO's Kai and Lay and SHINee's Taemin and Minho under the project name S.M. The Performance released a Korean version, featuring the vocals of Taemin, Donghae and Yunho. This version was released on December 30, 2012 by S.M. Entertainment and the proceeds were given to charity.^[5]

There is also a Japanese remix, which features English vocals by Hatsune Miku, made by the Japanese music group, Livetune, which is featured in the Japanese release of Zedd's album Clarity.^[6] Livetune had originally remixed the song as a fan of Zedd's music and Zedd was impressed with the result of the remix and asked for it to be included in the Japanese release as a bonus track.

Production

"Spectrum" was written and produced by Zedd, with vocals and additional writing from Matthew Koma. Zedd started with the chord progression, saying that he "wasn't sure if it would be a really hard club song or end up being a song for another artist." After Koma finished touring with LMFAO, he emailed Zedd that he wanted to work together again. Zedd finished producing the instrumental for "Spectrum", and brought him to the studio to show him the beat. According to Zedd, "he was singing along, and I heard parts of the melody which I liked. I forced him to stay a few hours even though he was tired as s***." He also said the lyrics took quite a few weeks to write.^[7]

Release

"Spectrum" was released on June 4, 2012. Zedd said he wanted "Spectrum' to be Clarity's lead single because he felt "like it sums up my album the best so far. It has vocals. It has instrumental parts. It has everything." [...] it shows what the album will be about so well."^[7]

Music video

The official music video for the song premiered on August 15, 2012, shot at the Pink Motel in Sun Valley, California.^[8] It is directed by Petro, photographed by cinematographer Steve Gainer ASC ASK, and stars Taryn Manning and Derek Magyar.^[9]

Discussing the video with Rolling Stone, Zedd said the following:

I wanted the video to capture the ever-changing energy and emotion of the song through real human feelings ... It takes you on a journey through love, loss, contentment and anxiety. Musically, the chord progression I wrote captured the feeling and tension, unpredictability and the unknown. The video portrays this through a relationship between a man (human) and woman (alien) & the dynamics/excitement between the two of them.

Track listing

All versions of "Spectrum" listed below feature Matthew Koma.

CD single and digital download^[10]

1. "Spectrum" (Radio Edit) – 4:03
2. "Spectrum" (Extended Mix) – 6:01

Digital download (EP)^[11]

1. "Spectrum" (Extended Mix) – 6:01
2. "Spectrum" (Armin van Buuren Remix) – 6:28
3. "Spectrum" (A-Trak and Clockwork Remix) – 5:05
4. "Spectrum" (Arty Remix) – 6:05
5. "Spectrum" (Deniz Koyu Remix) – 6:35
6. "Spectrum" (Gregori Klosman and Tristan Garner Knights Remix) – 4:57
7. "Spectrum" (Congorock Remix) – 5:42
8. "Spectrum" (Monsta Remix) – 5:30
9. "Spectrum" (Acoustic Version) – 6:01
10. "Human" (with Nicky Romero and Afrojack) – 4:17

Digital download (Shreddie Mercury Remix) (Beatport exclusive)^[12]

1. "Spectrum" (Shreddie Mercury Remix) – 5:18

Other versions

• "Spectrum" (Headhunterz Edit) – 4:00 (Available as a free track on Headhunterz' SoundCloud page.)^[13]
• "Spectrum" (KDrew Remix) – 4:40^[14]
• "Spectrum" (Livetune Remix) (featuring Matthew Koma and Hatsune Miku) – 3:21 (This release is a Japan-only exclusive remix.)^[15]

Unofficial Remixes

1. "Spectrum (Johnny Wolinger Remix)" – 5:00^[16]

Personnel

• Zedd – producer, songwriter
• Matthew Koma – songwriter, vocalist

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2012–13) Peak position Australia Club (ARIA)[17] 30 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[18] 30 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[19] 74 Belgium Dance (Ultratop Flanders)[20] 21 Belgium Dance Bubbling Under (Ultratop Wallonia)[21] 12 Germany (GfK)[22] 80 Japan (Japan Hot 100)[23] 4 Poland (Dance Top 50)[24] 37 South Korea International Songs (GAON)[25] 112 US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[26] 5 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[27] 10 US Dance Airplay (Billboard)[28] 1 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[29] 1 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[30] 36

Year-end charts Year Chart Peak position 2012 US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[31] 1 2013 Japan (Japan Hot 100)[32] 41 US Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[33] 40

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[34]	Gold	30,000‡
United States (RIAA)[35]	Platinum	1,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

SM The Performance cover

"Spectrum"
Single by SM The Performance
Released	December 30, 2012 (2012-12-30)
Recorded	SM Studios in Seoul
Genre	Electro house complextro dubstep
Length	4:03
Label	S.M.
Songwriter(s)	Matthew Koma Anton Zaslavski
Producer(s)	Zedd Matthew Koma

The song was covered by the dance unit group, SM The Performance, which includes members of SM Town. The cover was released as a digital download on December 30, 2012, in South Korea under the label of SM Entertainment.^[36] The first dance performance of "Spectrum" was during 'SBS Gayo Daejeon' held on December 29, 2012. The choreography was created by NappyTabs who previously collaborated with Christina Aguilera, BoA's "Only One" and TVXQ's "Humanoids".^[37] The vocals were provided by Yunho of TVXQ, Donghae of Super Junior and Taemin of Shinee. In addition to these, other members of SM The Performance include Eunhyuk of Super Junior, Minho of Shinee, Kai and Lay of Exo.

Chart (2013)	Peak position
South Korea (GAON)	43[citation needed]

See also

• List of number-one dance singles of 2012 (U.S.)
• List of number-one dance airplay hits of 2012 (U.S.)

References

1. "Matthew Koma, Carly Rae Jepsen's Boyfriend, Definitely Calls Her". The Huffington Post. August 27, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
2. "Spectrum – Zedd". Allmusic. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
3. "Spectrum (Legal Title)". Broadcast Music, Inc. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
4. "Human". Beatport. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
5. "SM Entertainment's dance unit 'SM The Performance' releases "Spectrum"". Allkpop. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
6. "Hear Lady Gaga's Producer Zedd and Hatsune Miku Join Forces". Anime News Network. February 7, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
7. Florine, Rick (31 July 2012). "Zedd Talks "Spectrum", Making Music, Movies, Heavy Metal, and More". ARTISTdirect. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
8. "Premiere: Zedd feat. Matthew Koma, 'Spectrum'". Rolling Stone. August 15, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
9. Vevo (15 August 2012). "Zedd – Spectrum (Official Video) ft. Matthew Koma". YouTube. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
10. "Spectrum (Radio Mix) [feat. Matthew Koma] – Single by Zedd". iTunes. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
11. "Spectrum EP by Zedd". iTunes. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
12. "Spectrum (Shreddie Mercury Remix)". Beatport.
13. "Zedd – Spectrum (Headhunterz Edit)". SoundCloud. Headhunterz Official. 7 November 2012.
14. "Zedd – Spectrum (KDrew Remix)". Spotify. Zedd.
15. "ZEDD「Clarity」". iTunes.
16. "Spectrum (Johnny Wolinger Remix)". by Johnny Wolinger em Soundcloud.
17. "ARIA Club Tracks Chart". ARIA Charts. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
18. "Zedd feat. Matthew Koma – Spectrum" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
19. "Zedd feat. Matthew Koma – Spectrum" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
20. "Zedd feat. Matthew Koma – Spectrum" (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance.
21. "Zedd feat. Matthew Koma – Spectrum" (in French). Ultratop (FR). Retrieved 6 July 2014.
22. "Zedd feat. Matthew Koma – Spectrum" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
23. "Zedd Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
24. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Dance Top 50. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
25. "Gaon International Digital Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
26. "Zedd Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
27. "Zedd Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard.
28. "Zedd Album & Song Chart History". Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay for Zedd. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
29. "Zedd Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
30. "Zedd Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
31. "Best of 2012 – Hot Dance Club Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
32. "Japan Hot 100: 2013 Year-End". Billboard.com. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
33. "Dance/Electronic Songs: 2013 Year-End". Billboard.com. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
34. "Brazilian single certifications – Zedd – Spectrum" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
35. "American single certifications – Zedd – Spectrum". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
36. "SM Entertainment's dance unit 'SM The Performance' releases "Spectrum"". Allkpop. December 30, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
37. "SM Dance Unit "SM The Performance" Releases Digital Single "Spectrum"". Soompi. December 31, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2013.

External links

• "Spectrum" at AllMusic
• Live performance of "Spectrum" by SM The Performance, during 2012 SBS Gayo Daejeon