Romantic Homicide Explained

"Romantic Homicide" is a song by American singer D4vd. It was released through DistroKid on July 20, 2022, as the second single from his debut EP, Petals to Thorns. The song went viral on the app TikTok in September 2022, was rereleased through Darkroom and Interscope, and subsequently achieved commercial success.

Background

D4vd recorded the song in his sister's closet^[2] and first released it in July 2022. By early September, the song had already been used in more than 245,000 clips on TikTok.^[3]

A live version of the song, along with its accompanying visualizer, was released on December 8, 2023.^[4]

Composition

Accompanied by "heavy guitars" and "sentimental percussions", the song deals with unrequited love, as well as a breakup.^[5] While the song is characterized by its short lyrics, it was described as having a "more profound meaning".^[6]

Music video

The music video was released on September 7, 2022, and was inspired by the singer's love of the film noir genre and anime.^[5] Directed by Tommy Kiljoy, it sees the singer mourning and moving on from a relationship.^[7]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022–2023)! scope="col"

Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[8]	40
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9]	32
Global 200 (Billboard)[10]	35
Greece International (IFPI)[11]	20
Lithuania (AGATA)[12]	13
Malaysia International (RIM)[13]	9
Netherlands (Single Tip)[14]	4
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[15]	21
Singapore (Billboard)[16]	23
Singapore (RIAS)[17]	18
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[18]	52
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[19]	2
US Billboard Hot 100[20]	33
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[21]	4
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[22]	30

Year-end charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"

Position
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[23]	18

Chart (2023)! scope="col"

Position
Global 200 (Billboard)[24]	163
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[25]	10

Notes and References

1. https://interscope.com/collections/singles-day-2024/products/d4vd-romantic-homicide-here-with-me-7-vinyl
2. d4vd Recorded 'Romantic Homicide' in His Sister's Closet . . 24 October 2023 . December 13, 2022.
3. Hot 100 First-Timers: D4vd Debuts With Breakthrough Hit 'Romantic Homicide'. Zellner. Xander. Billboard. September 11, 2022. September 20, 2022.
4. Web site: D4vd Rounds Out Massive Year With Live Rendition of 'Romantic Homicide'. Major. Michael. Broadway World. December 8, 2023. December 10, 2023.
5. Web site: Empfehlung des Tages: D4vd – Romantic Homicide. Kropfitsch. Johanna. Diffus. de. September 15, 2022. September 20, 2022.
6. Web site: d4vd, Romantic Homicide: the lyrics and their meaning. Auralcrave. September 11, 2022. September 20, 2022.
7. Web site: d4vd Releases Video for Viral Track "Romantic Homicide". Price. Joe. Complex. September 8, 2022. September 20, 2022.
8. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. October 17, 2022. October 14, 2022.
9. Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of October 22, 2022. Billboard. October 18, 2022.
10. Billboard Global 200: Week of October 22, 2022. Billboard. October 18, 2022.
11. Web site: Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) . https://web.archive.org/web/20221012064411/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html. October 12, 2022. October 12, 2022. IFPI Greece.
12. Web site: 2022 40-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. October 7, 2022. October 7, 2022.
13. Web site: Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 42 (14/10/2022-20/10/2022). RIM. October 29, 2022. October 30, 2022. Facebook.
14. Web site: Dutch Single Tip 26/11/2022. dutchcharts.nl. nl. November 26, 2022.
15. Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. October 17, 2022. October 15, 2022.
16. Singapore Songs: Week of November 5, 2022. Billboard. November 1, 2022.
17. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 41 (7 - 13 Oct 2022). RIAS. October 18, 2022. October 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221018065931/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/.
18. Web site: ČNS IFPI. IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202241 into search.. October 17, 2022.
19. Web site: Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 41. Sverigetopplistan. October 14, 2022.
20. Billboard Hot 100: Week of October 15, 2022. Billboard. October 11, 2022.
21. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of October 22, 2022. Billboard. October 18, 2022.
22. Alternative Airplay: Week of December 10, 2022. Billboard. October 20, 2022.
23. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 5, 2022.
24. Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 22, 2023.
25. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. December 4, 2023.