Soaked Explained

"Soaked" is a song by New Zealand musician Benee. It was released as a single on 14 September 2018 as the lead single from Benee's debut extended play Fire on Marzz. The song was released on Spotify, received airplay on New Zealand radio,^[1] and reached number 58 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2018.^[2]

Background

In a press release, the song was described as "indie-slack fun with a little R'n'B swing".^[3] In 2019, Benee re-recorded the song in Te Reo Māori for Waiata / Anthems, a collection of re-recorded New Zealand pop songs to promote te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week). The new version, retitled "Kua Kore He Kupu / Soaked", featured lyrics reinterpreted by scholar Tīmoti Kāretu.^[4] This version reached number five on the New Zealand artists' singles chart.^[5]

Critical reception

"Soaked" was called a "slick, funk-fuelled pop number" by Pilerats,^[6] while The Music Network described it as "an R'n'B drenched slice of alt-pop that accentuates the young singer's soulful vocals".^[7]

Charts

Year-end charts

Notes and References

1. Web site: Lily Allen Announces Bene as Support for Auckland Show. Scoop.co.nz. 17 January 2019. 27 January 2019.
2. Web site: Hottest 100 2018. Triple J. 11 November 2018 . 27 January 2019.
3. Web site: Bene – Soaked. ZM. 17 October 2018. 27 January 2019.
4. Web site: Waiata / Anthems . iTunes . 6 September 2019 . 8 September 2019.
5. Web site: NZ Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 14 September 2019. 14 September 2019.
6. Web site: Bene on the songs that influenced her breakout single, Soaked. Pilerats. Davies. Hayden. 27 January 2019.
7. Web site: NZ wunderkind Bene joins Niche Talent Agency. The Music Network. Winter. Velvet. 14 September 2018. 27 January 2019.
8. Web site: Top Selling Singles of 2019. Recorded Music NZ. 21 December 2019.