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"Back to Friends"
Single by Sombr
ReleasedDecember 27, 2024 (2024-12-27)
Genre
Length3:19
Label
Songwriter(s)Shane Boose
Producer(s)Boose
Sombr singles chronology
"Makes Me Want You"
(2024) 		"Back to Friends"
(2024) 		"All I Ever Asked" (remix)
(2025)
Music video
"Back to Friends" on YouTube

"Back to Friends" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sombr. Written and produced solely by Sombr, the song was released as a single on December 27, 2024, through Warner Records and his own imprint SMB.[3]

The song became Sombr's breakout hit, alongside his 2025 single "Undressed", both of which entered several charts concurrently after going viral on the video-sharing app TikTok. In his home country, "Back to Friends" marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 36. Outside the United States, the song reached the top five in Australia, Ireland, Latvia, New Zealand and the Philippines, the top 10 in Lithuania, Singapore and the United Kingdom, and the top 20 in Greece, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. It has accumulated over 300 million streams on Spotify.

Composition

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"Back to Friends" is composed in the key of C-sharp major with a time signature of 4
4, and has a tempo of 93 beats per minute.[4]

Reception

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In June 2025, Rolling Stone named "Back to Friends" one of the year's best songs so far, highlighting Sombr's ability to channel the nostalgic 2014 Tumblr grunge aesthetic era. The magazine also wrote that "the indie pop record plays out like an impassioned conversation that bleeds through the walls and captures the melodrama of teenage love".[5]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Back to Friends" experienced a significant increase in on-demand streams in March 2025 following viral popularity on the video-sharing platform TikTok.[3] The song subsequently debuted at number 140 on the Billboard Global 200 chart for the week ending April 5, 2025, becoming Sombr's first entry on the chart.[6] In its tenth week, it entered the top 10 at number nine,[7] and later peaked at number seven.[8]

In the United States, "Back to Friends" debuted at number eight on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart dated April 5, 2025.[9] The following week, the song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 90, marking Sombr's first appearance on the chart.[3] It has since peaked within the top 40 at number 36.[10] The song additionally charted on several rock and alternative charts,[11] including a peak at number six on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs.[12] In addition to rising streams, the song gained increased radio airplay, leading to its debut on the Alternative Airplay chart in the same week it entered the Hot 100,[3] eventually peaking at number one.[13][14] It also entered the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart on the issue date April 26, 2025,[15] later peaking at number eight in its eighth week.[16] On Hot Rock Songs, it has so far peaked at number six,[17] and on Hot Alternative Songs at number eight.[18] In Canada, the song debuted at number 74 on the Canadian Hot 100 for the week of April 12, 2025,[19] and has since peaked at number 31 in its eleventh week.[20] It has been certified Gold by Music Canada.[21]

In the United Kingdom, "Back to Friends" debuted at number 97 on the UK Singles Chart. In its thirteenth week, it reached a peak of number seven.[22] In Ireland, the song debuted at number 33 on the Irish Singles Chart and reached its current peak of number four in its fourteenth week, becoming Sombr's second top-five song in the country, following "Undressed".[22] Elsewhere in Europe, the song achieved a top 10 position in Lithuania,[23] and reached the top 50 in Greece, Norway, Poland and Sweden.[24][25][26][27]

In Australia, "Back to Friends" debuted at number 39 on the ARIA Singles Chart dated April 14, 2025,[28] and peaked at number three in its seventh week.[29] In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 36 for the week beginning April 4, 2025,[30] and peaked at number four in its ninth week, dated May 30, 2025.[31] It has been certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association and Gold by the Recorded Music NZ.[32][33] Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia, "Back to Friends" has peaked within the top 10 in the Philippines and Singapore,[34][35] and the top 25 in Indonesia and Malaysia.[36][37]

On April 19, 2025, "Back to Friends" surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify, becoming Sombr's first song to reach the milestone. A month later, on May 19, the number exceeded 200 million. As of June 11, it has accumulated over 300 million streams.[38]

Music video

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The music video, directed by Gus Black was released on April 3, 2025, and features model Charlotte D'Alessio.[39]

Live performance

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On May 20, 2025, Sombr made his television performance debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing "Back to Friends".[40]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Back to Friends"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[29] 3
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[41] 33
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20] 31
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[42] 21
Germany (GfK)[43] 48
Global 200 (Billboard)[44][8] 7
Greece International (IFPI)[45] 20
Indonesia (Billboard)[36] 22
Ireland (IRMA)[46] 4
Latvia Airplay (LaIPA)[47] 20
Latvia Streaming (LaIPA)[48] 4
Lithuania (AGATA)[23] 6
Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[49] 71
Malaysia (IFPI)[37] 12
Malaysia International (RIM)[50] 6
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[51] 45
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[31] 4
Norway (VG-lista)[25] 21
Philippines (IFPI)[52] 5
Philippines (Philippines Hot 100)[34] 4
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[26] 30
Portugal (AFP)[53]
[54] 		46
Singapore (RIAS)[35] 6
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[55] 34
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[27] 33
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[56] 37
UAE (IFPI)[57] 17
UK Singles (OCC)[58] 7
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 36
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[14][13] 1
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[12] 6
US Rock & Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[16] 8

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Back to Friends"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[32] Platinum 70,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[21] Gold 40,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[33] Gold 15,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[59] Gold 5,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lee, Derrick (April 5, 2025). "Sombr 'Back to Friends' Is the Breakfout Single That Proves He's More Than a Viral Sensation". Blurred Culture. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  2. ^ "Back to Friends by Sombr". Song Facts. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Zellner, Xander (April 8, 2025). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Sombr Scores First Entry With 'Back to Friends'". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  4. ^ "Back to Friends | Track Analytics | Songstats". Songstats. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  5. ^ "The Best Songs of 2025 So Far". Rolling Stone. June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  6. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of April 12, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  7. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of June 7, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  8. ^ a b @billboardcharts (June 9, 2025). "This week's top 10 on the #Global200 (chart dated June 14, 2025)" (Tweet). Retrieved June 10, 2025 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of April 5, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Billboard Hot 100: Week of June 7, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  11. ^ Billboard charts [@billboardcharts] (March 12, 2025). "sombr appears on Billboard's charts for the first time this week with 'Back To Friends.' The song, released on SMB/Warner Records, debuts at No. 23 on Hot Alternative Songs, No. 24 on Hot Rock Songs and No. 33 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 10, 2025 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ a b "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of June 7, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  13. ^ a b Rutherford, Kevin (June 6, 2025). "Sombr Earns His First Radio Chart No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Alternative Airplay: Week of June 14, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  15. ^ "Rock & Alternative Airplay: Week of April 26, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Rock & Alternative Airplay: Week of June 14, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  17. ^ "Hot Rock Songs: Week of May 24, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  18. ^ "Hot Alternative Songs: Week of May 24, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  19. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of April 12, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  20. ^ a b "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of June 14, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – Sombr – Back to Friends". Music Canada. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  22. ^ a b "Sombr Songs and Albums". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  23. ^ a b "2025 20-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  24. ^ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 19/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  25. ^ a b "Singel 2025 uke 22". VG-lista. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  26. ^ a b "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 30.05.2025–05.06.2025.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  27. ^ a b "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 20, 2025". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  28. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. April 14, 2025. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  29. ^ a b "Morgan Wallen has no problems at #1". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  30. ^ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. April 4, 2025. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  31. ^ a b "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. May 30, 2025. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  32. ^ a b "ARIA Top 50 Singles for week of 9 June 2025". Australian Recording Industry Association. June 9, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  33. ^ a b "New Zealand single certifications – Sombr – Back to Friends". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  34. ^ a b "Philippines Hot 100: Week of June 14, 2025". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  35. ^ a b "The Official Singapore Charts Week 23 (30 May - 5 Jun 2025)". RIAS. Archived from the original on June 10, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  36. ^ a b "Indonesia Songs: Week of June 14, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  37. ^ a b "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Malaysia Chart Top 20 from 05/30/2025 to 06/05/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 3, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 23]
  38. ^ "back to friends by sombr - Spotify stream count". My Stream Count. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  39. ^ "SOMBR SERVES UP 'BACK TO FRIENDS' VIDEO". Hits Daily Double. April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  40. ^ "Sombr Makes Late Night TV Debut On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". antiMusic. May 21, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  41. ^ "Sombr – Back to Friends" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  42. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 22. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  43. ^ "Sombr – Back to Friends" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  44. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of June 14, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  45. ^ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 23/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on June 11, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  46. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  47. ^ "Latvijas dziesmu topā viļņojas aktuālie hiti" [Current hits are making waves in the Latvian song chart] (in Latvian). TV Net [lv]. April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  48. ^ "Latviešu mūzika uz viļņa – topa panākumu sērija turpinās" [Latvian music on the wave – the series of chart successes continues] (in Latvian). TV Net [lv]. June 10, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  49. ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: May 8, 2025". TopHit. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  50. ^ "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 23 (30/5/2025-5/6/2025)". RIM. June 14, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025 – via Facebook.
  51. ^ "Sombr – Back to Friends" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  52. ^ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Philippines Chart Top 20 from 05/30/2025 to 06/05/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 3, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 23]
  53. ^ "Sombr – Back to Friends". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  54. ^ "Top 200 Singles Semana 23 de 2025" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 8. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  55. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 23. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  56. ^ "Sombr – Back to Friends". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  57. ^ "The Official MENA Chart | Weekly Chart – Week 22, 2025 – 23/05 to 29/05/2025". The Official MENA Chart (Select year 2025, week 22 and UAE chart to see the peak.). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  58. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  59. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Sombr – Back to Friends" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
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