Skinny Love - wikipedia Skinny Love `` Skinny Love '' Single by Bon Iver from the album For Emma, Forever Ago Released 28 April 2008 ( 2008 - 04 - 28 ) Format Digital download Recorded November 2006 -- February 2007 Genre Indie folk Length 3 : 58 Label 4AD Jagjaguwar Songwriter ( s ) Justin Vernon Bon Iver singles chronology `` Skinny Love '' ( 2008 ) `` Monster '' ( 2010 ) `` Skinny Love '' ( 2008 ) `` Monster '' ( 2010 ) `` Skinny Love '' is a song written by American musician and songwriter Justin Vernon. It was originally released by the indie folk band Bon Iver, of which Vernon is a member, in 2007. A cover version by the Bristish vocalist Birdy was released in 2011. Both versions charted internationally and have been featured in multiple television and film soundtracks. The song has since become a popular tune for various singing competition shows around the anglophone world. Contents 1 Background 1.1 Track listing 1.2 Chart performance 2 Birdy version 2.1 Music videos 2.2 Track listing 2.3 Charts 2.3. 1 Weekly charts 2.3. 2 Year - end charts 2.4 Certifications 2.5 Release history 3 References 4 External links Background `` Skinny Love '' was the first single released from Bon Iver 's 2007 début album For Emma, Forever Ago in America. The song was released as a single in the United Kingdom on 28 April 2008. While `` Skinny Love '' has been considered a reference to singer Justin Vernon 's relationship with former girlfriend Christy Smith, Vernon countered this as `` not entirely accurate (... ) it 's about that time in a relationship that I was going through ; you 're in a relationship because you need help, but that 's not necessarily why you should be in a relationship. And that 's skinny. '' The song was used in the first episode of Grey 's Anatomy 's fifth season. The digital download track `` Skinny Love '' was selected to be iTunes ( UK ) single of the week and was available for free during that time, as well as being featured as the track of the day on National Public Radio. On 6 October 2008, `` Skinny Love '' was featured in the NBC series Chuck ( season 2, episode 3 ). On 11 December 2008, Bon Iver performed `` Skinny Love '' on the Late Show with David Letterman. On 26 January 2009, `` Skinny Love '' was announced at # 21 by the Australian national radio station Triple J in the annual Hottest 100 countdown of the previous year 's best songs. In July 2009, `` Skinny Love '' was announced at # 92 in Triple J 's Hottest 100 of All Time countdown. In June 2013, `` Skinny Love '' was announced at # 16 in Triple J 's Hottest 100 of the Last 20 Years countdown. Track listing No. Title Length 1. `` Skinny Love '' 3 : 59 Chart performance Chart ( 2012 ) Peak position Denmark ( Tracklisten ) 32 UK Official Streaming Chart Top 100 88 Birdy version `` Skinny Love '' Single by Birdy from the album Birdy Released 30 January 2011 ( 2011 - 01 - 30 ) Format Digital download Recorded Genre Piano ballad Length 3 : 22 Label 14th Floor Atlantic Songwriter ( s ) Justin Vernon Producer ( s ) Alex H.N. Gilbert Birdy singles chronology `` Skinny Love '' ( 2011 ) `` Shelter '' ( 2011 ) `` Skinny Love '' ( 2011 ) `` Shelter '' ( 2011 ) British musician Birdy released a cover version of the song in 2011 as her debut single. The single has been B - listed on Xfm and is a particular favourite with listeners of Shak 's overnight show. The song was also chosen as `` Record of The Week '' by UK radio DJ Fearne Cotton. This version was used in Season 2 Episode 21 of The Vampire Diaries and in Season 1 Episode 1 of Prisoners ' Wives. The song also skyrocketed in Australian popularity within the ARIA Charts ' top ten, partly because of Bella Ferraro, an X Factor 2012 Top Four contestant, who performed the song at the X Factor auditions aired in Australia in August 2012. A similar event took place in New Zealand in May 2013 after X Factor winner Jackie Thomas performed the song at her audition. The song entered the top 40 for the first time and reached # 2 on the RIANZ charts following the broadcast. In 2011, `` Skinny Love '' sold 259,000 copies in the UK, becoming the third biggest selling rock single of that year. As of August 2016, the song had sold 744,502 copies in the UK. Birdy 's version of the song was serviced to U.S. contemporary hit radio on 11 February 2014. Music videos This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. ( January 2015 ) There are three music videos for this single. The first music video for the song was uploaded to YouTube on 1 April 2011. It features Birdy playing the piano of walking in a dark house. The second music video was shot in one take and framed on Birdy 's face. The camera changes focus as she sings. It was uploaded on 14 October 2011. The third music video was uploaded on 15 January 2014. Track listing No. Title Length 1. `` Skinny Love '' 3 : 22 Charts Weekly charts Chart ( 2011 -- 14 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 15 Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Wallonia ) France ( SNEP ) Germany ( Official German Charts ) 73 Ireland ( IRMA ) 22 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) Poland ( ZPAV ) 88 Scotland ( Official Charts Company ) 17 Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) 19 UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 17 US Hot Rock Songs ( Billboard ) 24 US Adult Top 40 ( Billboard ) 40 US Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) 40 Year - end charts Chart ( 2011 ) Position Belgian Singles Chart ( Flanders ) 20 Dutch Singles Chart 22 Chart ( 2012 ) Position Australia ( ARIA ) 8 Chart ( 2013 ) Position New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 24 Chart ( 2014 ) Position US Hot Rock Songs ( Billboard ) 48 Certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales Australia ( ARIA ) 6 × Platinum 420,000 Belgium ( BEA ) Platinum 30,000 Canada ( Music Canada ) Gold 40,000 France ( SNEP ) Platinum 150,000 Italy ( FIMI ) Platinum 50,000 Switzerland ( IFPI Switzerland ) Gold 15,000 United Kingdom ( BPI ) Platinum 744,502 United States ( RIAA ) Platinum 1,000,000 sales figures based on certification alone shipments figures based on certification alone sales + streaming figures based on certification alone Release history Country Date Format Label United Kingdom 30 January 2011 Digital download Atlantic Records References Jump up ^ Grayson Haver Currin ( July 27, 2011 ). `` Bon Iver 's long wager ''. Indy Week. Retrieved November 25, 2015. Jump up ^ Grayson Currin ( June 13, 2011 ). `` Interviews : Bon Iver ''. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved November 25, 2015. Jump up ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1185873/soundtrack Jump up ^ `` BON IVER : Anywhere From Here ''. Volume One magazine. 4 December 2009. Jump up ^ Letterman, David ; indiemusicfilter. `` The Late Show Musical Guest Bon Iver 12 / 11 / 08 HQ Video '' ( video ). Vodpod.com. Late Show with David Letterman. Retrieved 2011 - 08 - 29. Jump up ^ `` Kings of Leon top Triple J 's Hottest 100 ''. Courier - Mail. 25 January 2009. Jump up ^ `` Countdown Hottest 100 -- Of All Time triple j ''. Abc.net.au. Retrieved 2011 - 08 - 29. Jump up ^ `` Countdown Twenty Years of Triple J 's Hottest 100 triple j ''. Abc.net.au. Retrieved 2013 - 06 - 09. Jump up ^ `` Danishcharts.com -- Bon Iver -- Skinny Love ''. Tracklisten. Jump up ^ `` Official Streaming Chart Top 100 -- 19th January 2013 The Official Streaming Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts. Retrieved 2013 - 01 - 16. Jump up ^ River Studios News, 2011 Archived 14 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` BIRDY - SKINNY LOVE ( SONG ) ''. Charts.org.nz. Retrieved 8 May 2013. Jump up ^ `` The Top 20 rock singles and albums of 2011 revealed ''. The Official Charts Company. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Birdy Reveals How She Flew From Sync Queen To Sales Queen ''. Music Week. Intent Media. August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016. Jump up ^ http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases Jump up ^ `` Birdy -- Skinny Love ( Official Music Video ''. YouTube. 2011 - 04 - 01. Retrieved 2013 - 01 - 16. Jump up ^ `` Birdy -- Skinny Love ( One Take Music Video ) ''. YouTube. 2011 - 10 - 14. Retrieved 2014 - 02 - 02. Jump up ^ `` Birdy -- Skinny Love ( One Take Music Video ) ''. YouTube. 2011 - 10 - 14. Retrieved 2014 - 02 - 02. Jump up ^ `` Australian-charts.com -- Birdy -- Skinny Love ''. ARIA Top 50 Singles. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Birdy -- Skinny Love '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Birdy -- Skinny Love '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Birdy -- Skinny Love '' ( in French ). Ultratop 50. Jump up ^ `` Lescharts.com -- Birdy -- Skinny Love '' ( in French ). Les classement single. Jump up ^ `` Musicline.de -- Birdy Single - Chartverfolgung '' ( in German ). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Jump up ^ `` Chart Track : Week 39, 2013 ''. Irish Singles Chart. Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- Birdy search results '' ( in Dutch ) Dutch Top 40. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- Birdy -- Skinny Love '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Charts.org.nz -- Birdy -- Skinny Love ''. Top 40 Singles. Jump up ^ `` Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Jump up ^ `` Swisscharts.com -- Birdy -- Skinny Love ''. Swiss Singles Chart. Jump up ^ `` Official Singles Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Jump up ^ `` Birdy Chart History ( Hot Rock Songs ) '' Billboard. Retrieved 21 December 2014. Jump up ^ `` Birdy Chart History ( Adult Pop Songs ) '' Billboard. Retrieved 26 March 2014. Jump up ^ `` Birdy Chart History ( Alternative Songs ) '' Billboard. Retrieved 21 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` JAAROVERZICHTEN 2011 '' ( in Dutch ). Retrieved 2011 - 12 - 29. Jump up ^ `` JAAROVERZICHTEN -- SINGLE 2011 ''. Retrieved 2011 - 12 - 29. Jump up ^ `` ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2012 ''. Retrieved 2013 - 01 - 21. Jump up ^ `` Top Selling Singles of 2013 ''. Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` Hot Rock Songs : Year End 2014 ''. Billboard. Retrieved 21 December 2014. Jump up ^ `` ARIA Charts -- Accreditations -- 2013 Singles ''. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 20 October 2012. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop − Goud en Platina -- 2012 ''. Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 January 2016. Jump up ^ `` Canadian single certifications -- Birdy -- Skinny Love ''. Music Canada. Retrieved 20 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` French single certifications -- Birdy -- Skinny Love '' ( in French ). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 23 October 2012. Jump up ^ `` Italian single certifications -- Birdy -- Skinny Love '' ( in Italian ). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 17 May 2017. Jump up ^ `` The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community : Awards ( Birdy ; ' Skinny Love ' ) ''. IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 October 2012. Jump up ^ `` British single certifications -- Birdy -- Skinny Love ''. British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 20 December 2014. Enter Skinny Love in the search field and then press Enter. Jump up ^ `` American single certifications -- Birdy -- Skinny Love ''. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 6 October 2014. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH Jump up ^ `` Skinny Love -- Single by Birdy www.amazon.co.uk/ ''. Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2013 - 01 - 16. External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Bon Iver Sean Carey Matthew McCaughan Michael Noyce Justin Vernon Studio albums For Emma, Forever Ago Bon Iver, Bon Iver 22, A Million EPs Blood Bank Singles `` Skinny Love '' `` Holocene '' `` Beth / Rest '' Featured singles `` Dark Fantasy '' `` Monster '' `` Lost in the World '' `` Fall Creek Boys Choir '' `` I Am a God '' `` Hold My Liquor '' `` Friends '' Related articles Discography DeYarmond Edison Volcano Choir Gayngs All We Grow Jagjaguwar 4AD Birdy Discography Albums Birdy ( 2011 ) Fire Within ( 2013 ) Beautiful Lies ( 2016 ) Extended plays Breathe ( 2013 ) Singles `` Skinny Love '' `` Shelter '' `` People Help the People '' `` 1901 '' `` Wings '' `` No Angel '' `` Light Me Up '' `` Words as Weapons '' `` Let It All Go '' `` Keeping Your Head Up '' `` Wild Horses '' Other songs `` Not About Angels '' `` I 'll Keep Loving You '' Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Skinny_Love&oldid=815381936 '' Categories : 2008 singles 2000s ballads Debut singles 4AD singles Birdy ( singer ) songs Folk ballads Music videos directed by Sophie Muller 2007 songs Songs written by Justin Vernon Bon Iver songs Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links CS1 Dutch - language sources ( nl ) CS1 French - language sources ( fr ) CS1 Italian - language sources ( it ) Use British English from October 2012 Use dmy dates from October 2012 Articles with hAudio microformats Singlechart usages for Denmark Articles to be expanded from January 2015 All articles to be expanded Articles using small message boxes Singlechart usages for Australia Singlechart usages for Austria Singlechart usages for Flanders Singlechart usages for Wallonia Singlechart usages for France Singlechart usages for Germany Singlechart usages for Ireland Singlechart usages for Dutch40 Singlechart usages for Dutch100 Singlechart usages for New Zealand Singlechart usages for Scotland Singlechart called without artist Singlechart called without song Singlechart usages for Switzerland Singlechart usages for UK Singlechart usages for Billboardrocksongs Singlechart usages for Billboardadultpopsongs Singlechart usages for Billboardalternativesongs Certification Table Entry usages for Australia Certification Table Entry usages for Belgium Certification Table Entry usages for Canada Certification Table Entry usages for France Certification Table Entry usages for Italy Certification Table Entry usages for Switzerland Certification Table Entry usages for United Kingdom Certification Table Entry usages for United States Talk Contents About Wikipedia فارسی Français Հայերեն Italiano Nederlands Русский Tiếng Việt Edit links This page was last edited on 14 December 2017, at 14 : 15. 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Question: who sang the original version of skinny love
Answer: indie folk band Bon Iver