# Wild Thoughts

"Wild Thoughts" is a song by American DJ and record producer DJ Khaled featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna and American singer Bryson Tiller. It was released on June 16, 2017, by We the Best and Epic Records as the third single from Khaled's tenth studio album, Grateful (2017). Canadian singer PartyNextDoor assisted the artists in writing the song. A mid-tempo pop song, "Wild Thoughts" consists of Latin percussion, acoustic guitar lines and riffs that interpolate the 1999 hit single "Maria Maria" by Santana. Lyrically, the song praises a lover who inspires sexual thoughts.
Commercially, the song reached number one in the United Kingdom, marking Khaled's second and Rihanna's ninth number one. The song also saw chart success in Australia and Canada, where it peaked at number two. The song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Rihanna's 31st top-ten song, Khaled's third, and Tiller's first.
The music video for the song was directed by Colin Tilley and was shot in the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami, Florida. The music video was nominated in three categories at the MTV Video Music Awards for Video of the Year, Best Collaboration and Best Art Direction.

## Background and composition

Bryson Tiller and Khaled had first collaborated on the track "Ima Be Alright" for Khaled's ninth studio album Major Key (2016). During Grateful's recording, Khaled invited Tiller to his house for dinner. During dinner, Khaled played the initial demo of "Wild Thoughts" to Tiller and asked him if he could do something with the song. Tiller returned home and recorded his verse and sent it to Khaled who used it on the final recording. While talking about collaborating with Rihanna for the first time in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Khaled said; "Seven, eight years I've been trying to do this. I always put the kites out there that I wanted to work with her. But at the same time, while I was putting the kites out there, I was always getting the right record ready. You've gotta start with the right energy to see if something comes back that's possible."
"Wild Thoughts" is a mid-tempo pop song with Latin percussion and "slinky acoustic guitar lines." The song heavily samples the guitar riff from Santana's 1999 "Maria Maria", which features the Product G&B. Written in the key of C minor, it has a tempo of 96-100 beats per minute in simple quadruple ($^4$ $_4$) time. The song follows a chord progression of Cm–Fm–Cm, and Rihanna's and Tiller's vocals spanning from C$_4$ to G$_5$. Billboard editor Andrew Unterberger noted the "Wild Thoughts" featured the same groove and riff as "Maria Maria" and even featured Wyclef Jean's "murmuring" who supplied the original song's ad-libs. Vanessa Okoth-Obbo of Pitchfork described the track as relying heavily on a "Latin rock aesthetic", with lyrics that hear Rihanna and Tiller croon praise lovers who inspire wild thoughts. Okoth-Obbo described the lyrics as straddling the line between "innuendos and carnal statements", whilst also noting the singers' vocal performances as being restrained and controlled.

## Release and reception

On June 9, 2017, Khaled released the album's track listing, which also included "Wild Thoughts". The song's artwork, which features Khaled's son Asahd, was revealed via Rihanna's Instagram account on June 15, 2017. "Wild Thoughts" was released on June 16, 2017, as the album's third single. Grateful was released on June 23, 2017.
Peter A. Berry from XXL wrote; "If all goes according to plan, it should go follow in the footsteps of 'I'm the One' and reach platinum status in the very near future." Janelle Okwode of Vogue said that the song "is an instant contender for song of the summer". Raisa Bruner from Time magazine listed the song on her list of five songs that should be heard. Bruner praised the song calling it an "irresistible, Latin-inflected summer jam with some smooth verses courtesy of the addition of Bryson Tiller." Bruner continued to state that the song was truly Rihanna's "but we all know this is Rihanna's show." In a second and more in-depth review Burner stated:
   "Wild Thoughts" kicks off with a bang and that instantly-recognizable Santana guitar melody, before segueing into Rihanna's low, compelling vocals and Tiller's verses. It feels like a spiritual successor to last year's hits "Work" and "One Dance" — but swapping those songs' dancehall vibes for Santana's guitar. Either way, it's an intoxicating bop guaranteed to heat things up.
Uproxx's Corbin Reiff wrote that Rihanna "brings some serious heat", while Tiller "rolls through in the middle to reprise his verse, and brings some serious R&B vibes with along him". Matt Miller of Esquire praised Rihanna's saying that she "completely commands the song, the power of her voice, her presence takes the entire thing over." Miller was less favourable about Tiller and the Santana sample calling their inclusion forgettable. Billboard editor Andrew Unterberger wrote that this is "practically a cover with different lyrics" of "Maria Maria", saying that it is "not a perfect song, but it's a super-fun resurrection of the now 18-year-old single". Elias Leight from Rolling Stone called it "another warm-weather-friendly single" by Khaled.

### Carlos Santana's response

Carlos Santana who originally wrote "Maria Maria", the song which is sampled on "Wild Thoughts", praised Khaled's, Rihanna's and Tiller's take on the song. Stating "There is a reason that the infectious groove/theme that Wyclef and I created on 'Maria Maria' still resonates today. It speaks to the heart. DJ Khaled, Rihanna and Bryson take that vibe and bring it to a new dimension with 'Wild Thoughts,' but the groove and essence of the song is still intact." continuing to say, "I am honored that DJ Khaled, Rihanna and Bryson felt the intense intentionality of 'Maria Maria' and have shared this summer vibe with the world."
The Product G&B who originally sang "Maria Maria" had a mixed response to "Wild Thoughts". They stated they were grateful and called the song a "blessing" noting that when they hear "Wild Thoughts" "you hear 'Maria', it’s bringing awareness all around." However they believed that "Wild Thoughts" had stripped the original of its meaning and "its association with West Side Story, where the musical's character Maria stood to represent both the grim reality of gang violence and poverty and the hope for a better life."

## Commercial performance

On June 26, "Wild Thoughts" debuted at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, with 89,000 digital copies sold and 36.3 million streams. The song marked Rihanna's 31st top-ten, Khaled's third and Tiller's first. The song's debut additionally marked the third-highest debut of Rihanna's 60 Hot 100 entries and made Rihanna the fourth woman to make at least 60 Hot 100 appearances, joining Nicki Minaj (78), Aretha Franklin (73) and Taylor Swift (70). In its second week the song rose to a new peak of three on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first song to debut in the top five and rise in its second week since Eminem's "The Monster", also featuring Rihanna (2013). After slipping to number four on the Hot 100, "Wild Thoughts" rebounded to peak in the runner-up slot and remained there for seven consecutive weeks, but was blocked off the top spot only by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber's "Despacito". It also earned Rihanna her record-extending 29th Radio Songs top 10, continuing her lead over Mariah Carey (23). "Wild Thoughts" additionally peaked at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming Rihanna's seventh number one, Khaled's third and Tiller's first.
"Wild Thoughts" became Khaled's and Tiller's first number-one song on the Dance Club Songs chart, and Rihanna's 31st. It is Rihanna's fourth number-one on the chart in 2017, following "Love on the Brain", "Sex with Me" and "Pose", the most among all acts; she is one of only four acts to have achieved four number-ones in a calendar year, one of two to do so twice, and the only one to have done so five times. "Wild Thoughts" is also only one of four out of her 31 chart-toppers whereby Rihanna is not the lead artist.
On July 21, "Wild Thoughts" reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. It is Khaled's second number one in the UK following "I'm the One", Rihanna's ninth, and the first chart-topper for Tiller.

## Music video

The music video for "Wild Thoughts", directed by Colin Tilley, was shot in the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami, Florida, in June 2017. The first images from the shoot were released online on June 6, 2017. The video premiered via Khaled's Vevo channel on June 16, 2017. Katie Skinner from Billboard magazine gave an in-depth review of Rihanna's fashion throughout the music video. Skinner stated that the video had an "upbeat summer nightlife vibe in a tropical Miami setting" which "Rihanna and Khaled carry out that concept by dressing in bright-hued outfits, serving up some serious polychromatic summer looks straight off the runway." During a breakdown of the video Skinner stated that Rihanna's first look saw her wearing a "psychedelic Balenciaga high-waisted floral-print leggings with matching 'Knife' boots, a bright-pink vintage Betsey Johnson crop top and a pair of oversize crescent-shape Lynn Ban earrings." This was accompanied by a floral head scarf, green vintage Versace belt and a pair of pink Karen Walker sunglasses. In the following scene Rihanna wore a "short turquoise off-the-shoulder silk chiffon dress by Alberta Ferretti" along with a pair of gladiator sandals designed by Rihanna and Manolo Blahnik. During the last few seconds of the video, Rihanna stands beside Khaled and Tiller, wearing a bright nylon off-the-shoulder top and cargo pants designed by Matthew Adams Dolan.

## Live Performances

Rihanna performed the song with Khaled and Tiller at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, and solo at the halftime show of Super Bowl LVII.

## Remixes

On July 10, 2017, American rappers A Boogie wit da Hoodie and Fabolous released their remix of the song titled "Wild Thots". Canadian singer and rapper Tory Lanez also released his remix of the track featuring American singer Trey Songz on July 21, 2017.

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Organization | Award | Result |
| 2017 | MTV Video Music Awards | Video of the Year | Nominated |
| 2017 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Collaboration | Nominated |
| 2017 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Art Direction | Nominated |
| 2017 | MTV Video Music Awards | Song of Summer | Nominated |
| 2017 | BET Hip Hop Awards | Best Hip Hop Video | Nominated |
| 2017 | BET Hip Hop Awards | Best Collabo, Duo or Group | Won |
| 2017 | BET Hip Hop Awards | Single of the Year | Nominated |
| 2017 | Soul Train Music Awards | Best Video of the Year | Nominated |
| 2017 | Soul Train Music Awards | Best Song of the Year | Nominated |
| 2017 | Soul Train Music Awards | Best Collaboration | Won |
| 2017 | Soul Train Music Awards | Best Dance Performance | Nominated |
| 2017 | Soul Train Music Awards | Rhythm & Bars Award | Nominated |
| 2017 | MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Song | Nominated |
| 2018 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Song of the Year | Nominated |
| 2018 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Best Collaboration | Nominated |
| 2018 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Hip-Hop Song of the Year | Won |
| 2018 | Billboard Music Awards | Top R&B Song | Nominated |
| 2018 | BET Awards | Video of the Year | Nominated |
| 2018 | BET Awards | Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award | Nominated |
| 2018 | BET Awards | Best Collaboration | Won |

## Track listing

* Digital download
* "Wild Thoughts" (featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller) – 3:24
* CD single
* "Wild Thoughts" (featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller) – 3:24
* "Wild Thoughts" (Medasin Dance Remix) (featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller) – 4:35
* Streaming – Bee's Knees Dance Remix
* "Wild Thoughts" (Bee's Knees Dance Remix) (featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller) – 3:51
* Streaming – Dave Audé Dance Remix
* "Wild Thoughts" (Dave Audé Dance Remix) (featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller) – 4:43
* Streaming – Medasin Dance Remix
* "Wild Thoughts" (Medasin Dance Remix) (featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller) – 4:35
* Streaming – Mike Cruz Dance Remix
* "Wild Thoughts" (Mike Cruz Dance Remix) (featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller) – 7:17
* Streaming – NOTD Dance Remix
* "Wild Thoughts" (NOTD Dance Remix) (featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller) – 3:09

## Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | 7× Platinum | 490,000$^‡$ |
| Austria (IFPI Austria) | Gold | 15,000$^‡$ |
| Belgium (BEA) | Platinum | 20,000$^‡$ |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) | Diamond | 250,000$^‡$ |
| Canada (Music Canada) | 5× Platinum | 400,000$^‡$ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | 2× Platinum | 180,000$^‡$ |
| France (SNEP) | Diamond | 233,333$^‡$ |
| Germany (BVMI) | 3× Gold | 600,000$^‡$ |
| Italy (FIMI) | 2× Platinum | 100,000$^‡$ |
| Mexico (AMPROFON) | Platinum+Gold | 90,000$^‡$ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | 5× Platinum | 150,000$^‡$ |
| Poland (ZPAV) | 3× Platinum | 60,000$^‡$ |
| Portugal (AFP) | 2× Platinum | 20,000$^‡$ |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | Platinum | 40,000$^‡$ |
| Sweden (GLF) | 3× Platinum | 120,000$^‡$ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) | Platinum | 20,000$^‡$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | 3× Platinum | 1,800,000$^‡$ |
| United States (RIAA) | 8× Platinum | 8,000,000$^‡$ |
| $^‡$ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |||

## Release history

| Region | Date | Format | Version | Label |
| Worldwide | June 16, 2017 | Digital download | Original | We the BestEpic |
| United Kingdom | June 16, 2017 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | Original | We the BestEpic |
| United States | June 19, 2017 | Hot adult contemporary radio | Original | We the BestEpic |
| United States | June 20, 2017 | Contemporary hit radio | Original | We the BestEpic |
| Italy | June 30, 2017 | Contemporary hit radio | Original | Sony |
| Various | July 21, 2017 | Digital downloadstreaming | Bee's Knees Dance Remix | We the BestEpic |
| Various | July 21, 2017 | Digital downloadstreaming | Dave Audé Dance Remix | We the BestEpic |
| Various | July 21, 2017 | Digital downloadstreaming | Medasin Dance Remix | We the BestEpic |
| Various | July 21, 2017 | Digital downloadstreaming | Mike Cruz Dance Remix | We the BestEpic |
| Various | July 21, 2017 | Digital downloadstreaming | NOTD Dance Remix | We the BestEpic |

## Fines

In 2018, Turkey’s top media watchdog, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), reviewed the English-language lyrics of the song, and issued fines after concluding that they were inappropriate. RTÜK issued a 17,065 Turkish Lira fine to the Turkish music channels NR1 and Dream TV.