{{Use Canadian English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox song | name = Party for One | type = single | cover = Carly Rae Jepsen – Party for One.png | border = yes | artist = Carly Rae Jepsen | album = Dedicated | released = {{start date|2018|11|01}} | length = {{duration|m=3|s=4}} | label = * 604 * School Boy * Interscope | writer = * Carly Rae Jepsen * Tavish Crowe * Julia Karlsson * Anton Rundberg | producer = * Captain Cuts * Hightower | prev_title = Cut to the Feeling | prev_year = 2017 | next_title = Now That I Found You | next_year = 2019 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|U0ih3FriG1k|"Party for One"}}}} }}
"'''Party for One'''" is a song <!-- We do not need to state "recorded", it is pointless -->by Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen. It was released as the lead single from her fourth studio album ''Dedicated'' on November 1, 2018, through 604, School Boy and Interscope Records.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://etcanada.com/news/382289/carly-rae-jepsen-debuts-party-for-one-on-tonight-show-after-releasing-1st-single-in-18-months/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401215410/https://etcanada.com/news/382289/carly-rae-jepsen-debuts-party-for-one-on-tonight-show-after-releasing-1st-single-in-18-months/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |title=Carly Rae Jepsen Debuts 'Party For One' On 'Tonight Show' After Releasing 1st Single In 18 Months |work=Entertainment Tonight Canada |last=Mahjouri |first=Shakiel |date=November 6, 2018 |accessdate=April 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/new-carly-rae-jepsen-song-party-for-one-coming-tomorrow/ |title=New Carly Rae Jepsen Song 'Party for One' Coming Tomorrow |magazine=Pitchfork |last=Sodomsky |first=Sam |date=October 31, 2018 |accessdate=November 1, 2018}}</ref> The track was written by Jepsen, Tavish Crowe, Julia Karlsson, and Anton Rundberg, and produced by Hightower and Captain Cuts.<ref name="BMI"/> "Party for One" was placed on ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s list of 50 Best Songs of 2018.
==Background== Jepsen worked on the song for some time, first writing the melody with her long-time collaborator Tavish Crowe. The lyrics were inspired by staying in a hotel room in Sweden on her own, at a time when she was going through a break-up.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://genius.com/videos/Carly-rae-jepsen-breaks-down-the-meaning-of-party-for-one |title=Carly Rae Jepsen Breaks Down The Meaning Of "Party For One" |website=Genius |accessdate=March 27, 2020}}</ref> The singer explained that the song is about "what it is to celebrate time with yourself".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2021123/carly-rae-jepsen-party-for-one-video/video/ |title=Carly Rae Jepsen – "Party For One" Video |last=Rettig |first=James |date=November 1, 2018 |website=Stereogum |accessdate=March 27, 2020}}</ref> Matt Moen of ''Paper'' described the song as a "self-care anthem" or something to help refrain from texting an ex.<ref name="Paper">{{cite web|url=http://www.papermag.com/carly-rae-jepsen-party-one-2616658253.html|title=Carly Rae Jepsen is Coming Back|work=Paper|last=Moen|first=Matt|date=October 30, 2018|accessdate=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031133958/http://www.papermag.com/carly-rae-jepsen-party-one-2616658253.html|archive-date=October 31, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Mike Wass of Idolator said that as the lead single for Jepsen's fourth studio album, it is "likely to cement her status as the hipster's guilty pleasure with a collection of cute, clever and slightly offbeat bops".<ref name="Idolator"/> A number of critics noted references to masturbation in the song's lyrics.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Martinelli |first=Marissa |url=https://slate.com/culture/2018/11/carly-rae-jepsen-drops-party-for-one-about-masturbation-video.html |title=Carly Rae Jepsen drops "Party for One," which is maybe about masturbation (VIDEO) |magazine=Slate |date=November 1, 2018 |accessdate=March 27, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Leszkiewicz |first=Anna |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/music-theatre/2018/11/female-pop-songs-carly-rae-jepsen-demi-lovato-lady-gaga-little-mix-selena-gomez |title=Carly Rae Jepson's Party for One, and the growing canon of pop songs about female masturbation |magazine=New Statesman |date=November 6, 2018 |accessdate=March 27, 2020}}</ref>
Jepsen posted an image of herself to social media on October 30, 2018, captioning it "Party for one",<ref name="Paper"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/10/30/carly-rae-jepsen-single-party-for-one-sword|title=Carly Rae Jepsen teases rumored single 'Party For One'|work=The Fader|last=Tanzer|first=Miles|date=October 30, 2018|accessdate=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031052513/https://www.thefader.com/2018/10/30/carly-rae-jepsen-single-party-for-one-sword|archive-date=October 31, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> confirming social media rumours about the song's impending release<ref name="Idolator">{{cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7687552/carly-rae-jepsen-teases-party-for-one|title=New Music? Carly Rae Jepsen Teases 'Party For One'|website=Idolator|last=Wass|first=Mike|date=October 30, 2018|access-date=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031133154/https://www.idolator.com/7687552/carly-rae-jepsen-teases-party-for-one|archive-date=October 31, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> after it was registered with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI).<ref name="BMI">{{cite web|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/DetailView.aspx?detail=titleid&keyid=28405028&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&blnAltTitles=True|title=BMI {{!}} Repertoire Search: Party for One|publisher=Broadcast Music, Inc.|accessdate=October 31, 2018|format=Click dropdown menu, choose "BMI Work #" and search "28405028"}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Despite being promoted as the lead single from ''Dedicated'', "Party for One" is not included in the standard track listing and only appears on select digital and deluxe editions of the album.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/carly-rae-jepsen-dedicated-interview-200-songs-8511969/ |title=Carly Rae Jepsen 'Dedicated' Interview: How She Whittled 200 Songs Down to 15 |last=Feeney |first=Nolan |date=May 17, 2019 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 27, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127085919/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8511969/carly-rae-jepsen-dedicated-interview-200-songs |archive-date=January 27, 2020}}</ref>
==Critical reception== Upon its release, "Party for One" received critical acclaim. Brittany Spanos of ''Rolling Stone'' called the song "upbeat" and "bubbly".<ref name="RS">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/carly-rae-jepsen-new-single-party-for-one-new-album-748502/|title=Watch Carly Rae Jepsen Host 'Party for One' in Celebratory New Video|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Spanos|first=Brittany |date=November 1, 2018|accessdate=November 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104050136/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/carly-rae-jepsen-new-single-party-for-one-new-album-748502/|archive-date=November 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Brooke Bajgrowicz of ''Billboard'' said the track is "driven by an electric beat" and compared its "infectious pop sound" to "Call Me Maybe" and "I Really Like You".<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/carly-rae-jepsen-party-for-one-8482745/|title=Carly Rae Jepsen Drops Comeback Bop 'Party For One,' Prepping 2019 Album|magazine=Billboard|last=Bajgrowicz|first=Brooke|date=November 1, 2018|access-date=November 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101234817/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8482745/carly-rae-jepsen-party-for-one|archive-date=November 1, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Writing for ''Pitchfork'', Bobby Finger felt that "In the pantheon of pop breakup anthems, Jepsen's newest single lacks the aching detail of 'Dancing on My Own' or the Max Martin alchemy of 'Since U Been Gone,' but it's a satisfying intimation that ''E•MO•TION'' could be getting a sequel soon".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/party-for-one/|title='Party for One' by Carly Rae Jepsen Review|work=Pitchfork|last=Finger|first=Bobby|date=November 1, 2018|accessdate=November 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102031239/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/party-for-one/|archive-date=November 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Roisin O'Connor of ''The Independent'' named "Party for One" a "glimmering gem of a synth-pop track".<ref name="Independent">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/new-music-little-mix-rag-n-bone-man-carly-rae-jepsen-releases-now-hear-this-spotify-playlist-a8613891.html|title=Now Hear This: New music from Little Mix, Carly Rae Jepsen, Thundercat and King Princess plus spotlight artist Ashley McBryde|work=The Independent|last=O'Connor|first=Roisin|date=November 2, 2018|accessdate=November 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104101018/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/new-music-little-mix-rag-n-bone-man-carly-rae-jepsen-releases-now-hear-this-spotify-playlist-a8613891.html|archive-date=November 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Year-end lists=== {|class="sortable wikitable" |- ! Publication ! Year ! Accolade ! Rank ! class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | ''Pitchfork'' | rowspan=2"|2018 | 100 Best Songs of 2018 | {{center|89}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-100-best-songs-of-2018/ |title=The 100 Best Songs of 2018 |website=Pitchfork |date=December 10, 2018 |accessdate=March 27, 2020}}</ref>}} |- | ''Rolling Stone'' | 50 Best Songs of 2018 | {{center|26}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine |last=O'Moore |first=Natalie |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-best-songs-of-2018-764204/carly-rae-jepsen-party-for-one-764249/ |title=50 Best Songs of 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 14, 2018 |accessdate=March 27, 2020}}</ref>}} |- |}
==Music video== The music video, directed by Bardia Zeinali, was released on November 1, 2018.<ref name="RS"/> It features Jepsen checking into a hotel for the night before showing scenes of other people in the same hotel alone in their rooms, doing various things such as dancing, crying, eating and putting on makeup. The power then goes out, which causes everybody to walk down to the lobby, where they have a party before returning to their rooms.<ref name="RS"/> Roisin O'Connor of ''The Independent'' called the video "fun, even if it is one giant advert for Absolut Vodka".<ref name="Independent"/> On December 11, 2018, Jepsen released a vertical video of the song on YouTube.<ref>{{cite web |last=Salvatore |first=Maicki |title=Watch Carly Rae Jepsen's new vertical video for "Party For One" |url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/12/12/carly-rae-jepsen-party-for-one-vertical-video |work=The Fader |date=December 12, 2018 |accessdate=December 12, 2018 }}</ref>
==Live performances== Jepsen performed "Party for One" for the first time on ''The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'' on November 5, 2018.<ref name="Billboard"/> The song was performed live throughout The Dedicated Tour.
==Track listing== * '''Digital download/Streaming'''<ref name="iTunes">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/party-for-one-single/1440524716?app=itunes|title=Party for One - Single by Carly Rae Jepsen on iTunes|publisher=iTunes Store|accessdate=June 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tidal.com/browse/album/97775396|title=Party For One by Carly Rae Jepsen on TIDAL|date=November 2018 |publisher=Tidal|accessdate=March 27, 2020}}</ref> # "Party for One" — 3:03
* '''Digital Remix EP'''<ref name="Remixes">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/party-for-one-remixes-single/1445805173?app=itunes|title=Party For One (Remixes) - Single by Carly Rae Jepsen on iTunes|publisher=iTunes Store|accessdate=June 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5r9SgwCovywWoXbVJokB6Z|title=Spotify – Party For One (Remixes)|publisher=Spotify|accessdate=March 27, 2020}}</ref> # "Party for One" (More Giraffes Remix) — 2:46 # "Party for One" (Sawyr Remix) — 3:02 # "Party for One" (Anki Remix) — 3:29
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2018) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)<ref>{{cite journal|date=November 12, 2018|title=The ARIA Report|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue1498.pdf|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|issue=1498|page=9|archiveurl=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20181113041500/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20181113-0000/Issue1498.pdf|archivedate=November 13, 2018|accessdate=November 29, 2018|journal=Trove}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |48 |- {{single chart|Canada|100|artist=Carly Rae Jepsen|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 14, 2018}} |- {{single chart|Ireland3|98|artist=Carly Rae Jepsen|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 10, 2018}} |- ! scope="row"| Japan (Japan Hot 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2018&month=11&day=19|title=Japan Hot 100 – Billboard|work=Billboard Japan|date=November 14, 2018|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref> | 68 |- ! scope="row"| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2018-11-09|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=November 12, 2018|access-date=November 9, 2018}}</ref> | 19 |- ! scope="row"| US Pop Digital Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f%5B0%5D=ts_chart_artistname:Carly%20Rae%20Jepsen&f%5B1%5D=ss_chart_search_title:*Party%20for%20One*&f%5B2%5D=itm_field_chart_id:Pop%20Digital%20Song%20Sales&f%5B3%5D=ss_bb_type:chart_item&type=1&artist=Carly%20Rae%20Jepsen&title=Party%20for%20One|title=Carly Rae Jepsen Chart History (Pop Digital Songs)|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=November 23, 2018}}</ref> | 20 |}
==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+ Release dates and formats for "Party for One" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Version ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope="row"| Canada | November 1, 2018 | {{flatlist|*Digital download *streaming}} | rowspan="2"| Original | 604 | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name = "iTunes" /> |- ! scope="row"| Italy | November 9, 2018 | Contemporary hit radio | Universal | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web |last=Ceschi |first=Isabella |title=Carly Rae Jepsen 'Party for One' |url=https://radiodate.it/radio-date/carly-rae-jepsen-party-for-one-178525-09-11-2018-radiodate/ |publisher=Universal Music Group |via=Radio Airplay SRL |access-date=April 9, 2021}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| Various | December 14, 2018 | {{flatlist|*Digital download *streaming}} | Remixes | {{flatlist|*Schoolboy *Interscope}} | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name = "Remixes" /> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Carly Rae Jepsen}}
Category:2018 singles Category:2018 songs Category:Carly Rae Jepsen songs Category:Songs written by Carly Rae Jepsen Category:Vertically oriented music videos Category:604 Records singles Category:Schoolboy Records singles Category:Interscope Records singles Category:Song recordings produced by Captain Cuts Category:Songs written by Anton Rundberg Category:Female masturbation Category:Fiction about masturbation