Sexual (song)

For other songs named "Sexual", see Sex (disambiguation) § Songs.

"Sexual"
Original artwork. The iTunes artwork depicts the same picture, pixellated.[1]
Single by Neiked featuring Dyo
from the album Best of Hard Drive
Released	26 August 2016
Recorded	2015–2016
Genre	Pop[2] dance-pop[3]
Length	3:08
Label	Neiked Collective Casablanca Polydor Republic Universal
Songwriters	Victor Rådström Dayo Olatunji Elina Stridh
Producer	Victor Rådström
Neiked singles chronology
"Sand & Lead" (2016) "Sexual" (2016) "Call Me" (2017)
Dyo singles chronology
"Reload" (2013) "Sexual" (2016)

"Sexual" (also known as "Sensual" in censored versions^[4]) is a song by Swedish collective Neiked featuring vocals from English singer Dyo.^[5] It was released for digital download on 26 August 2016 through Neiked Collective, Casablanca Records, Polydor Records and Republic Records.^[6][7]

Composition

"Sexual" is a high-energy pop track and has been described as having elements of funk.^[8]

Critical reception

Mike Wass of Idolator described the song as a "future hit" and claimed that Dyo's vocals sounded like "Kiiara [if she] took a handful of happy pills".^[9]

Commercial performance

The song was a commercial success in the United Kingdom and Australia. On the UK Singles Chart dated 8 September 2016, the song debuted at number 83. Eight weeks later, on the chart dated 3 November 2016, the song rose to number 6, becoming Neiked's first top ten hit, and Dyo's fifth.^[10] On its fifteen-week on the chart, dated 15 December 2016, the song moved to number five, becoming Dyo's fourth top five hit.^[11] On the Australian Singles Chart dated 6 November 2016, "Sexual" debuted at number 33. On the chart dated 21 November 2016, it rose to number four, where it peaked.^[12] It met a huge success in some European countries, peaking the top ten in Spain, Belgium and Norway.^[13]

Interpolations and remixes

Maroon 5

Maroon 5's 2017 single "What Lovers Do" contains interpolations of "Sexual", so Victor Rådström, Elina Stridh and Dyo are credited as songwriters.^{[14][unreliable source]}

Oliver Nelson Remix

In response to the Oliver Nelson remix of the song, Perez Hilton described the song as "killer" and that he predicted it was "soon to be burning up dancefloors worldwide".^{[15][unreliable source?]}

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Sexual" Chart (2016–17) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[12] 4 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[16] 53 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[17] 7 Belgium Dance (Ultratop Flanders)[18] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[19] 10 Belgium Dance (Ultratop Wallonia)[20] 1 Czech Republic Airplay (ČNS IFPI)[21] 17 Czech Republic Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[22] 24 Denmark (Tracklisten)[23] 22 France (SNEP)[24] 23 Germany (GfK)[25] 43 Ireland (IRMA)[26] 2 Netherlands (Global Top 40)[27] 39 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[28] 43 Netherlands (Tipparade)[27] 1 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[29] 6 Norway (VG-lista)[30] 9 Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[31] 64 Portugal (AFP)[32] 47 Scotland Singles (OCC)[33] 3 Slovakia Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[34] 50 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[35] 10 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[36] 32 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[37] 98 UK Singles (OCC)[38] 5 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[39] 22

Year-end charts Year-end chart rankings for "Sexual" Chart (2016) Position Australia (ARIA)[40] 81 Netherlands (Global Top 40)[41] 98 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[42] 51 Chart (2017) Position Australia (ARIA)[43] 96 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[44] 63 Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[45] 61 France (SNEP)[46] 150 Spain Airplay (PROMUSICAE)[47] 8 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[48] 58 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[49] 76

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[50]	3× Platinum	210,000^‡
Belgium (BRMA)[51]	Platinum	20,000^‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[52]	Gold	30,000^‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[53]	Platinum	90,000^‡
France (SNEP)[54]	Platinum	133,333^‡
Germany (BVMI)[55]	Gold	200,000^‡
Italy (FIMI)[56]	Gold	25,000^‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[57]	3× Platinum	90,000^‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[58]	Platinum	40,000^‡
Spain (Promusicae)[59]	Gold	20,000^‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[60]	2× Platinum	1,200,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	26 August 2016	Digital download	Neiked Collective Polydor	[61]
Italy	2 September 2016	Contemporary hit radio	Universal	[62]
United States	8 November 2016	Rhythmic contemporary	Republic	[63]

References

1. "Sexual (feat. Dyo) – Single by NEIKED on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). Retrieved 4 November 2016.
2. Bleach, Thomas (14 August 2016). "Neiked 's latest single will make you 'Sexual". Fashion Weekly. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
3. "Neiked - Sexual". London Groove. 28 November 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
4. "Sensual (feat. Dyo)". BBC. Archived from the original on 2 November 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
5. Hermanson, Niklas (22 September 2016). "Exposed: Neiked's "Sexual" is Breaking the Internet". Umusic. Universal Music Canada. Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
6. "Sexual - Neiked". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
7. "Sexual". Amazon. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
8. "NEIKED SEXUAL". All Things Go Music. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
9. Wass, Mike (2 November 2016). "Future Hit: NEIKED & Dyo's "Sexual" Is Going To Be Big". Idolator. Retrieved 4 November 2016.^{[dead link]}
10. Anderton, Joe (28 October 2016). "Little Mix make it a second week at No.1 with 'Shout Out to My Ex'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
11. White, Jack (9 December 2016). "Clean Bandit score their longest-running Number 1 single with Rockabye". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
12. "Neiked feat. Dyo – Sexual". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
13. Cite error: The named reference Spain was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
14. "Maroon 5 – What Lovers Do feat. SZA on Discogs". Discogs. 30 August 2017.
15. Hilton, Perez (4 November 2016). "Listen To This: Feeling The Way That They Feel!". Perez Hilton. Archived from the original on 20 June 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
16. "Neiked feat. Dyo – Sexual" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
17. "Neiked feat. Dyo – Sexual" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
18. "Neiked feat. Dyo – Sexual" (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
19. "Neiked feat. Dyo – Sexual" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
20. "Neiked feat. Dyo – Sexual" (in French). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
21. "ČNS IFPI – CZ Radio – Top 100 – 50. týden 2016" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
22. "ČNS IFPI – CZ Singles Digital – Top 100 – 50. týden 2016" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
23. "Track Top-40 Uge 43, 2016". Hitlisten.NU. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
24. "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés - SNEP (Week 4, 2017)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
25. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
26. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Neiked". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
27. "Neikid Feat. Dyo - Sexual" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
28. "Neiked feat. Dyo – Sexual" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
29. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
30. "VG-lista - Neiked". VG-lista. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
31. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
32. "Neiked feat. Dyo – Sexual". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
33. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 11/11/2016 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
34. "ČNS IFPI – SK Singles Digital – Top 100 – 49. týden 2016" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
35. "Neiked feat. Dyo – Sexual". Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
36. "Neiked feat. Dyo – Sexual". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
37. "Neiked feat. Dyo – Sexual". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
38. "Official Singles Chart on 9/12/2016 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
39. "Neiked Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
40. "ARIA Top 100 Singles 2016". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
41. "Top 100 Global Top 40-Jaaroverzicht van 2016" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
42. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2016". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
43. "ARIA End of Year Singles 2017". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
44. "Jaaroverzichten 2017". Ultratop. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
45. "Rapports Annuels 2017". Ultratop. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
46. "Top Singles Annuel 2017 (physique + téléchargement + streaming)". SNEP(Syndicat National de l'Edition phonographique). Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
47. "Top 50 Radios Annual: 2017" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
48. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2017". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
49. "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
50. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2017 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
51. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2017". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
52. "Brazilian single certifications – Neiked – Sexual" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
53. "Danish single certifications – Neiked – Sexual". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
54. "French single certifications – Neiked feat. Dyo – Sexual" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
55. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Neiked feat. Dyo; 'Sexual')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
56. "Italian single certifications – Neiked feat. Dyo – Sexual" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
57. "New Zealand single certifications – Neiked feat. Dyo – Sexual". Radioscope. Retrieved 21 December 2024. Type Sexual in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
58. "Norwegian single certifications – Neiked" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
59. "Spanish single certifications – Neiked feat Dyo – Sexual". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
60. "British single certifications – Neiked – Sexual". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 August 2021. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Sexual Neiked in the "Search:" field.
61. Various releases for digital single of "Once in a While":
    • For Brazil: "Sexual (feat. Dyo) - Single on Apple Music". iTunes Store (BR) (in Portuguese). 26 August 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
    • For Japan: "Sexual (feat. Dyo) - Single on Apple Music". iTunes Store (JP) (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 October 2016.
    • For New Zealand: "Sexual (feat. Dyo) - Single on Apple Music". iTunes Store (NZ). 26 August 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
    • For the UK: "Sexual (feat. Dyo) - Single on Apple Music". iTunes Store (UK). 26 August 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
    • For the US: "Sexual (feat. Dyo) - Single on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). 26 August 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
62. "NEIKED "Sexual" (Radio Date: 02/09/2016)". radiodate.it. Radio Airplay S.R.L. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
63. "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access. All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2016.