Problem (Ariana Grande song)

"Problem"is a song by American singerAriana Grande,featuring Australian rapperIggy Azalea.It was released byRepublic Recordson April 28, 2014 as the lead single from Grande's second studio album,My Everything(2014). It was written by both alongsideSavan Kotecha,IlyaandMax Martin,being produced by the latter two withShellback,withPeter Carlssonserving as a vocal producer. "Problem" is anuptempodance-popandR&Bsong with influences offunkmusic, which comprises a melody based ondrums,saxophoneloops, andtrumpets.The chorus features uncredited background vocals from American hip-hop artistBig Sean.Lyrically, Grande has stated that the song is about "the feeling of being absolutely terrified to re-approach a relationship that's gone sour – but you want to more than anything."

"Problem"
SinglebyAriana GrandefeaturingIggy Azalea
from the albumMy Everything
B-side	"Only 1"
Released	April 28, 2014(2014-04-28)
Recorded	2013
Studio	Conway(Los Angeles) Wolf Cousins(Stockholm)
Genre	Dance-pop R&B
Length	3:14
Label	Republic
Songwriter(s)	Max Martin Savan Kotecha Ilya Salmanzadeh Amethyst Kelly Ariana Grande
Producer(s)	Martin Shellback Ilya Peter Carlsson
Ariana Grande singles chronology
"Santa Baby" (2013) "Problem" (2014) "Break Free" (2014)
Iggy Azaleasingles chronology
"Fancy" (2014) "Problem" (2014) "No Mediocre" (2014)
Music video
"Problem"onYouTube

The song debuted at number three on theBillboardHot 100and sold 438,000 copies in its first week, earning Grande her biggest digital song sales week ever. The song later peaked at number two, becoming Grande's highest-charting single and Azalea's second-highest after "Fancy",which blocked" Problem "from the top spot. The song remained in the top ten of the Hot 100 for sixteen weeks and topped the USMainstream Top 40andRhythmiccharts. Internationally, the single debuted at the top of the charts in Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, while peaking within the top ten of the charts in most other territories, including Australia, Canada, Mexico, Sweden, Denmark, and Greece. "Problem" became the first song to top theUK Singles Chartbased on both sales and streaming.

To promote the song, Grande performed it first at the2014 Radio Disney Music Awards,followed by the2014 iHeartRadio Music Awards,onThe Ellen DeGeneres Showand at the2014 Billboard Music Awards.The song's accompanyingmusic videowas directed by Nev Todorovic and premiered onVevoon May 30, 2014. It won "Best Pop Video" at the2014 MTV Video Music Awardsand has been viewed more than 1.4 billion times on YouTube as of January 2025. The song itself won "Best Song" at the2014 MTV Europe Music Awards.As of 2024, the single has sold 3.7 million copies in the US and has been certifiedoctuple platinumby theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA). It ultimately reached combined sales and track-equivalent streams of 9 million units worldwide, becomingone of the best-selling singles ever.

Background

Following the release of Grande's debut studio albumYours Trulyin September 2013, which was met with critical acclaim, Grande announced in October 2013 that she had already begun writing and working on her second studio album with previous producers from her debut album, includingHarmony Samuels,Babyface,The Rascals and Tommy Brown.Grande was initially aiming at releasing the album around February 2014.In January 2014, recording sessions for the album officially began and Grande confirmed she was working with new producersRyan Tedder,Savan Kotecha,Benny BlancoandMax Martin.It was announced on March 3, 2014, that Grande would be featured on the fifth single fromChris Brown's upcoming sixth studio albumXtitled "Don't Be Gone Too Long".The single was originally set for release on March 25, 2014, but it was postponed due to Brown being sent to jail awaiting trial on assault charges.Grande announced the song's delay on March 17, 2014, via Twitter, stating "My loves... so obviously some things have changed recently... So we have to delay the dbgtl countdown, some things are out of our control".That same night she held a live stream to make up for the single's delay, where she previewed four new songs from her second album.Two days later, Grande revealed that due to the song's delay, she would be releasing the first single from her upcoming sophomore studio album earlier instead.

"I fell in love with Iggy when I saw this video of her performing 'Work' live, and I just thought she was so original and I loved the way she pronounced her words... I thought we would make the perfect girl-power duo for 'Problem', so I'm very grateful that she did it with me."

– Grande, on her collaboration with Azalea.

Grande and Azalea had originally planned for Azalea to appear on Grande's debut album in September 2013, however, it never panned out.Once Grande began working on "Problem" she thought Azalea would be the perfect fit for the track to create "the perfect girl-power duo" for the song.Azalea agreed to appear on the song and went in with producerMax Martinto write her own verse before recording it for the song.The line "one less problem without you" was inspired by an article fromCosmopolitan.Big Sean,who is featured in Grande's previous single "Right There",also appears on the song uncredited as a background vocalist in which he provides the whisper-like vocals of the chorus although he is not a featured artist.Initially while recording songs for the album, after Grande had recorded "Problem" she "fell out of love" with the song and didn't want it to appear on her second album.However, following an album listening session with her management and record label, when "Problem" came on Grande said "What the hell is wrong with me? Holy shit!", realizing her love for the song and decided to keep it for the album.Lyrically, the song is about "the feeling of being absolutely terrified to re-approach a relationship that's gone sour – but you want to more than anything."

Release and remixes

After recording multiple songs for the album, Grande stated that she had chosen the first single from her album.On April 15, 2014, it was officially announced that "Problem" would be the title of the lead single from the album.Grande later hinted that Australian rapperIggy Azaleawould accompany her on the track.She created online buzz in the weeks leading up to her single's release through social media, first released promotional images from the single's photo shoot all throughout March 2014.On April 10, 2014, Grande asked her fans to choose between two new possible images to be used for the single's artwork release.After the votes were tallied, she revealed the winning cover artwork through herInstagramaccount the next day with the hashtag #10daystilproblem, and revealed thatIggy Azaleawould be assisting her on the track.The winning image, the more seductive image of the pair, shows Grande leaning back in a foldout chair, dressed in a black camisole, white thigh-highs, and metal-tipped stilettos. Grande is also shown flipping through her hair while looking directly into the camera.The song was released at midnight to iTunes on April 28, 2014.The single was made available for pre-order on April 21, 2014.The single made its world radio premiere onOn Air with Ryan Seacreston April 28, 2014.A remix of the song was released on May 16, 2014, entitled the "Young California Remix" and features an additional rap verse from American rapperProblem.A Spanglish version of the song was also released featuring Colombian rapperJ Balvinfor the Hispanophone market, making it the second collaboration between the two artists.On August 11, a remix version by DJ Boss in Drama was released in Brazil featuring BrazilianpopsingerGretchen.

Composition

Musically, "Problem" is an uptempodance-popandR&Bsongthat incorporates elements ofjazz,contemporary '90s R&B,hip hopandfunkwhich comprises the instruments likedrums,saxophonesandtrumpets.It runs for a duration of three minutes and 14 seconds. The song was written by Grande, Azalea,Savan Kotecha,Ilya SalmanzadehandMax Martin,and produced by the latter two along withShellback.Musicnotes published this song in the key ofG♯minorincommon timeat a moderatetempoof 103beats per minute.The melody spans the tonal range of G♯₃to G♯₅belt and D♯₆in falsetto, while the music follows thechord progressionof Emaj₇–F♯–B– Emaj₇–F♯–G♯m.

The track opens with a dose of "jazzy saxophones" before the more modern "horn-heavy" "drum-filled beat drops".The song's melody constantly builds toward something that "should be explosive", before Azalea brings it back down with her verse "Smart money bettin' I'll be better off without you/ In no time I'll be forgettin' all about you/ You sayin' that you know but I really, really doubt you/understand my life is easy when I ain't around you."Azalea also makes a reference to theJay-Zsong "99 Problems"at the end of her verse" There's a million yous baby boo, so don't be dumb/ I got 99 problems but you won't be one. "Additionally, Grande's notes serve as ametaphorfor what the song is about.She can't get rid of her crush, who she knows isn't good for her and can't help but fall in love quickly. As her "heart gets lighter and lighter", Grande sings "Head in the clouds/ got no weight on my shoulders/ I should be wiser and realize that I've got/ One less problem without you."A writer fromRap-Updescribes the track as an "infectious horn-heavy jam" which features a "carefree" Ariana "declaring her independence" which also includes "an empowering verse from Iggy Azalea and a whispering Big Sean on the hook."Several critics noted a similarity between thejazzysaxophonebreakdown in "Problem" andJason Derulo's 2013 single "Talk Dirty."

Critical reception

Iggy Azalea contributed a verse to "Problem"

Mike Wass ofIdolatordescribed the song as "an odd blend of'90s popand current urban trends but there's no denying that it's catchy. "Entertainment Weeklycalled the song a "dramatic reinvention," and also notes, "The idea that Grande was collaborating with bad girl du jour Iggy Azalea prompted all kinds of speculation, and the result is more or less what everybody expected: Grande's enviable pipes are still the centerpiece, but she also invites a sax-drunk loop, sexy whisper tracks, and Azalea's Jay Z-referencing high-speed verse to the party as well."Music Timescommented that "the saxophone-filled track continues the pattern set by Grande's 2013 debut albumYours Trulyby being heavily influenced by the '90s R&B scene. This time, 'Problem' pulls from the funky, funky streets with a jazz-influenced riff. An overwhelming (but welcome) dose of saxophone leads the song before the more modern drum-filled beat drops. "In addition,4Musicsaid "Ariana's sweet-sounding vocals contrast brilliantly with Problem's sexy sax and Iggy's gritty rap."

Pitchfork named it "Best New Track", saying that it "bears all the hallmarks of a future smash, as if the future wasn't actually right now."Writing forMTV,Emilee Lindner praised the song's throwback sound, which Grande admits to striving for, while still keeping it fresh and modern, stating: "The song is so excitingly new but also decidedly so retro... The cranky sax, the whispered chorus, the airy harmonies and Iggy's snarky feature all tied in with a juicy modern beat." Lindner continued by calling it "the freshest pop song of the moment", commending the song's production for its "more than a few unexpected throwbacks", comparing thesaxophoneloops toJennifer Lopez's 2004 single "Get Right"saying" It's the same notes over and over, but its attitude doesn't let you zone out ", while the whispers in the chorus echoes to theYing Yang Twins' 2005 single "Wait."In July 2014,Billboardlisted the song as one of the "10 Best Songs of 2014 (so far)" saying that "the snappy R&B of Ariana Grande's breakout hit 'The Way' feels minimalist compared to the multi-faceted bubblegum of 'Problem' ".Meanwhile, Pitchfork named it the 33rd best song of 2014.At the time of the single's release, Problem became Grande's highest-charting song on theBillboard Hot 100,peaking at the number 2 spot.

Accolades

Year	Organization	Award	Result	Ref.
2014	MTV Europe Music Awards	Best Song	Won
	MTV Millennial Awards	International Hit of The Year	Nominated
	MTV Video Music Awards	Best Female Video	Nominated
		Best Pop	Won
		Best Collaboration	Nominated
		Best Lyric Video	Nominated
	NRJ Music Awards	International Song of the Year	Nominated
	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Music Single: Female Artist	Won
	Young Hollywood Awards	Song of the Summer/DJ Replay	Nominated
2015	iHeartRadio Music Awards	Best Collaboration	Nominated
	MTV Video Music Awards Japan	Best Female Video	Won
	Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards	Song of The Year	Nominated
	Radio Disney Music Awards	Song of the Year	Won

Commercial performance

North America

Upon its release, "Problem" reached the top position on theiTunessingles chart in over 40 countries and the top ten in over 60 countries, including the United States, where it reached the summit in 37 minutes, hence breaking the previous record held byTaylor Swift,whose single, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"(2012), reached the top spot on the iTunes singles chart with a record of 37 minutes, making" Problem "the fastest selling single in digital history.On April 29, 2014,Billboardreported that "Problem" would most likely sell more than 300,000 copies by the end of its first week of availability in the United States, as well as that the song could easily debut within the top 10 of theBillboardHot 100chart regardless of any added airplay or streaming points.In addition to its sales, which accounted for the majority of its debut chart points on the Hot 100, "Problem" began receiving early radio support. The song drew 293 first-day plays on 87 stations on the day of its release, according to Nielsen BDS. Pop Songs reporterKIIS Los Angelesled all stations with 17 first-day plays. Among all stations, "Problem" garnered 3.8 million in opening-day radio audience.

"Problem" officially debuted at number three on theBillboardHot 100 chart on the week ending on May 7, 2014,becoming Grande's second single to debut in the top ten, and her second top ten overall at the time, the other being "The Way".It became the highest debuting song of 2014 at the time, and the highest debuting song sinceEminem's "The Monster,"featuringRihanna."Problem" boasted just 1.3% less points thanJohn Legend's "All of Me",which claimed the Hot 100 top spot.In its second week, "Problem" fell one spot to number four despite gains in airplay and streaming, while Iggy Azalea's "Fancy"replaced it as number three."Problem" returned to its number three peak the following week before moving to a new peak at number two in its fourth week on the chart; Azalea's "Fancy" moved to the top of both the Digital and Hot 100 charts, boasting 28% more overall chart points than "Problem"."Problem" remained in the runner-up spot the following week, holding that position for five consecutive weeks.The song stayed in theHot 100's top 10 for the first 16 weeks of its chart run, making its number three debut on May 7, 2014, and dropping out of the top 10 on August 27, 2014.

OnBillboardPop Songs,the song debuted at number 28 and reached number 21 in its second week on the chart.It debuted at number 24 onBillboardRhythmic Songschart, it moved up eight places to number 16 in its second week on the chart and peaked at number one.It eventually reached number one on both the Billboard Pop Songs and Rhythmic Songs charts, becoming Grande's first number one single on both charts."Problem" just missed the entry into theBillboardRadio Songschart in its first week of availability. It officially entered in at number 30 on the chart, up 70% in audience impressions from 24 million to 41 million.It rocketed 14 spots to number 16 in its second week, granting it the Hot 100's top Airplay Gainer award.It reached the top 10 of the Radio Songs chart at number 10 in its third week on the chart, up 30% in audience impressions from 56 million to 73 million. The song reached a peak of Number 2 in its 7th week and remained there for 3 weeks.In addition to this, the track also debuted on theStreaming Songschart at number nine in its first week and moved five spots to number four in its second week, with a weekly peak of 4.4 million and 6.5 million, respectively.It has since peaked at number two in its third week on the chart.

"Problem" debuted atop theBillboardHot Digital Songschart at number one, selling 438,000 copies in its opening week, thus earning Grande the highest first-week sales numbers of 2014 at the time and also her biggest digital song sales week ever, breaking her previous record held by "The Way",which sold 219,000 digital copies for the week ending April 5, 2013.It is Grande's first number-one single on that chart. It is the overall 9th biggest debut for a digital song and is the 5th largest by a female artist, behindTaylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"(2012),Katy Perry's "Roar"(2013), Swift's"Shake It Off"(2014) andLady Gaga's "Born This Way"(2011).Further, at 20 years old, Grande became the youngest woman to debut with more than 400,000 downloads."Problem" also became the highest debut for a collaboration of only female soloists since "Give Me All Your Luvin'"byMadonna,Nicki MinajandM.I.A.debuted at number 13 on the chart following Madonna'sSuper Bowl XLVI Halftime Showperformance in February 2012."Problem" spent a second week at number one on the Digital Songs chart with an additional 235,000 units sold, despite a 46% drop.The song topped the chart again in its third week selling 248,000 units, before slipping one spot to number two in its fourth week on the chart, despite a 15% growth of 284,000 units.The song reached its first million sales mark in the United States on May 28, 2014.On May 29, 2014, it was certifiedplatinumby theRecording Industry Association of America,becoming Grande's second song to be certified platinum.As of June 2020, "Problem" has sold 3.7 million copies in the United States.

In Canada, "Problem" debuted at number three on theCanadian Hot 100on May 17, 2014, becoming her first top 10 single in that country.In its second week on the chart the song dropped 12 places to number 15.In its 3rd week the song rose back to the top 10 at number six.In its fourth week the song rose even higher to number 4."Problem" was the first song to top the weeklyBillboardTwitter Top Trackschart on June 12, 2014.

Europe and Oceania

In the United Kingdom, "Problem" debuted at number one on theUK Singles Charton July 6, 2014 ― for the week ending date July 12, 2014 ― becoming Grande's fourth charting single and first chart-topper in Britain and Azalea's seventh and first respectively. According to theOfficial Charts Company,"Problem" made British chart history upon its debut as the first song to top the charts in Britain based on both sales and streaming, with a combined 'chart sales' figure of 113,000.In the BelgianUltratop 50,"Problem" peaked at number 26 inFlandersand number 40 inWallonia.It also debuted at number 22 in Switzerland, becoming Grande's first charting single in that country.It also appeared in the Netherlands at number 10,in Spain at number 11,in France at number 14,in Austria at number 31, in Germany at number 25 and in Brazil at number 87.

In New Zealand, "Problem" made its first chart appearance on theNew Zealand Singles Charton the issue dated May 5, 2014. It debuted at the number-one spot on the chart, becoming the highest debut of the week, making it Grande's first single to top the charts in New Zealand, first top debut and her second top forty single.In its second week on the chart, the song dropped two spots to number three being replaced by the songs featured artistIggy Azalea,whose single "Fancy"featuringCharli XCXtook over the top spot. In Azalea's native Australia, "Problem" gave Grande her first top 10 hit after it debuted at number four on theAustralian Singles Chart,and eventually ascended to number two in its second week on the chart.It stayed in the top two for two consecutive weeks, Grande's previous best effort on the chart was "The Way"which peaked at number 37 in April 2013 and also became her second top 40 effort there.According to theInternational Federation of the Phonographic Industry(IFPI), "Problem" has achieved global sales of 9 millions of units (combined sales plus streaming data) as of 2015, ranking as the eighth best-selling single of 2014 and making it one of thebest-selling singles worldwide.

Music video

Lyric video

Grande and Iggy Azalea filmed thelyric videofor "Problem" on April 10, 2014, with Jones Crow as the director.Grande assisted Crow in editing the video and completed it on April 13, 2014and it premiered onVevoon May 1, 2014. The video features Grande and Azalea performing in anoirblack-and-white clip behindpinwheelgo-go filters.

Official music video

Grande and Azalea over a colorful backdrop during the music video, which incorporates elements from 1960s art.

The official music video was filmed on April 29, 2014, just one day after the single's release, and was directed by The Young Astronauts who had previously worked with Grande on videos for her singles "Right There"and"Almost Is Never Enough".Kaz Jamesmakes an appearance in the video.The video was inspired inSweet Charity(1969), set with aretro stylefrom1960sart movementcontaining a black, white, and old-fashioned aesthetic.The video opens on a sparkling figure where Grande appears in a sequinedminidressand whitego go bootswith her dancers backed by a spiral backdrop. Iggy Azalea is shown in front of a colorful background, and, as Jason Lipzshuts fromBillboardnoted, her hairstyle is reminiscent ofBarbarella,while Chima Simone ofE!compared her hair toNancy Sinatra's in her "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"(1966) video.The video contains intercepted scenes of Grande lying atop a giant spiral on a pink floor wearing a whitesweaterand high socks. Lia Beck from the websiteBustlecompared the scene toBritney Spears's "Oops!... I Did It Again"music video (2000).

Accolades

The video was released on May 30, 2014, and it surpassed 100 million views on July 28, consequently making it Grande's second Vevo-certified music video after "The Way".As of September 2024, the music video has over 1.4 billion views onYouTube.The lyric video was nominated at the2014 MTV Video Music Awardsin the Best Lyric Video category.The official music video was nominated in the Best Collaboration, Best Female Video, and Best Pop Video categories, and it ultimately won the award for Best Pop Video.It was Grande's and Azalea's first time winning aVMA.

Live performances

"Problem" was first performed by Grande at the2014 Radio Disney Music Awardson April 26, 2014, which were aired a day later on April 27, 2014.It was later performed at Jeffrey Sanker's annualWhite Partyin Palm Springs.Grande has since also performed "Problem" at the2014 iHeartRadio Music Awardson May 1, 2014,onThe Ellen DeGeneres Showon May 6, 2014,and at the Born Free Africa Mother's Day Family Carnival on May 11.Grande has also performed the song at various concerts including the 2014KIIS-FM's 102.7Wango Tangoannual concert alongside Azalea, for the first time performed with her on May 10,the annualKiss 108 fm's 2014 Kiss Concert on May 31, 2014, and at the 2014 New York103.5 KTUconcert KTUphoria on June 29, 2014.Grande performed the song at the2014 Billboard Music Awardsalongside Azalea on May 18, 2014. Later, Grande performed on theseason 18finale ofDancing with the Starson May 20, 2014and at the2014 MuchMusic Video Awardson June 15.She performed "Problem" at the 2014 iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party, and a piano version on the one-day revival ofTotal Request Live.On August 28, Grande performed the song at the programToday Showand also during a pocket show held at the Honda Stage at the iHeartRadio Theatre in LA. She also performed "Problem" along with "Bang Bang"and"Break Free"onThe X Factor Australiaon September 8, 2014.Still on September 8, Ariana performed the song at the Australian TV ShowSunrisealong with Break Free. On September 12 she performed a medley version of Problem and Break Free in the Japanese TV ShowMusic Station.She also performed "Problem" at theiHeartRadio Music Festivalon September 19, 2014. Ariana performed the song along with "Break Free" at the2014 MTV Europe Music Awardson November 9, 2014. Ariana performed the song along with "Break Free" and "Love Me Harder"at theAmerican Music Awardson November 23, 2014. The song was also performed at the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which was held at Earls Court in London on December 2, 2014. "Problem" was included on the setlist for Grande's 2015The Honeymoon Touras a closing song with the lyric video playing in the background. In 2017, Grande performed a remixed version of the song during theDangerous Woman Tour.

Cover versions

In July of the same year, English bandRixtonreleased a cover of "Problem".Idolatorwrote they "replaced the brass-heavy original with soulful harmonies, snaps and nasty guitar licks. No Iggy section to be found here, but with lead singer Jake's powerful chops at the forefront, the rap is hardly missed."The a cappella groupPentatonixcovered the song on their albumPTX Vol. 3,released on September 23, 2014.Entertainment Weeklynoted the cover was more "low-key" than the original version.Billboardsaid it was "catchy".On January 9, 2015, "Problem" was covered byNaya Rivera,Heather Morris,Dianna AgronandKevin McHalein "Homecoming",an episode ofGlee.Kidz Bopsung this in E minor on Kidz Bop 27.

Formats and track listings

• CD

1. "Problem" – 3:14
2. "Problem" (Dawin remix) – 3:25
3. "Problem" (Noodles & Devastator remix) – 3:12
4. "Problem" (Kassiano remix) – 4:21

• Digital download

1. "Problem" – 3:13

• Digital download

1. "Problem" (featuring Iggy Azalea andJ Balvin) – 3:13

• Digital download (the remixes)

1. "Problem" (Dawin remix) – 3:25
2. "Problem" (Noodles & Devastator remix) – 3:12
3. "Problem" (Kassiano remix) – 4:21

• 7-inch vinyl

1. "Problem" - 3:13
2. "Only 1" - 3:13

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted fromMy Everythingliner notes.

Recording

• Recorded atConway Recording Studios(Los Angeles,California) andWolf Cousins Studio(Stockholm,Sweden)
• Mixed at MixStar Studios (Virginia Beach,Virginia)
• Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City,New York)

Management

• Wolf Cousins (STIM), Warner Chappell Music Scandinavia, AB (STIM), MXM (administered by Kobalt), Grand Hustle Publishing, Grandarimusic Publishing (ASCAP), MXM (administered by Kobalt) (ASCAP)
• Iggy Azaleaappears courtesy ofVirgin EMI Records,under exclusive license in the United States toDef Jam Recordings
• Big Seanappears courtesy of Def Jam Recordings

Personnel

• Ariana Grande– lead vocals, songwriting
• Iggy Azalea– featured vocals, songwriting
• Big Sean– backing vocals
• Max Martin– songwriting, production for MXM Productions, vocal production, keys, programming
• Ilya– songwriting, production for Wolf Cousins Productions, guitar, bass, keys, programming, backing vocals
• Savan Kotecha– songwriting, backing vocals
• Shellback– production for Wolf Cousins Productions, keys, programming
• Peter Carlsson– vocal production, engineering
• Sam Holland – engineering
• Serban Ghenea– mixing
• John Hanes – mixing engineering
• Tom Coyne – mastering
• Aya Merrill – mastering
• Leon Silva – saxophone

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2014–15)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)	2
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	16
Belgium (Ultratop 50Flanders)	15
Belgium Urban (UltratopFlanders)	2
Belgium (Ultratop 50Wallonia)	11
Brazil (BillboardBrasil Hot 100)	79
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)	3
CanadaAC(Billboard)	33
CanadaCHR/Top 40(Billboard)	1
CanadaHot AC(Billboard)	5
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)	17
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)	5
Denmark (Tracklisten)	5
Euro Digital Song Sales(Billboard)	1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)	6
France (SNEP)	14
France Airplay (SNEP)	4
Germany (GfK)	19
Greece Digital Songs (Billboard)	3
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)	26
Hungary (Single Top 40)	31
Hungary (Stream Top 40)	2
Ireland (IRMA)	1
Israel (Media Forest)	1
Italy (FIMI)	12
Japan (Japan Hot 100)	16
Lebanon (OLT20)	2
Mexico (BillboardMexican Airplay)	4
Mexico Anglo (Monitor Latino)	2
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)	10
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)	1
Norway (VG-lista)	6
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)	6
Romania (Romanian Radio Airplay)	10
Scotland(OCC)	1
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)	25
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)	8
Slovenia (SloTop50)	40
South Africa (EMA)	7
South Korea (Gaon)	4
Spain (PROMUSICAE)	11
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	5
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	8
UK Singles(OCC)	1
USBillboardHot 100	2
USAdult Contemporary(Billboard)	15
USAdult Pop Airplay(Billboard)	8
USDance/Mix Show Airplay(Billboard)	2
USDance Club Songs(Billboard)	12
USLatin Pop Airplay(Billboard)	32
USPop Airplay(Billboard)	1
USRhythmic(Billboard)	1
Venezuela (Record Report)	87

Year-end charts

Chart (2014)	Position
Australia (ARIA)	18
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	59
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	52
Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)	9
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)	71
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)	18
Denmark (Tracklisten)	25
France (SNEP)	69
Germany (Official German Charts)	65
Italy (FIMI)	35
Japan (Japan Hot 100)	45
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	29
Netherlands (Single Top 100)	22
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)	19
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	30
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	47
South Korea (Gaon Chart International)	6
Taiwan (Hito Radio)	14
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	23
USBillboardHot 100	9
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)	41
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)	34
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)	37
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)	10
US Rhythmic (Billboard)	10
Chart (2015)	Position
Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)	42
South Korea (Gaon Chart)	58
South Korea (Gaon Chart International)	5
Chart (2016)	Position
South Korea (Gaon Chart International)	25
Chart (2017)	Position
South Korea (Gaon Chart International)	41
Chart (2018)	Position
South Korea (Gaon Chart International)	65

All-time charts

All-time chart performance for "Problem"

Chart (1956-Now)	Position
Netherlands (Single Top 100)	245

Certifications and sales

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)	6× Platinum	420,000‡
Austria (IFPIAustria)	Gold	15,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)	2× Diamond	500,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)	4× Platinum	320,000‡
Germany (BVMI)	Platinum	300,000‡
Italy (FIMI)	2× Platinum	60,000‡
Japan (RIAJ)	Platinum	250,000*
Mexico (AMPROFON)	Gold	30,000*
Netherlands (NVPI)	2× Platinum	40,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)	Platinum	15,000*
Norway (IFPINorway)	4× Platinum	240,000‡
Portugal (AFP)	Gold	5,000‡
South Korea	—	2,018,511
Spain (PROMUSICAE)	Platinum	40,000‡
Sweden (GLF)	3× Platinum	120,000‡
Switzerland (IFPISwitzerland)	Gold	15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)	2× Platinum	1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)	8× Platinum	8,000,000
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)	2× Platinum	5,200,000†
Japan (RIAJ)	Gold	50,000,000†
Spain (PROMUSICAE)	Platinum	8,000,000†
Summaries
Worldwide (IFPI)	—	9,000,000
*Sales figures based on certification alone. ^Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. †Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

"Problem" release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label	Ref.
Canada	April 28, 2014	Digital download	Universal
United States		Contemporary hit radio digital download rhythmic contemporaryradio	Republic
Australia	April 29, 2014	Digital download	Universal
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Sweden
Italy	May 30, 2014	Radioairplay	Universal
United States	June 10, 2014	Urban contemporaryradio	Republic
United Kingdom	June 29, 2014	Digital download
	June 30, 2014	CD radio airplay	Universal
Germany	July 11, 2014	CD
Various	December 6, 2024	7-inch vinyl	Republic

See also

• List of best-selling singles
• List of best-selling singles in Australia
• List of best-selling singles in the United States
• List of number-one singles from the 2010s (New Zealand)
• List of top 10 singles in 2014 (France)
• List of UK top 10 singles in 2014
• List of Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles in 2014
• List of Mainstream Top 40 number-one hits of 2014 (U.S.)
• List of number-one dance airplay hits of 2014 (U.S.)
• List of most-viewed YouTube videos

External links

• Lyrics videoonYouTube