How a TikTok teaser turned into a global chart-topping ballad
In short: Benson Boone’s "Beautiful Things" didn't just happen; it was forged from two separate songs merged by a collaborator's suggestion. From a private moment of inspiration in Los Angeles to a billion-view music video, the track serves as a raw exploration of the volatility of happiness.
The song's creation began on September 8, 2023, following Boone's move to Los Angeles. While Boone initially started writing two different songs over two consecutive nights, co-writer Jack LaFrantz suggested combining them. This synthesis, co-written with Evan Blair and produced by Blair, resulted in a pop-rock and folk-rock ballad that reflects on the meaning of life, specifically the gratitude for love and the inherent volatility of happiness. The track's trajectory was significantly influenced by social media. Starting on December 3, 2023, Boone teased the song on TikTok and Instagram, accumulating over 130 million views before its official release on January 19, 2024. This digital momentum translated into massive commercial success: the song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one in 19 other countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Musically, the song represents a shift in Boone's artistic identity. It adds a "more powerful" layer to the "softness" of his previous work, like "In the Stars," by utilizing soulful verses and a powerful chorus in the key of B-flat major. The visual identity of the song was cemented by a music video directed by Matt Eastin—who also worked on Imagine Dragons' "Believer"—shot near St. George, Utah. The video won an MTV VMA for Best Alternative Video and surpassed one billion views by May 2026.
The song's success in the UK was particularly notable, entering the Official Singles Chart at number 18 in January 2024 before climbing to number one by March 22. This achievement marked Boone's first UK number one single, a milestone he celebrated as his first "trophy" in the region.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Beautiful Things (Benson Boone song)
- Also: BEAUTIFUL THINGS
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