What Was That
Updated: 12/11/2025, 4:24:06 PM Wikipedia source
"What Was That" is a song by New Zealand singer and songwriter Lorde. It was released on 24 April 2025 through Universal and Republic Records as the lead single from her fourth studio album, Virgin (2025). The song was written and produced by Lorde and producer Jim-E Stack, with production assistance from Dan Nigro. Inspired by the drums on the 2007 song "Reckoner" by English rock band Radiohead, "What Was That" is an electropop, synth-pop, and dance song. The lyrics of the song reminisce on a previous relationship and its aftermath. The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its lyrics and its production elements, which received comparisons to her earlier works. It was included in Rolling Stone's best songs of 2025, reached number one in New Zealand, and charted inside the top 20 in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Billboard Global 200 chart. Lorde and Terrence O'Connor directed the music video for "What Was That", which shows Lorde walking alone through various parts of New York City before culminating in a spontaneous dance performance at Washington Square Park, where she was surrounded by fans recording the moment.
Infobox
Tables
| Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
| Exclaim! | 20 Best Songs of 2025 | 11 | |
| Rolling Stone | Every Lorde Song Ranked | 11 | |
| Time Out | The 40 best songs of 2025 | 26 |
| Chart (2025) | Peakposition |
| Australia (ARIA) | 9 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 19 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 45 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 31 |
| Colombia Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino) | 13 |
| Croatia International Airplay (Top lista) | 40 |
| Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) | 70 |
| Estonia Airplay (TopHit) | 19 |
| Germany (GfK) | 33 |
| Global 200 (Billboard) | 18 |
| Greece International (IFPI) | 28 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 6 |
| Israel International Airplay (Media Forest) | 18 |
| Italy Airplay (EarOne) | 43 |
| Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan) | 12 |
| Latvia Streaming (LaIPA) | 16 |
| Lithuania (AGATA) | 26 |
| Lithuania Airplay (TopHit) | 40 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 83 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 1 |
| Norway (VG-lista) | 43 |
| Panama Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino) | 11 |
| Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100) | 93 |
| Portugal (AFP) | 67 |
| San Marino Airplay (SMRTV Top 50) | 31 |
| Slovakia (Rádio Top 100) | 60 |
| Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) | 74 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 54 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 33 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 11 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 36 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard) | 6 |
| Chart (2025) | Peakposition |
| Estonia Airplay (TopHit) | 20 |
| Lithuania Airplay (TopHit) | 55 |
| Chart (2025) | Position |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard) | 29 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
| Various | 24 April 2025 | Digital downloadstreaming | Universal New ZealandRepublic | |
| United States | 28 April 2025 | Adult alternative radio | Republic | |
| 29 April 2025 | Alternative radio | |||
| Italy | 2 May 2025 | Radio airplay | Universal |
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