Priorities

"Priorities" is a song by Franco-British alternative pop singer Beastette. Written and produced by Beastette and her sister Stephanie Kesh, the song was released as the third and final single from Beastette's debut album Wildfire on 30 May 2011 in the UK and would also serve as the singer's debut single in Denmark. The song is an uptempo dance-pop song that lyrically deals with themes of maturity and growing up. The song has been compared by many to the style of Vixen.

Boasted as Beastette's "most promoted" single, "Priorities" initially went through somewhat extensive promotion from Beastette (that eventually trailed off towards the single's release) and was hoped to be Beastette's biggest hit to date. Though it was not, neither in chart positions or sales, the song was well received by critics and would be another commercial success for the singer. The song debuted and peaked at #5 on the UK Singles Chart and continued her top five streak in the UK. The song reached the top ten on the alternative charts in the US and Ireland, while it reached the top twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. In Denmark, where it was her debut release, the single reached #4, becoming her first charting single there. "Priorities" was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

Background, inspiration, and writing
"Priorities" was one of the last songs to be written and recorded during the sessions of Wildfire. "Priorities" was written by Beastette in a "burst of a moment" in fifteen minutes. The song was inspired by Beastette thinking about her life and where she was going with her future and what she wanted to do with it. Lyrically the song is about a person who is thinking about their life and how they feel it times for them to grow up and be mature. Beastette calls this song her "wake up and grow up and act like an adult" song.

Composition
The song was produced by Beastette and is an uptempo dance-pop song, whose melody and style drew inspiration - and later comparison - to that of Vixen, who at the time of the song's production was still in the girl group Mannequin. The song, as with many on Wildfire, has two verses and two choruses with no middle eight whatsoever. At the very end of the second and final chrous, the song abruptly ends with this being done intentionally.

Vocally, Beastette sings in her middle chest register during the verses, while during the chorus she sings in her upper chest register. A "robotic-like, auto-tuned" vocal sings along with her in the chorus as the background vocalist; Stephanie Kesh, the song's co-writer and Beastette's sister, was the one who sang the auto-tuned background vocals.

Promotion
"Priorities" would be regarded as Beastette's most promoted single to date, though towards the single's release date, promotion would trail off. The singer made a series of live performances and interviews to promote the single. Along with Beastette's signature hit "California", the singer would even record "Priorities" in "Simlish" for The Sims 3: Ambitions expansion pack; Simlish is the fictional language used in The Sims game franchise.

A one-off television special titled Beastette's Priorities was meant to air in the spring of 2011 which would've profiled the singer's journey as she prepares for the official release of the single. The television special was inspired by the popular reality television show Sweet Like Candi, which stars popular British singer Candi Elite. The program was scheduled to air alongside what would have been the official music video to the single, just days before the single's release. However, for reasons unknown, neither the program nor music video aired.

Release
"Priorities" was released on 30 May 2011 in the UK on CD single, digital download, and vinyl formats. "Priorities" was originally not intended to be the final single from the album, but Beastette decided to take a mini-sabbatical and would later focus her attention on her EP Francais.

Critical reaction
Even before its single release, "Priorities" was considered to be a huge fan favorite and would be considered one of Beastette's best songs. Needless to say, the song got overwhemingly positive reviews and was hugely favored when it was announced as the next single from the album. The song received praise for its lyrical content, the song's production and melody, and Beastette's own vocal performance.

Commercial performance
"Priorities" debuted and peaked at #5 on the UK Singles Chart, continuing Beastette's top five streak in the UK. It only reached #13 on the UK Downloads Chart and #15 on the UK Airplay Chart. "Priorities" was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The single reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, so far making it her only single to not make the top ten there. It also reached #8 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart in the US, making it her lowest peaking single on the chart. In Denmark, it became Beastette's first charting single where it peaked at #4.