Padam Padam (song)

"Padam Padam"
Single by Kylie Minogue
from the album Tension
Released18 May 2023 (2023-05-18)
Recorded2022
Studio
  • Neverland, London
  • Infinite Disco Studio, London
Genre
Length2:46
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Lostboy
Kylie Minogue singles chronology
"Kiss of Life"
(2021)
"Padam Padam"
(2023)
"Tension"
(2023)
Music videos
"Padam Padam" on YouTube
"Padam Padam" (Extended Mix) on YouTube

"Padam Padam" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her sixteenth studio album Tension (2023). It was released on 18 May 2023 through BMG and Darenote, as the lead single from the album. Written by Norwegian singer-songwriter Ina Wroldsen alongside its producer Lostboy, "Padam Padam" is a dance-pop and synthpop song with elements of electronic music and Eastern European sound. Lyrically, it touches on the topic of sexual encounters, with its title being an onomatopoeia for a heartbeat.

"Padam Padam" received critical acclaim from music critics, with many praising its catchiness and hook. Critics also singled it as a standout from the parent album. It won the inaugural Best Pop Dance Recording award at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, as well as Record of the Year at the Las Culturistas Culture Awards and Best Pop Release at the 2023 ARIA Music Awards. Various music publications, including Billboard, The Guardian, Pitchfork, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Variety, placed "Padam Padam" on their Best Songs of 2023 lists.

Commercially, the song reached number one on the Israeli Singles Chart, number eight on the UK Singles Chart, and number 19 on the Australian Singles Chart. It also reached the top ten in various European countries and appeared on several component charts in the United States and Canada. It was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and gold by Pro-Música Brasil (PMB), Productores de Música de España (PROMUSICAE) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The music video was directed by British filmmaker Sophie Muller. Shot in Los Angeles, it was visually inspired by the works of The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) and elements of Americana culture. Minogue has made several live appearances to promote "Padam Padam" in the United Kingdom and North America. The song has become a viral phenomenon and has been recognised by notable publications for its cultural significance in pop culture. It has been dubbed an anthem within the LGBT community and has been played at pride parades. Furthermore, the track's success has been credited as a pioneer in bridging a generational gap between younger audiences and mature performers through social media and airplay.