Illegal (PinkPantheress song)
| "Illegal" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by PinkPantheress | ||||
| from the album Fancy That | ||||
| Released | 6 June 2025[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:30 | |||
| Label | Warner | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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| PinkPantheress singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Illegal" on YouTube | ||||
"Illegal" is a song by English singer-songwriter and record producer PinkPantheress. It was released on June 6, 2025[2] through Warner Records as the third single from her second mixtape Fancy That. The song samples "Dark & Long (Dark Train)" by Underworld.[3][4] That same year, it become a popular meme on TikTok where the song is played with two people shaking hands, with alternating video point of view shots.[5][6]
Background and release
‘Illegal’ feels like coming home, it’s garage, gritty, and takes me right back to where I started with music. I’ve always loved that raw, late-night energy, and sampling Underworld felt like the perfect way to tap into that spirit while making it my own.
On March 17, 2025, PinkPantheress posted a video on TikTok showcasing a snippet of the song with the caption: "Vetting my boyfriend to become a proffecient filmer for these occasions." The song was later teased on March 28, 2025, on The Lot Radio, during PinkPantheress' DJ set. [8]
In October 2025, two additional versions of "Illegal" were released released as part of the remix album Fancy Some More?; one featuring Seventeen members Mingyu, Vernon and The8, and another featuring Anitta. A Nia Archives remix was released on the second disc of the album.[9]
Music video
The music video for "Illegal", directed by Ethan & Tom, was released on May 9, 2025, the same day as the song's release.[7][10]
The video showcases the negative consequences of drugs. It begins with PinkPantheress singing whilst inquiring about drugs sold by a man. The man takes one, causing the video to transition into what appears to be a series of hallucinations featuring Pink dancing against colorful backgrounds, as well as animated segments of her running. Whilst experiencing this, the man and Pink lie on a bed. Eventually, the man wakes up, with the drug's effect seemingly wearing off.
Track listing
Digital download/streaming
- "Illegal" – 2:29
Digital download/streaming
- "Illegal" (Nia Archives remix) – 2:40
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[24] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[25] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Illegal - song and lyrics by PinkPantheress, retrieved 6 August 2025
- ^ Illegal - song and lyrics by PinkPantheress, retrieved 6 August 2025
- ^ Müller, Simon (11 May 2025). "PinkPantheress became an underworld in 'Illegal'". UMusic. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "PinkPantheress Illegal Lyrics Explained: A Crush So Good It Feels Wrong". Neon Music. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ Silva, Christianna (17 July 2025). "The 'is this illegal?' TikTok trend is taking over your feed". Mashable. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ^ "Why PinkPantheress May Never Drop Electronic Music Again". Hypebae. 30 July 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ^ a b "PinkPantheress' 'Illegal' Video Details A Crush So Good It Feels Wrong". UPROXX. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ PinkPantheress – Illegal, retrieved 15 September 2025
- ^ Green, Walden (7 October 2025). "PinkPantheress Announces Fancy That Remix Project With Oklou, Bladee, and More". Pitchfork.
- ^ Iahn, Buddy (10 May 2025). "PinkPantheress releases 'Illegal' video". The Music Universe. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "PinkPantheress Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "PinkPantheress Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 28/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "2025 28-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ "Malta – Radio Airplay Chart | Settimana 33.2025 – dal 08/08/2025 al 14/08/2025" [Malta – Radio Airplay Chart | Week 33.2025 – 08/08/2025 to 14/08/2025] (in Italian). Radiomonitor. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ "Dutch Single Tip 12/07/2025" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "PinkPantheress Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "PinkPantheress Chart History (Hot Dance/Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Hot Dance/Pop Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2025 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ "British single certifications – PinkPantheress – Illegal". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 12 September 2025.