Cardboard Box (song)

"Cardboard Box" is the debut single by British girl group Flo from their debut EP, The Lead (2022). The group co-wrote the song alongside Savannah Jada and MNEK, the latter of whom also handled the song's production. The single was released for digital download and streaming through Island Records on 24 March 2022 as the lead single from the EP.^[1] A pop and R&B song, it features the group's harmonised vocals over a dancehall-inspired beat with elements of 2000s music.^[2] Lyrically, the song describes moving on from an unfaithful romantic partner.^[1][3] Upon its release, the song gained popularity through Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.^[4]

"Cardboard Box"
Single by Flo
from the EP The Lead
Released	24 March 2022 (2022-03-24)
Genre	R&B pop
Length	2:41
Label	Island
Songwriter(s)	Uzoechi Emenike Jorja Douglas Renee Downer Savannah Jada Stella Quaresma
Producer(s)	MNEK
Flo singles chronology
"Cardboard Box" (2022) "Immature" (2022)
Music video
"Cardboard Box" on YouTube
Happi remix cover
Happi singles chronology
"Jireh (My Provider)" (2022) "Cardboard Box (Remix)" (2022) "Terms and Conditions (Remix)" (2023)
Lyric video
"Cardboard Box" (Happi Remix) on YouTube

Background

After their formation in 2019, the group spent two years working on music with producers including MNEK. "Cardboard Box" was one of the first songs worked on during these sessions.^[1] The single was subsequently released on 24 March 2022.^[5] An accompanying music video was published to YouTube on 1 April 2022, which surpassed 900 thousand views within days.^[6] A Tweet containing a clip from the music video also attracted over 2 million views and 100 thousand likes on Twitter.^[3]

The single has been praised on social media by established artists including SZA, Missy Elliott, JoJo, and Victoria Monét.^[7]

"Cardboard Box" was featured as the lead single for their debut extended play, The Lead (2022).^[8] An acoustic version of the song was released to YouTube and streaming services on 27 May 2022.^[9][10] The group also performed the single for Vevo DSCVR, alongside the second single from The Lead, "Immature".^[11] The group made their television debut on 7 October 2022, performing the single on US talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! ^[12]

In August 2022, "Cardboard Box" started gaining popularity on the platform TikTok after an afrobeats version emerged, starting a new trend on the video-sharing app. The group officially released DJ Happi's remix as a single and premiered a lyric video on 6 October 2022.^[13]

Track listings

• Streaming/digital download – remix^[14]

1. "Cardboard Box" (Happi Remix) – 2:30
2. "Cardboard Box" – 2:41

• Streaming/digital download – versions^[15]

1. "Cardboard Box" (Sped Up) – 2:18
2. "Cardboard Box" (Acoustic) – 2:53
3. "Cardboard Box" (Studio Vocals) – 2:41
4. "Cardboard Box" (Instrumental) – 2:41

Accolades

Accolades for Cardboard Box

Publication	Accolade	Rank
Apple Music	Apple Music's 100 Best Songs of 2022	7[16]
Amazon Music	Amazon Music's 50 Best Songs of 2022	40[17]
Complex UK	Complex UK's 50 Best Songs of 2022	4[18]
Esquire	Esquire's 45 Best Songs of 2022	12[19]
PopBuzz	PopBuzz's 20 Best Songs of 2022	19[20]
The Guardian	Guardian's 20 Best Songs of 2022	20[21]
NME	NME's 50 Best Songs of 2022	32[22]
Billboard	Billboard's 100 Best Songs of 2022	85[23]
The Fader	Fader's 100 Best Songs of 2022	99[24]

Charts

Chart performance for "Cardboard Box"

Chart (2022–2023)	Peak position
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[25]	17
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[26]	19
UK Singles (OCC)[27]	76

Certifications

Certifications for "Cardboard Box"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[28]	Silver	200,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for Cardboard Box

Region	Date	Format(s)	Version	Label	Ref.
Various	24 March 2022	streaming digital download	Original	Island	[29]
	27 May 2022		Acoustic		[30]
	7 October 2022		Happi remix		[13]