Difference between revisions of "Won't Stand Down (song)"
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
| Writer = [[Matthew Bellamy]] | | Writer = [[Matthew Bellamy]] | ||
| Producer = Muse, [[Aleks Von Korff]] | | Producer = Muse, [[Aleks Von Korff]] | ||
| Chart = 56 | | Chart position = 56 | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
According to Matt Bellamy, Won't Stand Down is about "standing your ground against bullies, whether that be on the playground, at work or anywhere.", adding, "Protecting yourself from coercion and sociopathic manipulation and to face adversity with strength, confidence and aggression".<ref>https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-wont-stand-down-single-video-3137071</ref> | According to Matt Bellamy, Won't Stand Down is about "standing your ground against bullies, whether that be on the playground, at work or anywhere.", adding, "Protecting yourself from coercion and sociopathic manipulation and to face adversity with strength, confidence and aggression".<ref>https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-wont-stand-down-single-video-3137071</ref> | ||
The song reached number 13 on Billboard's Rock Airplay charts, number 1 at the Official Charts Company's | The song reached number 13 on Billboard's Rock & Alternative Airplay charts, number 1 at the Official Charts Company's rock and metal charts and it reached the peak position of number 56 on the Official Charts Company's general singles charts.<ref>https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/won't-stand-down/</ref> | ||
== Additional information == | == Additional information == | ||
Revision as of 13:08, 12 February 2022
| Muse song | |
|---|---|
| Name | Won't Stand Down |
| Album/single |
|
| Length | 3:29 |
| Alternative titles | WON'T STAND DOWN |
| First live performance | |
| Latest live performance | |
| Recorded | 2021 |
| Writer/composer | Matthew Bellamy |
| Producer | Muse, Aleks Von Korff |
| Chart position | 56 |
| Song Nav | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Track 3 | < | Won't Stand Down | > | Track 5 |
| Album Nav | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simulation Theory (2018) | < | Ninth album | > | |
Description
On December 25th, 2021, Bellamy made a short livestream from his Tesla on Muse's Instagram profile, showcasing part of the verse of this song, the chorus and a metalcore breakdown. The name of the track, shown on the car's dashboard screen, displayed a number prefix of "04", meaning it's likely the fourth track on the album. The one minute excerpt from Bellamy's stream can be listened to here.
The nearing release of the song was teased once again on Muse's New Years Eve post on Instagram, when a caption saying "Looking forward to WSD. We'll see you on the other side!" was quickly changed upon posting, replacing "WSD" with "2022", before being announced a week later, on January 7th, 2021, that the single would be released on January 13th on all digital platforms. The song could pre-saved to Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music at wontstanddown.muse.mu. The opening part of the song was showcased via an Instagram stories filter on January 9th.[1]
According to Matt Bellamy, Won't Stand Down is about "standing your ground against bullies, whether that be on the playground, at work or anywhere.", adding, "Protecting yourself from coercion and sociopathic manipulation and to face adversity with strength, confidence and aggression".[2]
The song reached number 13 on Billboard's Rock & Alternative Airplay charts, number 1 at the Official Charts Company's rock and metal charts and it reached the peak position of number 56 on the Official Charts Company's general singles charts.[3]
Additional information
Written in the key of B-Minor and running at 105 BPM, a more stylistic, "alternative" title for this song is "WON'T STAND DOWN", based on the YouTube title, written in all-caps. According to Von Korff on Instagram Stories, Won't Stand Down was the first song that was recorded for the album (and the first one to be out). The song has been mixed by Dan Lancaster, UK-based producer and mixer, known for working with bands such as Bring Me The Horizon, A Day To Remember and Lower Than Atlantis, amongst others.[4]
Based on Aleks Von Korff's picture posted on Instagram[5], the massive "bwah" parts of the bass guitar, which can be heard during the verses, were recorded using two wah pedals, attached together on the top with a wooden cutting board and some tape, so they can be controlled simultaneously, with the distortion recorded direct, as opposed through an amp, giving it a gnarly sound. They're also doubled with some synth bass.
Instrumentation
It is one of the heaviest songs that Muse have ever made. It includes a full-on metal sections (breakdown and outro), something that rarely occurs through Muse's discography, while also including some electronic elements, most notably during the verses, with guitar almost playing a reggae rhytm during the first verse. This could mean a return to a harder, heavier sound for the upcoming album. The chorus is very reminiscent to the chorus of Lacrimosa's song 'Lichtgestalt', due the metal sound, and the Swedish band 'Ghost'. The intro notes in the beginning are, allthough likely unintentional, the same as the beginning notes of A-Ha's "Take On Me" lead synth.
The song's drums rely on their organic sound, with perhaps some samples added during the mixing phase, with Dom using a double kick pedal throughout the entire song. The verses include heavy distorted bass, providing the big "bwah" sound, with, presumably, the help of two wah pedals stuck together, as noted on the picture above, taken by Aleks Von Korff. With verses having a big bass sound, the choruses and the metal breakdown/outro have a simpler bass tone, with guitar being the heaviest element in it. During the verses, some synth effects and keyboard pads can be heard, while the chorus contains an industrial lead synth. According to producer Aleks Von Korff, he recreated Mick Gordon's "Doom Instrument", as explained on Gordon's GDC presentation[6], which was used in the song also.[7]
Matt Bellamy used a "GuitarViol" for the pizzicato string parts during the verses. A half-guitar/half-viola/cello, it's looks are reminiscent to that of an orchestral stringed instrument (a mini cello), and it's tuned and played like a guitar, having six strings. Bellamy recorded between 12 to 16 takes to mimic an entire orchestral ensemble playing it.[8]
Music Video
The Won't Stand Down music video was released alongside the single itself on January 13th, and uses dark-looking horror style imagery.[9] More here.
Live
Lyrics[10]
I never believed that I would concede and let someone trample on me
You strung me along, I thought I was strong, but you were just gaslighting me I’ve opened my eyes, & counted the lies, & now it is clearer to me You are just a user, and an abuser, living vicariously
I never believed that I would concede and get myself blown asunder You strung me along, I thought I was strong, but now you have pushed me under I’ve opened my eyes, and counted the lies, now it is clearer to me You are just a user, and an abuser, and I refuse to take it
Won’t stand down I’m growing stronger Won’t stand down I’m owned no longer Won’t stand down You’ve used me for too long, now die alone
Now I’m coming back, a counterattack, I’m playing you at your own game I’m cutting you out, a shadow of doubt Is gonna hang over your name I’ve opened my eyes, I see your disguise, I will never see you the same I know how to win, before you begin I’ll shoot you before you take aim
Now I’m coming back, a counterattack, A psychological war I’m cutting you in, I’m under your skin Now I’m gonna settle the score I’ve opened my eyes, I see your disguise, I will never see you the same I know how to win, before you begin I’ll shoot you before you take aim
Won’t stand down I’m growing stronger Won’t stand down I’m owned no longer Won’t stand down You’ve used me for too long, now die alone
Won’t stand down I’m growing stronger Won’t stand down I’m owned no longer Won’t stand down You’ve used me for too long, now die alone
Won't stand down
References
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/Muse/comments/rzos32/30_second_audio_of_wont_stand_down_if_you_try_out/
- ↑ https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-wont-stand-down-single-video-3137071
- ↑ https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/won't-stand-down/
- ↑ https://www.kerrang.com/muse-return-with-crushing-new-single-wont-stand-down
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CYiXIHfrqOM/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/U4FNBMZsqrY
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/Muse/comments/rolr1e/new_song_preview_from_muse_live_ig/hq2j17t/?
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CZr0AqTJNt2/
- ↑ https://www.nme.com/news/music/muse-wont-stand-down-single-video-3137071
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CX8JMU8uzy4/