Bald (song)

Last updated
"Bald"
Song by The Darkness
from the album One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back
Released2005
Recorded2005
Genre Hard rock
Length5:31
Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s) Justin Hawkins, Dan Hawkins and Ed Graham
Producer(s) Roy Thomas Baker

"Bald" is a song by the English rock band The Darkness.

Contents

Background and release history

The song is a hilarious melodrama about a rock god's worst nightmare, according to Rolling Stone magazine. [1]

In another review, Rolling Stone states that the song is "about premature hair loss". [2]

Stylus states that the song is about "losing your edge". [3]

Justin Hawkins commented on the song saying ""The irony of it is that it's a super-powerful song about losing your virility," [4]

It is the seventh track in the band's sophomore album One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back , clocking in at five minutes thirty-one seconds, making it the longest song on the album. [5] The song was recorded at Chapel Studios, South Thoresby, Lincolnshire; Paul Smith Music Studios, London.

Release history

The song has been released in three different albums:

On 28 November 2005 on the band's second album One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back. [5]

On 1 April 2008 in the first compilation album "The Platinum Collection". [6]

On 4 August 2008 in the second compilation album "2 in 1: Permission to Land/One Way Ticket to Hell". [7]

Critical reception

Rolling Stone called it the "best song on the Darkness' eccentrically flawed second album". [1]

Pitchfork Media praised the song for exploring new territory, but ultimately concluded that the song was undercooked. [8]

Drowned in Sound stated "The chorus is sung in the staccato tradition of oddball duo Sparks (whose _‘This Town etc’_ Justin covered on his summer solo release) and the accompanying guitars are of the have-a-go-hero variety. Essentially love on the rocks with no hair." [9]

Personnel

Additional personnel

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References

  1. 1 2 Fricke, David (2007-10-02). "The Darkness". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 2, 2007. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  2. Lauren Gitlin (2005-10-04). "Darkness Find Redemption | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  3. "The Darkness - One Way Ticket to Hell…and Back - Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on 2006-05-26. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  4. Lauren Gitlin (2005-10-04). "Darkness Find Redemption | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  5. 1 2 Phares, Heather (2005-11-28). "One Way Ticket to Hell...And Back - The Darkness : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  6. "The Platinum Collection – The Darkness – Discover music at". Last.fm. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  7. "Darkness - Permission To Land/One Way Ticket To Hell CD Album". Cduniverse.com. 2009-01-01. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  8. "The Darkness: One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 2005-11-28. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  9. Gloom, Stryker (2005-11-30). "The Darkness - One Way Ticket To Hell...And Back / Releases / Releases // Drowned In Sound". Drownedinsound.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-12-26.