Bullets (Creed song)

Last updated
"Bullets"
Creed bullets.png
Single by Creed
from the album Weathered
ReleasedFebruary 23, 2002
Recorded2001
Genre Heavy metal
Length3:49
Label Wind-up
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Creed singles chronology
"My Sacrifice"
(2001)
"Bullets"
(2002)
"One Last Breath"
(2002)
Music video
"Bullets" on YouTube

"Bullets" is the second single from Creed's third album, Weathered . The song serves as the opening track to the album and is considered to be one of the band's heaviest songs.

Contents

Writing and recording

Along with entirety of the Weathered album, "Bullets" was written during four-hour sessions in vocalist Scott Stapp's living room as well as on his Sea Ray cruiser over the course of a three-week period, with Stapp contributing the lyrics and guitarist Mark Tremonti composing the music. [1] The band recorded and mixed the song along with the album at J. Stanley Productions Inc. recording studio in Ocoee, Florida, over a four-month period in the summer and early fall of 2001. [2] [3]

Music and lyrics

"Bullets" is an anthemic and forceful heavy metal track that features some of Tremonti's fastest and most aggressive guitar work for Creed. Stapp described the song as "the heaviest, most intense music we've ever written." [4] [1] The lyrics were written by Stapp about what he felt were unjust criticisms that the band had received throughout their careers from critics and the press. In the song, Stapp asks of them to "At least look at me when you shoot a bullet through my head!", inferring that if someone has something negative to say about them to do it to their faces. [4]

Music video

A video was also released with the single which was also aired on MTV as a follow-up to Creed's first single, "My Sacrifice". Developed by Vision Scape Interactive, the team behind games such as Twisted Metal 4 , were responsible for characterizing and developing the storyline in the video with the band. The team spent $473,000, and dedicated 15 employees working more than 18 hours a day to complete the project, according to Matt McDonald, President of Vision Scape. [5] The roots for the video were laid a year prior, when McDonald and his wife Tammy saw the Creed Behind the Music episode. The McDonald's, intrigued with the energy and message of the band, contacted Creed, through Mark Tremonti's younger brother Daniel Tremonti, to see if they were interested in contributing music for an eventually canceled video game called "Revelations". Daniel would later call back, informing Vision Scape that the band wanted them to create a music video using the visuals from "Revelations". [6]

The video sees digitized versions of Stapp, Tremonti, and drummer Scott Philips do battle with legions of demons, metal-plated beasts and giant, saber-toothed spiders. Much of the imagery in the video is meant to reflect the way the band dealt with criticism, including the bullets Stapp is peppered with by demons meant to symbolize negative comments from critics and journalists directed at the band. According to Matt McDonald, it was very important to the band members that they were depicted accurately and to their liking, including their tattoos and the weapons they used. Tremonti's character was given a battle-axe to represent his guitar, while Philips was given two swords, with the designs on the swords inspired by his tattoos, to represent his drumsticks. Much of the footage was modeled after fight scenes from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Iron Monkey . Originally the character model for Stapp was designed more like an Archangel, featuring a very futuristic look and metallic wings. However, Stapp wanted the design to have more "earthy" look to it, feeling it would better fit the art style of the Weathered album, as well as bring attention to his Cherokee roots and heritage, so the team redesigned his model so his wings would appear more like those of an eagle or a hawk. [6]

Release and reception

The song was released as the second single to the Weathered album, and was the follow-up to the bands highly successful lead single "My Sacrifice". Stapp said the reasoning behind choosing "Bullets" as the follow-up single was that the band always looked to establish themselves as a rock band with a heavier side, and that the band would often go back to their heavier rock roots with the second single of an album as a tribute to the active rock and hard rock stations that gave them their big break. [7] Tremonti praised the single feeling it exhibited the diversity of the bands sound. He stated "It's great to show the range of our style because 'Bullets' is such a different sound than our first single." [7]

Although not as successful on the charts as its predecessor, "Bullets" managed to reach number 11 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and 27 on the Modern Rock chart. The song was also released as a double A-side in the United Kingdom and Ireland, along with the bands next single "One Last Breath", where the latter would peak at number 47 on the UK Singles Chart and 41 on the Irish Singles Chart.

Appearances in media

To promote the Weathered album Creed performed "Bullets", along "My Sacrifice", on the November 17, 2001, episode of Saturday Night Live, where they were featured as musical guests. [8] "Bullets" was also played as the opening song during the bands first show of the Weathered tour, an hour special VH1 "Opening Night Live" performance in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Philips Arena on January 16, 2002. [9] The song was once again played as the opener for the bands performance at the 2002 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in Salt Lake City, Utah, on February 19, 2002. [10]

Charts

Chart (2002)Peak
position
US Active Rock ( Billboard ) [11] 10
US Alternative Airplay ( Billboard ) [12] 27
US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [13] 11

Year-end charts

Chart (2002)Position
US Active Rock (Billboard) [14] 60

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creed (band)</span> American rock band

Creed is an American rock band from Tallahassee, Florida formed in 1994. Creed was prominent in the post-grunge movement of the late 1990s and early 2000s, releasing three consecutive multi-platinum albums, with their album Human Clay being certified diamond. Creed has sold over 28 million records in the United States, has sold over 53 million albums worldwide, and was the ninth best-selling artist of the 2000s.

<i>Weathered</i> 2001 studio album by Creed

Weathered is the third studio album by American rock band Creed, released on November 20, 2001. It was the last Creed album to be released until Full Circle came out in October 2009, with Creed disbanding in June 2004. It is the only Creed album to be recorded as a three-member band, as bassist Brian Marshall departed in August 2000. Vocalist Scott Stapp and guitarist Mark Tremonti wrote most of the material for the album during a three-week period in late 2000, following their successful tour to support their second album, Human Clay. Manager Jeff Hanson once again paired the band with longtime producer John Kurzweg, who rented out a private residence/recording studio in Ocoee, Florida owned by Jay Stanley, where the band would set up their studio inside to record the album. Recording sessions for the album began in July 2001, with Tremonti taking on bass guitar duties in Marshall's absence, and would last four months to complete.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Stapp</span> American singer, former lead vocalist of Creed

Scott Stapp is an American singer, best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Creed. He has also fronted the band Art of Anarchy and has released three solo albums: The Great Divide (2005), Proof of Life (2013), and The Space Between the Shadows (2019).

<i>My Own Prison</i> 1997 studio album by Creed

My Own Prison is the debut studio album by American rock band Creed, released in 1997. The album was issued independently by the band's record label, Blue Collar Records, on June 24, 1997, and re-released by Wind-up Records on August 26, 1997. Manager Jeff Hanson matched Creed up with John Kurzweg, and My Own Prison was recorded for $6,000, funded by Hanson. The band wrote several songs, trying to discover their own identity, and in their early days, the members had jobs, while bassist Brian Marshall got a degree. Creed eventually got a record deal with Wind-up and began recording music. After its release, the album was distributed to Florida radio stations.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Creed album) 2004 greatest hits album by Creed

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by American rock band Creed. It was released on November 22, 2004, soon after the announcement that the band had broken up in June, and that lead singer Scott Stapp and the other members of the band would go their separate ways. It consists of every one of Creed's U.S. singles from their first three albums: My Own Prison (1997), Human Clay (1999), and Weathered (2001), only leaving out their international single, "Hide"; the song "What's This Life For" has censored lyrics in this release, and is cut down to 3 minutes and 32 seconds in length. The album also includes a DVD that contains all of the band's music videos and several live performances.

<i>Human Clay</i> 1999 studio album by Creed

Human Clay is the second studio album by American rock band Creed, released on September 28, 1999, through Wind-up Records. Produced by John Kurzweg, it was the band's last album to feature Brian Marshall, who left the band in August 2000, until 2009's Full Circle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Tremonti</span> American guitarist and singer

Mark Thomas Tremonti is an American guitarist and singer, best known for his tenures with the rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge. He is a founding member of both bands, and has also collaborated with many other artists over the years. He formed his own band Tremonti in 2011 and has released five albums with them, including A Dying Machine, which was adapted by Tremonti and science fiction novelist John Shirley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Marshall</span> American musician

Brian Aubrey Marshall is an American musician and songwriter best known as the bassist and co-founder of the rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">With Arms Wide Open</span> 2000 single by Creed

"With Arms Wide Open" is a song by American rock band Creed. It was released on April 18, 2000, as the third single from their second studio album, Human Clay. The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in November 2000, becoming the band's first and only song to top the chart. The song also received honors at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2001, being nominated for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, as well as Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti winning the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Higher (Creed song)</span> 1999 single by Creed

"Higher" is a song by American rock band Creed. It was released on August 31, 1999, as the lead single from their second studio album, Human Clay. The song became the bands breakthrough hit as it was their first song to reach the top ten on the US Billboard Hot 100 where it peaked at number seven in July 2000. It spent a total of 57 weeks upon the survey, the longest stay for any Creed song on the Hot 100. "Higher" also became the band's second chart-topping hit on rock radio as it topped both the Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts, for a then-record of 17 weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Last Breath (Creed song)</span> 2002 single by Creed

"One Last Breath" is a song by American rock band Creed. The band's lead vocalist, Scott Stapp, wrote the song over a period of three weeks and recorded at J. Stanley Productions Inc in Ocoee, Florida. The lyrics of the song are about reflecting on past mistakes and seeking comfort from friends who want to help. It was released in April 2002 as the third single from their third studio album, Weathered (2001).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One (Creed song)</span> 1998 single by Creed

"One" is a song by American rock band Creed. It is the fourth single as well as the tenth and final track from the band's 1997 album My Own Prison. It was also included as a B-side on the maxi-single for "With Arms Wide Open" in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What's This Life For</span> 1998 single by Creed

"What's This Life For" is a song by American rock band Creed. It is the third single and ninth track off their 1997 debut album, My Own Prison. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in the U.S., becoming their first number one hit on this chart. It remained on top for six weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What If (Creed song)</span> 2000 single by Creed

"What If" is a song by Creed, released as the second single from their 1999 album Human Clay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Own Prison (song)</span> 1997 single by Creed

"My Own Prison" is a song by Creed and the titular lead single from their 1997 debut album of the same name. It first appeared on the WXSR-FM compilation album Locals Only and would prove to be the band's breakout hit. The single peaked at number two on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number seven on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.

"Weathered" is a song by American rock band Creed. It was released on November 6, 2002, as the last single from their album, Weathered. The song was the band's last single until 2009's Overcome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Sacrifice</span> 2001 single by Creed

"My Sacrifice" is a song by American rock band Creed. It was released on October 16, 2001, as the lead single from their third studio album, Weathered. The song peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of February 9, 2002, and reached number one on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for nine consecutive weeks, beginning in December 2001. Worldwide, the song was a top-20 hit in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2003 at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creed discography</span>

American post-grunge band Creed has released four studio albums, two compilation albums, one extended play (EP), eighteen singles, one video album, and fifteen music videos. Formed in Tallahassee, Florida in 1994, Creed consists of vocalist Scott Stapp, guitarist and vocalist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips. Signed to Wind-up Records, the band released its debut album My Own Prison in August 1997, which reached number 22 on the US Billboard 200. The album was certified six times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). All four singles from the album reached the top three of the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

<i>Full Circle</i> (Creed album) 2009 studio album by Creed

Full Circle is the fourth studio album by American rock band Creed, released on October 27, 2009. It was Creed's first release since disbanding in June 2004, prior to the release of their Greatest Hits compilation album in November 2004, and was their first studio album since Weathered in November 2001, as well as their first with their original bass guitarist Brian Marshall since his departure in August 2000. The record was produced by Howard Benson. The album was completed on July 31, 2009, as announced by Scott Stapp. The album cover was revealed through the band's official e-news on August 4, 2009. A two-disc version of Full Circle was released and contained a DVD with bonus content. The album had three music videos created for it: "Overcome" and "Rain" in 2009, and "A Thousand Faces" in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overcome (Creed song)</span> 2009 single by Creed

"Overcome" is a song written and performed by Creed. At the time of its release, it was their first single since 2002 and the first from their 2009 reunion album, Full Circle. To date, it is their 11th song to reach the top five on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

References

  1. 1 2 Eliscu, Jenny (November 2, 2001). "Creed Take You Higher". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  2. Wind-up Records. "Creednet - The official website of Creed - Human Clay, My Own Prison, Creed Audio, Creed Tour Dates and more". Archived from the original on 2001-07-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. J. Stanley Productions Inc. "Clients". jstanleyproductions.com/. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Weiner, Jonah (October 21, 2009). "Creed Is Good". Slate. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  5. Wiederhorn, Jon (2002-03-13). "Digitized Creed Battle Demons, Giant Spiders, Journalists - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2012-01-10.
  6. 1 2 Wiederhorn, Jon (March 12, 2002). "Digitized Creed Battle Demons, Giant Spiders, Journalists". MTV. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  7. 1 2 Moss, Corey (December 5, 2022). "Creed Out To Prove They're 'A Heavier Rock Band' With 'Bullets'". MTV. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  8. "Saturday Night Live: Season 27 27x06 Billy Bob Thornton/Creed". trakt.tv. Trakt. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  9. "Creed: Opening Night Live". tcm.com. TCM. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  10. "Nightly Concerts Set For Salt Lake's Olympic Plaza". Billboard. December 19, 2001. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  11. "Creed Chart History (Active Rock)". Billboard . Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  12. "Creed Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  13. "Creed Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  14. "Most Played Active Rock Songs of 2002" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 47. Retrieved August 20, 2021.