"Dammit" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Blink-182 | ||||
from the album Dude Ranch | ||||
Released | September 23, 1997 | |||
Recorded | December 1996–January 1997 | |||
Studio | Big Fish Studios (Encinitas, California) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:45 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Mark Trombino | |||
Blink-182 singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Dammit" on YouTube |
"Dammit" (sometimes subtitled "Growing Up") is a song by American rock band Blink-182, released on September 23, 1997, as the second single from the group's second studio album, Dude Ranch (1997). Written by bassist Mark Hoppus, the song concerns maturity and growing older. It was written about a fictional breakup and the difficulty of seeing a former partner with another.
The song reached number 11 on Billboard 's Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, and receiving heavy airplay on several key US stations. The song's music video was shot by directors Darren Doane and Ken Daurio, previous collaborators with the group, and depicts the trio attending a "sneak preview" at a cinema where Hoppus attempts to win his ex-girlfriend back. "Dammit" was later featured on the band's Greatest Hits , and it has been covered by a number of artists.
Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus wrote the song in a short span of time concerning a fictional breakup with a girlfriend. [1] [2] Hoppus described a scenario, detailed in the lyrics, where former lovers meet in public and one is with someone new, "It really hurts when you aren't the person feeling the love, but you have to act like it's cool to save face." [1] He felt the song's creation, which was spontaneous, worked to its favor: "If you work on a song for weeks and weeks, you're forcing it." [1] The signature guitar line for "Dammit" was created on an acoustic guitar that was missing two strings. [3] Guitarist Tom DeLonge considered the song a breakthrough in the band's songwriting. [4]
The song was recorded between December 1996 and January 1997 at Big Fish Studios in Encinitas, California. [5] The song was written just outside Hoppus' vocal range, requiring him to strain to sing it (the song has a noticeably rougher and scratchier vocal track than the rest of the album). [3] Already suffering from vocal problems due to lack of vocal warm-ups and constant smoking, Hoppus ended up straining his vocal cords significantly, forcing the band to cancel the final week of recording the album in December 1996. [3] [6] "I actually like my voice a lot on 'Dammit'. It sounds really raw and cool," said Hoppus in 2001. "But it's not a technique I would recommend for getting a good vocal sound. You know, smoking, yelling, all that." [7] As a result of this incident, the chorus has always been sung by Tom DeLonge in live performances. From 2015 to 2022, guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba would take the lead on the chorus.
"Dammit" is set in the time signature of common time, with a fast tempo of 215 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of C major with Hoppus's vocals spanning the tonal nodes of C4 to G4. [8] The song follows a common chord progression sequence of I–V–vi–IV. [9]
On the Warped Tour in Australia […] Blink-182 walked out on stage and started playing to 10,000 people and this was when I realized they had made it. When Tom started the first notes to "Dammit," all 10,000 kids screamed and threw their hands in the air. I was sitting behind Tom's amps. I got goosebumps, and Tom turned to look at me and mouthed 'What the fuck?'
"Dammit" received heavy radio airplay at many key radio stations, and became the band's first hit single. [3] MCA Records' retail plan for the single involved releasing it after the band's stint on the 1997 Vans Warped Tour in order to secure a story to help promote it to radio. [11] The label first began to promote "Dammit" in August 1997 and several stations in Southern California were quick to begin playing the song, finding it to be a good match alongside Green Day and The Offspring radio hits. [11] Stations such as KOME in San Jose were among the first to play the song. [11] The song was released in September, [12] and broke through to rock radio when it was added to the playlist of Los Angeles-based KROQ. [7] Mainstream rock radio received "Dammit" in November, and MTV picked up the "Dammit" video, where it began receiving heavy rotation in December. [11] This led to feature stories in magazines such as Billboard and Rolling Stone . [11] [13]
The song peaked at number 11 on Billboard's Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, spending 28 weeks on the chart. [14] It also spent nine weeks on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, peaking at number 26. [15] Lastly, it charted on the airplay chart of the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, staying for nine weeks and hitting number 61. [16] Billboard Airplay Monitor Report (BDS) figures reported that the record had received over 1,000 spins on KROQ, placing it as the second-most played track of 1998. [17] [18] It ranked third in terms of total airplay on Seattle's KNDD and New York's WXRK, attaining 900 plays on both respective stations. [17] "Dammit" was among the top three most-played songs on San Francisco's KITS, Boston's WBCN, Detroit's CIMX and Sacramento's KWOD for the year. [17] KEDJ of Phoenix played "Dammit" over 1,400 times over the course of the year. [19] The song was called a modern rock "radio staple" by the Los Angeles Times . [18] The song's success was largely responsible for pushing Dude Ranch to receive a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America for selling 500,000 copies. [2] The song spent six weeks on RPM 's Alternative 30 in Canada between April and May 1998, [20] peaking at number 15. [21] In addition, to its success in North America, the song peaked at number 34 on the ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart in Australia, where it spent sixteen weeks on the chart between December 1997 and April 1998. [22]
The song's success stunned the group. Guitarist Tom DeLonge, who noted that many of the band's songs were based on real events, found it unusual that a song that was not directly autobiographical wound up connecting best with the wide audience. [23] Later, he recalled, "[When 'Dammit' took off], we were freaking. We couldn't believe what was happening to us." [2] Meanwhile, Hoppus, as a result of the single's success, began introducing himself to people as "that guy that wrote, 'duh nuh nuh nuh nuh duh nuh nuh nuh nuh, he fucked her.'" [7]
Scott Heisel of Alternative Press called "Dammit" the "perfect punk song, everyone knows it, and it's probably being covered in someone's basement right now." [24] In a contemporary review, MTV News' Chris Nelson wrote, ""Dammit"'s staccato rhythm and melancholy pop-spirit call to mind Chicago punks Screeching Weasel as much as they do the emotional fretting of the Descendents." [23] Consequence of Sound, in a 2015 top 10 of Blink-182's best songs, ranked "Dammit" at number one, commenting, "The best songwriters don't capture what you're going through individually in your life – they capture the things that are common to all humanity, and there's something about "Dammit"'s chorus, something about its opening C, D, E riff that sounds universal." [25] Complex in 2012 examined the song through the lens of its inclusion in Can't Hardly Wait (1998), calling it, "one of the most iconic songs of the 90s – those three, unmistakable guitar chords, the two voices trading in verse (one sneering punk, the other, a throaty few octaves lower), and a soaring punk chorus." [26] At Billboard , it is described as a "jump-around pop punk song". [1] Stereogum and Kerrang both named "Dammit" as Blink-182's best song. [27] [28]
The song was featured in the 1998 teen film Can't Hardly Wait , during a scene in which the police break up a house party. [26] The song was also featured in the television series Dawson's Creek in episode 8 of Season 1. [29]
The song was also included in the music video game Guitar Hero World Tour , along with an in-game representation of Travis Barker, who becomes available to play upon completing the song in the drum career. [30]
"Dammit" has been covered by a number of artists, including All Time Low, [31] Cloud Control, [32] Lisa Prank, [33] FIDLAR, [34] Good Charlotte, [35] Of Mice & Men and Pierce the Veil, [36] Best Coast [37] and Skatune Network. [38] Rapper Lil Peep often included a karaoke crowd-singalong cover of Dammit during live shows in 2017.
The music video for "Dammit" stars Hoppus attempting to take his ex-girlfriend away from her new lover at a cinema. Band manager Rick DeVoe has a cameo appearance in the clip as a snack bar attendant. [39] The music video for "Dammit" was directed by Darren Doane and Ken Daurio, who also directed the band's first clip for "M+M's" in 1995. [39] Doane allowed the musicians to improvise during the shoot. Hoppus and guitarist Tom DeLonge were so taken with the way DeVoe portrayed his character they requested Doane work his character into more screen time. [40] Near the end of the bridge, during intercut performance footage of the group, DeLonge mouths to Hoppus a visible "I love you." [41] A poster for the film Farinelli (1994) is visible behind the concession counter. [42]
In 2011, Hoppus auctioned off band memorabilia to help donate to victims of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, one of which was his orange sweater he wore in the "Dammit" video. [43]
US CD (1997)
Australian CD (1997)
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Dude Ranch. [5]
Locations
Blink-182
Production
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI) [45] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Enema of the State is the third studio album by American rock band Blink-182, released on June 1, 1999, by MCA Records. After a long series of performances at various clubs and festivals and several indie recordings throughout the 1990s, Blink-182 first achieved popularity on the Warped Tour and in Australia following the release of their second album Dude Ranch (1997) and its rock radio hit "Dammit." To record their third album, Blink-182 turned to veteran punk rock producer Jerry Finn, who previously worked on Green Day's breakthrough album Dookie (1994). Enema was the band's first album to feature drummer Travis Barker, who replaced original drummer Scott Raynor.
"Adam's Song" is a song recorded by the American rock band Blink-182 for their third studio album, Enema of the State (1999). It was released as the third and final single from Enema of the State in March 2000, through MCA Records. "Adam's Song" shares writing credits between the band's guitarist Tom DeLonge and bassist Mark Hoppus, but Hoppus was the primary composer of the song. The track contains suicide, depression and loneliness. It incorporates a piano in its bridge section and was regarded as one of the most serious songs the band had written to that point.
"First Date" is a song recorded by American rock band Blink-182 for their fourth studio album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001). It was released as the second single from the album on October 8, 2001. It was written primarily by guitarist Tom DeLonge, with additional songwriting credit to bassist Mark Hoppus, and drummer Travis Barker. "First Date" centers on the awkwardness and complicated emotions two individuals can experience upon initial meeting. DeLonge based the song on memories of his initial courtship with then-spouse Jennifer Jenkins.
"The Rock Show" is a song by American rock band Blink-182 for the group's fourth studio album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001). It was released as the lead single from the album on May 7, 2001. The track was composed primarily by bassist Mark Hoppus about meeting a girl at a rock concert. It was inspired by the band's early days touring punk rock clubs, mainly Soma in their hometown of San Diego.
The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show is a live album by American rock band Blink-182. It was released on November 7, 2000, by MCA Records. Blink-182 had risen to fame at the turn of the millennium on the strength of its third album, Enema of the State, which went multiplatinum. Capturing the band's stage show—known for its irreverent humor—with a live release was designed to satisfy fans between new studio albums. The album was recorded over two nights at performances in their native California, on the group's inaugural arena tour.
Dude Ranch is the second studio album by American rock band Blink-182, released on June 17, 1997, by Cargo Music and MCA Records, making it their major record label debut. MCA signed the band in 1996 following moderate sales of their 1995 debut Cheshire Cat and their growing popularity in Australia. Dude Ranch was the band's final recording released on Cargo and the last to feature the original lineup as drummer Scott Raynor was dismissed from the band in 1998.
The Urethra Chronicles is a 1999 documentary film about the American pop punk band Blink-182. The film, directed by former manager Rick DeVoe, is a behind-the-scenes look at the band's history featuring their usual toilet humor. The documentary includes exclusive live performance footage and music videos.
Scott William Raynor Jr. is an American former musician and police officer. He is best known as the original drummer of the rock band Blink-182. Born in Poway, California, Raynor first approached the drums in his preteens; he joined Blink-182 at only 14 years old, and played with the band for six years. With Raynor, the group recorded their first demo, Buddha (1994), their debut album, Cheshire Cat (1995), as well as the gold-certified Dude Ranch (1997). Raynor was dismissed from the group in 1998, and was replaced by Travis Barker.
"Feeling This" is a song by American rock band Blink-182 for their untitled fifth studio album (2003). The song is the opening track on the album and was released as its lead single on October 6, 2003, through Geffen Records. It was written by guitarist Tom DeLonge, bassist Mark Hoppus, and drummer Travis Barker, and was produced and mixed by Jerry Finn. The song originated on the first day of producing the album. Its lyrics are purely sexual in nature; the band juxtaposes lust and passion between verses and choruses, thematically connected with a wistful, regretful tone.
"What's My Age Again?" is a song by American rock band Blink-182. It was released in April 1999 as the lead single from the group's third studio album, Enema of the State (1999), released through MCA Records. "What's My Age Again?" shares writing credits between the band's guitarist Tom DeLonge and bassist Mark Hoppus, but Hoppus was the primary composer of the song. It was the band's first single to feature drummer Travis Barker. A mid-tempo pop-punk song, "What's My Age Again?" is memorable for its distinctive, arpeggiated guitar intro.
"Dick Lips" is a song by American rock band Blink-182, released on February 28, 1998, as the third single from the group's second studio album, Dude Ranch (1997). The song was released by Grilled Cheese, a subsidiary label of Cargo Music. It was the band's final single with Cargo; "Josie" was distributed jointly through MCA before they left the label by the end of the year.
"Man Overboard" is a song by the American rock band Blink-182. It was first released on September 2, 2000, through MCA Records as the lead single from the band's live album The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show (2000). It is the sole studio recording on the release, and was recorded as a bonus track to help promote its release. The song's lyrics, credited to bassist Mark Hoppus and guitarist Tom DeLonge, are about losing their original drummer Scott Raynor to alcohol abuse. In the song, Hoppus repeats the refrain "so sorry it's over," and goes on to highlight occasions in which a friend was too intoxicated to be dependable.
"Always" is a song by American rock band Blink-182, released on November 15, 2004 as the fourth and final single from the group's untitled fifth studio album. The song was the lowest charting single from the album, but the song's music video received extensive play on music video channels. Like much of the album, the song shows the band's 1980s influences, with the multiple-layered, heavily effected guitars and new wave synthesizers.
Thomas Matthew DeLonge is an American musician best known as the co-founder, co-lead vocalist, and guitarist of the rock band Blink-182 across three stints: 1992 to 2005, 2009 to 2015, and again since 2022. He is also the lead vocalist and guitarist of the rock band Angels & Airwaves, which he formed in 2005 after his first departure from Blink-182. DeLonge is noted for his distinctive nasal singing voice.
Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits album of American rock band Blink-182. It was released on October 31, 2005, by Geffen Records. Greatest Hits was created by Geffen shortly after the band's February 2005 breakup, termed an "indefinite hiatus" by the label. Tensions had risen in the group and guitarist Tom DeLonge desired to take time off. Bassist Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker argued with DeLonge regarding the band's future and their possible next album, and heated exchanges led to DeLonge's exit. In the interim, Hoppus and Barker continued playing together in +44, and DeLonge formed his new outfit Angels & Airwaves.
"Josie" is a song by American rock band Blink-182, released on November 17, 1998, as the fourth single from the group's second studio album, Dude Ranch (1997). "Josie" was primarily written by bassist Mark Hoppus about an idealized girlfriend, and the song includes references to the bands Unwritten Law and Dance Hall Crashers, bands the trio toured with between 1995 and 1996.
"Down" is a song by the American rock band Blink-182, released to radio on May 10, 2004, as the third single from the group's 2003 untitled album. The song peaked at number 10 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.
"Not Now" is a song by American rock band Blink-182. It was released in November 2005 as the sole single from the group's first compilation album, Greatest Hits (2005), through Geffen Records. "Not Now" explores concepts of death and its impact on those one leaves behind, and was written from the perspective of an out-of-body experience. Stylistically, it builds heavily around the band's trademark power chords and guitar riffs, and also employs a church organ to achieve a funereal atmosphere.
This is a discography of the American pop punk and rock band Blink-182. They have released nine studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, three video albums, two extended plays (EPs), twenty-four singles, six promotional singles, and thirty-two music videos. Their recording material was distributed mainly by subdivisions of Universal Music Group, including Geffen Records, Interscope Records, and DGC Records. They have also released material under MCA Records, Cargo Music and its subdivision Grilled Cheese, Kung Fu Records, and BMG. The band currently consists of bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus, drummer Travis Barker, and guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge. Founded by Hoppus, guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Scott Raynor, the band emerged from the Southern California punk scene of the early 1990s and first gained notoriety for high-energy live shows and irreverent lyrical toilet humor. Blink-182 has sold 15.3 million albums in the United States, and over 50 million albums worldwide. The band is known for bringing the genre of pop punk into the mainstream.
Blink-182 is an American rock band formed in Poway, California, in 1992. Their current and best-known line-up consists of bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus, guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. Though their sound has diversified throughout their career, their musical style, described as pop-punk, blends catchy pop melodies with fast-paced punk rock. Their lyrics primarily focus on relationships, adolescent frustration, and maturity—or lack thereof. The group emerged from a suburban, Southern California skate punk scene and first gained notoriety for high-energy live shows and irreverent humor.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)