Dig Down

Last updated

"Dig Down"
MuseDigDown.jpg
Single by Muse
from the album Simulation Theory
Released18 May 2017 (2017-05-18)
Recorded2017 (2017)
Studio AIR Studios (London, England)
Genre
Length3:48
3:57 (Acoustic Gospel Version)
Label
Songwriter(s) Matt Bellamy
Producer(s)
Muse singles chronology
"Reapers"
(2016)		"Dig Down"
(2017)		"Thought Contagion"
(2018)

"Dig Down" is a song by English rock band Muse. Produced by the band with Mike Elizondo, it was released as a single on 18 May 2017 and is featured on the band's eighth studio album, Simulation Theory . [2] "Dig Down" debuted at number 94 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart. The next week, it peaked at 51 on that chart.

Contents

Background

Muse began teasing the release of a new song in early May 2017, sharing photos and clips from the video. [3] After announcing the track the week before, [4] "Dig Down" was released alongside its music video on 18 May 2017. [5] Speaking about writing the song, Muse frontman Matt Bellamy explained that "I was looking to counteract the current negativity in the world and give inspiration, optimism and hope to people to fight for the causes they believe in – that as individuals we can choose to change the world if we want to". [6] Consequence of Sound's Michelle Geslani described the song as "a stuttering, mostly sparse number with hints of glam rock flare". [7]

On the deluxe versions of the album, an alternative version of the song was included dubbed the "Acoustic Gospel Version". This version does away with the electronic elements and instead is a much quieter, simpler version featuring acoustic guitar, piano and a choir in the background. This version was played during the Simulation Theory World Tour instead of the original.[ citation needed ]

Music video

The music video for "Dig Down" was released alongside the track on 18 May 2017. Directed by Lance Drake, the video features model and activist Lauren Wasser, "who has to fight her way out of a high-security building" [8] while the band members sing or play their respective instruments while attempting to resemble the Max Headroom incident. [9] Writing for Rolling Stone magazine, Elias Light outlined that in the "violent, kung-fu-filled" video, "Wasser's character, outnumbered at least 20-to-1, defeats a series of shadowy assailants in hand-to-hand combat". [10] Speaking about the production of the video, Drake explained that "When I heard this song, I knew I wanted to do an action-packed narrative. I'd heard about Lauren a year or so ago, I read her story and she gave me personal inspiration so I'd always kept her in mind to shoot with one day. The power of the song made me think of her – so I wrote the video narrative based on Lauren's story and how she overcame the odds." [6]

Live video

An official live video was also released through the Muse YouTube channel on 5 June 2017. The video, directed by Tom Kirk, was recorded in Nashville on 3 June 2017. [11]

Reception

The song has received mixed reviews from both critics and fans of the band. Matt Dawson from RedBrick gave an average review stating "it appears that Muse have yet to perfect the formula of trying new things and retaining the components that made them good in the first place". [12] Jason Davis from The Edge also gave a mixed review expressing - "Muse have a knack for the experimenting in their music, but 'Dig Down' has only that going for it. This relatively uneventful song doesn't stand up to their past anthems." awarding 3/5 stars. [13] However, Hayden Benfield from Renowned for Sound gave a positive review stating - "Dig Down is certainly a catchy track that grows on the listener with repeat listens.", giving it 4/5 stars. [14]

Charts

Related Research Articles

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

Muse are an English rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme, and Dominic Howard (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supermassive Black Hole (song)</span> 2006 single by Muse

"Supermassive Black Hole" is a song by English rock band Muse. Written by Muse lead singer and principal songwriter Matt Bellamy, it was released as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album, Black Holes and Revelations (2006), on 19 June 2006, backed with "Crying Shame".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knights of Cydonia</span> 2006 single by Muse

"Knights of Cydonia" is a song by English alternative rock band Muse and is the closing track on their 2006 album Black Holes and Revelations. The song's title refers to the Cydonia region of Mars, which gained public attention from the illusion of a rock formation which looked similar to a human face.

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

The discography of Muse, an English rock band, consists of nine studio albums, two live albums, one compilation album, one box set, five extended plays (EPs), 44 singles, two video albums, 61 music videos and four other appearances. Formed in Teignmouth, Devon in 1994, the band signed with Taste Media before releasing their debut album Showbiz in 1999. The album was a success across Europe, and in the UK reached number 29 on the UK Albums Chart, as well as being certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Five singles were released from Showbiz, with final release "Unintended" the band's first to reach the top 20 on the UK Singles Chart. Muse released their second album Origin of Symmetry in 2001, which reached number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified double platinum by the BPI. The album's first three singles, "Plug In Baby", "New Born" and "Bliss", all reached the UK top 25.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starlight (Muse song)</span> 2006 single by Muse

"Starlight" is a song by English alternative rock band Muse. It was released on 22 August 2006 in the United Kingdom as the second single from their fourth studio album Black Holes and Revelations (2006). The lyric "Our hopes and expectations, black holes and revelations" gives the album its title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Shock of the Lightning</span> 2008 single by Oasis

"The Shock of the Lightning" is a song by English rock band Oasis. It is the fourth track from the band's seventh studio album, Dig Out Your Soul (2008). The song was released as the first single from the album on 29 September 2008. It received its first airplay on 15 August 2008 on multiple UK and Irish radio stations including the Ian Dempsey Breakfast show on Today FM in Ireland, BBC 6 Music by Shaun Keaveny, and by Chris Moyles on BBC Radio 1. Moyles was joined by Noel Gallagher on 15 August 2008 to make a remix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R U Mine?</span> 2012 single by Arctic Monkeys

"R U Mine?" is a song by the English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys. It features lyrics written by Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner, as well as music composed by the entire band. The song was released as a digital download in the United Kingdom on 27 February 2012 and was released physically for the Record Store Day on 21 April 2012 on a limited edition double A-side purple 7" vinyl along with new song "Electricity". The vinyl was limited to a run of only 1,750 copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madness (Muse song)</span> 2012 single

"Madness" is a song by the English rock band Muse. It is the second track and second single from Muse's sixth studio album, The 2nd Law (2012), released as a download on 20 August 2012. It was written by singer and guitarist Matthew Bellamy and produced by the band. The music video premiered on 5 September 2012.

<i>Drones</i> (Muse album) 2015 studio album by Muse

Drones is the seventh studio album by English rock band Muse, released on 5 June 2015 through Warner Bros. Records and the band's own Helium-3 imprint. The album was recorded between October 2014 and April 2015 at the Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, with orchestral sections recorded at Officine Meccaniche in Milan, and was produced by the band and Robert John "Mutt" Lange. Drones is a concept album following a soldier's abandonment, indoctrination as a "human drone", and eventual defection. It also comments on the Obama administration’s drone program. After their previous albums incorporated orchestral and electronic music, Muse aimed to return to a more straightforward rock sound musically.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psycho (Muse song)</span> 2015 single by Muse

"Psycho" is a song by the English rock band Muse from their seventh studio album Drones, released on 12 March 2015 as a promotional single and the first from the album. It was later featured as the B-side to the official lead single later that month, "Dead Inside".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercy (Muse song)</span> 2015 single by Muse

"Mercy" is a song by English rock band Muse from their seventh album, Drones. It was released as the second single from the album on 18 May 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reapers (song)</span> 2016 single by Muse

"Reapers" is a song by English rock band Muse. It was released as the second promotional single from the band's seventh studio album Drones, and was given a 7" single release, as part of Record Store Day 2016, on 16 April 2016 as the fifth and final single from Drones. It peaked at number 75 on the French Singles Chart, 71 on the Swiss Hitparade singles chart, 37 on Billboard's Hot Rock Songs, and became Muse's highest-charting single at the time on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Songs at number 2; it has since been surpassed on the latter chart by "Won't Stand Down," which reached number 1 in May 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nothing but Thieves</span> English rock band

Nothing but Thieves are an English rock band, formed in 2012 in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. They consist of lead vocalist and guitarist Conor Mason, guitarist Joe Langridge-Brown, guitarist and keyboardist Dominic Craik, bassist Philip Blake, and drummer James Price. In 2014, they signed to RCA Records and a year later in October 2015, they released their self-titled debut album. Their second album, Broken Machine was released in September 2017, receiving wide acclaim in addition to peaking at No. 2 in the UK Album Charts. They released an EP entitled What Did You Think When You Made Me This Way? in October 2018, followed by their third studio album, Moral Panic, in October 2020, which peaked at No. 3 in the UK Album Charts.

"Lights Out" is a song by English hard rock band Royal Blood, released as the first single from their second studio album How Did We Get So Dark? on April 14, 2017.

"Young and Menace" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released on April 27, 2017, through Island Records and DCD2. It was released as the lead single from the band's seventh studio album, Mania. The music video was released simultaneously with the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thought Contagion</span> 2018 single by Muse

"Thought Contagion" is a song by English rock band Muse. It was released as the second single from the band's eighth studio album, Simulation Theory, on 15 February 2018, following "Dig Down", released the previous year. The single debuted at number 76 on the UK Singles Chart and topped the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Something Human</span> 2018 single by Muse

"Something Human" is a song by English rock band Muse. It was released as the third single from the band's eighth studio album, Simulation Theory. Matt Bellamy described the track as "intimate" and that it marked a departure from the "dark and moody" Drones. The track was released on 19 July 2018, following their previous single "Thought Contagion", which was released February of that year.

<i>Simulation Theory</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Muse

Simulation Theory is the eighth studio album by English rock band Muse. It was released on 9 November 2018 through Warner Bros. Records and Helium-3. Muse co-produced the album with Rich Costey, Mike Elizondo, Shellback, and Timbaland. Following the darker themes of Muse's prior albums, Simulation Theory incorporates lighter influences from science fiction and 1980s pop culture, with extensive use of synthesisers. The contemporary political climate of the United States informed the lyrics.

"Pressure" is a song by English rock band Muse. It was released as the fifth single from the band's eighth studio album, Simulation Theory. The track was released on 27 September 2018, following the release of "The Dark Side", which was released August of that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Won't Stand Down</span> 2022 single by Muse

"Won't Stand Down" is a song by British rock band Muse. Released as a single on 13 January 2022, it is their first single from Will of the People, their ninth studio album. It topped the UK Rock & Metal chart and reached number 56 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was a sleeper hit in the United States, reaching number 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in May 2022, becoming the first Muse song to do so.

References

  1. ↑ Leight, Elias (18 May 2017). "See Muse's Violent, Kung-Fu-Filled 'Dig Down' Video". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  2. ↑ Trendell, Andrew (30 August 2018). "Muse unveil new single 'The Dark Side' and announce new album 'Simulation Theory'". NME. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  3. ↑ Trendell, Andrew (10 May 2017). "Muse tease new single and video". NME . Time Inc. UK . Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  4. ↑ Trendell, Andrew (11 May 2017). "Muse announce new single 'Dig Down'". NME . Time Inc. UK . Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  5. ↑ Britton, Luke Morgan (18 May 2017). "Watch Muse's dystopian video for new single 'Dig Down'". NME . Time Inc. UK . Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  6. 1 2 Munro, Scott (18 May 2017). "Watch video for new Muse track Dig Down". Prog . TeamRock. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  7. ↑ Geslani, Michelle (18 May 2017). "Muse share action-packed video for new single "Dig Down" — watch". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  8. ↑ Strauss, Matthew (18 May 2017). "Watch Muse's Video for New Song "Dig Down"". Pitchfork Media . Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  9. ↑ Bellamy, Matt (18 May 2017). "Muse Recreated Max Headroom Incident in "Dig Down" Music Video". Twitter. Twitter. Retrieved 18 June 2017. Yes, wanted to recreate that 'max headroom incident' 80s TV hack
  10. ↑ Light, Elias (18 May 2017). "See Muse's Violent, Kung-Fu-Filled 'Dig Down' Video". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  11. ↑ Muse (5 June 2017), MUSE - Dig Down [Live from Nashville, TN // 3 June 2017] , retrieved 5 June 2017
  12. ↑ Matt Dawson (20 May 2017). "Single Review: Muse - Dig Down". Redbrick. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  13. ↑ Jason Davis (2 July 2017). "Review: Muse – 'Dig Down'" . Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  14. ↑ Haydon Benfield (28 May 2017). "Single Review: Muse – 'Dig Down'". Renowned for Sound. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  15. ↑ "Muse – Dig Down" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  16. ↑ "Muse – Dig Down" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  17. ↑ "Muse Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  18. ↑ "Le Top de la semaine: Top Singles Téléchargés – SNEP (Week 21, 2017)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  19. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  20. ↑ "Muse – Dig Down" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  21. ↑ "Muse – Dig Down". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  22. ↑ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100: 19th May 2017- 25th May 2017". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  23. ↑ "Muse Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  24. ↑ "Muse Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  25. ↑ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  26. ↑ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.