I Don't Belong

Last updated
"I Don't Belong"
I Don't Belong - FDC.jpg
Single by Fontaines D.C.
from the album A Hero's Death
Released9 June 2020 (2020-06-09)
Genre
Length4:13
Label
Producer(s) Dan Carey
Fontaines D.C. singles chronology
"A Hero's Death"
(2020)
"I Don't Belong"
(2020)
"Televised Mind"
(2020)
Music video
"I Don't Belong" on YouTube

"I Don't Belong" is a song by Irish band Fontaines D.C. from their second studio album, A Hero's Death (2020). The song was written by Carlos O'Connell, Conor Curley, Conor Deegan III, Grian Chatten and Tom Coll, while production was handled by Dan Carey. It was released on 9 June 2020 by Rough Trade and Partisan Records as the second single from the album.

Contents

A mid-tempo post-punk song, "I Don't Belong", is about dismissing expectations imposed by other people onto themselves. The production of the song features needeled electric guitars, a bass guitar, and drums, with elements of psychedelic and surf rock. Thematically, "I Don't Belong" discusses various scenarios that trace back to the message of the track. The opening is about soldier who has his military service commended by his country, but rejects the medal as the soldier sees the acceptance of the medal as compromising their personal principles. The second verse focuses about a fight breaking out in a bar, due to onself refusing to be enticed by friendliness or kindness.

Upon the single's release, "I Don't Belong" received critical acclaim from contemporary music critics, with some in retrospect, calling it one of the most musically mature singles on the album. Praise was directed at Chatten's singing and the overall song structure, and Carey's production of the track.

Commercially, "I Don't Belong" was the band's second single to chart, the first being the self-titled track for the album, which was released earlier that spring. The song peaked at 86 in the Irish Singles Chart. One music video was made to accompany the track, which was directed by Deegan III and produced by Hugh Mulhern, was released on 10 June. The visual depicts lead singer, Chattan, singing across the Irish countryside while going on a walk.

Release and promotion

Live performances

The song was released during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, limiting the band's ability to perform the song live or in front of a live audience. Due to the pandemic and related vaccination rollout, the first live performance of the song was during a livestream on 23 November 2020 at the O2 Academy Brixton. [1] [2] The band did not perform the song in front of a live audience until 2 August 2021, [3] when they performed at the Pryzm nightclub in Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom. [4]

An acoustic version of the song premiered on 16 November 2020. It was filmed in October 2020 at La Blogothèque in Paris. [5]

Commercial performance

"I Don't Belong" was the band's second single to chart in a commercial chart, reaching 86 in their home nation of Ireland in the Irish Singles Chart. [6]

Music video

A corresponding music video for the song was released on 10 June 2020. The music video was shot in March and April 2020 with in Skerries, Dublin, Ireland, the hometown of lead singer, Grain Chatten. [7] [8] The video, directed by bassist Conor Deegan III, shows Chatten singing walking past numerous sites in Skerries before ultimately being submerged in the water on the coast. The music video, originally planned to be shot in London, was shot in Skerries due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. [9] Basssit Connor Deegan III explained that the band "had a whole different video shoot planned in London" for the track. The purpose of the filming in Skerries was to "use the limitations to our benefit. To try to match the emotional feel of the song but without being heavy-handed. Telling a visual story parallel to the lyrics." [9]

Deegan further told NME that Chatten's character "goes on a walk, passing by all these places. He’s telling us this dramatic story that slowly grows as the verses go on. At the start you do and you don’t really get a sense of the anxiety or negativity to come. It’s buried under the surface. At the end he submerges himself, completely consumed by his inner thoughts finally coming out into the world." [9] [8]

Charts

Chart (2020)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA) [10] 86

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from A Hero's Death album liner notes. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trouble (Coldplay song)</span> 2000 single by Coldplay

"Trouble" is a song by British rock band Coldplay, for their debut album, Parachutes (2000). The band wrote and co-produced it with British record producer Ken Nelson. The song's arrangement is built around the acoustic piano. It was released on 23 October 2000 as the album's third single, reaching number 10 on the UK Singles Chart and becoming the band's second top 10 single in the country. Although "Trouble" failed to chart in the United States, the music press deemed it almost as successful as its predecessor, "Yellow".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bringin' On the Heartbreak</span> 1981 single by Def Leppard

"Bringin' On the Heartbreak" is a song by English rock band Def Leppard. A power ballad, it was the second single from their 1981 album High 'n' Dry. The song was written by three of the band's members, Steve Clark, Pete Willis and Joe Elliott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Know What You Want</span> 2003 single by Busta Rhymes and Mariah Carey featuring Flipmode Squad

"I Know What You Want" is a song by American rapper Busta Rhymes and singer Mariah Carey, featuring verses from Rhymes' group Flipmode Squad: Spliff Star, Baby Sham, Rah Digga, and Rampage. Produced by Rick Rock, it was released on February 24, 2003 as the second single from Rhymes' sixth album It Ain't Safe No More..., released on November 26, 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Stop Me Now</span> Song by British rock band Queen

"Don't Stop Me Now" is a song by the British rock band Queen, featured on their 1978 album Jazz and released as a single on 26 January 1979. Written by lead singer Freddie Mercury, it was recorded in August 1978 at Super Bear Studios in Berre-les-Alpes (Alpes-Maritimes), France, and is the twelfth track on the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Slip</span> 1988 single by Pink Floyd

"One Slip" is a song from Pink Floyd's 1987 album A Momentary Lapse of Reason.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kodaline</span> Irish rock band

Kodaline are an Irish rock band. Originally known as 21 Demands, the band adopted their current name in 2012 to coincide with the changing of their music. The group comprises Steve Garrigan, Mark Prendergast, Vincent May and Jason Boland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Coronas</span> Irish rock band from Dublin

The Coronas are an Irish rock band that originated in Dublin. They release their music by their own independent record label, 3ú Records, and are based between Dublin and London. They have released seven studio albums, Heroes or Ghosts (2007), Tony Was an Ex-Con (2009), Closer to You (2011) The Long Way (2014), Trust The Wire (2017), True Love Waits (2020) Time Stopped (2022).

<i>Dogrel</i> 2019 studio album by Fontaines D.C.

Dogrel is the debut studio album by Dublin post-punk band Fontaines D.C. It was released through Partisan Records on 12 April 2019 on cassette, CD, digital download, and vinyl formats. The album was nominated for Album of The Year at the Choice Music Prize and Mercury Prize in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Partisan Records</span> American independent record label

Partisan Records is an independent record label with offices in London, Berlin, and Los Angeles, as well as in New York City, where the company was co-founded in 2007 by Tim Putnam and Ian Wheeler. The label, initially run out of Putnam's South Brooklyn apartment, relocated in 2009 to Williamsburg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The LaFontaines</span> Scottish rock band

The LaFontaines are a rock band from Motherwell, Scotland. Their line up consists of Kerr Okan (vocals), Jamie Keenan and Darren McCaughey. The band was formed in 2008 and have released four studio albums: Class (2015), Common Problem (2017), Junior (2019), and Business as Usual (2024).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fontaines D.C.</span> Irish rock band

Fontaines D.C. are an Irish post-punk band formed in Dublin in 2017. The band consists of Grian Chatten (vocals), Carlos O'Connell (guitar), Conor Curley (guitar), Conor Deegan III (bass), and Tom Coll (drums).

<i>A Heros Death</i> 2020 studio album by Fontaines D.C.

A Hero's Death is the second studio album by Irish post-punk band Fontaines D.C. The album was released on 31 July 2020 through Partisan Records, less than 18 months after the release of their debut album Dogrel. The album received critical acclaim upon its release, signifying a partial departure from their bubbling and anxiety-inducing post-punk sound found on their first record to the incorporation of more dream-like and psychedelic aspects having taken inspiration from The Beach Boys, to name but one of many influences, during the writing of the record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Hero's Death (song)</span> 2020 single by Fontaines D.C.

"A Hero's Death" is a song by Irish post-punk band, Fontaines D.C. The song is the lead single, and title track off their sophomore album. The song was released on 5 May 2020 through Partisan Records.

<i>Skinty Fia</i> 2022 studio album by Fontaines D.C.

Skinty Fia is the third studio album by Irish rock band Fontaines D.C. It was released on 22 April 2022 via Partisan Records. Like the band's two previous albums – 2019's Dogrel and 2020's A Hero's DeathSkinty Fia was produced by Dan Carey. Its title refers to an old Irish saying that drummer Tom Coll's great-aunt used to say; the phrase "Skinty Fia" translates to "the damnation of the deer". Both the title and the cover art allude to the extinct Irish elk, also known as the "giant deer".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackie Down the Line</span> 2022 single by Fontaines D.C.

"Jackie Down the Line" is a song by Irish band, Fontaines D.C. The song is the lead single off of their third studio album, Skinty Fia and was released on 12 January 2022.

<i>Ugly</i> (Slowthai album) 2023 studio album by Slowthai

Ugly is the third studio album by British rapper Slowthai. It was released on 3 March 2023 through Method Records and Interscope Records. The album features Slowthai introducing punk and rock elements to his sound, which received acclaim from critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grian Chatten</span> Irish singer, songwriter, and musician

Grian Chatten is an Irish musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and lyricist of post-punk band Fontaines D.C.

<i>Chaos for the Fly</i> 2023 studio album by Grian Chatten

Chaos for the Fly is the debut studio album by Irish musician Grian Chatten, best known as the frontman for the post-punk band Fontaines D.C. The album was recorded in two weeks with said band's regular producer Dan Carey and features orchestral arrangements. The title is a reference to a quote by Morticia Addams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starburster</span> 2024 single by Fontaines D.C.

"Starburster" is a song by Irish rock band Fontaines D.C. It was released on 17 April 2024 as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album Romance.

<i>Viva Hinds</i> 2024 studio album by Hinds

Viva Hinds is the fourth studio album by Spanish garage rock band Hinds. The album is due for release on 6 September 2024 under Lucky Number and is the band's first new album in four years since the 2020 release of The Prettiest Curse. The album marks the first release by the band since the departure of bassist Ade Martin and drummer Amber Grimbergen who quit the band in 2022. Viva Hinds was preceded by the singles and music videos for "Coffee", "Boom Boom Back", "En Forma" and "Superstar".

References

  1. Brock, Charlie (24 November 2020). "Live (Stream) Review: Fontaines D.C., 23/11/2020". Gigwise . Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  2. Bulmer, Eloise (23 November 2020). "Fontaines DC Go Virtual at Brixton Academy Live Stream". DIY . Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  3. "Fontaines D.C. Pryzm, Kingston Upon Thames, UK". Songkick . 3 August 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  4. "Fontaines D.C. setlist at PRYZM, Kingston upon Thames, England". Setlist.fm. 4 August 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  5. "Fontaines D.C. – I Don't Belong & Oh Such A Spring I A Take Away Show" (AV Media). YouTube. La Blogothèque. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  6. "irishcharts.com | Discography Fontaines D.C." irish-charts.com. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  7. "Fontaines DC unveil 'I Don't Belong'". Under the Radar Magazine. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  8. 1 2 "Fontaines DC unveil 'I Don't Belong'". DIY . 10 June 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 Moore, Sam (10 June 2020). "Watch Fontaines D.C.'s reflective video for new song 'I Don't Belong'". NME . Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  10. "Chart Track: Week 28, 2020". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  11. "A Hero's Death – Fontaines D.C. | Credits". Allmusic . Retrieved 30 April 2022.