Kamikaze (Walk the Moon song)

Last updated
"Kamikaze"
Walk the Moon - Kamikaze.png
Single by Walk the Moon
from the album What If Nothing
ReleasedApril 17, 2018 (2018-04-17)
Genre
Length3:17
Label RCA
Songwriter(s)
  • Ben Berger
  • Eli Maiman
  • Ryan McMahon
  • Nicholas Petricca
  • Ryan Rabin
  • Kevin Ray
  • Sean Waugaman
Producer(s)
Walk the Moon singles chronology
"One Foot"
(2017)		"Kamikaze"
(2018)		"Home"
(2018)
Music video
"Kamikaze" on YouTube

"Kamikaze" is a song by American pop rock band Walk the Moon for their third studio album, What If Nothing (2017). It was sent to US alternative radio stations as the album's second single on April 17, 2018, through RCA Records. The song was written by the band members and songwriters Ben Berger, Ryan McMahon and Ryan Rabin; the latter three also co-produced it with Mike Elizondo. "Kamikaze" is an alternative rock and pop song that features multi-layered production with elements of electronic dance music. Its lyrics describe going all-in and having full control of one's self.

Contents

"Kamikaze" was met with mixed reviews from music critics, with some commenting on the song's addictive and catchy nature, while others compared it unfavorably to the likes of Imagine Dragons. It peaked at number six on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and became the band's fifth top-ten hit on the chart. A music video for the song, featuring multiple performers dancing in a stark white room, was released on April 16, 2018. "Kamikaze" was included on Walk the Moon's setlist for the Press Restart Tour (2017−18) and was performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert .

Background and release

"Kamikaze" was written by the members of Walk the Moon along with Ben Berger, Ryan McMahon and Ryan Rabin, who collectively go by the name Captain Cuts. The members of Captain Cuts also produced the song with Mike Elizondo. Mixing was handled by Neal Avron with assistance from Scott Skrzynski. [1] The band recalled how the lyric in the chorus, "I'm a kamikaze", came to them "instinctually on day 1". Months later, they would spend a whole day "trying to come up with something better", but went nowhere with it. [2]

On November 7, 2017, "Kamikaze" was released as the fourth advance track and third promotional single from Walk the Moon's third studio album, What If Nothing. [3] Following the release of its music video, the song was sent to US alternative radio stations a day later on April 17, 2020, by RCA Records as the album's second single. [4]

Composition and lyrics

"Kamikaze" runs for three minutes and seventeen seconds and has been described as a hip-hop flavored, [5] pop-friendly alternative rock track that incorporates elements of electronic dance music. [6] [7] It has a minor-key melody with a 4
4 time signature and a tempo of 78 beats per minute. [6] [8] The song features a heavily beat-driven chorus and multi-layered, synth-laden production. It is played over rumbling bass and contains some sharp, screeching electric guitar riffs. [6] [9] [10]

In an interview with Billboard leading up to the release of What If Nothing, lead singer Nicholas Petricca revealed that the song has two sides for him, one that's about "being in love with someone and having to leave them behind," while the other is having "full ownership of self" and "being all-in". He mentioned how "that belief in yourself and that belief in something greater than yourself as well is un-fuck-with-able". [11] Petricca later stated in an Instagram post about the music video that "the Kamikaze is a peaceful warrior of love who is willing to sacrifice the status quo" and "love despite all odds". [12]

Critical reception

"Kamikaze" received mixed reviews from music critics. Time's Raisa Bruner called "Kamikaze" an "urgent and immediately catchy song", praising its production and commending Petricca's vocals of being "anthem-worthy". [6] Alternative Addiction said that "Kamikaze" is an "addictive song that will resonate with avid and casual listeners of the band". [13] Allan Raible of ABC News commented that the song "has a lasting bounce to its gate". [14] Stereogum's Chris DeVille was more negative towards the song, writing how the track "unfortunately toys with EDM low end á la Imagine Dragons or Fall Out Boy". [7] Eric Renner Brown of Entertainment Weekly called the song "generic" and said it "sounds yanked from Imagine Dragons' reject pile". [15]

Editors at Apple Music included "Kamikaze" on its 2018 Songs of the Summer playlist, a list of predictions for that year's top summer songs based on streaming statistics. [16] [17]

Commercial performance

In the United States, "Kamikaze" peaked at number six on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart on the week ending September 28, 2018, making it the band's second consecutive top-ten hit on the chart from What If Nothing after their previous release "One Foot" and fifth overall. [18] It concurrently reached its peak of number 19 on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart. [19] The song ranked at number 16 on the 2018 year-end Alternative Songs chart. [20] Elsewhere, the song reached number 48 on the Billboard Canada Rock airplay chart. [21]

Music video

The music video for "Kamikaze" was directed by Tobias Nathan and was uploaded to Walk the Moon's official YouTube channel on April 16, 2018. [22] The video features a modern dance performance choreographed by Amy Gardner. [12] A version of the video with an extended ending can be found on the director's Vimeo account. [23]

The clip begins with a shot of the band in ankle-deep water performing the song in front of the same scenery used on their Press Restart Tour (2017−18). The video then focuses on a male and female dancer, both minimally-dressed, played by Derek Tabda and Nicola Collie. They start intimately swaying together in a stark white room, where their positions emulate those of the band. They are then joined by a larger group of dancers, who add another level of emotion to the intense choreography. Shots of the band stomping and splashing in the shallow water, reflecting the backdrop's dramatic flashing lights, are shown intermittently throughout the video. It ends with a close-up of the female dancer, who has tears rolling down her cheek and is left breathless. [10] [12]

Live performances

On December 11, 2017, Walk the Moon performed "Kamikaze" along with "One Foot" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for Kimmel's Mercedes-Benz Concert Series. In the performance, Petricca had his mullet bleached blond and wore a knee-length cardigan with eyes printed all over. Petricca also had white face paint streaming out from the corner of his eyes, which had been a staple of the group's aesthetic. [24] Walk the Moon later performed the song on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert . [25] The song was included on the set list of the band's 2017−18 Press Restart Tour. [26]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal and the liner notes of What If Nothing. [1] [27]

Recording

Personnel

  • Nicholas Petricca – vocals, keyboards, songwriting
  • Kevin Ray – bass, songwriting
  • Eli Maiman – guitar, songwriting
  • Sean Waugaman – drums, songwriting
  • Mike Elizondo  – production
  • Benjamin Berger  – songwriting, co-production
  • Ryan McMahon  – songwriting, co-production
  • Ryan Rabin  – songwriting, co-production
  • Brent Arrowood – engineering assistant
  • Scott Skrzynski – mixing assistant
  • Adam Hawkins  – engineering
  • Neal Avron  – mixing

Charts

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
VariousNovember 7, 2017 [lower-alpha 1]
[3]
United StatesApril 17, 2018
[4]

Notes

  1. ↑ Release as a promotional single.

Related Research Articles

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

The discography of Modest Mouse, an American indie rock band, consists of seven studio albums, six extended plays, two compilation albums, four low fidelity cassette releases, one live album, twenty-five singles, and nine reissues. Three of their releases have been certified at least Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments in excess of 500,000 copies. One release has further been certified Platinum, for shipments in excess of 1,000,000 copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walk the Moon</span> American rock band

Walk the Moon is an American rock band based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Lead singer Nicholas Petricca started the band in 2006, while a student at Kenyon College, deriving the band's name from the song "Walking on the Moon" by the Police. The band is notable for its charting hit singles "Anna Sun", "Shut Up and Dance", and "One Foot".

<i>Walk the Moon</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Walk the Moon

Walk the Moon is the second studio album by American rock band Walk the Moon. It was released on June 19, 2012, by RCA Records. The first single, "Anna Sun", peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Alternative chart and number 20 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anna Sun</span> 2012 single by Walk the Moon

"Anna Sun" is the debut single by American rock band Walk the Moon, released on February 7, 2012. The song is originally from their 2010 self-released debut album I want! I want! and was also included on their 2012 major-label debut album, Walk the Moon. The song was written by band members Adrian Galvin, Nick Lerangis, Nicholas Petricca and Adam Reifsnyder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nothing More</span> American rock band

Nothing More is an American rock band from San Antonio, Texas. Formed in 2003, the band spent much of the 2000s recording independent albums and struggling to maintain a steady lineup or attract record label interest. Towards the end of the decade, the band's long-time drummer, Jonny Hawkins, decided to switch to being the band's frontman and lead vocalist, stabilizing the band's core lineup along with other long-time members Mark Vollelunga (guitar) and Daniel Oliver (bass). The band self-funded and recorded their fourth studio album, Nothing More, over the course of three years and used it to gain the attention of Eleven Seven Music record label, who signed the band to a five album record contract upon hearing it. The album became the band's breakthrough release in 2014, with multiple charting singles, including "This is the Time (Ballast)", which hit number 1 on the Mediabase Active Rock chart and number 2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, and "Mr. MTV", "Jenny" and "Here's to the Heartache" all charting in the top 15 of both charts.

<i>Talking Is Hard</i> 2014 studio album by Walk the Moon

Talking Is Hard is the third studio album by American rock band Walk the Moon, released on December 2, 2014, by RCA Records. The band chose to work with Tim Pagnotta to produce an album that would explore different influences and sounds to differentiate it from their self-titled major label debut (2012). Described as an indie pop, new wave and pop record, the album takes inspiration from multiple artists of the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shut Up and Dance (Walk the Moon song)</span> 2014 single by Walk the Moon

"Shut Up and Dance" is a song by American pop rock band Walk the Moon from their third studio album Talking Is Hard (2014). It was written by the band members and songwriters Ben Berger and Ryan McMahon. The song is based on an experience lead singer Nicholas Petricca had at a Los Angeles nightclub. His girlfriend invited him to dance, inspiring the title. Petricca envisioned the song as an anthem for letting go of frustration and having fun. The song was digitally released as the lead single from Talking Is Hard on September 10, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Different Colors</span> 2015 single by Walk the Moon

"Different Colors" is a song written and recorded by American rock band Walk the Moon for their second studio album, Talking Is Hard (2014). The song was released to US alternative radio stations by RCA Records as the album's second single on May 5, 2015. Described as an alternative rock, electropop, indie rock, and pop song, it is lyrically about celebrating and embracing each other's differences by speaking out against discrimination of any kind.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tightrope (Walk the Moon song)</span> 2012 single by Walk the Moon

"Tightrope" is a song by American rock band Walk the Moon from their first major-label album Walk the Moon (2012). The song was written by Nicholas Petricca, Eli Maiman, Kevin Ray, Sean Waugaman and Chris Robinson, with Ben Allen handling the production. The song was sent to US modern rock radio stations through RCA Records as the album's second single on September 11, 2012. An extended play of the same name was later released in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walk the Moon discography</span>

American rock band Walk the Moon has released five studio albums, one live album, one compilation album, seven extended plays, ten singles, four promotional singles, and nineteen music videos. Walk the Moon was formed in 2006 in Cincinnati, Ohio as Wicked in the Mix, originally consisting of Nicholas Petricca, Adam Reifsnyder, Sam Cole and Ricky Human, the former two having attended Kenyon College together. The group's first EP, entitled The Anthem, would be released later that same year in March. Wicked in the Mix later self-released their only studio album, WM in June 2007. The band's lineup would begin to go through several different member changes throughout the next three years, leaving Petricca as the only member from the original group.

<i>Tightrope</i> (EP) 2013 EP by Walk the Moon

Tightrope is an EP by American rock band Walk the Moon. It was released digitally on January 22, 2013, by RCA Records and contains six songs, four of which were previously unreleased. A 2-color vinyl version of the EP was later released for Record Store Day on April 20, 2013. The EP was named after the opening track of the same name. It was a moderate success, debuting at number 54 on the US Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Work This Body</span> 2016 single by Walk the Moon

"Work This Body" is a song by American rock band Walk the Moon for their third studio album, Talking Is Hard (2014). It was written by all four members of the band and John Ryan. The song was sent to US alternative radio stations by RCA Records as the album's third single on February 23, 2016. A pop song with Latin American influence and a worldbeat element, its lyrics are about getting in shape and motivating one's self to go after their dreams without succumbing to their fears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She's Out of Her Mind</span> 2016 single by Blink-182

"She's Out of Her Mind" is a song recorded by American rock band Blink-182 for the group's seventh studio album, California (2016). The song was released as the second single from California on October 11, 2016 through BMG. Written by bassist Mark Hoppus, drummer Travis Barker, guitarist Matt Skiba, and producer John Feldmann, the song was re-written multiple times to make its chorus as catchy as possible. It contains lyrical references to the bands the Cure and Bauhaus. It was inspired by relationships the group had growing up with "crazy" girls.

"Not Today" is a song recorded by South Korean boy band BTS for their 2017 album You Never Walk Alone, a repackage of their second Korean-language studio album, Wings (2016). The song was written by "Hitman" Bang, RM, Supreme Boi, June, and Pdogg, with the latter of the five also handling production. It was released on February 20, 2017, as the album's second single by Big Hit Entertainment. A Japanese version of the song was recorded and issued on May 10, 2017, through Universal Music Japan, as a B-side of the single album that included tracks "Blood Sweat & Tears" (2016) and "Spring Day" (2017), both also in Japanese. It was subsequently included on the band's third Japanese-language studio album, Face Yourself (2018). "Not Today" is a hip hop and moombahton song which relies on synth-heavy instrumentation. The track's lyrics address themes of injustice, corruption and anti-establishment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Champion (Fall Out Boy song)</span> 2017 single by Fall Out Boy

"Champion" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released on June 22, 2017 in the US and on June 23 worldwide through Island Records and DCD2. It was released as the second single from their seventh studio album, Mania. A visualizer was released with the song, and a music video followed on July 28. While Fall Out Boy's previous single, "Young and Menace", was considered to be a major departure from their usual sound, "Champion" brought back some familiar elements from their more recent albums while still experimenting with new ideas. It was co-written with pop singer-songwriter Sia.

<i>What If Nothing</i> 2017 studio album by Walk the Moon

What If Nothing is the fourth studio album by American rock band Walk the Moon. It was released on November 10, 2017, by RCA Records. The first single released from the album was "One Foot" on September 22, 2017. Walk the Moon embarked on the North American Press Restart Tour in support of the album, beginning on November 19 in Charlotte, North Carolina. They released the first promotional single "Headphones" on October 13, 2017. The second promotional single "Surrender" was released on October 27, 2017. This is the last studio album to feature bassist Kevin Ray, who parted ways with the band in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Foot (Walk the Moon song)</span> 2017 single by Walk the Moon

"One Foot" is a song by American rock band Walk the Moon from their fourth studio album, What If Nothing (2017). It was written by the band members and songwriters Ben Berger, Ryan McMahon, and Ryan Rabin; the latter three also produced the track with Mike Crossey. The song was released as the album's lead single through RCA Records on September 22, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morgxn</span> American indie pop singer-songwrite

Morgan Isaac Karr, better known by his stage name morgxn, is an American indie pop singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timebomb (Walk the Moon song)</span> 2019 single by Walk the Moon

"Timebomb" is a song by American pop rock band Walk the Moon. The song was released digitally by RCA Records as a stand-alone single on January 11, 2019. It was written by James Alan, Nicholas Petricca, and Oscar Holter, with the latter also handling the production with Mike Crossey. Musically, it is described as a dance-pop, new wave, and pop song that utilizes synthesizers and guitars. Its lyrics describe the fear of falling in love but going through with the risk. This was the band's last single recorded with bassist Kevin Ray, who parted ways with the band in December 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can You Handle My Love??</span> 2021 single by Walk the Moon

"Can You Handle My Love??" is a song by American rock band Walk the Moon. It was released on July 14, 2021, as the lead single from their fifth studio album, Heights (2021). This is their first single not to feature bassist Kevin Ray, who parted ways with the band in December 2020.

References

  1. 1 2 "Walk The Moon / What If Nothing / Credits". Tidal. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  2. ↑ @walkthemoon (May 15, 2018). "bts: writing kamikaze" (Video). Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020– via Facebook.
  3. 1 2 "WALK THE MOON Release New Track 'Kamikaze'". RCA Records. November 7, 2017. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Alternative". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  5. ↑ Sculley, Alan (January 20, 2018). "Walk the Moon found new purpose while on hiatus". Detroit Free Press . Archived from the original on July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Bruner, Raisa (November 10, 2017). "5 Songs You Need to Listen to This Week". Time . Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  7. 1 2 DeVille, Chris (November 9, 2017). "Maroon 5 And The Rock Band As A Pop Hit-Making Machine". Stereogum . Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Kamikaze – Walk The Moon – Drum Sheet Music". OnlineDrummer.com. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  9. ↑ Heath, Larry (March 29, 2019). "Live Review: Muse deliver unrivalled rock spectacle in Toronto". The AU Review. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  10. 1 2 Jones, Abby (April 16, 2018). "Walk the Moon Drop Passionate 'Kamikaze' Music Video: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  11. ↑ Ziff, Brian (November 9, 2017). "Walk the Moon on Regaining Their Identity After 'Shut Up and Dance' & Going 'All-In' on New Album 'What If Nothing'". Billboard . Archived from the original on January 27, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  12. 1 2 3 Hudelson, Molly (April 16, 2018). "Walk The Moon share stunning video for 'Kamikaze'". Substream Magazine . Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Review of WALK THE MOON 'What If Nothing'". Alternative Addiction . Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  14. ↑ Raible, Allan (November 15, 2017). "Seal, Bleachers, Walk the Moon and more music reviews". ABC News. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  15. ↑ Brown, Eric Renner (November 9, 2017). "Walk the Moon unsuccessfully dabbles on What If Nothing: EW review". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  16. ↑ Honeycutt, Shanté (May 24, 2018). "Apple Music's 2018 Songs of the Summer Playlist Includes Cardi B, BTS, Shawn Mendes & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 1, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  17. ↑ Clopton, Ellis (June 12, 2018). "Songs of the Summer 2018, as Predicted by Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora". Variety . Archived from the original on August 28, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Walk the Moon Chart History (Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  19. 1 2 "Walk the Moon Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  21. 1 2 "Walk The Moon Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  22. ↑ "WALK THE MOON – Kamikaze (Official Video)". April 16, 2018. Archived from the original on June 23, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020– via YouTube.
  23. ↑ "Walk The Moon – Kamikaze". April 17, 2018. Archived from the original on July 9, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2020– via Vimeo.
  24. ↑ Armstrong, Megan (December 12, 2017). "Watch Walk the Moon Perform 'One Foot' & 'Kamikaze' For Jimmy Kimmel's Concert Series". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Walk The Moon Performs 'Kamikaze'". June 20, 2018. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2020– via YouTube.
  26. ↑ Hudelson, Molly (January 20, 2018). "Live Review: Walk The Moon bring the Press Restart Tour to New York City". Substream Magazine. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  27. ↑ What If Nothing (booklet). Walk the Moon. RCA Records. 2017. 88985454852.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ↑ "Walk the Moon Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Rock Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. 13 December 2013. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
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.