Painkiller (Three Days Grace song)

Last updated
"Painkiller"
PainkillerThreeDaysGracesingle.png
Single by Three Days Grace
from the album Human
ReleasedApril 1, 2014
Recorded2013
Studio Noble Street Studios, Toronto, Ontario
Genre
Length2:58
Label RCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Brown
Three Days Grace singles chronology
"Misery Loves My Company"
(2013)		"Painkiller"
(2014)		"I Am Machine"
(2014)
Music video
"Painkiller" (lyric video) on YouTube

"Painkiller" is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. The song was released on April 1, 2014, as the lead single from their fifth studio album Human . [1] It is the first single released with new singer Matt Walst, following the departure of Adam Gontier. The song reached number-one on the US Mainstream Rock chart, which made it their eleventh number-one single. [2]

Contents

Background

On March 28, 2014, the band officially announced that Matt Walst would be Adam Gontier's permanent replacement in the band. [3] Within the announcement, it was teased that new music would be heard the following week and on March 31, the band premiered "Painkiller" on their YouTube channel. [1] The song was officially released through iTunes on April 1. [4] Drummer Neil Sanderson talked about the meaning behind the song in a making of video released on the band's YouTube account:

"Painkiller, that song is about how everybody is addicted to something. It's written from the perspective of the vice that you need to be addicted to. The love of the drug, it's the villain who taunts you into wanting more." [5]

Composition

"Painkiller" was written by Johnny Andrews, Douglas Ryan Oliver, Neil Sanderson, Barry Stock, Brad Walst and Matt Walst while production was handled by Gavin Brown who also co-wrote the track. [6] The song was recorded in Noble Street Studios, Toronto, Ontario, in late 2013. [7] It was the first track they wrote with Matt, who had already written most of the chorus. [8] Stock stated that they wrote the song from the perspective of how everyone has a vice and it drawing you back in. [9] The final track runs in C-sharp or D-flat Phrygian mode and the YouTube release is three minutes, two seconds long.

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for "Painkiller"
YearOrganizationAwardResultRef(s)
2014 Loudwire Music Awards Rock Song of the YearWon [10]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [17] Gold40,000‡
United States (RIAA) [18] Gold500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Three Days Grace</span> Canadian rock band

Three Days Grace is a Canadian rock band formed in Norwood, Ontario, in 1992 originally as Groundswell. Groundswell played in various local Norwood backyard parties and area establishments before disbanding in 1995 and regrouping in 1997 under its current name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Gontier</span> Canadian singer and guitarist (born 1978)

Adam Wade Gontier is a Canadian rock musician. He is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter for Saint Asonia, but is best known as the co-lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and founding member of the rock band Three Days Grace. He co-founded the band in 1992, recording four albums with them before parting ways in 2013 and eventually returning in 2024. In addition to his work with Three Days Grace and Saint Asonia, he has been involved in collaborations with other bands including Art of Dying, Apocalyptica, Breaking Benjamin, Skillet and Thousand Foot Krutch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Animal I Have Become</span> 2006 single by Three Days Grace

"Animal I Have Become" is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. It was released on April 10, 2006, as the first single from their second studio album, One-X. The song was released digitally on April 18, 2006. The song spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and two weeks at No. 1 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song alongside "Riot" are used in the video game, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007. It is the band's first single with their fourth member Barry Stock. Critical reception to the song was generally favorable, with emphasis on the song's catchiness combined with its thick guitars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil Sanderson</span> Musical artist

Neil Christopher Sanderson is a Canadian musician. He is the drummer, backing vocalist, keyboardist, and co-founder of the Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. He cites his influences as John Bonham, Danny Carey, and Stewart Copeland. He is also the co-founder of the American record label Judge and Jury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Walst</span> Canadian bassist

Brad Walst is a Canadian musician. He is the bassist and a founding member of the rock band Three Days Grace, which also includes his younger brother Matt. As of 2022, Three Days Grace has sold over 10 million albums and singles combined worldwide and the band's songs streams surpass two billion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just Like You (Three Days Grace song)</span> 2004 single by Three Days Grace

"Just Like You" is a single by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. It was the second single from their eponymous debut album. In 2004, the song became their first number-one hit on the U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks charts. Despite peaking at number one on both charts, it still did not capture the popularity and pop radio success of their prior single, "I Hate Everything About You", which had peaked at numbers two and number four, respectively, but overall having more airplay on mainstream rock, active rock, and modern rock radio stations than "Just Like You". However, both songs peaked at the same position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song earned a nomination at the 2005 Radio Music Awards for "Song of the Year: Rock Radio".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Too Late (Three Days Grace song)</span> 2007 single by Three Days Grace

"Never Too Late" is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. It was released on May 7, 2007, as the third single from the band's second album One-X.

"World So Cold" is the third single released from Three Days Grace's 2009 album, Life Starts Now. The song was released for radio airplay on August 3, 2010. The single debuted on the BIllboard Rock Songs chart at number 50 and has reached number one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

<i>Transit of Venus</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Three Days Grace

Transit of Venus is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. It was released on October 2, 2012 through RCA Records. The album is the band's first to be released under the record label, following the folding of their former label, Jive Records, in 2011. The album was produced by Don Gilmore and recorded at Revolution Studios in Toronto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chalk Outline (song)</span> 2012 single by Three Days Grace

"Chalk Outline" is the lead single from Canadian rock band Three Days Grace's fourth album, Transit of Venus. The band released many "snippets" of the song before August 14 to tease fans. It reached No. 1 on the U.S. Active Rock chart for a total of 10 weeks and won the "Rock Song of the Year" award given by Loudwire. Billboard ranked the song at number 8 on their "Greatest of All Time Mainstream Rock Songs" list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The High Road (Three Days Grace song)</span> 2013 single by Three Days Grace

"The High Road" is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace, released as the second single from their fourth studio album Transit of Venus on January 22, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misery Loves My Company</span> 2013 single by Three Days Grace

"Misery Loves My Company" is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace, from their fourth studio album Transit of Venus released on May 14, 2013. The track became the band's tenth song to reach number-one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in its November 2, 2013, issue. It is the band's eleventh No. 1 single in total. It is the last single to feature Adam Gontier on lead vocals until his return to the band in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Am Machine</span> 2014 single by Three Days Grace

"I Am Machine" is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. The song was released as a single on September 30, 2014. It is the second single from the band's fifth studio album Human. The song became the group's thirteenth number-one on the Active Rock charts, as well as their twelfth on the US Mainstream Rock chart.

<i>Human</i> (Three Days Grace album) 2015 studio album by Three Days Grace

Human is the fifth studio album by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. The album was released on March 31, 2015 through RCA Records. It is the first of three albums without original lead singer Adam Gontier, and the first with My Darkest Days lead singer and Brad Walst's younger brother Matt Walst.

"Fallen Angel" is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. The song was released on 15 September 2015, as the fourth and final single from the band's fifth studio album Human.

<i>Outsider</i> (Three Days Grace album) 2018 studio album by Three Days Grace

Outsider is the sixth studio album by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. It was released on March 9, 2018 through RCA Records. The album was produced by two of the band's prior producers, Gavin Brown and Howard Benson but also by members of the band themselves. It is the second album to feature Matt Walst as lead vocalist.

"The Mountain" is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. It was released on January 25, 2018 as the lead single from their sixth studio album Outsider. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in March 2018 and became Three Days Grace's 13th number one on the chart while tying the record with Van Halen. The song is featured in the NBA 2K19 soundtrack.

"Right Left Wrong" is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. It was released as the third single from their sixth studio album Outsider on November 13, 2018. It was written by Neil Sanderson, Gavin Brown, Barry Stock, Brad Walst and Matt Walst. It is the band's 15th song to top the Mainstream Rock chart.

<i>Explosions</i> (Three Days Grace album) 2022 studio album by Three Days Grace

Explosions is the seventh studio album by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. It was released on May 6, 2022, through RCA Records. The album was produced by Howard Benson and by the band themselves. It the band's third album to feature Matt Walst as lead vocalist, and their last before the return of founding vocalist Adam Gontier in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mayday (Three Days Grace song)</span> 2024 single by Three Days Grace

"Mayday" is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. It was released on November 22, 2024, via RCA Records as the lead single from their upcoming eighth studio album. The song marks the return of vocalist Adam Gontier, who returned to the group in October 2024 after an 11-year absence, with Gontier now sharing lead vocal duties with Matt Walst.

References

  1. 1 2 Hartmann, Graham (March 31, 2014). "Three Days Grace Unveil New Song Painkiller". Loudwire . Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Three Days Grace Add to Chart Record With New No. 1 Hit Painkiller". Loudwire . June 10, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  3. ↑ Childers, Chad (March 28, 2014). "Three Days Grace Confirm That Matt Walst Will Continue As Band's Frontman". Loudwire . Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Painkiller - Single by Three Days Grace". iTunes . Archived from the original on June 28, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Three Days Grace -- Making of "Painkiller"". YouTube. April 1, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Painkiller". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  7. ↑ Neil Sanderson (May 22, 2014). "Neil Sanderson Details Three Days Grace's Recording Process For New Album". Loudwire . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  8. ↑ Gary Graff (July 18, 2014). "Three Days Grace 'Almost Done' New Album, Predict 2015 Release". Billboard . Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  9. ↑ James Wood (March 22, 2015). "Three Days Grace Guitarist Barry Stock Discusses Gear and New Album, 'Human'". Guitar World . Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Three Days Grace Win Rock Song of the Year in the 4th Annual Loudwire Music Awards". Loudwire . February 3, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Three Days Grace Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Three Days Grace Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Three Days Grace Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Three Days Grace Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard . Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Rock Airplay Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard . Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Three Days Grace – Painkiller". Music Canada . Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  18. ↑ "American single certifications – Three Days Grace – Painkiller". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 2 November 2018.


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.