"Superposition" | ||||
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Single by Young the Giant | ||||
from the album Mirror Master | ||||
Released | August 23, 2018 [1] | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 3:50 | |||
Label | Elektra | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Young the Giant singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Superposition" on YouTube |
"Superposition" is a song by American alternative rock band Young the Giant, promoted as the second single off of the band's fourth album, Mirror Master . It was released on August 23, 2018, through Elektra Records.
Beyond the original version, two remakes were released: the first one was dubbed "Superposition (Reprise)", recorded in a single day in the Layman Drug Company Studio in Nashville, [2] and uploaded to YouTube on January 16, 2019 [3] while the second was named "Superposition (Reflection)" and posted online on April 12, 2019. [4]
On social media posts, the band has described "Superposition" as "a song about quantum physics that has defied odds". [5] On the Reprise version, they stated it is "a deconstructed negative of the original: a flipper zip on the double helix". [6] Furthermore, on the Reflection version, they added it "is about recognizing the constant that hides behind infinite variations". [7]
Unusual in modern popular music, "Superposition" prominently features the sound of a charango. [8]
While parent album Mirror Master received mixed reviews, "Superposition" was generally well-regarded. Neil Yeung, of AllMusic, said it was an album highlight, "the gorgeous opener that balances alluring beats and heartfelt emotion." [9] Chris Bach, of WRBB, called its lyrics "bland" but praised the "unique and dynamic instrumental", adding that it is "the centerpiece of this album". [10] The "extensive physics metaphors" such as "superposition" and "black stars", plus "the atmospheric sound", were emphasized by Kerry Rork of The Chronicle. [11]
Commercially, "Superposition" climbed to number 2 in the US Alternative Songs chart, tying it with "It's About Time" for the highest-charting single to date by the band, while hitting the top spot in the Mediabase Alternative chart. [12] Additionally, the song hit number 10 in the US Rock Songs chart, number 3 in the US Rock Airplay chart, and number 4 in the US Adult Alternative Songs.
The music video for the track was released on August 23, 2018, the same day it was released as a single. [1] Directed by Computer Team, who also directed "Something To Believe In", [13] it evokes reflection, among other physics-related concepts mentioned throughout the song.
"Superposition" was used in TV shows such as Grey's Anatomy [14] and Roswell, New Mexico , [15] and was made available as a playable song in the video game Rock Band 4 . [16]
The band performed the song live on Late Night with Seth Meyers , [17] Jimmy Kimmel Live! , [18] and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert . [13]
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Superposition (Reflection)" | 3:30 |
2. | "Superposition" | 3:50 |
3. | "Superposition (Reprise)" | 3:46 |
Total length: | 11:06 |
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United States (RIAA) [26] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |