Superposition (song)

Last updated
"Superposition"
Single by Young the Giant
from the album Mirror Master
ReleasedAugust 23, 2018 [1]
Studio
  • The Village Studios
  • The Doghouse Studio
Genre
Length3:50
Label Elektra
Songwriter(s)
  • Sameer Gadhia
  • Payam Doostzadeh
  • Jacob Tilley
  • Francois Comtois
  • Eric Cannata
Producer(s)
Young the Giant singles chronology
"Simplify"
(2018)		"Superposition"
(2018)		"Heat of the Summer"
(2018)
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.

Contents

Background and recording

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]

Critical reception

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]

Chart performance

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.

Music video

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.

Usage in media

"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]

Track listing

Superposition (Reflection) EP [19]
No.TitleLength
1."Superposition (Reflection)"3:30
2."Superposition"3:50
3."Superposition (Reprise)"3:46
Total length:11:06

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [27] Gold500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. 1 2 "Young the Giant: Superposition [OFFICIAL VIDEO]". August 23, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2019– via YouTube.
  2. ↑ Emily Grinberg (April 18, 2019). "Young the Giant's Latest Version of "Superposition" Is the Dreamiest One Yet". Soundigest. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Young the Giant: Superposition (Reprise) [OFFICIAL VIDEO]". YouTube . January 16, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Young the Giant: Superposition (Reflection) [OFFICIAL AUDIO]". YouTube . April 12, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  5. ↑ Young the Giant (February 18, 2019). "Young the Giant on Twitter: 12 years have flown by..." Twitter . Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  6. ↑ Young the Giant (January 17, 2019). "Young the Giant on Twitter: Superposition reprise is a deconstructed negative of the original". Twitter . Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  7. ↑ Young the Giant (April 12, 2019). "Young the Giant on Twitter: Superposition (Reflection) is out!!". Twitter . Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Young the Giant - "Superposition" [LIVE @ SiriusXM]". YouTube . January 26, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  9. ↑ Neil Yeung. "Mirror Master – Young the Giant". AllMusic . Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  10. ↑ Chris Bach (November 6, 2018). "Young the Giant disappoints with 'Mirror Master'". WRBB . Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  11. ↑ Kerry Rork (October 17, 2018). "Young the Giant's 'Mirror Master' is a story of self discovery". Duke Chronicle . Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  12. ↑ Brian Cantor (February 17, 2019). "Young The Giant's "Superposition" Reaches #1 At Alternative Radio". Headline Planet. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  13. 1 2 TV News Desk (August 24, 2018). "Young the Giant Announces New Album Mirror Master and Fall Tour". Broadway World. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  14. ↑ Denise Warner (May 16, 2019). "The Music From the Best 'Merluca' Moments on Season 15 of 'Grey's Anatomy'". Billboard . Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Young The Giant music featured in movies and TV shows". Tunefind . Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Current singles from Five Finger Death Punch and Young The Giant arrive in Rock Band 4!". Harmonix Music . March 21, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  17. ↑ Bob Diehl (January 25, 2019). "Watch Young the Giant Perform "Superposition" on 'Late Night'". Radio.com . Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  18. ↑ Marina Pedrosa (October 5, 2018). "Young the Giant Bring the Feels With 'Simplify' Performance On 'Kimmel'". Billboard . Archived from the original on October 5, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Superposition (Reflection)". Spotify . Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Young The Giant – Superposition" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  21. ↑ "Young the Giant Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Young the Giant Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Young the Giant Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Young the Giant Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  27. ↑ "American single certifications – Young the Giant – Superposition". Recording Industry Association of America.
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