The Kids Aren't Alright (Fall Out Boy song)

Last updated

"The Kids Aren't Alright"
Promotional single by Fall Out Boy
from the album American Beauty/American Psycho
ReleasedDecember 15, 2014
Recorded2014
Genre
Length4:20
Label
Songwriter(s)

"The Kids Aren't Alright" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy. It was released as a promotional single from their sixth studio album, American Beauty/American Psycho , as a digital download with pre-orders of the album. [2] [3]

Contents

Background and release

"The Kids Aren’t Alright" was released onto their YouTube account on December 14, 2014, and released the next day as a digital download with pre-orders of the album along with the singles "Centuries" and "American Beauty/American Psycho". [4] [5] It coincided with the release of the second official single from the album, "American Beauty/American Psycho", along with the album artwork and track listing. [6] [7] When asked which American Beauty/American Psycho track the band was most proud of, Pete Wentz responded, "It's hard to say because it's like having kids. [Patrick] says The Kids Aren't Alright". [8] The song is the fourth song on Fall Out Boy's sixth studio album American Beauty/American Psycho , and it runs the length of four minutes and twenty seconds. [2]

A remix of the song featuring Azealia Banks was included on the remix album Make America Psycho Again .

Composition

Collin Brennan of Consequence of Sound described the song as being a "slowed-down pop gem". [9]

Commercial performance

The song debuted at No. 18 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart which lists the top singles that have yet to chart on the main Billboard Hot 100. It also reached No. 10 on the US Hot Rock Songs chart. Three weeks after its release, "The Kids Aren't Alright" debuted at No. 189 the UK Singles Chart week ending January 17, 2015. [10]

Chart performance

Related Research Articles

<i>From Under the Cork Tree</i> 2005 studio album by Fall Out Boy

From Under the Cork Tree is the second studio album by the American rock band Fall Out Boy, released on May 3, 2005 by Island Records as the band's major label debut. The music was composed by lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Patrick Stump, with all lyrics penned by bassist Pete Wentz, expanding the band's songwriting approach they took for some songs on their debut album, Take This to Your Grave (2003). Neal Avron served as the album's producer. Commenting on the record's lyrical themes, Wentz said the lyrics were about "the anxiety and depression that goes along with looking at your own life." In support of its release, the group headlined tours worldwide and played at various music festivals. For their Black Clouds and Underdogs tour, the album was re-released as From Under the Cork Tree , featuring new songs and remixes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Wentz</span> American musician

Peter Lewis Kingston Wentz III is an American musician who is the bassist and lyricist for the rock band Fall Out Boy. Before the band's formation in 2001, Wentz was a fixture of the Chicago hardcore scene and was the lead singer and songwriter for Arma Angelus, a metalcore band. During Fall Out Boy's hiatus from 2009 to 2012, Wentz formed the experimental, electropop and dubstep group Black Cards. He owns a record label, DCD2 Records, which has signed bands including Panic! at the Disco and Gym Class Heroes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick Stump</span> American musician (born 1984)

Patrick Martin Stumph, known professionally as Patrick Vaughn Stump, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Fall Out Boy, originally from Wilmette, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race</span> 2006 single by Fall Out Boy

"This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy and the second single from their commercially successful third studio album Infinity on High (2007). The song officially debuted on November 21 at the American Music Awards and impacted US radio on December 5. The music was composed by vocalist and guitarist Patrick Stump and the lyrics were penned by bassist Pete Wentz, following the band's songwriting approach which first began with some songs on their 2003 album Take This to Your Grave. Production was handled by Neal Avron, who also produced the band's previous From Under the Cork Tree album. Commenting on the band's decision to pick the track as the first single, Wentz said "There may be other songs on the record that would be bigger radio hits, but this one had the right message."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fall Out Boy discography</span>

The American rock band Fall Out Boy has released eight studio albums, two live albums, two compilation albums, one remix album, one mixtape, nine extended plays, 39 singles, and 53 music videos. Since their formation in 2001, Fall Out Boy have sold over 8.5 million albums worldwide and some estimates are around 30 million. The band was formed in Wilmette, Illinois by friends Joe Trohman and Pete Wentz, who had played in local Chicago hardcore punk and heavy metal bands; Patrick Stump was soon recruited as the band's lead singer. They debuted with the split EP Project Rocket / Fall Out Boy (2002) and the mini-LP Fall Out Boy's Evening Out with Your Girlfriend (2003), both released on Uprising Records. After the release of the latter, drummer Andy Hurley joined Fall Out Boy and Stump picked up guitar, forming the band's current lineup. After signing to indie-label Fueled by Ramen, Fall Out Boy released their first full-length studio album, Take This to Your Grave, in May 2003. Following the album's release, the band signed with major label Island Records. Their second studio album From Under the Cork Tree was released in May 2005 to great commercial success, peaking at number nine on the United States Billboard 200 and being certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album's popularity was aided by the success of its first two singles, "Sugar, We're Goin Down" and "Dance, Dance", which both became top ten hits on the US Billboard Hot 100 and eventually sold over two million downloads each.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fall Out Boy</span> American rock band

Fall Out Boy is an American rock band formed in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Patrick Stump, bassist Pete Wentz, lead guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band originated from Chicago's hardcore punk scene and was formed by Wentz and Trohman as a pop-punk side project; Stump joined shortly thereafter. The group went through a succession of drummers before Hurley joined. Their debut album, Take This to Your Grave (2003), became an underground success and helped the band gain a dedicated fan base through heavy touring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Care (Fall Out Boy song)</span> 2008 single by Fall Out Boy

"I Don't Care" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy and the lead single from the group's fourth studio album Folie à Deux in 2008. It was first available for listening on the band's website on September 3, 2008. The song impacted radio on September 16. It is its album's best known song, being certified two-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipments of two million units, with over 500,000 sales in its first four months alone. In the United States, the song reached No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, placing lower than the No. 2 lead single, "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race", of the band's previous 2007 album Infinity on High. It received radio play at Modern Rock and Pop stations, charting at No. 21 on Billboard's Hot Modern Rock Tracks and No. 22 on Pop Songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">America's Suitehearts</span> 2008 single by Fall Out Boy

"America's Suitehearts" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy and the second single taken from their fourth studio album, Folie à Deux (2008). Initially released to iTunes in promotion before the album's release, "America's Suitehearts" was later serviced to radio on January 20, 2009. A demo/snippet titled "America's Sweethearts" was included on the band's mixtape, Welcome to the New Administration, as part of their viral campaign in promotion of their record. The music video was unveiled at 3PM on January 1, 2009 on The N. Bassist/lyricist Pete Wentz commented that the song was about society's fixation with celebrities. The music was composed by vocalist/guitarist Patrick Stump.

<i>Save Rock and Roll</i> 2013 studio album by Fall Out Boy

Save Rock and Roll is the fifth studio album by the American Pop rock band Fall Out Boy, released on April 12, 2013, by Island Records. It was the band's first album in five years after Folie à Deux (2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alone Together (Fall Out Boy song)</span> 2013 single by Fall Out Boy

"Alone Together" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy from their fifth studio album Save Rock and Roll (2013). It was released to American mainstream radio as the album's third overall single and second mainstream radio single on August 6, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Centuries (song)</span> Fall Out Boy song

"Centuries" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released September 9, 2014 as the lead single from their sixth studio album, American Beauty/American Psycho (2015). Co-written by Fall Out Boy members and producers J. R. Rotem and Omega, the single reached number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the band's fourth top ten hit and first in eight years, since "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" in 2007, and was certified quadruple Platinum by the RIAA. It reached number one on the UK Rock and Metal Chart. A gladiator-themed music video was created for the song. In 2015, "Centuries" was nominated for the Kerrang! Award for Best Single. Fall Out Boy has played the song numerous times on televised performances, and it was used as ESPN's official theme song for sports coverage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Immortals (song)</span> 2014 single by Fall Out Boy

"Immortals" is a song written and recorded by American rock band Fall Out Boy for the 2014 Walt Disney Animation Studios film Big Hero 6. An alternative version appears on the band's sixth studio album American Beauty/American Psycho (2015).

<i>American Beauty/American Psycho</i> 2015 studio album by Fall Out Boy

American Beauty/American Psycho is the sixth studio album by American Pop rock band Fall Out Boy, released on January 16, 2015 through Island Records as the follow-up to the band's comeback album Save Rock and Roll (2013). The band wrote music while on tour with Paramore mid-2014 and it developed into a new album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Beauty/American Psycho (song)</span> 2014 single by Fall Out Boy

"American Beauty/American Psycho" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy. It was released on December 15, 2014 as the second UK radio single from their sixth studio album of the same name, released in 2015. An accompanying music video was released. The song debuted at No. 15 on the US Hot Rock Songs chart. A remix of the song features vocals by ASAP Ferg which was included in the remixed album, Make America Psycho Again (2015).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irresistible (Fall Out Boy song)</span> 2015 single by Fall Out Boy

"Irresistible" is a song written and recorded by the American rock band Fall Out Boy from their sixth studio album, American Beauty/American Psycho (2015). Initially released as the second promotional single from the album on January 5, 2015, it debuted at No. 77 in the US and No. 70 in the UK. In February 2015, it was released as the band's third UK single, and a music video was released on February 19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uma Thurman (song)</span> 2015 song by Fall Out Boy

"Uma Thurman" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released digitally on January 12, 2015. The song prominently features sampled theme music from the television series The Munsters (1964–66) and lyrics celebrating the actress Uma Thurman, famous for films such as Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill.

<i>Make America Psycho Again</i> 2015 remix album by Fall Out Boy

Make America Psycho Again is the first remix album by Fall Out Boy, released on October 30, 2015. The album is a remixed version of the band's original album American Beauty/American Psycho, and features a different rapper on each song. The album drew in over 13,000 equivalent copies in the United States its debut week. The title alludes to the "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan used by then-presidential candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 election cycle. The album artwork features a red-tinted photo of the same face-painted boy from the original cover, holding a sparkler.

<i>Mania</i> (Fall Out Boy album) 2018 studio album by Fall Out Boy

Mania is the seventh studio album by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released on January 19, 2018, on Island Records and DCD2 as the follow-up to their sixth studio album, American Beauty/American Psycho (2015). The album was produced by Jonny Coffer, D. Sardy, Jesse Shatkin, and longtime collaborator Butch Walker, as well as self-production from the band. The album was preceded by five singles; "Young and Menace", "Champion", "The Last of the Real Ones", "Hold Me Tight or Don't", and "Wilson ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young and Menace</span> 2017 single by Fall Out Boy

"Young and Menace" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released on April 27, 2017, through Island Records and DCD2. It was released as the lead single from the band's seventh studio album, Mania. The music video was released simultaneously with the single.

"Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released on January 11, 2018, through Island Records and DCD2. It was released as the fifth single from their seventh studio album, Mania. A music video was released with the single.

References

  1. Shoemaker, Whitney (December 19, 2019). "The Best Emo Songs Of The Decade That Defined The 2010'S". Alternative Press . Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "iTunes - Music - American Beauty / American Psycho by Fall Out Boy". iTunes. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  3. "Fall Out Boy unveil new song, album artwork". Digital Spy . December 15, 2014.
  4. "Fall Out Boy - The Kids Aren't Alright (Audio)". YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  5. "Fall Out Boy — TONIGHT! starting at midnight EST, you'll be able..." Falloutboy.com. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  6. "Fall Out Boy reveal new song 'The Kids Aren't Alright' and new album artwork – listen - NME". NME . December 15, 2014.
  7. "Fall Out Boy Shares New Song, Tracklist & Cover Art For 'American Beauty/American Psycho". Billboard .
  8. Wentz, Pete. "iTunes on Facebook - "Fall Out Boy is ready to answer your fan questions! Start asking them in the comments now! http://facebook.itunes.com/FallOutBoy" comment by Fall Out Boy - "hm hard to say cause its like having kids. patrick says kids arent alright."". facebook.com/iTunesUS. Fall Out Boy. Retrieved January 23, 2015. hm hard to say cause its like having kids. patrick says kids arent alright.{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  9. Brennan, Collin (January 15, 2015). "Album Review: Fall Out Boy – American Beauty/American Psycho". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved January 22, 2023. When he finally settles down and stops packing his lines like carry-on suitcases, we get a slowed-down pop gem like "The Kids Aren't Alright".
  10. 1 2 "Chart Log UK: New Entries Update: 17 January 2015". zobbel.de. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  11. "Fall Out Boy Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  12. "Fall Out Boy Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  13. "Hot Rock Songs : Dec 31, 2015 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved January 3, 2016.