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Believe (Mumford & Sons song)

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"Believe"
Single by Mumford & Sons
from the album Wilder Mind
B-side
Released9 March 2015 (2015-03-09)
Recorded2014–2015
StudioAIR Studios (London)
GenreAlternative rock
Length3:41
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)James Ford
Mumford & Sons singles chronology
"Hopeless Wanderer"
(2013) 		"Believe"
(2015) 		"The Wolf"
(2015)
Music video
"Believe Official Audio" on YouTube

"Believe" is a song by British rock band Mumford & Sons. The song was released on 9 March 2015, serving as the lead single from the band's third studio album, Wilder Mind (2015). The song marks a significant departure in the sound of the band, substituting their acoustic instrumentation for electric with a more alternative sound being featured in the song.

Background

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After attending a friend's wedding in Texas, USA, the band stayed at a ranch for a week to write songs. Mumford, the band's usual songwriter, left a day early and by the time the band met up again in London, Dwane, Lovett and Marshall had written the song "Believe". The band then built the song up together, which was eventually recorded and produced by James Ford. The song has a length of 3 minutes and 41 seconds. The song, which has rock music influences and was inspired by bands such as the National, is considered a departure from the folk rock sound Mumford & Sons had become known for on their albums Sigh No More and Babel.

"Believe" was first aired on BBC Radio 1 on 9 March 2015 and was subsequently made available to download Worldwide.

Critical reception

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Many music critics complimented the band's change of sound. NME gave the song a very positive review, saying "'Believe' proves that the Mumfords know exactly what they're doing. Twinkling synths herald its arrival, as Marcus softly deals with weighty matters of the heart. "I don't even know if I believe/everything you're trying to say to me," he croons, as the song keeps relatively light on its feet over its first half, as languid keys do calmly flirt with the idea of becoming a string section, but then think better of it. It's all change at two minute mark though, when Winston Marshall, finally free from the shackles of the banjo, lets rip a piercing electric guitar wail as the song rockets skywards. From here on in, it's a steady race to epic heights. "Say something like you love me," implores Marcus against increased riffage courtesy of Winston, in what's easily the first stadium-worthy song of 2015".[1] In a positive review, The Independent commented on the lack of banjo in the song, "Synthetic sounds can sometimes create a flatness to a tune, but the Mumfords have managed to use them to create a sense of power and energy that’s hard to resist. The banjo is dead, long live electric".[2] Maud Deitch of Pitchfork Media said in a review of Wilder Mind, "Songs like 'Believe' are so lumbering that they are almost vulgar", criticising Mumford for using his "best Chris Martin-soft-voice".[3]

Chart performance

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"Believe" peaked at number 1 on the US iTunes chart and number 5 on the UK iTunes chart after its release, reaching number 31 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 20 on the UK Official Chart, due to its midweek release.

Music video

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"Believe" was the first Mumford & Sons single to not receive an official music video. An 'Official Audio' video was uploaded to the band's YouTube channel after its radio premiere.

Live performances

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Mumford & Sons made their live return at the 375 capacity Oslo, Hackney on 8 March 2015 with an intimate show for family and friends. The band played again to fans on the following two nights, debuting songs from Wilder Mind, including "Believe". This was followed by shows at small venues in Berlin, Los Angeles, Toronto and New York,[4] with the band playing two nights in each city.

On 11 April 2015, the band performed on Saturday Night Live for the second time, playing "Believe" for the first time on television.[5] On 21 April 2015, the band performed "Believe" on Later... with Jools Holland.[6]

Other versions

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The song was covered by British rock band Nothing But Thieves for the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge series.

Track listing

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Digital download – Single
No.TitleLength
1."Believe"3:41
7" single (Wilder Mind 7” Collectors Box Edition)[7][8]
No.TitleLength
1."Believe"3:41
2."If This Is Love"3:14
7" single (Record Store Day Edition)[9]
No.TitleLength
1."Believe"3:41
2."The Wolf"3:41

Credits and personnel

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Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[38] Gold 5,000^
Italy (FIMI)[39] Gold 25,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[40] Platinum 40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[41] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[42] Gold 500,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Label Format
Worldwide 9 March 2015 Gentlemen of the Road, Island Digital download

References

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  1. ^ NME.COM. "Mumford & Sons Beef Up Their Sound On Banjoless New Single 'Believe' - Track Review - NME.COM". NME.
  2. ^ "Our verdict is in on the new, banjo-free Mumford & Sons song". Independent.co.uk. 10 March 2015.
  3. ^ Deitch, Maud (7 May 2015). "Mumford & Sons: Wilder Mind". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  4. ^ "Mumford & Sons April 6th, 2015 - (le) poisson rouge".
  5. ^ "Taraji P. Henson with Mumford & Sons Episode from Saturday Night Live on NBC.com".
  6. ^ "Later... with Jools Holland - Mumford & Sons". 23 April 2015.
  7. ^ "Wilder Mind 7" Collectors Box".
  8. ^ "Mumford & Sons – Wilder Mind 7" Collectors Box (2015, Box Set)". Discogs. 31 July 2015.
  9. ^ "RSD '15 Special Release: Mumford & Sons - Believe".
  10. ^ "Mumford & Sons – Believe". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  11. ^ "Mumford & Sons – Believe" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  12. ^ "Mumford & Sons – Believe" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  13. ^ "Mumford & Sons – Believe" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  14. ^ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  15. ^ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  16. ^ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  17. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 13. týden 2015 in the date selector. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  18. ^ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  19. ^ "Mumford & Sons – Believe" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  20. ^ "Chart Track: Week 12, 2015". Irish Singles Chart.
  21. ^ "Tutti i successi del 2015" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  22. ^ "Mumford & sons Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Mumford & Sons – Believe" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  24. ^ "Mumford & Sons – Believe". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  25. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  26. ^ "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  27. ^ "Mumford & Sons – Believe". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  28. ^ "Mumford & Sons – Believe". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  29. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  30. ^ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  31. ^ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  32. ^ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  33. ^ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  34. ^ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  35. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  36. ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  37. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  38. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Mumford & Sons – Believe". Music Canada. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  39. ^ "Italian single certifications – Mumford & Sons – Believe" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 21 November 2016. Select "2016" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Believe" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  40. ^ "Sverigetopplistan – Mumford & Sons" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  41. ^ "British single certifications – Mumford & Sons – Believe". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  42. ^ "American single certifications – Mumford & Sons – Believe". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
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