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Bored to Death (song)

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"Bored to Death"
Single by Blink-182
from the album California
ReleasedApril 27, 2016 (2016-04-27)
RecordedJanuary–March 2016
StudioFoxy Studios (Woodland Hills, California)
Genre
Length3:55
LabelBMG
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)John Feldmann
Blink-182 singles chronology
"After Midnight"
(2011) 		"Bored to Death"
(2016) 		"She's Out of Her Mind"
(2016)

"Bored to Death" is a song recorded by American rock band Blink-182 for the group's seventh studio album, California (2016). The song was released as the lead single from California on April 27, 2016 through BMG. "Bored To Death" was written by the band's bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus, drummer Travis Barker, guitarist and vocalist Matt Skiba, and producer John Feldmann. It is Skiba's first single with the band, and the first single to not feature original guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge. The song was among the first written for California, and was begun on the first day writing with Feldmann.

The song topped Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, becoming the band's first number one in 12 years. It received positive reviews from music critics, who compared it to the band's older sound. The song's music video, directed by Rob Soucy, finds a disenchanted teenager daydreaming about a girl while stuck in class at his high school. In promotion of the song, the group performed it on both Good Morning America and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Electronic musician Steve Aoki produced a remix of the song, which was released in August 2016.

Since its release, the song has been a concert staple and has been played on every subsequent tour even after DeLonge returned to the band in 2022.

Background

[edit]
John Feldmann wrote the first draft of the song's chorus.

"Bored To Death" originated in the band's first recording session with John Feldmann in January 2016; the band also recorded nearly three other songs on that first day.[1] The chorus was written by Skiba as a response to Hoppus's verse of "us traversing a relationship and kind of navigating through when things get real murky." Skiba elaborated on its meaning an interview: "It's easier to say you're bored, or to be angry, than it is to be sad. To me, that's what that verse and that song represents."[2] Feldmann wrote the first draft of the chorus and presented it to Hoppus, who re-wrote portions and created the line "life is too short to last long." Feldmann noted that although he knew Hoppus, he felt as though he were auditioning for the job as producer.[3] "My idea for the song was very much, "let's throw everything and the kitchen sink at it," Feldmann said. "Let's do everything I can think of that reminds me of classic Blink: the guitar riffs, the kind of hip-hop/drum and bass songs, the half-time choruses like in "Stay Together for the Kids"."[4]

Skiba heard the song and wrote the second verse, singing the vocal take in one pass.[3] Barker's drumming on the verses was inspired by drum and bass music. "John would be like, 'Trav, do some of that weird shit you play with EDM or rap artists.' And I'd be like, 'OK,'" he said on the recording process.[5] At one point, Barker told Feldmann, "Why don't you give me one minute of click and let me just play whatever the fuck I want?" His improvisational section became the song's conclusion.[3]

Composition

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"Bored to Death"
The end of the song's bridge and final chorus.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The song's choruses contain the lyrics "Save your breath / I'm nearly bored to death / And fading fast / Life is too short to last long" over Barker's half-time drums. Hoppus and Skiba alternate on lead vocals between verses. The bridge of the song has Hoppus singing of a protagonist, encouraged by friends to approach a girl at a dive bar. The section features strings swelling to a crescendo. As the final chorus begins, Hoppus's vocals are isolated on the first half of the refrain.[6]

Paul Brown of Wall of Sound described the song as a "catchy" pop-punk song.[7]

Release

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The song was scheduled to debut on April 28, 2016 during Kevin and Bean on Los Angeles radio station KROQ, but was moved ahead by one day when the song leaked.[8] Its lyric video was published to YouTube too early by the band's head of marketing. "I found out about it because we had just finished rehearsal and I literally picked up my phone to check my messages there were all these alerts saying 'I love the new Blink song,'" Hoppus said.[6] Disc jockey Stryker premiered the song with Hoppus, Barker, and Skiba in the studio with him.[8] In promotion of the song and the album, the group performed "Bored to Death" on Good Morning America on July 1,[9] and on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on July 11, 2016.[10]

Commercial performance

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"Bored to Death" was first serviced to alternative radio on May 3, 2016.[11] The song was picked up by 57 Mediabase-monitored alternative stations in the US and Canada in its debut week, more than tripling its competition.[12] It debuted at number 18 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart and later at number 85 on Billboard Hot 100. Its debut was the group's highest-ever on the former chart, and to that point in 2016.[13] Over the ensuing weeks, the song rose in positions, holding at number two for three weeks. For the week ending July 9, 2016, the song reached the top of the chart, marking the band's third number-one. It became the group's first chart-topper since "I Miss You" in 2004, marking the second-longest span in between number ones in the chart's history, behind only Jane's Addiction.[14] "Bored to Death" also peaked at number six on the magazine's Mainstream Rock Songs chart, making it the band's first top 10 to ever reach that chart, which is based solely on radio airplay.[14]

Critical reception

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"Bored to Death" received positive reviews from contemporary music critics. Gil Kaufman at Billboard deemed it "a classic tale of teenage yearning, confusion and clumsy flirting."[6] The Houston Chronicle's Mike Damante felt the song was "undeniably Blink," calling it a "catchy summer single that equally showcases the band’s maturity while still tugging at your nostalgia strings."[15] Michelle Geslani of Consequence of Sound wrote that "this comeback single proves they haven’t lost their touch for big, albeit harmless, pop punk hooks."[16] MTV columnist Loren DiBlasi felt it "proves Blink-182's resilience, and undeniable place within the world of pop-punk."[17] Stereogum's Tom Breihan complimented its "grand, surging, arena-style," noting its "massed guitars and vast and heartfelt chorus."[18] August Brown, reporting for the Los Angeles Times, considered the track "a pretty spot-on update of the band's sound, pairing teenage nostalgia and tense drumming with a KROQ-ready chorus."[19]

Jessica Goodman, writing for Entertainment Weekly, gave the song an A−, commenting that "the tune is reminiscent of some of their most beloved tracks,"[20] and Sarah Grant at Rolling Stone opined that the song felt like a sequel to the band's 2001 single "The Rock Show".[21] Jake Bender of #Tealcheese wrote that the song "feels like it's trying way too hard to call back to blink fans from the peak of their popularity (Enema of the State), while combining that sound with the more modern and alternative rock aesthetic of their self-titled album and Neighborhoods."[22]

Personnel

[edit]

Music video

[edit]

The song's official music video debuted on June 20, 2016. In the clip, directed by Rob Soucy, a disenchanted teenager daydreams about his girlfriend of his dreams while stuck in class at his high school. The two sneak into pools, have fun on the beach, cause havoc in a record shop, and go to a punk rock concert. The video is intertwined with performance footage of Blink-182 performing.[23] This video was also the last one to be uploaded to Blink-182's VEVO channel.

Remix

[edit]
"Bored to Death (Steve Aoki Remix)"
Single by Blink-182 and Steve Aoki
ReleasedAugust 31, 2016 (2016-08-31)
Length3:58
LabelBMG
Songwriter(s)
  • Mark Hoppus
  • Travis Barker
  • Matt Skiba
  • John Feldmann
  • Steve Aoki
Producer(s)
  • John Feldmann
  • Steve Aoki
Steve Aoki singles chronology
"Be Yourself"
(2016) 		"Bored to Death (Steve Aoki Remix)"
(2016) 		"Supernova (Interstellar)"
(2016)

Electronic musician Steve Aoki released a remix of "Bored to Death" on August 31, 2016. Aoki professed to being a "huge" Blink-182 fan, dating back to their debut album Cheshire Cat. He had long wanted to work with the group, and became friends with Barker in 2010, which led to the opportunity. He worked with the band at Feldmann's studio not long after the song was recorded to exchange ideas before producing the remix on his own. In creating his remix, he desired to "make a fun, crazed out drop that would make kids go wild to this song at my shows. It's definitely the peak moment for me in my sets when I want the energy level at 11. I play this remix in every DJ set around the world, and I always stop the music to let the crowd know that Blink-182 is one of my favorite bands in the world."[24]

The song premiered on Rolling Stone's website on August 30, 2016, and was released digitally for purchase the following day. In addition, the song was released on a limited-edition 12-inch picture disc.[25]

Track listing

[edit]
  • Digital download
  1. "Bored to Death" – 3:55
  • Promo CD (PROMOBMG1238)
  1. "Bored to Death" (radio edit) – 3:33
  2. "Bored to Death" – 3:55

Steve Aoki remix

[edit]
  • Digital download
  1. "Bored to Death" (Steve Aoki Remix) – 3:58
  • 12" vinyl
  1. "Bored to Death" (Steve Aoki Remix) – 3:58

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Bored to Death"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[40] Gold 35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[41] Platinum 80,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[42] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[43] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Radio and release history

[edit]
Country Date Format Label
United States April 27, 2016 Radio debut[8] BMG
United States May 3, 2016 Alternative radio[11] BMG

References

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  1. ^ Kaufman, Gil (April 28, 2016). "Blink-182 Talks 'Brohemian Rhapsody,' Andre 3000 & Gross Album Titles They Rejected". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  2. ^ Kile, Meredith B. (May 2, 2016). "EXCLUSIVE: Blink-182 Opens Up About 'Rebirth,' New Album and Moving On Without Tom DeLonge". ETOnline.com. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Sherman, Maria (May 5, 2016). "Producer John Feldmann on Blink-182's 'Bored to Death': 'It Gave Me Goosebumps on the Spot'". Fuse.com. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  4. ^ Sherman, Maria (June 30, 2016). "Blink-182's 'California' Through Producer John Feldmann's Eyes: Track-By-Track". Fuse.com. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  5. ^ Appleford, Steve (April 29, 2016). "Blink-182 Celebrate Rebirth at Goofy L.A. Karaoke Bash". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c Kaufman, Gil (April 28, 2016). "Blink-182 Releases First Single With New Lineup, 'Bored to Death,' Announce 'California' Release Date". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  7. ^ Brown, Paul. "Has Blink-182's new single "Bored to Death" hit or missed the mark?". Wall of Sound. Retrieved January 26, 2023. It's actually a catchy…pop-punk song.
  8. ^ a b c "Blink-182 Premieres New Song 'Bored to Death'". Radio.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  9. ^ Gracie, Bianca (July 1, 2016). "Blink-182 Performs Classic Hits on 'Good Morning America'". Fuse.com. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  10. ^ Blistein, Jon (July 12, 2016). "Watch Blink-182 Bring Rousing 'Bored to Death' to 'Colbert'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 13, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  12. ^ "HITS Daily Double". Mediabase. Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  13. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (May 6, 2016). "Blink-182 Achieves Its Highest Alternative Songs Debut Ever With 'Bored to Death'". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  14. ^ a b Rutherford, Kevin (June 28, 2016). "Blink-182 Tops Alternative Songs Chart for First Time in 12 Years". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  15. ^ Damante, Mike (April 27, 2016). "New music roundup: blink-182, Tokyo Police Club, Matt & Kim, NOFX". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved April 28, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ Geslani, Michelle (April 27, 2016). "Blink-182 shares "Bored to Death", first single since Tom DeLonge's departure — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  17. ^ DiBlasi, Loren (April 27, 2016). "Blink-182 Makes A Soaring Comeback On 'Bored To Death'". MTV News. Archived from the original on April 28, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  18. ^ Breihan, Tom (April 28, 2016). "Blink-182 – "Bored To Death"". Stereogum. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  19. ^ Brown, August (April 28, 2016). "Blink-182 releases first post-Tom DeLonge single". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  20. ^ Goodman, Jessica (April 29, 2016). "Beyoncé, Blink-182, Fetty Wap: Grading the week's best (and worst) new singles". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  21. ^ Grant, Sarah (April 28, 2016). "Blink-182 Detail U.S. Tour, New Album 'California'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  22. ^ Bender, Jake (April 28, 2016). "Blink 182 "Bored To Death" Track Review". #Tealcheese. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  23. ^ Payne, Chris (June 20, 2016). "Blink-182 Take Us Back to the Rock Show in 'Bored to Death' Video". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  24. ^ "Hear Steve Aoki's Euphoric New Blink-182 Remix". Rolling Stone. August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  25. ^ "Steve Aoki". Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  26. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  27. ^ "UK Singles Chart: CLUK Update May 7, 2016". United Kingdom: ChartsPlus. May 7, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  28. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart". Official Charts Company. May 6, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  29. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart". Official Charts Company. May 6, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  30. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  31. ^ "Blink-182 Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  32. ^ "Year-End Charts: Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (2016)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  33. ^ "Year-End Charts: Rock Airplay Songs (2016)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
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