"Ronald" is a song by American rock band Falling in Reverse, featuring American rapper Tech N9ne and Russian singer Alex Terrible, of Slaughter to Prevail. It was released on May 7, 2024, through Epitaph Records, as the lead single from the band's fifth studio album Popular Monster.[1]
| "Ronald" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Falling in Reverse featuring Tech N9ne and Alex Terrible | ||||
| from the album Popular Monster | ||||
| Released | May 7, 2024 | |||
| Recorded | 2023 | |||
| Length | 3:17 | |||
| Label | Epitaph | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Falling in Reverse singles chronology | ||||
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| Tech N9ne singles chronology | ||||
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| Alex Terrible singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Ronald" on YouTube | ||||
Promotion and release
editUnlike their previous singles, the band did not promote the song in advance. On May 7, 2024, the single was suddenly released under the name "Ronald" which is the real name of vocalist Ronnie Radke. The song features American rapper Tech N9ne and Slaughter to Prevail's Alex Terrible.[2] In 2022 the band had announced that they were going to release an EP called Neon Zombie, however this did not happen as the band never releases a preview or confirmed a release date.[3]
Seven years after the release of their fourth studio album Coming Home, the band finally announced that they would be releasing their fifth studio album called Popular Monster which was originally supposed to be released on July 26, 2024, however it got pushed back to August 16, 2024.[1] The band also announced "The Popular MonsTour II" in the United States, alongside Dance Gavin Dance, Black Veil Brides, Tech N9ne, Jeris Johnson and Nathan James as headliners.[4] After six years, the band also announced that they will perform outside the United States, headlining the "We Missed Ourselves Fest" in Mexico.[5]
Composition and lyrics
editThe song was written by vocalist Ronnie Radke, Tyler Smyth, All That Remains guitarist Jason Richardson, Tech N9ne and drummer Luke Holland and was composed by Ronnie Radke and Tyler Smyth. It was again produced by Tyler Smyth, Ronnie Radke and Charles Kallaghan Massabo.[6] According to an article about the song by Fresh Flow Nation, "Ronald" dives "into the transition from innocence to the harsh realities of adult life. It's as a blunt outcry against the world's darkness, underlined by a recognition of inner demons and societal evils. This song isn't just a tune; it's a bold wake-up call to the chilling truths that surround us."[7]
The song makes use of deathcore influences in keeping with featured vocalist Alex Terrible's style, such as breakdowns, screaming, and death growls; Tech N9ne's verse features electronic trap production. Tech N9ne received some backlash for the lyrics "Sex change could get you caught up in death's range/He pled sane but really imitating Ed Gein", which were seen by some listeners as transphobic; he later explained on Instagram about the conversely, in which these lines were meant to raise awareness of trans individuals being murdered.[8]
Commercial performance
editThe song entered the Top 100 of YouTube Top Songs Charts in the United States for the first time, debuting at No. 74. The music video became number one on YouTube's trending page in the United States, and already has more than 33 million streams in digital platforms.[9]
Music video
editThe music video was again directed by Jensen Noen, who is acclaimed for his work on other music videos. The music video is a continuation of the video for the single "Watch the World Burn", beginning with Ronnie Radke waking up in an ambulance and attacking the paramedics, who are wearing the same suit as in the previous video. Radke finds himself in a post-apocalyptic world, fleeing from demons and a S.W.A.T team, before appearing with Tech N9ne, who is shown to be God, and sends Radke to hell. He confronts the Devil, who is shown to be Alex Terrible; the video ends with the two fighting, without knowing who was the winner of the fight.[10]
Personnel
editCredits adapted from Genius.[6]
Falling in Reverse
- Ronnie Radke – lead vocals, programming, producer, writer, composer, keyboards
- Max Georgiev – lead guitar
- Christian Thompson – rhythm guitar
- Luke Holland – drums, percussion, writer, composer
- Tyler Burgess – bass
Additional personnel
- Tech N9ne – guest vocals, writer
- Alex Terrible – guest vocals
- Tyler Smyth – producer, strings, additional writer, recording, mixing, mastering, programming, engineered
- Charles Kallaghan Massabo – producer, vocal producer, engineerd, beat instrumental
- Jason Richardson – writer, guitar composer
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[11] | 30 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[12] | 27 |
| UK Singles Sales (OCC)[13] | 79 |
| UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[14] | 73 |
| UK Independent Singles Breakers (OCC)[15] | 17 |
| UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[16] | 20 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[17] | 13 |
| US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[18] | 18 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[19] | 12 |
References
edit- ^ a b DiVita, Joe (May 7, 2024). "Falling In Reverse Announce First Album Since 2017, 'Popular Monster'". Loudwire. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ Gonzalez, Ramon (May 7, 2024). "Falling In Reverse Drop New Collab Track, "Ronald": featuring Tech N9ne and Alex Terrible". Knotfest. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ "Falling in Reverse – Neon Zombie". Genius. January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
- ^ Scythe, Mandy (May 8, 2024). "Falling in Reverse Announce New Album and Tour". MetalSucks. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ Suarez, Miriam (May 1, 2024). "Anuncian a Falling In Reverse como headliner de We Missed Ourselves Fest: precios, fecha y cartel completo" (in Spanish). Infobae. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ a b "Falling in Reverse – Ronald (feat. Tech N9ne & Alex Terrible)". Genius. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ "Meaning of 'Ronald' by 'Falling In Reverse' feat. Tech N9ne, Alex Terrible". Flesh Flow Nation. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- ^ "Instagram".
- ^ DiVita, Joe (May 15, 2024). "Falling In Reverse's 'Ronald' Enters YouTube Top Songs Chart for First Time". Loudwire. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ "Falling In Reverse Premiere New Music Video "Ronald" - Tech N9ne & Alex Terrible Guest". Metal Underground. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 13 May 2024". The ARIA Report. No. 1784. Australian Recording Industry Association. May 13, 2024. p. 9.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart". Official Charts Company. May 10, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Breakers Chart". Official Charts Company. May 17, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ "Falling in Reverse Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ "Falling in Reverse Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Falling in Reverse Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2024.