"Something to Believe In" is a song by American alternative rock band Young the Giant. It was released on May 10, 2016 as the second single and first official radio single from their third studio album Home of the Strange (2016).[1] It peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.
| "Something to Believe In" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.png) Official live acoustic performance artwork | ||||
| Single by Young the Giant | ||||
| from the album Home of the Strange | ||||
| Released | May 10, 2016 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:48 | |||
| Label | Fueled by Ramen | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Young the Giant singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Something to Believe In" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editThe song has a theme of finding one's own path and having to defy expectations from others in order to do so. In an interview with NPR, lead singer Sameer Gadhia discussed how the song relates to his own experience of dropping out of college to pursue his music career.[2]
Composition
editThe instrumental of the song includes "a prickly riff emitting Eastern European undertones".[3] Gadhia's voice has been described as becoming "raspy and gritty as he hits the high notes".[4]
Critical reception
editWriting for Euphoria Magazine, Kenneth Ong praised the song, saying that "If this is a sign for what is to come, we are in for a surprise, a pleasant one at that."[4] Critics Pryor Stroud, Chris Ingalls and Chad Miller of PopMatters all reviewed the song; Stroud gave a critical response, writing, "It's a prototypical Young the Giant track through and through, replete with chugging guitars, no-frills indie rock production, and a cloud-clutching chorus." In contrast, Ingalls responded favorably, writing, "It sounds classic and well-crafted without stooping to disposable pop levels." Miller's review was more mixed, praising the melody but deeming the song "a little bit unoriginal".[5]
Charts
edit| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Rock (Billboard)[6] | 21 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[7] | 24 |
| US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[8] | 9 |
References
edit- ^ "Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations, Independent Artist Song Releases |". Allaccess.com. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
- ^ "Young The Giant Touches On Immigrant Background In 'Home Of The Strange'". NPR. August 7, 2016.
- ^ Harris, Keith (August 12, 2016). "Review: Young the Giant's 'Home of the Strange' Explores U.S. Identity". Rolling Stone.
- ^ a b Ong, Kenneth (May 4, 2016). "Young The Giant – Something To Believe In". Euphoria Magazine.
- ^ "Young the Giant – "Something to Believe In" (Singles Going Steady)". PopMatters. August 1, 2016.
- ^ "Young the Giant Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
- ^ "Young the Giant Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
- ^ "Young the Giant Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2022.