"The Dumb Song" is a song by American pop band AJR. It was released on April 21, 2023, via Mercury Records as the third single from the band's fifth studio album The Maybe Man.
| "The Dumb Song" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by AJR | ||||
| from the album The Maybe Man | ||||
| Released | April 21, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 2023 | |||
| Length | 3:45 | |||
| Label | Mercury | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Ryan Met | |||
| AJR singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "The Dumb Song" on YouTube | ||||
Promotion
editOn January 9, 2023, the first teaser for the song was posted on YouTube, showing the end of the third verse.[1] The song was teased again on March 28 and April 2, 2023, with a third teaser on April 11 revealing the song's title.[2] More teasers were published on YouTube Shorts on April 13, April 16, and April 20, before "The Dumb Song" was released on April 21, 2023.[1]
Composition and lyrics
edit"The Dumb Song" is composed in 4
4 time signature in the key of F major during the verses and in C major during the choruses and follows a tempo of 171 beats per minute (bpm). The protagonist of the song doubts their own opinions and methods of doing things due to what other people say.[3][4]
Music video
editA music video for "The Dumb Song" directed by Edoardo Ranaboldo and Austin Roa was released on April 21, 2023.[5] The video differs from the band's standard music videos by centering the focus on AJR writing and producing the song over a year-and-a-half period, starting with the writing process in a newly built studio in October 2021.[6] The initial guitar and bass are recorded and more writing is done in February 2022. In March 2022, Jack reunites with college friends Andrew Sobelsohn and Martin Liberman, who later in September 2022 become backing vocalists on the song with Andrew additionally performing guitar.[7] Work on the song is temporarily paused during May, June, and July 2022 to perform a world tour.[8] The drums and trumpet are first recorded in August 2022, and the band starts revising demo mixes in November 2022. The music video ends with the band listening to the song's final mix in their car, approving it.[9] The video has amassed over 3.5 million views as of April 2024.
Personnel
editCredits adapted from Tidal.[10]
- Adam Met – instruments, composer
- Jack Met – main vocals, instruments, composer
- Ryan Met – instruments, composer, producer, programming
- Chris Gehringer – mastering engineer
- Chloe Brettholtz – kid voice
- Chris Berry – drums
- Arnetta Johnson – trumpet
- Andrew Sobelsohn – backing vocals, guitar
- Martin Liberman – backing vocals
- Alba Avoricani – backing vocals
- Honore Balan – backing vocals
- Nell Balan – backing vocals
- Cat Capps – backing vocals
- Rob Piccione – backing vocals
Charts
edit| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[11] | 33 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[12] | 26 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[13] | 23 |
References
edit- ^ a b McEwen, Alex (April 23, 2023). "Alternative band AJR releases new single from upcoming album with a unique music video". Culturess. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ ABC Audio (April 13, 2023). "AJR shares clip of new track, "The Dumb Song"". 98KUPD. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ Krietzberg, Ian (April 21, 2023). "'The Dumb Song'; AJR Drops Fun New Single". The Song Wire. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ Xttrawave (April 21, 2023). "AJR – 'The Dumb Song' Lyrics: The Deeper Meaning of Imperfection". Xttrawave. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ Maeoka, Toshio (April 21, 2023). "AJR Releases New Song "The Dumb Song"". pm studio. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ Vigil, Dom (April 21, 2023). "AJR Return With New Single, "The Dumb Song"". Prelude Press. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ Cason, Braeden (May 1, 2023). "AJR New Release: "The Dumb Song"". HHS Rampage. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ Melodic Mag (April 23, 2023). "AJR Release First Single of 2023, "The Dumb Song"". MELODIC Magazine. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ "Live a year in the life of AJR with new single, "The Dumb Song"". MOViN 92.5. April 21, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ "Credits / The Dumb Song / AJR". Tidal. April 21, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 1, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ "AJR Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ "AJR Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2023.