Irrelevant (song) explained

Irrelevant
Cover:Pink - Irrelevant.png
Border:yes
Type:single
Album:Trustfall (tour deluxe edition)
Recorded:June–July 2022
Genre:
Length:3:52
Label:RCA
Producer:Fitchuk
Prev Title:All I Know So Far
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Never Gonna Not Dance Again
Next Year:2022

"Irrelevant" is a protest song by American singer-songwriter Pink. It was surprise release single on July 14, 2022, through RCA Records. It was written by the singer and the track's producer Ian Fitchuk. A pop punk and pop rock song, it features lyrics advocating for fighting over one's rights and touching on trolls, hypocrites, bad political decisions, and the continued fight for women's rights. Additionally she references Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" (1983) and the Who's "The Kids Are Alright" (1965). The song was highly inspired by the overrule of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as hate and troll comments Pink received after she voiced her opinion about the issue. It was praised by music critics, who named the track a "protest anthem". An accompanying music video, directed by the singer and Brad Comfort, was released on July 18. Irrelevant was later included on the Deluxe Tour Edition of Pink's ninth studio album, Trustfall.

Background and release

See also: Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in a landmark decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, returning the power to define abortion rights or restrictions to the states.[1] The following day, Pink voiced her opinion on Twitter, writing that the people who oppose Roe v. Wade should not listen to her music and instructed them to "fuck right off".[2] [3] The tweet divided the audiences, and generated various hate and troll comments towards the singer, which she was responding to.[4] On July 3, she posted a picture of a microphone in her house with a caption "When they tell you to 'shut up and sing'.... Okay then."[5] On July 12, the singer shared a video where she croons the chorus of "Irrelevant" a cappella.[6] [7] [8] The next day, a photo of a napkin with the song's lyrics appeared on her social media, with a caption "Woke up. Got heated. Wrote song. Coming soon."[9]

"Irrelevant" was released without any prior announcement on July 14 at 12 AM Eastern Time through RCA Records for digital download and streaming.[10] [11] [12] According to Billboard, all of the song's proceeds will be donated to Michelle Obama's nonpartisan voting initiative "When We All Vote".[8] Alongside the release, Pink revealed the cover which is a "blurry snap" depicting her giving the finger;[13] Billboard Gil Kaufman opined that it matches the song's message.[8] She also posted a statement about the track:

"As a woman with an opinion and the fearlessness to voice that opinion, it gets very tiring when the only retort is to tell me how irrelevant I am. I am relevant because I exist, and because I am a human being. No one is irrelevant. And no one can take away my voice."[14]

Composition and reception

"Irrelevant" was written by Pink alongside the track's producer Ian Fitchuk, and it marks their first collaboration.[6] [11] [14] It is a pop punk[2] and pop rock[13] [15] song, described as a protest anthem by music critics.[16] [17] It is a "thumping, guitar-strumming" song,[15] with lyrics encouraging to fight for one's rights.[11] In the pre-chorus she sings "You can call me irrelevant, insignificant / You can try to make me small / I'll be your heretic, you fuckin' hypocrite / I won't think of you at all",[16] after which she asks people who hide their actions behind Christianity: "Does Jesus love the ignorant?"[11] According to her, "he'd gladly take us all".[18] She nods to the Who's "The Kids Are Alright" (1965) chanting in the chorus: "The kids are not alright / None of us are right / I'm tired but I won't sleep tonight / 'Cause I still feel alive / The kids are not alright (not alright)."[8] [13] While in the bridge, she references Cyndi Lauper's 1983 hit "Girls Just Want to Have Fun",[19] belting "Girls just wanna have rights / So why do we have to fight?"[15] Additionally, the singer is claiming ownership of her voice, opinions and self-worth in the song's lyrics.[6]

Good Housekeeping reported that fans were "stunned" by "Irrelevant" and that they "bombard[ed] Pink's Instagram with emotional comments".[5] Alexa Camp of Slant Magazine was keen of the track, opining that it "channels the scrappy energy and brash outspokenness that helped make Pink a star" which was, according to her, lacking on her past few efforts.[2] On a similar note, Julien Goncvales said that "Irrelevant" is a "ferocious anthem, with pop-rock sounds that will delight listeners—early fans".[13] iHeartRadio's Sarah Tate commented that by the song Pink "transform[ed] hateful comments she has received into a powerful protest anthem".[16] Writing for Entertainment Tonight, Sarah Schillaci described the track as "charged-up";[6] while Dan DeLuca from The Philadelphia Inquirer labeled it as an "emphatic protest song, a rallying cry of defiance in which the singer refuses to be defined by others and works herself up into a righteous rage".[19]

Music video

The music video for "Irrelevant" was directed by Pink and Brad Comfort premiered on the former's official YouTube channel on July 18, 2022.[20] It mixes clips taken on various protests and footage that Pink recorded herself in the studio. Protests shown in the video were from civil rights movement, marches in support of MeToo movement, LGBT rights, Black Lives Matter,[21] and calls for an end to gun violence. The video also shows activists like Tarana Burke and Muhammad Ali, as well as politicians like Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani. Billboard Kyle Denis called the visual "chilling" and tracing a "through-line between past and present struggles for justice", in addition commenting: "Although [Pink has] become known for her high-flying acrobatic performances, the star gives an equally arresting performance with her anguished delivery of the lyrics."[20] According to Leach Asmelash of CNN, the singer is protesting against sexism and racism in the video.[21]

Credits and personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022–2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[22] 73
Canadian Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[23] 5
Croatia (HRT)[24] 3
France Airplay (SNEP)[25] 23
Germany Download (Official German Charts)[26] 27
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[27] 17
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[28] 35
Mexico (Billboard Mexico Airplay)[29] 37
Mexico (Billboard Ingles Airplay)[30] 5
Netherlands (Tipparade)[31] 26
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[32] 7
Switzerland Airplay (Hitparade)[33] 51

Year-end charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[34] 190

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Understanding the Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade. Good Housekeeping. Lizz. Schumer. June 24, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220713233814/https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/a39897121/roe-v-wade-overturned-supreme-court/. live.
  2. Web site: Pink's 'Irrelevant' Takes on Twitter Trolls, Hypocrites, and Women's Rights. Slant Magazine. Alexa. Camp. July 14, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220715195142/https://www.slantmagazine.com/news/pink-irrelevant-review-reproductive-rights/. live.
  3. Pink Addresses Supporters of Overturning Roe v. Wade: 'Never F—ing Listen to My Music Again'. Billboard. Ashley. Iasimone. June 25, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717162209/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/pink-roe-v-wade-supreme-court-reaction-1235106419/. live.
  4. Web site: Pink Tells Fans Who Oppose Roe v. Wade to 'Never F—ing Listen to My Music Again'. People. Daniela. Avila. June 27, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220711170827/https://people.com/music/pink-tells-fans-who-oppose-roe-v-wade-to-never-listen-to-my-music/. live.
  5. Web site: Fans Are Bombarding Pink's Instagram With Emotional Comments About Her New 'Powerful Song'. Good Housekeeping. Selena. Barrientos. July 15, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717223340/https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a40614595/pink-irrelevant-new-song-2022-instagram-reaction/. live.
  6. Web site: Pink Releases Fired-Up Protest Anthem 'Irrelevant,' Supports Michelle Obama's Voting Initiative. Entertainment Tonight. Sophie. Schillaci. July 14, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717123941/https://www.etonline.com/pink-releases-fired-up-protest-anthem-irrelevant-supports-michelle-obamas-voting-initiative-187335. live.
  7. Web site: Pink Shares New Song Lyrics Written on Paper Napkin: 'Woke Up. Got Heated. Wrote Song'. People. Amethyst. Tate. July 13, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220715132730/https://people.com/music/pink-shares-new-song-lyrics-written-on-paper-napkin-woke-up-got-heated-wrote-song/. live.
  8. The Kids Are Not Alright on P!nk's Urgent Protest Single 'Irrelevant'. Billboard. Gil. Kaufman. July 14, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717085108/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/pink-releases-protest-single-irrelevant-1235114289/. live.
  9. P!nk Turns Haterade Into 'Irrelevant' Song. Billboard. Gil. Kaufman. July 13, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717051542/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/pink-irrelevant-song-lyrics-preview-1235113760/. live.
  10. Web site: Pink announces new song 'Irrelevant': 'Woke up. Got heated.'. ABC News. Megan. Stone. July 13, 2022. July 14, 2022. July 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220714012754/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/pink-responds-haters-ordering-shut-sing-challenge-accepted/story?id=86688555. live.
  11. Web site: Pink Declares 'Girls Just Wanna Have Rights' On New Song Following 'Roe's Overturning. Hollywood Life. Jason. Brow. July 14, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220715195158/https://hollywoodlife.com/2022/07/14/pink-irrelevant-new-song/. live.
  12. Web site: Pink responde con la canción 'Irrelevant' a quienes silenciaron su protesta. Los 40. Juan. Vincente. es. July 14, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220714154555/https://los40.com/los40/2022/07/14/musica/1657795303_734073.html. live.
  13. Web site: Pink répond aux critiques sur l'hymne féroce 'Irrelevant' pour son retour. Pure Chartsi in France. fr. Julien. Goncvales. July 15, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220716105148/http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Pink/news-121887.html. live.
  14. Pink Calls for Action on Protest Anthem 'Irrelevant'. Rolling Stone. Emily. Zemler. July 14, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220718011204/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pink-irrelevant-single-1383088/. live.
  15. Web site: Lizzo Conquers Self-Doubt With an '80s Jam, and 7 More New Songs. The New York Times. Jon. Pareles. July 15, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717122513/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/arts/music/playlist-lizzo-brent-faiyaz-pink.html. live.
  16. Web site: Pink Turns Hate Comments Into Powerful Protest Song 'Irrelevant'. iHeartRadio. Sarah. Tate. July 14, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717084045/https://www.iheart.com/content/2022-07-14-pink-turns-hate-comments-into-powerful-protest-song-irrelevant/. live.
  17. Web site: Pink: il nuovo singolo 'Irrelevant' ha un significato importantissimo. MTV Italia. July 15, 2022. July 19, 2022. it. July 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220715173036/http://news.mtv.it/musica/pink-il-nuovo-singolo-irrelevant-ha-un-significato-importantissimo/. live.
  18. Web site: Pink releases political single 'Irrelevant' with proceeds going to voting initiative. The Hill. Natalie. Prieb. July 15, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220716033132/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/3561291-pink-releases-political-single-irrelevant-with-proceeds-going-to-voting-initiative/. live.
  19. Web site: DeLuca's 5 Picks: Pink and Margo Price protest songs, plus Nightlands and music of 'The Bear'. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Dan. DeLuca. July 18, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220719030620/https://www.inquirer.com/news/deluca-picks-pink-margo-pricenightlands-the-bear-20220718.html. live.
  20. Pink Takes On The Supreme Court, Trump & Gun Violence in New 'Irrelevant' Music Video. Billboard. Kyle. Denis. July 18, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220719030618/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/pink-irrelevant-music-video-trump-supreme-court-1235115644/. live.
  21. Web site: Pink releases music video for new song 'Irrelevant,' protesting sexism and racism in the US. CNN. Leah. Asmelash. July 18, 2022. July 19, 2022. July 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220719030649/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/18/entertainment/pink-irrelevant-music-video-cec/index.html. live.
  22. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 25 July 2022. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1690. 4. July 25, 2022.
  23. P!nk Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales) . . July 27, 2022.
  24. Web site: HRT Airplay Radio Chart No. 1055 - Issue Date: November 29st 2022. 29 November 2022. 29 November 2022. en. Hrvatska Radiotelevizija.
  25. Web site: Classement Radio (Week 1, 2023). . January 9, 2023.
  26. Web site: Offizielle Download Charts Single. 15 November 2022. Official German Charts. 15 November 2022. https://archive.today/20220920121504/https://www.mtv.de/info/b45gik/download-charts-single. 20 September 2022. German. live.
  27. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of July 27, 2022. Billboard Japan. ja. July 27, 2022. July 27, 2022.
  28. Web site: Tónlistinn – Lög. The Music – Songs. is. Plötutíðindi. October 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170431/http://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/. September 20, 2022.
  29. P!nk Chart History (Mexico Airplay) . . July 27, 2022.
  30. P!nk Chart History (Mexico ingles airplay) . Billboard. July 30, 2022.
  31. Web site: Tipparade week 31 van 2022. Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Top40.nl. nl. July 29, 2022.
  32. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. July 25, 2022. July 23, 2022.
  33. Web site: Schweizer Airplay Charts 31/2022 - hitparade.ch. hitparade.ch. August 8, 2022. August 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220808154321/https://hitparade.ch/charts/airplay/31-2022. live.
  34. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2022. Ultratop. nl. January 13, 2023.

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