Love Like Woe Explained

Love Like Woe
Cover:Ready Set-Love Like Woe.jpg
Type:single
Artist:The Ready Set
Album:I'm Alive, I'm Dreaming
Released:March 29, 2010
Recorded:2009
Length:3:20
Producer:J. R. Rotem
Next Title:More Than Alive
Next Year:2010

"Love Like Woe" is the debut single by American electropop singer-songwriter Jordan Witzigreuter, also known as The Ready Set, from his major label debut album, I'm Alive, I'm Dreaming. It was written by Witzigreuter and J.R. Rotem, who also produced the track. The song peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 30 on the Canada CHR/Top 40. The music video for the song features a cameo appearance from Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, and was released on March 31, 2010.[1]

Background and release

"Love Like Woe" was written based on experiences Witzigreuter had seen his friends grappling with. He stated, "It's about a situation where you want to be with someone but they are tough to deal with so you are trying to salvage the relationship."[2] The song was originally titled, "Sign of Relief".[3] An early version of the song was sent to Pete Wentz who took one listen to the song and ended up signing him to his record label, Decaydance.[4] In 2010, Witzigreuter worked with rap duo New Boyz and released a mash-up version of the song.[5] The song reached number 10 on AOL Radio.[6]

The song earned The Ready Set, MTV Push Artist of the Week in September 2010.[7] As of October 2010, "Love Like Woe" sold 46,000 digital downloads in the US.[8] In November 2010, the single won a BDS Certified Spin Award based on the 50,000 spins it received.[9]

Composition

The song was written by Jordan Witzigreuter and was produced by J. R. Rotem who also co-wrote the song. The track runs at 92 BPM and is in the key of B-flat major.[10] According to Witzigreuter, the song was written in his mother's basement and that the song was never intended to be released as a single.[11] In a separate interview in 2018, Witzigreuter revealed that he didn't plan on using the song after writing it. He also stated that he wrote the song in 20 minutes.[12]

Critical reception

"Love Like Woe" was received with positive reviews from music critics. Bill Lamb of About.com gave the single a 3.5 star rating. He called the track a "radio friendly" song with a sing-along pop melody, clever lyrical hook and simple, appealing pop melody. However, he criticized the song for its overworked electronic effects. Overall, he remarked, "it is a bit over-dressed, but you are unlikely to switch the radio station when you hear 'Love Like Woe'." Chris Ryan of MTV described the song as "infectious" and "a dance anthem."[7]

Music video

The first music video for "Love Like Woe" was released on March 31, 2010.[13] It has received over 30 million hits on YouTube. It takes place in the middle of the woods where Jordan and a group of people are having a party in a shack. Outside, zombies try to enter the party with little success.[13] The music video was directed by Isaac Ravishankara.[14] According to Witzigreuter, the video took twelve hours to film.[15]

A second version of the music video was released in February 2011.[16] It features Witzigreuter getting ready to impress a girl when he drives up to her mother's house. He gathers a red heart-shaped box of candy, a large bouquet, and several animals, only to find out that his interest wasn't at her mother's house that day. The video also cuts in between him singing the song and his romantic interest getting ready for the day. This version of the music video was directed by Chris Marrs Piliero.[17]

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Love Like Woe"
RegionVersionDateFormatLabel
VariousOriginalMarch 29, 2010Digital downloadSire/Reprise[19]
United StatesMay 25, 2010Contemporary hit radioReprise[20]
VariousNew Boyz Mash-UpJuly 12, 2010Digital downloadSire/Reprise

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kohli. Rohan. The Ready Set Music Video For "Love Like Woe" - News Article - AbsolutePunk.net. AbsolutePunk. https://archive.today/20120722182407/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1618802. July 22, 2012. January 12, 2023. March 31, 2010.
  2. Web site: The Ready Set is a go. Sara Brown. November 3, 2010. January 12, 2023.
  3. 1245246866503000065. thereadyset. i used to hate obvious titles like, love like woe was originally called sign of relief . April 1, 2020.
  4. Web site: The Ready Set Interview. Cara Carriveau. Chicago Music Guide. November 9, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20200919025114/https://chicagomusicguide.com/the-ready-set-interview/. September 19, 2020. April 21, 2024.
  5. Web site: Love Like Woe (New Boyz Mash-Up) - Single by The Ready Set. Apple Music. December 26, 2022.
  6. Web site: The Ready Set − Awards. AllMusic. https://web.archive.org/web/20140313133704/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-ready-set-mn0001649881/awards. March 13, 2014. September 29, 2022.
  7. Web site: MTV PUSH Artist Of The Week: The Ready Set. https://web.archive.org/web/20230501192150/https://www.mtv.com/news/n05h2t/push-the-ready-set. dead. May 1, 2023. MTV. Chris Ryan. September 27, 2010. May 1, 2023.
  8. Web site: Billboard Hot 100. 50. August 21, 2021.
  9. Web site: BDS Certified Spin Awards November 2010. 24. August 23, 2021.
  10. Web site: The Ready Set "Love Like Woe" Sheet Music. musicnotes.com. Alfred Music Publishing. April 21, 2024.
  11. Web site: The Ready Set: Love Like Woe Was Never Meant To Be The Hit. Fuse. January 12, 2023.
  12. Web site: THE READY SET Interview- blowing up from 'Love Like Woe', Vans Warped Tour. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/A7GGfWH-eeo . 2021-12-21 . live. June 7, 2021.
  13. Exclusive Pics: Pete Wentz Goes Zombie!. Spin. Peter Gaston. March 31, 2010. April 21, 2024.
  14. Web site: Love Like Woe Version 2 - IMVD. June 7, 2021.
  15. Bamboozle California Q&A: The Ready Set. Alternative Press. May 6, 2010. May 6, 2023.
  16. The Ready Set premiere Valentine's Day video for Love Like Woe. Alternative Press. Michele Bird. February 14, 2011. January 12, 2023.
  17. Web site: Love Like Woe Version 1 - IMVD. June 7, 2021.
  18. Web site: Gaon Chart: 2010-12-04. GAON. https://archive.today/20131226025952/http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/index.php?nationGbn=E&current_week=52&current_year=2010&chart_Time=week. December 26, 2013. August 11, 2023.
  19. Web site: Love Like Woe - Single by The Ready Set. Apple Music. December 26, 2022.
  20. Web site: FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more! . December 26, 2022 . December 20, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081220103954/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239 . dead .