Safari Song Explained

Safari Song
Type:single
Artist:Greta Van Fleet
Ep:Black Smoke Rising From the Fires
Recorded:2016[1]
Label:
Prev Title:Highway Tune
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:When the Curtain Falls
Next Year:2018

"Safari Song" is a song by American rock band Greta Van Fleet. It was their second single off of their EP Black Smoke Rising, and their compilation EP From the Fires. It topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in February 2018.[2]

Background

The song was initially released on the band's debut EP - Black Smoke Rising in April 2017.[3] The song was released as the second single from the EP, after "Highway Tune", in October 2017, and was the second most added song to rock radio.[4] Shortly afterwards, on November 10, 2017, a compilation EP, From the Fires, containing "Safari Song" and the other three songs from Black Smoke Rising, and four newly recorded songs, was released.[5] The release of From the Fires pushed "Safari Song" to chart on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart at number 44,[6] staying on the chart for four weeks.[7]

The band performed the song live on national television on Last Call With Carson Daly on October 31, 2017.[8]

Themes and composition

The song's sound has drawn comparisons to the work of Led Zeppelin, both in the song's production sounding similar to rock music from the 1960s, and Josh Kiszka's vocals mirroring Robert Plant's "signature wail, phrasing, and articulation".[9] Beyond the Led Zeppelin similarities, Loudwire also compared the song's vocal and guitar riff style to the work of Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses, Bon Scott of AC/DC and Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones.[10] Josh Kiszka said of the song's initial conception:

Sam Kiszka, the band's bassist, stated that the song's initial iteration was far more complicated, with more percussion and busy guitar-work in it.[11] The band felt that they had added too many overdubs while recording the song's initial version in the studio, and ended up simplifying its composition and removing an extended drum interlude.[11] The song's live performances often re-add a long drum solo at the end.[10]

Personnel

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2018)Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[13] 61
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[14] 49

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Interview: Greta Van Fleet's "Black Smoke Rising" might just make you believe – Metal Riot. Metalriot.com. 7 August 2018.
  2. Greta Van Fleet. Billboard. 7 June 2021.
  3. Web site:
        • NEW MUSIC*** Greta Van Fleet - Safari Song
    . Iheartradio.ca. 16 January 2018.
  4. Web site: Turn Me On: Young Rockers Greta Van Fleet Riding Buzz from 'Black Smoke Rising' EP to Sold-Out U.S. Tour – Rock Cellar Magazine. 19 October 2017. Rockcellarmagazine.com. 16 January 2018.
  5. Web site: Greta Van Fleet Announce Double EP 'From the Fires'. Loudwire.com. 25 October 2017 . 16 January 2018.
  6. Web site: Greta Van Fleet Flies to No. 3 on Emerging Artists Chart. Billboard.com. 16 January 2018.
  7. Web site: Greta Van Fleet Safari Song Chart History. Billboard.com. 16 January 2018.
  8. Web site: Greta Van Fleet Rock 'Last Call With Carson Daly'. Loudwire.com. November 2017 . 16 January 2018.
  9. Web site: Greta Van Fleet: From the Fires. 14 December 2017. Popmatters.com. 16 January 2018.
  10. Web site: Greta Van Fleet Offer Ray of Rock Hope in Rainy New York City. Loudwire.com. 6 December 2017 . 16 January 2018.
  11. Web site: Greta Van Fleet battles being "overly creative" with "Safari Song". Abcnewsradioonline.com. 16 January 2018.
  12. Web site: Lista Przebojów Trójki - Polskie Radio Online . 20 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191031084120/http://lp3.polskieradio.pl/utwor/artykul17524,5525_safari_song.aspx . 31 October 2019 . dead .
  13. Web site: Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard.com. April 3, 2020.
  14. Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. January 21, 2022.