Safe and Sound (Capital Cities song) explained

Safe and Sound
Cover:Capital-Cities-Safe-and-Sound.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Capital Cities
Album:In a Tidal Wave of Mystery
Genre:
Label:
Producer:
  • Ryan Merchant
  • Sebu Simonian
Prev Title:Beginnings
Prev Year:2010
Next Title:Kangaroo Court
Next Year:2012

"Safe and Sound" is a song by American indie pop duo Capital Cities, written and produced by band members Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian. The song was released as a single on January 6, 2011, and first appeared on their debut EP Capital Cities (2011), later serving as the lead single from their debut studio album, In a Tidal Wave of Mystery (2013). "Safe and Sound" became the duo's breakout hit, peaking at number eight on the United States Billboard Hot 100 and achieving commercial success in several other territories. Three music videos were produced for the single, with the third video, directed by Grady Hall and set in the Los Angeles Theatre, later being nominated for Best Music Video at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards

Background and composition

"Safe and Sound" is a synth-pop,[1] new wave,[2] dance-pop[3] and alternative rock song,[4] and was written and produced by Capital Cities members Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian. It features a prominent trumpet line, which was only incorporated into its production after eight previous takes of the song.[5]

Sheet music for the song is entirely in the key of C major with a metronome of 116-120 beats per minute in common time.[6] The trumpet line is based on the melody for the Yiddish folk song "Dona, Dona."

Music videos

The first music video for "Safe and Sound" was self-produced and edited by the band and uploaded to their official YouTube account on February 24, 2011. It features alternating historical film clips of dancing and war from the last century generally arranged in chronological order.[7] Another video, directed by Jimmy Ahlander, was released on October 21, depicting the duo being led through a junkyard by a monk.[8]

The third and most well-known video for the song was directed by Grady Hall[9] and released on April 25, 2013.[10] The video is set in the Los Angeles Theatre and depicts Capital Cities performing on stage as dancers of all types (1940s swing dancers, 1970s roller-disco skaters, 1990s hip-hop dancers, etc.) emerge from pictures on the wall and film clips from different time periods in the theater's history come to life and compete in dance-offs.[9] It received a nomination in the Best Music Video category at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.[11]

Cover versions and in other media

On November 7, 2013, the song was performed by Team Adam (consisted of Tessanne Chin, James Wolpert, Will Champlin, Grey and Preston Pohl) from the fifth season of the series, The Voice.[12]

Zendaya, Kina Grannis, Kurt Hugo Schneider and Max Schneider released a cover of the song on March 31, 2014, used for a Coca-Cola commercial. Actual Coca-Cola bottles served as instruments in the version.[13]

Air New Zealand have used the song in their in-flight safety video for 2014, while the Barcelona's Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) has used it in its dance video to raise awareness and support for research into diseases such as cancer and metastasis, Alzheimer's and diabetes.[14]

The song was featured as the background music for the 2014 Mazda3. The music video featured prominent figures Bruce Lee, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Jackie Robinson to promote the all new features, including the "kodo" design Mazda has introduced post-Ford ownership of the company.

The song is briefly played at a party scene in the beginning of the 2015 film .

McDonald's has used the song in 2020 in McDonald's Australia promotion for the return of the McRib® & El Maco® as part of the that year’s summer menu.[15]

Beginning in July 2021, the song was used in an advertising campaign for ADT Home Security titled “It’s Safe To Say”, which featured Drew and Jonathan Scott from the HGTV series “Property Brothers”.[16] [17]

Commercial performance

"Safe and Sound" first gained commercial success in Germany following its use in a Vodafone commercial, later topping the German Media Control singles chart. A sleeper hit, it peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 2013, over two-and-a-half years after its initial release. It has sold over two million copies in the United States as of January 2014.[18] It also reached number one on Alternative Airplay[19] and number two on both the Adult Top 40 and Mainstream Top 40 charts. In the United Kingdom, the single was added to the BBC Radio 2 playlist on August 31, 2013;[20] following its official single release in the country the following month, it peaked at number 42 on the UK Singles Chart.

In September 2023, for the 35th anniversary of Alternative Airplay,[21] Billboard published a list of the top 100 most successful songs in the chart's history; "Safe and Sound" was ranked at number 53.[22]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardsCategoryResult
2013MTV Video Music AwardsBest Visual Effects
Best Art Direction
2014Grammy AwardsBest Music Video
World Music AwardsWorld's Best Song
World's Best Video
Billboard Music AwardsTop Rock Song

Track listing

  1. "Safe and Sound" – 3:12
  1. "Safe and Sound" – 4:12
  2. "Safe and Sound" – 5:26
  3. "Safe and Sound" – 2:52
  4. "Safe and Sound" – 5:30
  5. "Safe and Sound" – 5:22
  6. "Safe and Sound" – 5:53
  7. "Safe and Sound" – 7:48
  1. "Safe and Sound" – 3:12
  2. "Safe and Sound" – 5:53
  1. "Safe and Sound" – 2:31
  2. "Safe and Sound" – 2:41
  3. "Safe and Sound" – 2:58
  4. "Safe and Sound" – 3:08
  5. "Safe and Sound" – 3:09
  6. "Safe and Sound" – 2:31
  7. "Safe and Sound" – 4:23

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Safe and Sound"! Chart (2012–2014)! Peak
position
Brazil (Billboard Brasil Hot 100)[24] 56
Brazil Hot Pop Songs[25] 22
Finland (Suomen virallinen radiolista)[26] 31
Israel (Media Forest)[27] 2
Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[28] 1
Slovenia (SloTop50)[29] 7
Venezuela Pop Rock General (Record Report)[30] 1

Year-end charts

2013 year-end chart performance for "Safe and Sound"! Chart (2013)! Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[31] 18
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[32] 28
France (SNEP)[33] 71
Germany (Official German Charts)[34] 8
Italy (FIMI)[35] 35
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[36] 155
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[37] 37
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[38] 42
Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)[39] 62
US Billboard Hot 100[40] 29
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[41] 41
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[42] 19
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[43] 20
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[44] 4
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[45] 16
2014 year-end chart performance for "Safe and Sound"! Chart (2014)! Position
Brazil (Crowley)[46] 86
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[47] 59
France (SNEP)[48] 173
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[49] 27
Slovenia (SloTop50)[50] 18
Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)[51] 48
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[52] 35
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[53] 17

Decade-end charts

Chart (2010–2019)! scope="col"
Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[54] 47

Release history

Release dates for "Safe and Sound"! Region! Date! Format! Label
United States[55] [56] [57] [58] January 12, 2011Digital downloadLazy Hooks
January 14, 2013Modern rock radioCapitol
February 4, 2013Adult album alternative radio
April 2, 2013Contemporary hit radio
Germany[59] April 5, 2013Digital download
Canada[60] April 16, 2013
United States[61]
Germany[62] May 17, 2013Compact discCapitol
Italy[63] June 14, 2013Contemporary hit radioEMI
Australia[64] June 21, 2013Digital download
New Zealand[65]
Australia[66] August 16, 2013Digital download
New Zealand[67]
United States[68] August 19, 2013Rhythmic contemporary radioCapitol
United Kingdom[69] September 20, 2013Digital download

Notes and References

  1. News: Photos: Capital Cities strip down 'Safe and Sound' at 93.3-FLZ in Tampa . . July 15, 2013 . March 18, 2014 . Cridlin . Jay . March 22, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140322030407/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/soundcheck/photos-capital-cities-strips-down-safe-and-sound-at-933-flz-in-tampa/2131505 . live .
  2. Web site: "Safe and Sound" . pluggedin . April 25, 2013 . Holz . Adam R..
  3. Web site: Capital Cities (Safe And) Sound Great On 'Jimmy Fallon': Watch . . November 13, 2013 . March 18, 2014 . Daw . Robbie.
  4. Web site: Ranking: Every Alternative Rock No. 1 Hit from Worst to Best. July 5, 2017. Consequence of Sound. en-US. October 14, 2019.
  5. Web site: Capital Cities exclusive: 'Safe and Sound', new music videos, a new album & more . AXS . April 14, 2014 . July 2, 2014 . Ruygrok, Steven.
  6. https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0118784 Safe and Sound
  7. Web site: Capital Cities – Safe and Sound (Original) . . February 24, 2013 . July 2, 2014 . capitalcitiesmusic.
  8. Web site: Capital Cities – Safe and Sound . . October 21, 2013 . July 2, 2014 . Ahlander, Jimmy.
  9. Video: Capital Cities 'Safe and Sound' . . April 25, 2013 . July 2, 2014 . Nostro, Lauren.
  10. Web site: Capital Cities – Safe And Sound (Official Video) . . April 25, 2013 . July 2, 2014 . CapitalCitiesVEVO.
  11. News: Grammy nominations 2014: The complete list . . December 6, 2013 . January 24, 2014.
  12. Web site: The Voice: Team Christina Aguilera Performs Maroon 5's "Love Somebody" On Elimination Night. Ball-Dionne. Caila. Idolator. November 8, 2013. October 20, 2018.
  13. Web site: McGahan. Michelle. 2014 Coca-Cola 'The Sounds of AHH' Commercial – What's the Song? Read More: Coca-Cola 'The Sounds of AHH' Commercial – What's the Song? . PopCrush. August 16, 2014. May 20, 2014.
  14. Web site: Scientists at IRB Barcelona dance for cancer, Alzheimer's and diabetes research . . October 12, 2014 . October 14, 2014 . IRB Barcelona.
  15. Web site: McDonald's, Get ready for our most delicious Summer yet! . . December 20, 2020 . December 20, 2020 . McDonald's AU.
  16. Web site: It's Safe To Say. YouTube. July 13, 2021. May 17, 2022.
  17. Web site: ADT TV Spot, 'It's Safe to Say: You're All Set' Featuring Drew Scott, Jonathan Scott, Song by Capital Cities. iSpot.tv. May 18, 2022.
  18. Web site: Can You Believe 'Don't Stop Believin Loses Spot as Best-Selling Rock Song? . . January 2, 2014 . January 2, 2014 . Grein, Paul.
  19. Capital Cities Chart History (Alternative Airplay). Billboard. November 16, 2023.
  20. Radio playlist update: BBC Radio 2 . . August 28, 2013 . July 2, 2014 . Hart, Tina.
  21. Alternative Airplay Chart's 35th Anniversary: Foo Fighters Remain No. 1 Act, 'Monsters' New Top Song. Rutherford. Kevin. Billboard. September 7, 2023. November 16, 2023.
  22. https://web.archive.org/web/20231006001750/https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-alternative-songs/. Greatest of All Time Alternative Songs. October 6, 2023. November 16, 2023. live. Billboard.
  23. Web site: Safe And Sound 11th Anniversary Bundle by Capital Cities on Apple Music . Apple Music . April 15, 2022.
  24. Web site: Top 100 Billboard Brasil . . June 28, 2014 . July 13, 2014 . October 6, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006085243/http://www.billboard.com.br/tipo_lista/top-100/20140628/ . dead .
  25. Web site: Hot 100 Billboard Brasil – weekly . . April 30, 2014 . May 2, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140502113433/http://www.billboard.com.br/tipo_lista/top-100/20140427/ . dead .
  26. Web site: IFPI – Capital Cities: Safe And Sound . . September 3, 2015.
  27. Web site: Week: 38. Period: 15-09-13 21-09-13 . . July 2, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203054044/http://www.mediaforest.biz/WeeklyCharts/HistoryWeeklyCharts.aspx?year=2013&week=38 . December 3, 2013 . dead .
  28. Mexico Ingles Airplay . . October 12, 2013 . July 2, 2014 . subscription .
  29. Web site: SloTop50: Slovenian official singles weekly chart. SloTop50. Slovenian. February 23, 2014.
  30. Web site: Record Report – Pop Rock General . . November 9, 2013 . November 12, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131109042256/http://www.recordreport.com.ve/publico/?i=poprock . November 9, 2013 . live . Spanish.
  31. Web site: Jahreshitparade Singles 2013. austriancharts.at. January 5, 2020.
  32. Canadian Hot 100: 2013 (Year-End) . . December 13, 2013.
  33. Web site: Top de l'année Top Singles 2013. SNEP. fr. July 13, 2020.
  34. Web site: Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts. German. GfK Entertainment. offiziellecharts.de. July 13, 2020.
  35. Web site: Classifiche Annuali 2013 Top Of The Music By FIMI Gfk . . January 7, 2014 . January 10, 2014 . Italian . January 11, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140111064931/http://www.fimi.it/4111 . dead .
  36. Web site: Jaarlijsten 2013. nl. Dutch Top 40. May 11, 2022.
  37. Web site: Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart 2013. TopHit. ru. March 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230328141748/https://tophit.com/ru/chart/top/radio/hits/russia/annual/2013-01-01. March 28, 2023.
  38. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2013 – hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. December 28, 2019.
  39. Web site: Top Radio Hits Ukraine Annual Chart 2013. TopHit. ru. March 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230329163735/https://tophit.com/ru/chart/top/radio/hits/ukraine/annual/2013-01-01. March 29, 2023.
  40. Hot 100 Songs: 2013 (Year-End) . . December 13, 2013.
  41. Adult Contemporary Songs: 2013 (Year-End) . . July 2, 2014.
  42. Adult Pop Songs: 2013 (Year-End) . . July 2, 2014.
  43. Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2013. Billboard. December 2, 2020.
  44. Rock Songs: 2013 (Year-End) . . July 2, 2014.
  45. Pop Songs: 2013 (Year-End) . . July 2, 2014.
  46. Web site: Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2014. April 3, 2018. Crowley Broadcast Analysis. January 30, 2022.
  47. Canadian Hot 100 – Year End 2014 . . December 9, 2014.
  48. Web site: Top de l'année Top Singles 2014. SNEP. fr. July 13, 2020.
  49. Web site: Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart 2014. TopHit. ru. April 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230401100816/https://tophit.com/ru/chart/top/radio/hits/russia/annual/2014-01-01. April 1, 2023.
  50. Web site: SloTop50 Slovenian official year-end singles charts. Slovenian. January 31, 2018. October 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201026184035/https://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Letne-lestvice/?year=2014. dead.
  51. Web site: Ukrainian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2014). . August 10, 2019.
  52. Adult Contemporary Songs: 2014 (Year-End) . . December 21, 2014.
  53. Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014 . . December 21, 2014.
  54. Decade-End Charts: Hot Rock Songs. Billboard. December 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191216120649/https://www.billboard.com/charts/decade-end/hot-rock-songs. December 16, 2019. live.
  55. Web site: Safe and Sound – Single by Capital Cities . iTunes Store (US) . July 2, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110606083414/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/safe-and-sound-single/id413593341 . June 6, 2011.
  56. Web site: Triple A > Future Releases . All Access Music Group . July 2, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130121230315/http://www.allaccess.com/triple-a/future-releases . live . January 21, 2013.
  57. Web site: Modern Rock – Airplay Archive . . July 2, 2014.
  58. Web site: Top 40/M Future Releases . All Access Music Group . July 2, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130430152925/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases . live . April 30, 2013.
  59. Web site: Safe and Sound (Remix) – EP von Capital Cities . iTunes Store (DE) . July 2, 2014.
  60. Web site: Safe and Sound Remix EP – EP by Capital Cities . iTunes Store (CA) . July 2, 2014.
  61. Web site: Safe and Sound Remix EP – EP by Capital Cities . iTunes Store (US) . July 2, 2014.
  62. Web site: Safe and Sound . . July 2, 2014 . German.
  63. Web site: Capital Cities – Safe and Sound (EMI) . Radio Airplay SRL . July 2, 2014 . Italian . July 14, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714232935/http://www.radioairplay.fm/RadioDate/PublicDetails/20845 . dead .
  64. Web site: Safe and Sound – Single by Capital Cities . iTunes Store (AU) . July 2, 2014.
  65. Web site: Safe and Sound – Single by Capital Cities . iTunes Store (NZ) . July 2, 2014.
  66. Web site: Safe and Sound Remix – EP by Capital Cities . iTunes Store (AU) . July 2, 2014.
  67. Web site: Safe and Sound Remix – EP by Capital Cities . iTunes Store (NZ) . July 2, 2014.
  68. Web site: Rhythm Crossover . . July 20, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130901132255/http://fmqb.com/rhythmcrossover.asp . September 1, 2013.
  69. Web site: Safe and Sound by Capital Cities . iTunes Store (GB) . July 2, 2014.

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