The Dumb Song Explained

The Dumb Song
Cover:The Dumb Song Single.jpg
Type:single
Artist:AJR
Album:The Maybe Man
Recorded:2023
Length:3:45
Label:Mercury
Producer:Ryan Met
Prev Title:The DJ Is Crying for Help
Prev Year:2022
Next Title:God Is Really Real
Next Year:2023

"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.

Promotion

On 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

"The Dumb Song" is composed in 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

A 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

Credits adapted from Tidal.[10]

Charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[11] 33

Notes and References

  1. Web site: McEwen. Alex. Alternative band AJR releases new single from upcoming album with a unique music video. Culturess. April 23, 2023. September 24, 2023.
  2. Web site: ABC Audio. AJR shares clip of new track, "The Dumb Song". 98KUPD. April 13, 2023. September 24, 2023.
  3. Web site: Krietzberg. Ian. 'The Dumb Song'; AJR Drops Fun New Single. The Song Wire. April 21, 2023. September 24, 2023.
  4. Web site: Xttrawave. AJR – 'The Dumb Song' Lyrics: The Deeper Meaning of Imperfection. Xttrawave. April 21, 2023. September 24, 2023.
  5. Web site: Maeoka. Toshio. AJR Releases New Song "The Dumb Song". pm studio. April 21, 2023. September 24, 2023.
  6. Web site: Vigil. Dom. AJR Return With New Single, "The Dumb Song". Prelude Press. April 21, 2023. September 24, 2023.
  7. Web site: Cason. Braeden. AJR New Release: "The Dumb Song". HHS Rampage. May 1, 2023. September 24, 2023.
  8. Web site: Melodic Mag. AJR Release First Single of 2023, "The Dumb Song". MELODIC Magazine. April 23, 2023. September 24, 2023.
  9. Web site: Live a year in the life of AJR with new single, "The Dumb Song". MOViN 92.5. April 21, 2023. September 24, 2023.
  10. Web site: Credits / The Dumb Song / AJR . April 21, 2023 . . September 24, 2023.
  11. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. May 1, 2023. September 24, 2023.

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