Uncomfortable (song) explained

Uncomfortable
Type:single
Artist:Halestorm
Album:Vicious
Released:May 30, 2018
Studio:Rock Falcon, Nashville, Tennessee
Genre:
Length:3:40
Label:Atlantic
Producer:Nick Raskulinecz
Prev Title:Mayhem
Prev Year:2015
Next Title:Do Not Disturb
Next Year:2018

"Uncomfortable" is a song by American hard rock band Halestorm from their fourth studio album, Vicious. The song was written by Lzzy and Arejay Hale, alongside Josh Smith and Joe Hottinger. It was recorded at Rock Falcon Studios in Nashville with producer Nick Raskulinecz. The song was released on May 30, 2018 as the album's lead single, through Atlantic Records.

"Uncomfortable" is a pop metal track with elements of speed metal and hard rock. The lyrics, delivered rapid-fire by Lzzy Hale, were inspired by her own struggles with trying to please other people, and call the listener to focus on what makes them happy. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised the energy and technical construction of the track, and received a nomination for Best Rock Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. It also had a strong commercial performance, appearing on the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart at number 28 and the US Rock Airplay chart at number 17.

Background and composition

Halestorm released their third studio album Into the Wild Life on April 14, 2015.[1] This was followed by 2017's , produced by Nick Raskulinecz.[2] When the band commenced work on their next album, they wrote and discarded 15 songs.[3] Lead vocalist and guitarist Lzzy Hale was unhappy with the initial material; fearing that she was "paying way too much attention making everybody happy".[4] Halestorm reunited with Raskulinecz for a series of jam sessions at his Nashville recording studio, Rock Falcon.[5] "Uncomfortable" was the first song written for what would become Vicious.[6] The song was written by band members Lzzy and Arejay Hale, Joe Hottinger, and Josh Smith.

Musically, "Uncomfortable" is a pop metal track,[7] [8] with elements of speed metal and hard rock.[9] [10] It is written in the key of C major at a tempo of 119 beats per minute.[11] Lead guitarist Hottinger told Classic Rock that the main riff was written as "a joke", and kept at Raskulinecz's urging.[12] Lzzy Hale wrote the melody and lyrics about a month after the initial writing sessions. The lyrics are a response to Hale's earlier worries about pleasing other people, with the message being: "You can't please everyone, there's always going to be someone disappointed, so you might as well make yourself happy and Be You."[13] The vocal melody marks a departure from the usual anthemic stylings of Halestorm, relying on rapid-fire verses and a chorus centered on a vocal riff.[14] It is set to an instrumental background of heavy electric guitar riffs and drum beats.[15]

Release and reception

Halestorm released "Uncomfortable" as the lead single from Vicious on May 30, 2018, as part of the larger album announcement.[16] Hottinger was happy with the band's choice to make "Uncomfortable" the first single, "because it's part of that whole idea of challenging things ... It's a good introduction to the record."

The song was released to positive reviews from music critics, with such descriptions as "brilliant",[17] "blistering",[18] and "high-octane".[19] Axl Rosenberg of MetalSucks said, "It's been a hot minute since there's been a pop-metal song this well put together," while Robert Pasbani of Metal Injection said that "Uncomfortable "has all the ingredients for a great pop metal song that will surely be all over rock radio and Sirius XM Octane all this summer". Pasbani praised the "great riffing, crunchy drums, and a really fun vocal performance," the last of which he compared to Joan Jett. Hale, when asked whether Halestorm gets nervous about releasing new music, said: "You don't expect the worst, but you're prepared for the worst ... But [the reception to "Uncomfortable" has] been overwhelmingly positive, and I'm still, like, 'Where's the catch? What's happening here?'"[20]

In their list of the best hard rock songs of 2018, Loudwire placed "Uncomfortable" at number 2, falling only behind A Perfect Circle's "Disillusioned".[21] The track was also nominated for Best Rock Performance at the 2019 Grammy Awards,[22] ultimately losing to Chris Cornell's "When Bad Does Good".[23] "Uncomfortable" was the second Grammy nomination for Halestorm, following "Love Bites (So Do I)", which won Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance at the 2013 ceremony.[24] [25]

"Uncomfortable" had a strong commercial showing in the United States as well, spending 20 weeks on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, and peaking at number one on August 25, 2018.[26] The song also appeared on the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and Rock Airplay charts, peaking at numbers 28 and 17, respectively. "Uncomfortable" also appeared on the 2018 Billboard Year-End Mainstream Rock chart at number 15. Elsewhere, the song spent one week in October on the Canada Rock chart, reaching number 47.

Music video

The band released an official music video for "Uncomfortable" on the same day as the single. Directed by Evan Brace, who had previously worked with the bands Phantogram and Taking Back Sunday,[27] the video shows the band in black and white, and utilizes double exposure to create a stark, gritty visual experience.[28] On June 6, 2018, the band released behind the scenes footage from the making of the "Uncomfortable" video.[29]

Credits and personnel

Recording

Halestorm

Technical

Information taken from the Vicious liner notes.[30]

Charts

Year-end charts

Notes and References

  1. News: Childers . Chad . Halestorm Stream 'Into the Wild Life' Album Ahead of Release . March 6, 2021 . . April 6, 2015 . October 21, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201021053154/https://loudwire.com/halestorm-stream-into-the-wild-life-album/ . live .
  2. News: Childers . Chad . Halestorm Reveal Details for 'Reanimate 3.0' Covers EP . March 6, 2021 . . December 2, 2016 . November 8, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191108075805/https://loudwire.com/halestorm-details-reanimate-3-0-covers-ep/ . live .
  3. News: Goodwyn . Tom . 'We didn't know if we could still do it...' - Halestorm talk starting over on new album Vicious . February 19, 2021 . . July 27, 2018 . September 27, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200927074536/https://www.hmv.com/music/halestorm-vicious-interview . live .
  4. Hudak . Joseph . Halestorm Talk Owning Sex on Their New LP and Why Heavy Music Is 'Genderless' . February 19, 2021 . . August 2, 2018 . subscription . October 31, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201031090321/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/halestorm-talk-owning-sex-on-their-new-lp-and-why-heavy-music-is-genderless-705561/ . live .
  5. News: Bienstock . Richard . Halestorm Get 'Vicious': Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger Talk New Album . March 6, 2021 . . August 6, 2018 . October 22, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201022065523/https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/halestorm-get-vicious-lzzy-hale-and-joe-hottinger-talk-new-album . live .
  6. News: Ives . Brian . Lzzy Hale: Her Hits, Pat Benatar's Advice And The Sleepover That Changed Everything . February 22, 2021 . . November 1, 2020.
  7. News: Pasbani . Robert . Halestorm Unveil Catchy Pop-Metal New Song 'Uncomfortable,' Announce New Album . February 22, 2021 . Metal Injection . May 30, 2018 . November 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109034003/https://metalinjection.net/video/halestorm-unveil-catchy-pop-metal-new-song-uncomfortable-announce-new-album . live .
  8. News: Rosenberg . Axl . The New Halestorm Makes Me 'Uncomfortable' . February 22, 2021 . . May 30, 2018 . November 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109043107/https://www.metalsucks.net/2018/05/30/the-new-halestorm-song-makes-me-uncomfortable/ . live .
  9. News: Davies . Paul . Review: The week's best rock albums from The Rolling Stones and Halestorm to Big Big Train . February 22, 2021 . . July 26, 2018 . April 11, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200411204716/https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/994602/music-review-rock-albums-The-Rolling-Stones-Halestorm-Big-Big-Train . live .
  10. News: Monger . James Christopher . Vicious - Halestorm . February 22, 2021 . . June 7, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190607123111/https://www.allmusic.com/album/vicious-mw0003181810 . live .
  11. Web site: Key & BPM for Uncomfortable by Halestorm . Tunebat . February 22, 2021 . March 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210306192525/https://tunebat.com/Info/Uncomfortable-Halestorm/6qKSmXS6AOmSFAnmSxkASx . live .
  12. News: Lewry . Fraser . Halestorm's Vicious: Joe Hottinger's track-by-track guide . February 22, 2021 . . July 27, 2018 . October 19, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201019162155/https://www.loudersound.com/features/halestorms-vicious-joe-hottingers-track-by-track-guide . live .
  13. News: Whitmore . Laura B. . Exclusive Interview: Lzzy Hale Talks Halestorm's New Release, 'Vicious' out July 27 . February 22, 2018 . . July 27, 2018 . July 28, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180728110700/https://parade.com/688953/laurawhitmore/exclusive-interview-lzzy-hale-talks-halestorms-new-release-vicious-out-july-27/ . live .
  14. News: Jones . Owen . Halestorm // Lzzy Hale . February 22, 2021 . Kill Your Stereo . July 19, 2018 . October 1, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201001170625/https://killyourstereo.com/interviews/1103466/halestorm-lzzy-hale/ . live .
  15. News: Voinov . Jessica . Halestorm Proves they are the Definition of Rock'n Roll with new single 'Uncomfortable' (Single Review) . March 7, 2021 . Music Mayhem Magazine . May 31, 2018.
  16. News: Ives . Brian . Halestorm to Make 'Vicious' Return with New Album, Debut 'Uncomfortable' . February 22, 2021 . Loudwire . May 30, 2018 . November 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109004050/https://loudwire.com/halestorm-vicious-new-album/ . live .
  17. News: Halestorm Announce New Album Vicious, Unveil New Single Uncomfortable . February 22, 2021 . Kerrang! . May 30, 2018 . November 27, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191127212941/https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/halestorm-announce-new-album-vicious-unveil-new-single-uncomfortable/ . live .
  18. News: Munro . Scott . Halestorm return with storming new single Uncomfortable . February 22, 2021 . Classic Rock . May 30, 2018 . March 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210306192526/https://www.loudersound.com/news/halestorm-return-with-storming-new-single-uncomfortable . live .
  19. News: Camp . Zoe . Halestorm Debut Brash, Barreling New Song 'Uncomfortable,' Detail Next Album . February 22, 2021 . . May 30, 2018 . June 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200608153220/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/halestorm-debut-brash-barreling-new-song-uncomfortable-detail-next-album . live .
  20. News: Halestorm Frontwoman Says Fan Response To 'Uncomfortable' Single Has Been 'Overwhelmingly Positive' . February 22, 2021 . . July 2, 2018 . November 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109041951/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/halestorm-frontwoman-says-fan-response-to-uncomfortable-single-has-been-overwhelmingly-positive/ . live .
  21. News: The 40 Best Hard Rock Songs of 2018 . February 22, 2021 . Loudwire . December 3, 2018 . December 24, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201224002757/https://loudwire.com/the-40-best-hard-rock-songs-of-2018/ . live .
  22. Rodman . Sarah . Lzzy Hale of Halestorm on the Grammys, Pat Benatar . February 19, 2021 . . February 8, 2019 . January 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119025747/https://ew.com/grammys/2019/02/08/lzzy-hale-halestorm-grammy-interview/ . live .
  23. Web site: 2018 Grammy Winners . . February 19, 2021 . October 19, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191019011956/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/61st-annual-grammy-awards-2018 . live .
  24. Web site: Halestorm . . March 6, 2021 . August 13, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200813003737/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/halestorm/17658 . live .
  25. News: First-Time Grammy Nominees: Halestorm . . March 6, 2021 . December 2, 2014 . March 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210306192531/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/first-time-grammy-nominees-halestorm . live .
  26. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=halestorm|chart=rtt}} Halestorm Chart History (Mainstream Rock Songs) ]. February 22, 2021 . Billboard.
  27. News: Halestorm Announce New Album, 'Vicious,' Premiere 'Uncomfortable' . February 22, 2021 . . May 30, 2018 . November 27, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191127213010/https://www.guitarworld.com/amp/artists/halestorm-announce-new-album-vicious-premiere-uncomfortable . live .
  28. News: Hertweck . Nate . Halestorm Unleash New Single 'Uncomfortable,' New Album 'Vicious' Due Out In July . February 22, 2021 . . May 30, 2018 . March 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210306192531/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/halestorm-unleash-new-single-uncomfortable-new-album-vicious-due-out-july . live .
  29. News: Halestorm: Behind-The-Scenes Footage From Making Of 'Uncomfortable' Video . February 22, 2021 . . June 6, 2018 . November 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023553/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/halestorm-behind-the-scenes-footage-from-making-of-uncomfortable-video/ . live .
  30. Vicious. Halestorm. 2018. booklet. . 571870-2.
  31. Mainstream Rock Songs – Year-End 2018 . Billboard . February 22, 2021 . January 1, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190101061705/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/mainstream-rock-songs-artists . live .

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