Under Your Scars Explained

Under Your Scars
Type:single
Artist:Godsmack
Album:When Legends Rise
Released:
    • March 28, 2019
Recorded:2017–2018
Genre:Symphonic rock
Label:BMG
Producer:
  • Sully Erna
  • Eric Ron
Prev Title:When Legends Rise
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Unforgettable
Next Year:2018

"Under Your Scars" is a song by American rock band Godsmack. It was the third single off of their seventh studio album When Legends Rise.

Background and inspiration

Sully Erna revealed that the source of the inspiration behind "Under Your Scars" was Lady Gaga, stating:

Sound

In an interview with Classic Rock, Sully Erna stated that "Under Your Scars" was "probably the most important song on this record" due it being a "legitimate ballad".[1]

"It was the first time we introduced piano to the brand," Erna explained.[1] "It was taking a little bit of what I've done over the years with my solo stuff, and hybriding it to come up with a more classic ballad, like the 'Dream On's and the 'Stairway To Heaven's and the 'November Rain's. I can't say it competes with those songs — obviously it's too new, and those songs are legendary — but I feel like it kind of has those elements of an epic ballad. It starts off very slow and keeps on growing and growing and growing into this big epic finale, and it has some of the deepest lyrics on the record."[1]

Track listing

Digital single

Music video

The music video for "Under Your Scars" was released on July 19, 2019. The clip, directed by Paris Visone, alternates between live footage of the band performing the ballad and heartfelt interactions they had with fans throughout the years. Radio.com praised the music video for sending a message of positivity and referred to it as "touching".[2]

Live performance

Godsmack debuted "Under Your Scars" on February 27, 2019, at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London, England.[3] Since then, the song is regularly performed at the band's concerts. On October 8, 2019, Sully Erna and guitarist Tony Rombola performed an acoustic version of the song during a live appearance on SiriusXM's Octane Unleaded.[4]

Reception

Critical

Reviews for "Under Your Scars" were overwhelmingly positive. Loudwire's Joe Divita described the song as a "tender, powerful track." Similarly, Blabbermouth's reviewer Jay Gorania, who gave the album a six out of ten, described the song as a 'formidable ballad replete with a moving Slash-esque solo that's as evocative as the rest of the song."[5] AllMusic's reviewer Neil Yeung described the song as "sweeping" and "arena-ready."[6]

Commercial

Upon its release, "Under Your Scars" entered multiple charts, including the Billboard Mainstream Rock. Like the previous two singles from the album, the single peaked at number one where it remained for two consecutive weeks,[7] giving Godsmack their tenth number one single on that chart.[8]

When asked about the single's commercial success, Sully Erna commented that it was a proud moment for the band to announce that milestone, adding that he was feeling blessed and honored to have three singles from the same album to reach the number one spot, a career first for the band.[8]

The Scars Foundation

To accompany "Under Your Scars", the band, who has lost a number of fellow artists and friends to suicide over the past few years, launched The Scars Foundation to help raise awareness for mental health issues.[9] The non-profit organization aims to provide resources and educate those that struggle with suicidal thoughts, bullying, addiction, abuse, and more. Every donation to the organization includes a complimentary download of "Under Your Scars" from which the foundation takes its name.[9]

Personnel

Godsmack
Additional personnel

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2019)Position
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[10] 28
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[11] 47

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lewry . Fraser . Sully Erna's track-by-track guide to Godsmack's When Legends Rise . Classic Rock Magazine . 28 October 2020 . en . 27 April 2018.
  2. Godsmack Highlights Love in 'Under Your Scars' Music Video. 27 October 2020. Radio.com.
  3. Web site: Godsmack Concert Setlist at O2 Forum Kentish Town, London on February 27, 2019 . 29 October 2020 . en-us.
  4. Web site: GODSMACK Performs Acoustic Version Of 'Under Your Scars' On SiriusXM's Octane Unleaded (Video) . BLABBERMOUTH.NET . 29 October 2020 . 8 October 2019.
  5. CD Reviews - When Legends Rise Godsmack - Blabbermouth.net. 19 July 2019 . Gorania. Jay. Blabbermouth.net.
  6. Web site: Yeung . Neil . When Legends Rise – Godsmack . 28 October 2020 . en-us.
  7. Web site: Rutherford . Kevin . 'Unforgettable' Achievement: Godsmack Scores Fourth Mainstream Rock No. 1 From 'When Legends Rise' Album . Billboard . 30 October 2020 . en . 15 May 2020.
  8. Godsmack Achieves Career First With Three No. 1 Singles From Same Album - Blabbermouth.net. 27 October 2020. 22 July 2019. Blabbermouth.net.
  9. Godsmack's Sully Erna Launches Scars Foundation. 27 October 2020 . Childers. Chad. 9 April 2019. Loudwire.com.
  10. Web site: Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019. Billboard.
  11. Web site: Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2019. Billboard.