We Are Chaos (song) explained

We Are Chaos
Cover:File:Marilyn Manson - We Are Chaos.png
Caption:Cover art for the 7" vinyl edition
Type:single
Artist:Marilyn Manson
Album:We Are Chaos
Genre:Glam rock[1]
Label:Loma Vista
Producer:
  • Manson
  • Jennings
Prev Title:The End
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:Don't Chase the Dead
Next Year:2020

"We Are Chaos" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rock band Marilyn Manson, released on July 29, 2020, through Loma Vista Recordings as the lead single from their eleventh studio album of the same name. The song was written and produced by Manson and Shooter Jennings; Jennings wanted the song to sound like the music of Jeff Lynne and Elvis Presley. "We Are Chaos" received generally positive reviews upon release, with numerous publications comparing it to the work of The Beatles. It was also a commercial success, entering the top five of numerous music download and airplay charts, and was their third top ten hit on Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. A music video for the song was created by Matt Mahurin, which featured Manson's likeness being inserted into a series of surrealistic vignettes.

Composition and style

The song was written by the band eponymous vocalist in collaboration with Shooter Jennings.[2] [3] The lyrics contain political and religious references, but the song was primarily inspired by Manson "thinking about how I can relate to the rest of the world, emotionally and mentally, and not dwelling on politics or religion so much."[4] He said that although the track was written before the COVID-19 pandemic, its lyrics could be conflated with the pandemic; he argued that lockdown would have a severe impact on mental health while saying "being kept indoors for so long can really work at someone's emotions and their soul, and test their strength in a lot of ways."[5] The primary guitar used to record the track was an acoustic guitar tuned to Nashville tuning, which was doubled during recording by Jennings. He said the Nashville tuning "kind of adds that Jeff Lynn vibe. It was brought in to bring that Elvis meets Jeff Lynn vibe. Nashville tuning gives you the glimmer but you don't have that whole fucking hippy, '60s peace thing going on."[6]

Critical reception

Numerous publications compared the track to the work of The Beatles,[7] [8] with Kerrang! specifically comparing it to the song "Across the Universe".[9] DIY said "We Are Chaos" was inspired by The Beatles' "brand of cathartic melancholia", describing it as a significant departure for Marilyn Manson and "an anarchic listen, but perhaps not in the way you are expecting."[8] A staff writer for Sputnikmusic said the track was an homage to two of the band's biggest influences: the Beatles and David Bowie. They elaborated that those two acts had been a primary influence on Manson's work since the 1998 album Mechanical Animals, and noted the track "perfectly displays the kind of duality the Beatles' sound is so well known for: it's an out of character set-piece teeming with optimism, juxtaposed with Manson's analytical motif about humanity's imminent doom."[7] Kerrang! complimented the song for being simultaneously apocalyptic and romantic, and said it was impossible to ascertain the sound of the parent album by listening to the song, writing: "For now, it's enough of a clue to know that what Marilyn Manson has in store is going to be something on a grand scale, and with a sense of class only he can unlock."[9]

Along with DIY,[8] BrooklynVegan described the song as a power ballad, "but in the brooding, creepy way that only Marilyn Manson would do a power ballad. Not bad at all."[10] Consequence of Sound complimented the track for being more acoustic than their earlier work, describing it as "both melodic and heavy at the same time. There's almost a pop quality to the song, but the macabre nature of the lyrics and vocals still make it very much a Marilyn Manson tune."[11] Other publications complimented the quality of the song's composition, with Idolator describing it as an unusually accessible and melodic track when compared with the rest of the band's discography.[12] USA Today said its lyrics were "signature Manson",[2] while American Songwriter said the chorus was "among the most visceral, primal expressions of inner turmoil since the unchained desperation of... 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. Manson's lyric, not unlike [Kurt] Cobain, shows us a world in which reason, logic and hope have been abandoned and lost."[13]

Release and promotion

A music video for "We Are Chaos" premiered on YouTube on July 29, 2020.[14] It was directed, photographed and edited by Matt Mahurin while in quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using computer-generated imagery and chroma key technology, Mahurin inserted Manson's likeness into a series of surrealistic vignettes.[14] The video features scenes such as Manson's brain being examined with a microscope,[2] and his brain being distilled into a "chaos pill" which is then placed on a disembodied tongue to create an army of clones rising from graves in a cemetery.[14]

The song was released as a one-track digital download on July 29, as the lead single from the album.[15] A limited edition 7" vinyl single was available with pre-orders of the album at Loma Vista's web store. The single was limited to 4,000 copies worldwide, and contained an exclusive b-side—a remix of the song created by Jennings.[16] "We Are Chaos" debuted at number thirty on the US active rock radio format on August 10, as the highest new entry that week.[17] It went on to peak at number eight on the chart dated October 24, when it was broadcast 1,208 times to over 2.35 million people.[18] On the mainstream rock format, the song peaked with 1,083 plays and a measured broadcast audience of 1.717 million on October 24.[19] The track peaked at number 8 on Billboard Mainstream Rock, the band's third top ten hit on that chart.

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal[20]

Marilyn Manson

Guest musicians

Charts

Chart (2020)Peak
position
scope=rowCanada Active Rock (Billboard)[22] 31
Czech Rock Songs (ČNS IFPI)[23] 5
German Alternative Singles (Deutsche Alternative Charts)[24] 1
scope=rowUS Alternative Digital Songs (Billboard)[25] 12
US Hard Rock Digital Songs (Billboard)[26] 1
US Hot Hard Rock Songs (Billboard)[27] 4
scope=rowUS Hot Rock Digital Songs (Billboard)[28] 4
scope=rowUS Rock Airplay (Billboard)[29] 26

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kaufman. Spencer. September 8, 2020. Marilyn Manson on WE ARE CHAOS, Pandemic Life, New Wave Influences, and Favorite David Bowie Album. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200910215529/https://consequence.net/2020/09/marilyn-manson-we-are-chaos-interview-2020/. September 10, 2020. December 10, 2020. Consequence of Sound.
  2. Web site: Marilyn Manson drops video for 'We Are Chaos', announces new album . Dinges, Gary . . July 29, 2020 . July 31, 2020 . September 24, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200924004324/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/07/29/marilyn-manson-drops-video-we-chaos-announces-new-album/5536793002/ . live.
  3. Web site: Reilly. Nick. July 29, 2020. Watch the unsettling video for 'We Are Chaos', the title track from Marilyn Manson's new album. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200730165754/https://www.nme.com/news/music/marilyn-manson-we-are-chaos-new-track-2717485. July 30, 2020. July 31, 2020. NME. en-GB.
  4. Web site: Spencer. Kaufman. Marilyn Manson on WE ARE CHAOS, Pandemic Life, New Wave Influences, and Favorite David Bowie Album. Consequence of Sound. September 10, 2020. September 8, 2020. September 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200910215529/https://consequence.net/2020/09/marilyn-manson-we-are-chaos-interview-2020/. live.
  5. Web site: Marilyn Manson on 'CHAOS,' Collaboration, How Elton John Made Him Cry . . . September 1, 2020 . September 9, 2020 . September 10, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200910201252/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/marilyn-manson-chaos-collaboration-how-elton-john-made-him-cry . live.
  6. Web site: Shooter Jennings: "Marilyn Manson's miraculous poetic ability doesn't grow cold, like a lot of people's songwriting" . Horsley, Jonathan . . September 23, 2020 . October 26, 2020 . October 27, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201027063706/https://www.guitarworld.com/features/shooter-jennings-marilyn-mansons-miraculous-poetic-ability-doesnt-grow-cold-like-a-lot-of-peoples-songwriting . live .
  7. Web site: Review: Marilyn Manson - We Are Chaos. Simon K. (Staff). Sputnikmusic. September 11, 2020. April 14, 2021.
  8. Web site: Tracks: Bilie Eilish, Bastille, Angel Olsen and more . . Johnstone Orr, Jack . July 31, 2020 . August 1, 2020 . August 5, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200805052553/https://diymag.com/2020/07/31/tracks-billie-eilish-bastille-angel-olsen-and-more . live.
  9. Web site: The First Reaction To Marilyn Manson's New Single, We Are Chaos . Ruskell, Nick . . July 29, 2020 . August 1, 2020 . August 1, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200801123108/https://www.kerrang.com/features/the-first-reaction-to-marilyn-mansons-new-single-we-are-chaos/ . dead.
  10. Web site: Marilyn Manson announces new album 'We Are Chaos,' shares video for title track . Sacher, Andrew . . July 31, 2020 . August 1, 2020 . July 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200730222444/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/marilyn-manson-announces-new-album-we-are-chaos-shares-video-for-title-track/ . live.
  11. Web site: Marilyn Manson Announces New Album We Are Chaos, Unleashes Title Track: Stream . Kaufman, Spencer . . July 29, 2020 . August 1, 2020 . August 1, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200801100258/https://consequence.net/2020/07/marilyn-manson-new-album-we-are-chaos-title-track/ . live.
  12. Web site: Marilyn Manson Announces 11th Album 'We Are Chaos' . Wass, Mike . . July 29, 2020 . August 1, 2020 .
  13. Web site: Inside "We Are Chaos," the new song & album by Marilyn Manson, Part 1 . Zollo, Paul . . September 11, 2020 . October 7, 2020 . October 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201012032606/https://americansongwriter.com/inside-we-are-chaos-the-new-song-album-by-marilyn-manson-part-1/ . live .
  14. Web site: Marilyn Manson Announces New Album 'We Are Chaos,' Shares Title Track . Shaffer, Claire . . July 29, 2020 . July 31, 2020 . July 29, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200729182220/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/marilyn-manson-we-are-chaos-1035595/ . live.
  15. Web site: Marilyn Manson Announces 'We Are Chaos' Album, Drops Title Track & Video . Aniftos, Rania . . July 29, 2020 . August 1, 2020 . August 1, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200801084259/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9426609/marilyn-manson-we-are-chaos-album . live.
  16. Web site: Marilyn Manson – We Are Chaos. Vinyl LP, CD, Cassette, Download. Loma Vista Recordings.. Loma Vista Recordings. August 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200809225246/https://uklomavistarecordings.ochre.store/release/199403-marilyn-manson-we-are-chaos. August 9, 2020. dead.
  17. Web site: Exclusive Mediabase Analysis From All Access . Mediabase/AllAccess.com . August 10, 2020 . September 9, 2020 . April 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210419230401/https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/198941/exclusive-mediabase-analysis-from-all-access . live .
  18. Web site: Mediabase 24/7 – 7 Day Charts. Mediabase. October 25, 2020. October 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201026000328/http://www.mediabase.com/mmrweb/allaboutcountry/Charts.asp?format=R2R. October 26, 2020. live.
  19. Web site: BDSRadio Charts Billboard Mainstream Rock National Airplay. Billboard. October 24, 2020. October 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201023041346/http://charts.bdsradio.com/bdsradiocharts/charts.aspx?formatid=54. October 23, 2020. live.
  20. Web site: July 29, 2020. Credits / WE ARE CHAOS / Marilyn Manson – TIDAL. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200809201215/https://listen.tidal.com/album/149541130/credits. August 9, 2020. July 31, 2020. TIDAL. en.
  21. Web site: July 29, 2020. Marilyn Manson Returns With New Single, We Are Chaos. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200730204608/https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/marilyn-manson-returns-with-new-single-we-are-chaos/. July 30, 2020. July 31, 2020. Kerrang!.
  22. Web site: Top Canada Active Rock Song Chart . . September 23, 2020 . https://archive.today/20200922230510/https://news.iheart.com/featured/charts/canada-active-rock/ . September 22, 2020 . dead.
  23. Web site: ČNS IFPI Top 20 Modern Rock – We Are Chaos . . October 12, 2020 . April 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210419230403/https://toplist.cz/dot.asp?id=36705&http=&t=%u010CNS%20IFPI&wi=1600&he=1000&cd=24 . live .
  24. Web site: Deutsche Alternative Charts – Woche: 41 Jahr: 2020 Kategorie: Single . Deutsche Alternative Charts . October 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201006000709/https://www.deutsche-alternative-charts.de/index.php . October 6, 2020 . dead.
  25. Web site: Marilyn Manson Chart History (Alternative Digital Songs) . Billboard . August 15, 2020 . December 24, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191224025932/https://www.billboard.com/music/marilyn-manson/chart-history/ALD . live .
  26. Web site: Marilyn Manson Chart History (Hard Rock Digital Songs) . Billboard . August 18, 2019 . December 24, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191224025858/https://www.billboard.com/music/marilyn-manson/chart-history/HRD . live .
  27. Web site: Marilyn Manson Chart History (Hot Hard Rock Songs). Billboard. September 23, 2020.
  28. Web site: Marilyn Manson Chart History (Hot Rock Digital Songs) . Billboard . August 15, 2020 . November 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181124111417/https://www.billboard.com/music/marilyn-manson/chart-history/rock-digital-song-sales . live .
  29. Web site: Marilyn Manson Chart History (Rock Airplay) . Billboard . October 12, 2020 . December 24, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191224025900/https://www.billboard.com/music/marilyn-manson/chart-history/RKA . live .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "We Are Chaos (song)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.