The Walker (song)

"The Walker"
Single by Fitz and The Tantrums
from the album More Than Just a Dream
Released December 10, 2013[1]
Format Digital download
Genre Indie pop, neo soul
Length 3:53
Label Elektra
Writer(s) Michael Fitzpatrick, Noelle Scaggs, James King
Producer(s) Tony Hoffer
Fitz and The Tantrums singles chronology
"Out of My League"
(2013)		 "The Walker"
(2013)		 "Fools Gold"
(2014)

"The Walker" is a song by the American neo soul band Fitz and The Tantrums. It is the second single from the band's second album More Than Just a Dream. The song was used in the trailer for the movie The Boxtrolls, in the trailer for video game Sims 4, in television commercials for the 86th Academy Awards that were hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, in the 2014 Major League Baseball postseason and for Sprite commercials. In 2014, the song started being used as the opening theme to the MLB Network show High Heat, hosted by Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo.

Music video

The video, directed by Warren Kommers, centers around an everyman protagonist who is waiting in line outside the DMV in the sweltering summer heat (band members Michael Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs are also seen in line). Looking increasingly agitated, he suddenly jumps out of line and begins dancing and gesturing his frustration, before storming off. The man is shown walking through the streets of Los Angeles to the beat of the song, occasionally with passerby joining in dance routines with him, and all showing similar frustrated body language and facial expressions.

The protagonist engages in other expressions of anger like punching a chunk out of a cement building, getting in an argument with a police officer who tries to ticket him for jaywalking, walking over an occupied car and dancing on the roof, kicking a boot off a car, bending a No Parking sign in half, and shouting to the sky in a dead-end alleyway. He finally returns to the DMV where he and all the other customers perform another dance routine. The video closes with the man suddenly back in line, implying the entire sequence occurred in his imagination.

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (2013–14) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[2] 82
US Billboard Hot 100[3] 67
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[4] 11
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[5] 4
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[6] 5
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[7] 13
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[8] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2014) Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[9] 22
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[10] 5
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[11] 15
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[12] 40
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[13] 9

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
United States (RIAA)[14] Gold 500,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

  1. ↑ "Alternative > Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on November 16, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Fitz & the Tantrums Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for Fitz & the Tantrums. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Fitz & the Tantrums Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Fitz & the Tantrums. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Fitz & the Tantrums Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot Rock Songs for Fitz & the Tantrums. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Fitz & the Tantrums Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Rock Airplay for Fitz & the Tantrums. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Fitz & the Tantrums Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Alternative Songs for Fitz & the Tantrums. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Fitz & the Tantrums Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Fitz & the Tantrums. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Fitz & the Tantrums Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Alternative Songs for Fitz & the Tantrums. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Rock Airplay Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Adult Alternative Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Adult Pop Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Alternative Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  14. ↑ "American single certifications – Fitz & the Tantrums – The Walker". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH

External links