Blackout (Breathe Carolina song)

"Blackout"
Single by Breathe Carolina
from the album Hell Is What You Make It
Released June 14, 2011
Format Digital download
Recorded 2010
Genre
Length 3.28
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Ian Kirkpatrick
Breathe Carolina singles chronology
"Down"
(2010)		 "Blackout"
(2011)		 "Hit and Run"
(2012)
Blackout: The Remixes EP cover

"Blackout" is a song by American electronic rock duo Breathe Carolina. It is the lead single from their third studio album Hell Is What You Make It. It was written by David Schmitt, Kyle Even, Eric Armenta, Joshua Aragon, and Luis Bonet, whilst production was handled by Ian Kirkpatrick. Recorded between late 2010 and early 2011, it was one of the first tracks recorded for the album. On December 22, 2010, a snippet of the song was previewed in a YouTube video by Fearless Records. It premiered via MTV Buzzworthy on June 13, 2011, while it was available for digital download the following day.

The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, with some commending its catchiness.[1] The song has since become the duo's most successful single to date, peaking within the charts of Canada, New Zealand, Scotland, the United Kingdom and United States. It was also certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling more than 1 million copies. A music video directed by MOTIONarmy premiered via Vevo on September 20, 2011. A remix EP titled Blackout: The Remixes EP was also released on September 27, 2011, featuring remixes done by Big Chocolate, Wideboys, Tommy Noble and Tek-One. The song has since been performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as well as The Daily Habit.

Background and composition

The song was written by David Schmitt, Kyle Even, Eric Armenta, Joshua Aragon, Luis Bonet, and Simon Wilcox while production was handled by Ian Kirkpatrick, and was the first song written for the album.[2] While describing the writing process of the song, Even said the song is "one song that we created. We're very eclectic, and we definitely do whatever we want."[3] It was recorded in Los Angeles, California in 2010. On December 22, 2010, a snippet of the song was previewed by Fearless Records, however, the name of the song was not given.[4] It premiered via MTV Buzzworthy on June 13, 2011,[5] while being available for digital download the following day.[6]

Musically, "Blackout" is a synthpop[1] and dance-pop song that also blends house, Italo disco and electro genres[7] and features a "chugging bassline" and "punchy beats", while Schmitt's vocals have been described as "nasal".[8] The song has also been said to be reminiscent of pop music from the late-1980s.[9] It has also been described as having heavy influences of pop punk, and has been compared to the music of Cobra Starship.[8] Lyrically, the song mentions references to alcohol intoxication and partying, singing "I'm only getting started/I won't blackout" throughout the chorus.

Music video

The music video for the song premiered on September 20, 2011 the duo's official VEVO channel via YouTube.[10] It was shot during the summer of 2011 in Los Angeles, California.[11] It includes shots of the duo performing live with their band whilst also including sequences of the group "partying" and "getting into trouble".[12] It has since ranked on MTV's 10 On Top list.[13]

A lyric video was also uploaded onto the duo's official YouTube channel and has since garnered more than 11 million views.[14]

Live performances

The duo performed "Blackout" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 16, 2011 in their first televised performance ever.[14] The duo also performed it on The Daily Habit.[15]

Other media

The song was featured during the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards when Batman: Arkham City received the award for "Best Action Adventure" game. It was also featured on a promo for WWE's Monday Night Raw on December 12, 2011.

It will be featured in the Australian version of FIFA Street.

Track listing

Single version
  1. "Blackout" - 3:28
Blackout: The Remixes EP
  1. "Blackout (Wideboys Remix)" – 6:17
  2. "Blackout (Tommy Noble Remix)" – 4:08
  3. "Blackout (Big Chocolate Remix)" – 5:06
  4. "Blackout (Tek-One Remix)" - 3:46

Charts

Chart (2011–12) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[16] 94
Latvia (European Hit Radio)[17] 10
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[18] 32
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[19] 20
UK Dance (Official Charts Company)[20] 3
UK Indie (Official Charts Company)[21] 1
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[22] 21
US Billboard Hot 100[23] 32
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[24] 25
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[25] 17
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[26] 39

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
United States (RIAA)[27] Platinum 1,000,000^

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

References

  1. 1 2 http://www.altpress.com/reviews/entry/breathe_carolina_-_hell_is_what_you_make_it/
  2. ↑ "Most Popular E-mail Newsletter". USA Today. 2011-12-02.
  3. ↑ http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1673908/breathe-carolina-album.jhtml
  4. ↑ "Fearless Records - New Music Coming In 2011". YouTube. 2010-12-22. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  5. ↑ "Song Premiere: Breathe Carolina, ‘Blackout’". Buzzworthy.mtv.com. 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  6. ↑ "Blackout - Single: Breathe Carolina: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  7. ↑ http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2011/06/13/breathe-carolina-blackout-new-song/
  8. 1 2 http://dancemusic.about.com/b/2011/08/15/song-of-the-day-breathe-carolina-blackout.htm
  9. ↑ “Waiting” (2011-08-30). "Alternative Press | Reviews | Breathe Carolina - Hell Is What You Make It". Altpress.com. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  10. ↑ "Alternative Press | News | Breathe Carolina release "Blackout" music video". Altpress.com. 2011-09-20. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  11. ↑ "Official Website of Breathe Carolina, "Blackout" Music Video Casting Call". Breathecarolina.net. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  12. ↑ Matt (2011-09-21). "Video Debut: Breathe Carolina’s "Blackout" Is High-Energy Fun". 923now.radio.com. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  13. ↑ "Breathe Carolina - breaks the Top 40 Radio Chart | Altsounds.com News". Hangout.altsounds.com. 2011-11-02. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  14. 1 2 "Breathe Carolina - Blackout Lyric Video". YouTube. 2011-06-24. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  15. ↑ http://www.alterthepress.com/2011/11/breathe-carolina-perform-blackout-on.html
  16. ↑ "Breathe Carolina – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Breathe Carolina. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  17. ↑ "EHR top 40". Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  18. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Breathe Carolina – Blackout". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2012-04-21". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2012-04-21" UK Dance Chart. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2012-04-21" UK Indie Chart. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2012-04-21" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  23. ↑ "Breathe Carolina – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Breathe Carolina. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Breathe Carolina – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Breathe Carolina. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  25. ↑ "Breathe Carolina – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Breathe Carolina. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  26. ↑ "Breathe Carolina – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Breathe Carolina. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  27. ↑ "American single certifications – Breathe Carolina – Blackout". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH

External links

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