Bulletproof (Godsmack song)

"Bulletproof" is a song by American rock band Godsmack. It was their first single off of their seventh studio album When Legends Rise. It reached number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in 2018.

"Bulletproof"
Single by Godsmack
from the album When Legends Rise
ReleasedFebruary 28, 2018 (2018-02-28)
Recorded2017–2018
Genre
Length2:57
LabelBMG
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Sully Erna
  • Erik Ron
Godsmack singles chronology
"Come Together"
(2017)		 "Bulletproof"
(2018)		 "When Legends Rise"
(2018)

Background

The song was first released on February 28, 2018.[2] as the first single from their seventh studio album When Legends Rise.[3] The song is the band's first release since switching record labels from Universal Republic to BMG in 2016.[4][5] Their prior single, a cover of The Beatles "Come Together" was released as a single in 2017, but this was because it originated from the band's 2012 release Live & Inspired.[6] The band had changed labels for more artistic control over their music.[4] "Bulletproof" debuted at number 24 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs, making it the highest debut and greatest gainer in charting for the week.[7] The song became Godsmack's eighth number one Mainstream Rock song on May 26, 2018. This was Godsmack's first number 1 song on the Mainstream Rock chart in 4 years.[8]

A music video featuring guest appearances by Billy Ray Cyrus and Sebastian Bach was released as well.[9] The 10 minute video was created by director Troy Smith[10] and producer/editor Noah Berlow.[11][12]

Themes and composition

Lyrically, the song, along with its respective album, are related to the band still being together and functioning well as a unit for over twenty years.[2] Frontman Sully Erna said of writing the song:

I always write about things that have affected me on an emotional level...But if I choose to do that, I have to be prepared to be honest and vulnerable. And so the challenge is figuring out how 'exposed' you want to be with personal information. But I've also learnt over the years that, for me, being transparent, even to the point of embarrassment sometimes, is so much better than holding it inside and extending that pain longer than you need to. 'Bulletproof' is just another moment in my life when I allowed myself to be vulnerable and got hurt. It's this kind of carelessness from other people that eventually hardens you and forces you to put up that wall to protect yourself. So when and if they circle back around and try to get back in, you make yourself bulletproof.[13]

Musically, the song was described as more melodic and catchy, and less aggressive, than the band's past music.[14][15] Loudwire described it as having a "subdued vibe" in the choruses, with layers of guitar added gradually, until it "explodes" into the chorus, with heavy distorted guitars and melodic, soaring vocals.[14]

Reception

Reaction to the song has been mixed. Metal Injection sees the song as a "departure" for the band, instead opting for a "more melodic/catchy sound".[16] MetalSucks however was critical of the new sound demonstrated by the song, comparing it to 3 Doors Down and pop music.[17][18]

Personnel

Band

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[25] Gold 500,000

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

References
  1. Staff, Loudwire. "The 40 Best Hard Rock Songs of 2018". Loudwire.
  2. "GODSMACK To Release 'When Legends Rise' Album In April; 'Bulletproof' Single Available". blabbermouth.net. 28 February 2018.
  3. "Godsmack return with new single and album". teamrock.com.
  4. "Godsmack's Sully Erna Confirms Band's Label Change". Loudwire.
  5. "Godsmack: 'Bulletproof' vom kommenden "When Legends Rise"-Album im Stream". rockhard.de.
  6. "Godsmack's Cover of The Beatles' 'Come Together' Returns at No. 1". Billboard.
  7. "Rock Music: Top Mainstream Rock Songs Chart". billboard.com.
  8. "Godsmack Lands First No. 1 on Mainstream Rock Songs in Four Years With 'Bulletproof'". Billboard.
  9. "Godsmack Detail New Album "When Legends Rise", Debut "Bulletproof" - Theprp.com". theprp.com. 28 February 2018.
  10. Times, Hanan Daqqa / Fairfax County. "What makes Godsmack so "Bulletproof"?". Fairfax County Times.
  11. "Palmerton producer collaborates on new Godsmack video - Times News Online". www.tnonline.com.
  12. Moser, John J. "Palmerton man is editor of video for Godsmack's new Top 5 hit 'Bulletproof'". mcall.com.
  13. "Sully Erna Says New Godsmack Album Will Feature The Band's "First Real Ballad" - Theprp.com". theprp.com. 1 March 2018.
  14. "Godsmack Go Melodic on New 'When Legends Rise' Song 'Bulletproof'". Loudwire.
  15. "This Is What GODSMACK Sounds Like in 2018; Melodic New Song "Bulletproof" Released". metalinjection.net. 28 February 2018.
  16. "This Is What GODSMACK Sounds Like in 2018; Melodic New Song "Bulletproof" Released". Metal Injection. 28 February 2018.
  17. "Godsmack Release New Autotune Demonstration Song - MetalSucks". metalsucks.net. 28 February 2018.
  18. "Reaction Video: First Listen to Godsmack's New Pop Song "Bulletproof" - MetalSucks". metalsucks.net. 2 March 2018.
  19. "Godsmack Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  20. "Hard Rock Digital Songs, June 27, 2018". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  21. "Godsmack Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  22. "Godsmack Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  23. "Digital Songs, June 27, 2018". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  24. "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  25. "American single certifications – Godsmack – Bulletproof". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 22, 2019. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
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