Painkiller (Three Days Grace song)

"Painkiller" is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. The song was released on April 1, 2014, as the lead single from their fifth studio album Human.[1] It is the first single released with new singer Matt Walst, following the departure of Adam Gontier. The song reached number-one on the US Mainstream Rock chart, which made it their eleventh number-one single.[2]

"Painkiller"
Single by Three Days Grace
from the album Human
ReleasedApril 1, 2014
Recorded2013
StudioNoble Street Studios, Toronto, Ontario
Genre
Length2:58
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Brown
Three Days Grace singles chronology
"Misery Loves My Company"
(2013)
"Painkiller"
(2014)
"I Am Machine"
(2014)
Music video
"Painkiller" (lyric video) on YouTube

Background

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On March 28, 2014, the band officially announced that Matt Walst would be Adam Gontier's permanent replacement in the band.[3] Within the announcement, it was teased that new music would be heard the following week and on March 31, the band premiered "Painkiller" on their YouTube channel.[1] The song was officially released through iTunes on April 1.[4] Drummer Neil Sanderson talked about the meaning behind the song in a making of video released on the band's YouTube account:

"Painkiller, that song is about how everybody is addicted to something. It's written from the perspective of the vice that you need to be addicted to. The love of the drug, it's the villain who taunts you into wanting more."[5]

Composition

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"Painkiller" was written by Johnny Andrews, Douglas Ryan Oliver, Neil Sanderson, Barry Stock, Brad Walst and Matt Walst while production was handled by Gavin Brown who also co-wrote the track.[6] The song was recorded in Noble Street Studios, Toronto, Ontario, in late 2013.[7] It was the first track they wrote with Matt, who had already written most of the chorus.[8] Stock stated that they wrote the song from the perspective of how everyone has a vice and it drawing you back in.[9]

Awards and nominations

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Awards and nominations for "Painkiller"
Year Organization Award Result Ref(s)
2014 Loudwire Music Awards Rock Song of the Year Won [10]

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[17] Gold 40,000
United States (RIAA)[18] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b Hartmann, Graham (March 31, 2014). "Three Days Grace Unveil New Song Painkiller". Loudwire. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  2. ^ "Three Days Grace Add to Chart Record With New No. 1 Hit Painkiller". Loudwire. June 10, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  3. ^ Childers, Chad (March 28, 2014). "Three Days Grace Confirm That Matt Walst Will Continue As Band's Frontman". Loudwire. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  4. ^ "Painkiller - Single by Three Days Grace". iTunes. Archived from the original on June 28, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  5. ^ "Three Days Grace -- Making of "Painkiller"". YouTube. April 1, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  6. ^ "Painkiller". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  7. ^ Neil Sanderson (May 22, 2014). "Neil Sanderson Details Three Days Grace's Recording Process For New Album". Loudwire. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  8. ^ Gary Graff (July 18, 2014). "Three Days Grace 'Almost Done' New Album, Predict 2015 Release". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  9. ^ James Wood (March 22, 2015). "Three Days Grace Guitarist Barry Stock Discusses Gear and New Album, 'Human'". Guitar World. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  10. ^ "Three Days Grace Win Rock Song of the Year in the 4th Annual Loudwire Music Awards". Loudwire. February 3, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  11. ^ "Three Days Grace Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  12. ^ "Three Days Grace Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  13. ^ "Three Days Grace Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  14. ^ "Three Days Grace Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  15. ^ "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  16. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  17. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Three Days Grace – Painkiller". Music Canada. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  18. ^ "American single certifications – Three Days Grace – Painkiller". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2 November 2018.