Blackout (Breathe Carolina song)

"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.

"Blackout"
Single by Breathe Carolina
from the album Hell Is What You Make It
B-side"Sweat It Out"
ReleasedJune 14, 2011
Recorded2010
Genre
Length3:30
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Ian Kirkpatrick
Breathe Carolina singles chronology
"Down"
(2010)		 "Blackout"
(2011)		 "Hit and Run"
(2012)
Music video
"Blackout" on YouTube

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.[2] 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.[3] 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."[4] 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.[5] It premiered via MTV Buzzworthy on June 13, 2011,[6] while being available for digital download the following day.[7]

Musically, "Blackout" is a synthpop[1] and dance-pop song that also blends house, Italo disco and electro genres[6] 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.[1] 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.

The song earned the duo, MTV Push Artist of the Week on November 7, 2011.[9][10]

Critical reception

"Blackout" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Jason Newman of MTV called the track, "anthemic" stating, "The heavily effected vocals mask the motivational hook, which is perfectly suited to a night out."[6] Alternative Press called the tune, "an irresistible synth-pop song."[1] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy compared the song to Kesha and You Me at Six stating, "The cut is a rebellious combo of '80s power synths and rock-ready beats."[11]

Music video

The music video for the song premiered on September 20, 2011 on the duo's official VEVO channel via YouTube.[12] The music video garnered over 850,000 views within the first five days of its release.[13] It was shot during the summer of 2011 in Los Angeles, California.[14] It includes shots of the duo performing live with their band whilst also including sequences of the group "partying" and "getting into trouble".[15][16] It has since ranked on MTV's 10 On Top list.[17]

A lyric video was also uploaded onto the duo's official YouTube channel and has since garnered more than 16 million views.[18]

Commercial performance

"Blackout" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 19, 2011 at number 92.[19] The song later peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song sold 175,000 digital downloads in December 2011.[20] On the week of January 8, 2012, "Blackout" saw its highest sales week yet with over 75,000 copies sold. As of January 2012, the song has sold over 400,000 copies in the US.[21] Outside of the United States, the song also charted in Canada, New Zealand and Scotland. In the UK, the song peaked at number 21 on the UK Singles Chart and number 1 on the UK Independent Singles Chart.

Live performances

The duo performed "Blackout" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 16, 2011 in their first televised performance ever.[22] The duo also performed it on The Daily Habit.[23]

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 was featured in the Australian version of FIFA Street.

The song was also featured on Now That's What I Call Music! 41.

Track listing
Digital download
  1. "Blackout" - 3:30
CD single
  1. "Blackout" - 3:32
  2. "Sweat It Out" - 3:53
Maxi CD single
  1. "Blackout" - 3:28
  2. "Blackout (Wideboys Remix)" – 6:17
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

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[43] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Release history for "Blackout"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
United States June 14, 2011 Digital download Main Fearless [7]
Various September 27, 2011 Remixes [2]
Australia January 27, 2012 Main [44]
New Zealand
United Kingdom April 1, 2012 Contemporary hit radio [45]

See also

References
  1. "Breathe Carolina - Hell is What You Make It". Alternative Press. July 4, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  2. "Blackout (The Remixes) - EP by Breathe Carolina". Apple Music. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  3. Brian Mansfield (December 2, 2011). "Electronic duo Breathe Carolina amid a 'Blackout'". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  4. Jocelyn Vena (November 7, 2011). "Breathe Carolina Call Hell is What You Make It 'Eclectic'". MTV. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  5. "Fearless Records - New Music Coming In 2011". YouTube. 2010-12-22. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  6. Jason Newman (June 13, 2011). "Song Premiere: Breathe Carolina, 'Blackout'". MTV. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  7. "Blackout - Single: Breathe Carolina: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Archived from the original on February 25, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  8. Ron Slomowicz (August 15, 2011). "Song of the Day: Breathe Carolina - Blackout". About.com. Archived from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  9. Nicole James (November 7, 2011). "MTV Push Artist Of The Week: Breathe Carolina". MTV. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  10. "Breathe Carolina on MTV Push". Hits Daily Double. October 11, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  11. Lewis Corner (March 19, 2012). "Playlist: 10 tracks you need to hear". Digital Spy. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  12. "Alternative Press | News | Breathe Carolina release "Blackout" music video". Altpress.com. 2011-09-20. Archived from the original on 2011-11-15. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  13. "Vibe Raters Taps Four". Hits Daily Double. September 28, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  14. "Blackout Music Video Casting Call". Breathecarolina.net. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  15. Matt (2011-09-21). "Video Debut: Breathe Carolina's "Blackout" Is High-Energy Fun". 923now.radio.com. Archived from the original on 2011-12-26. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  16. Nicole James (September 30, 2011). "Breathe Carolina's 'Blackout' Video: Buzzworthy Obsession". MTV. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  17. "Breathe Carolina - breaks the Top 40 Radio Chart | Altsounds.com News". Hangout.altsounds.com. 2011-11-02. Archived from the original on 2012-01-06. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  18. "Breathe Carolina - Blackout Lyric Video". YouTube. 2011-06-24. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  19. "Billboard Hot 100 – Week of November 19, 2011". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  20. Brian Mansfield (December 2, 2011). "Electronic duo Breathe Carolina amid a 'Blackout'". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  21. "Breathe Carolina and LA Kings - Jan. 12". NHL.com. January 8, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  22. Amber Wade (June 15, 2011). "Breathe Carolina on Jimmy Kimmel Live". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  23. "Breathe Carolina Perform "Blackout" on the Daily Habit".
  24. "Breathe Carolina – Blackout" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  25. "Breathe Carolina Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  26. "Breathe Carolina Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  27. "Breathe Carolina Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  28. "Breathe Carolina – Blackout" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  29. "EHR Top 40". Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  30. "Breathe Carolina – Blackout". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  31. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  32. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  33. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  34. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  35. "Breathe Carolina Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  36. "Breathe Carolina Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  37. "Breathe Carolina Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  38. "Breathe Carolina Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  39. "Breathe Carolina Chart History (Rock Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  40. "EHR Year Top 100 - 2012". Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  41. "Alternative Digital Songs Sales – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  42. "Rock Digital Songs Sales – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  43. "American single certifications – Breathe Carolina – Blackout". Recording Industry Association of America.
  44. iTunes Singles:
  45. Robert Copsey (March 13, 2012). "Breathe Carolina: 'Blackout' - Music video". Digital Spy. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
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