Dig Down

"Dig Down" is a song by English rock band Muse. Produced by the band with Mike Elizondo, it was released as a single on 18 May 2017 and is featured on the band's eighth studio album, Simulation Theory.[2] "Dig Down" debuted at number 94 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart. The next week, it peaked at 51 on that chart.

"Dig Down"
Single by Muse
from the album Simulation Theory
Released18 May 2017 (2017-05-18)
Recorded2017 (2017)
StudioAIR Studios (London, England)
Genre
Length3:48
3:57 (Acoustic Gospel Version)
Label
Songwriter(s)Matt Bellamy
Producer(s)
Muse singles chronology
"Reapers"
(2016)		 "Dig Down"
(2017)		 "Thought Contagion"
(2018)

Background

Muse began teasing the release of a new song in early May 2017, sharing photos and clips from the video.[3] After announcing the track the week before,[4] "Dig Down" was released alongside its music video on 18 May 2017.[5] Speaking about writing the song, Muse frontman Matt Bellamy explained that "I was looking to counteract the current negativity in the world and give inspiration, optimism and hope to people to fight for the causes they believe in – that as individuals we can choose to change the world if we want to".[6] Consequence of Sound's Michelle Geslani described the song as "a stuttering, mostly sparse number with hints of glam rock flare".[7]

On the deluxe versions of the album, an alternative version of the song was included dubbed the "Acoustic Gospel Version". This version does away with the electronic elements and instead is a much quieter, simpler version featuring acoustic guitar, piano and a choir in the background. This version was played during the Simulation Theory World Tour instead of the original.

Music video

The music video for "Dig Down" was released alongside the track on 18 May 2017. Directed by Lance Drake, the video features model and activist Lauren Wasser, "who has to fight her way out of a high-security building"[8] while the band members sing or play their respective instruments while attempting to resemble the Max Headroom incident.[9] Writing for Rolling Stone magazine, Elias Light outlined that in the "violent, kung-fu-filled" video, "Wasser's character, outnumbered at least 20-to-1, defeats a series of shadowy assailants in hand-to-hand combat".[10] Speaking about the production of the video, Drake explained that "When I heard this song, I knew I wanted to do an action-packed narrative. I'd heard about Lauren a year or so ago, I read her story and she gave me personal inspiration so I'd always kept her in mind to shoot with one day. The power of the song made me think of her – so I wrote the video narrative based on Lauren's story and how she overcame the odds."[6]

Live video

An official live video was also released through the Muse YouTube channel on 5 June 2017. The video, directed by Tom Kirk, was recorded in Nashville on 3 June 2017.[11]

Reception

The song has received mixed reviews from both critics and fans of the band. Matt Dawson from RedBrick gave an average review stating "it appears that Muse have yet to perfect the formula of trying new things and retaining the components that made them good in the first place".[12] Jason Davis from The Edge also gave a mixed review expressing - "Muse have a knack for the experimenting in their music, but 'Dig Down' has only that going for it. This relatively uneventful song doesn't stand up to their past anthems." awarding 3/5 stars.[13] However, Hayden Benfield from Renowned for Sound gave a positive review stating - "Dig Down is certainly a catchy track that grows on the listener with repeat listens.", giving it 4/5 stars.[14]

Charts

References
  1. Leight, Elias (18 May 2017). "See Muse's Violent, Kung-Fu-Filled 'Dig Down' Video". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  2. Trendell, Andrew (30 August 2018). "Muse unveil new single 'The Dark Side' and announce new album 'Simulation Theory'". NME. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  3. Trendell, Andrew (10 May 2017). "Muse tease new single and video". NME. Time Inc. UK. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  4. Trendell, Andrew (11 May 2017). "Muse announce new single 'Dig Down'". NME. Time Inc. UK. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  5. Britton, Luke Morgan (18 May 2017). "Watch Muse's dystopian video for new single 'Dig Down'". NME. Time Inc. UK. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  6. Munro, Scott (18 May 2017). "Watch video for new Muse track Dig Down". Prog. TeamRock. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  7. Geslani, Michelle (18 May 2017). "Muse share action-packed video for new single "Dig Down" — watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  8. Strauss, Matthew (18 May 2017). "Watch Muse's Video for New Song "Dig Down"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  9. Bellamy, Matt (18 May 2017). "Muse Recreated Max Headroom Incident in "Dig Down" Music Video". Twitter. Retrieved 18 June 2017. Yes, wanted to recreate that 'max headroom incident' 80s TV hack
  10. Light, Elias (18 May 2017). "See Muse's Violent, Kung-Fu-Filled 'Dig Down' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  11. Muse (5 June 2017), MUSE - Dig Down [Live from Nashville, TN // 3 June 2017], retrieved 5 June 2017
  12. Matt Dawson (20 May 2017). "Single Review: Muse - Dig Down". Redbrick. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  13. Jason Davis (2 July 2017). "Review: Muse – 'Dig Down'". Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  14. Haydon Benfield (28 May 2017). "Single Review: Muse – 'Dig Down'". Renowned for Sound. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  15. "Muse – Dig Down" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  16. "Muse – Dig Down" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  17. "Muse Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  18. "Le Top de la semaine: Top Singles Téléchargés – SNEP (Week 21, 2017)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  19. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  20. "Muse – Dig Down" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  21. "Muse – Dig Down". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  22. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100: 19th May 2017- 25th May 2017". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  23. "Muse Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  24. "Muse Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  25. "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  26. "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
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