Sober Up

"Sober Up" is a song by American alternative pop band AJR, from their second studio album, The Click. Released as the album's third single, it features Rivers Cuomo, lead singer and frontman of American rock band Weezer, although certain radio stations instead play a version with band member Ryan singing Cuomo's verse. "Sober Up" became the first number one song for AJR on the Billboard Alternative Songs, when it peaked at number one on the chart in March 2018. Similarly, Cuomo had his first number one on the alternative Billboard chart as a solo artist.

"Sober Up"
The official cover artwork for "Sober Up".
Single by AJR featuring Rivers Cuomo
from the album The Click
ReleasedJune 9, 2017 (2017-06-09)
Length3:38
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)AJR
AJR singles chronology
"Drama"
(2017)		 "Sober Up"
(2017)		 "Burn the House Down"
(2018)
Rivers Cuomo singles chronology
"I Still Wanna Know"
(2017)		 "Sober Up"
(2017)		 "Medicine for Melancholy"
(2018)

Background

AJR had written most of "Sober Up" before reaching out to Rivers Cuomo of Weezer. After following AJR on Twitter, the band as well as Cuomo expressed admiration for each other's work, in which they later asked if he wanted to collaborate with them. Cuomo was sent an unfinished version of the song that was missing a bridge.[1] To complete "Sober Up", Cuomo wrote and sang the bridge. Cuomo had 3 versions: one in Spanish, one that was nonsensical, and the one that was eventually accepted into the final track.[2]

Composition

In an interview with Billboard, Jack and Ryan Met revealed the inspiration to "Sober Up" came to them during their time at Columbia University. While at Columbia, the Met brothers felt that they were missing their childhood. Using their feelings of loneliness, the Mets were compelled to pen a song about Jack phoning up his crush he had in the second grade of elementary school.[3]

Live performances

In January 2018, AJR performed "Sober Up" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! alongside their previous hit "Weak". Cuomo later joined the band for shows in March and April in Los Angeles and has also covered it for a couple solo shows including one in San Francisco.[4]

Chart performance

In March 2018, "Sober Up" peaked at number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and was the first number one song for AJR. For Rivers Cuomo, "Sober Up" was his first song to reach number one on Billboard's Alternative chart as a solo artist outside of Weezer.[5]

Reception

iHeartRadio said "Sober Up" was a positive song despite the difficult lyrics.[6]

Music video

On January 31, 2018, a music video for "Sober Up" was released. In the music video, the band is walking through New York City while singer Jack Met meets a younger version of himself.[7]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[20] Gold 35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[21] Platinum 80,000‡
United States (RIAA)[22] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

References
  1. LeDonne, Rob (30 March 2018). "Anatomy Of a Hit: AJR and Rivers Cuomo Discuss How Sliding Into DMs Yielded 'Sober Up'". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  2. Weatherby, Taylor (6 August 2017). "AJR Unveils 'Sober Up' Collaboration With Their Hero, Weezer's Rivers Cuomo: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  3. Atkinson, Katie; Caulfield, Keith (10 April 2018). "Pop Shop Podcast: AJR Talk Surprise Hit 'Sober Up,' Why Rivers Cuomo Was a 'Perfect Fit' & Seeing New Fans on Tour". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  4. O'Malley, Maura. "WATCH: AJR Perform "Sober Up" and "Weak" on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'". 107.7 The End. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  5. Rutherford, Kevin (1 March 2018). "AJR Crosses Over, Lands First Alternative Songs No. 1 With 'Sober Up'". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  6. "#NewMusicTuesday: AJR, "Sober Up"". iHeartRadio. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  7. Cosores, Philip (31 January 2018). "Premiere: AJR's Earnest 'Sober Up' Video Gets Back To That Youthful Feeling". Uproxx. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  8. "AJR Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  9. "AJR Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  10. "AJR Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  11. "AJR Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  12. "AJR Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  13. "Alternative Digital Song Sales". Billboard. July 7, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  14. "AJR Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  15. "AJR Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  16. "AJR Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  17. "TÓNLISTINN – LÖG – 2018". Plötutíóindi (in Icelandic). Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  18. "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  19. "Rock airplay – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  20. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  21. "Canadian single certifications – Ajr – Sober Up (Ft. Rivers Cuomo)". Music Canada. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  22. "American single certifications – Ajr – Sober Up". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
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