Only Love Can Save Me Now (song)
2021 song by The Pretty Reckless
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Only Love Can Save Me Now" is a song by American rock band The Pretty Reckless, from their fourth studio album, Death by Rock and Roll. It features Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron from the rock band Soundgarden, and was released on June 22, 2021, as the album's third single. The song topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in September 2021.
.jpg)
| "Only Love Can Save Me Now" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Acoustic single cover | ||||
| Single by The Pretty Reckless featuring Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron | ||||
| from the album Death by Rock and Roll | ||||
| Released | June 22, 2021[1] | |||
| Studio | London Bridge (Seattle, Washington) | |||
| Genre | Post-grunge | |||
| Length | 5:12 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producers |
| |||
| The Pretty Reckless singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Only Love Can Save Me Now" on YouTube | ||||
Background and recording
Frontwoman Taylor Momsen said that she became close with Soundgarden members Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron following Chris Cornell's death.[2] After writing the song, she sent a demo to Matt Cameron and Kim Thayil and asked whether they would be interested in performing on it,[3] because she felt the song fit their musical style.[2] Momsen joked that without their involvement, she would sound as though she was "ripping [them] off". She described recording the song with Cameron and Thayil as a "full circle moment".[4] Momsen said the collaboration came about after The Pretty Reckless toured with Soundgarden and developed a friendship with Cameron and Thayil afterward.[5] Momsen further stated that the song was "born out of tragedy" and described it as representing her recovery from "the worst time" in her life.[6] In May 2020, Momsen confirmed that the song would feature guest appearances from Cameron and Thayil. The track was recorded at Seattle's London Bridge Studio. Momsen described recording at London Bridge Studio with Cameron and Thayil as a "surreal" experience, citing the studio's association with albums such as Ten and Louder Than Love.[7] People Magazine described the recording as a tribute to Cornell.[8]
Composition
Momsen described the song as having a "Soundgarden-esque feel".[3] Thayil said that the song contains elements of classic Soundgarden and that its riff would likely have fit on Louder Than Love.[9][10] He praised Ben Phillips' guitar parts, saying that they provided a heavy foundation for the song.[6] Backing vocals are provided by Cameron, and the song features a 45-second guitar solo at the three-minute mark.[11]
Guitar World noted that the song "features several signature Soundgarden traits", including an opening riff in 7/4 time, "modal motifs", "and nearly a full minute of wailing, wah-drenched Thayil leads".[12] Mike DeWald of Riff Magazine wrote that the song's "bluesy grunge riffs" recalled 1990s grunge bands such as Soundgarden and Alice in Chains.[13] Distorted Sound characterized the song as post-grunge.[14] Lauryn Schaffner of Loudwire wrote that the song's odd time signatures, Thayil's sludgy guitar tone, and Cameron's percussion gave it a strong Soundgarden influence. Schaffner compared the effect used on Momsen's vocals to that heard on Soundgarden's "Searching with My Good Eye Closed".[15]
Critical reception
Riff Magazine praised the song's chorus, its melodic buildup, and guitar solo by Ben Phillips.[13] Jack Press of Distorted Sound likened the song to what a latter-era Alter Bridge and Soundgarden supergroup might sound like.[14] Metal Hammer described the song as a "Soundgarden-esque sludge-fest".[16] James Hickie of Kerrang! called the song a "firm highlight" of the album.[17] Dom Lawson of Blabbermouth described it as "a simply great song" and highlighted the "blistering leads" performed by Phillips.[18]
Loudwire ranked "Only Love Can Save Me Now" at number two on its list of the 35 best rock songs of 2021.[19]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Only Love Can Save Me Now" (Acoustic) | 4:06 |
| 2. | "Only Love Can Save Me Now" (featuring Matt Cameron and Kim Thayil) | 5:12 |
| Total length: | 9:18 | |
Music video
Live performances
During a concert at Seattle's Moore Theatre on August 31, 2022, Kim Thayil joined The Pretty Reckless onstage to perform "Only Love Can Save Me Now" and the Soundgarden song "Loud Love".[23][24][25]
Chart performance
"Only Love Can Save Me Now" became the band's seventh number-one single on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart,[26] reaching the top position on September 25, 2021. It was the third number-one single from Death by Rock and Roll. The song gave Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron their first Mainstream Rock Airplay number-one as individually billed soloists.[27]
Personnel
Credits adapted from Apple Music.[28]
The Pretty Reckless
- Taylor Momsen – lead vocals, songwriter, co-producer
- Ben Phillips – guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, piano, backing vocals, composer, songwriter, co-producer
- Jamie Perkins – drums, percussion
- Mark Damon – bass guitar
Additional musicians
- Matt Cameron – drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Kim A. Thayil – guitar
- Jonathan Wyman – guitar, drum programming, bass guitar, mixing engineer, producer, recording engineer
- Duncan Watt – piano, keyboards, organ
Additional credits
- Sean Kelly – recording engineer
- Ted Jensen – mastering engineer
- Nate Yacchichino – additional producer
- Neil Hundt – drum technician
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|