"Monsters" | ||||
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Single by All Time Low featuring Blackbear | ||||
from the album Wake Up, Sunshine | ||||
Released |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 2:54 | |||
Label | Fueled by Ramen | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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All Time Low singles chronology | ||||
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Demi Lovato singles chronology | ||||
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Blackbear singles chronology | ||||
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Lyric video | ||||
"Monsters" on YouTube |
"Monsters" is a song by rock band All Time Low featuring Blackbear. The song was written by FRND, Kevin Fisher, Jack Barakat, Alex Gaskarth, Blackbear and Demi Lovato, and produced by Zakk Cervini and Gaskarth. The song was originally released on April 3, 2020, by Fueled by Ramen, as part of the band's eighth studio album Wake Up, Sunshine. Following 11 weeks at number one on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart, the song was re-released with vocals by Demi Lovato on December 4, 2020.[1] It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 88 and peaked at number 55.
All Time Low, Lovato, and Blackbear teased the collaboration on social media prior to release, all sharing similar artwork, which led fans to believe a collaboration was underway.[2] The next day, the band confirmed the collaboration, specifically that Lovato would be featuring on a re-release of "Monsters", to be released that night.[2]
Speaking to People, Gaskarth said Lovato was recruited for a re-release of the track because she had been a "friend for over ten years" and "genuinely has one of the best voices in modern music and always sounds authentic and incredible singing any genre, particularly when she's leaning into rock or punk."[3] Meanwhile, Lovato shared on Twitter that she was "stoked" to be on a song with both All Time Low and Blackbear.[3]
Former Neck Deep bassist-turned-DJ Fil Thorpe-Evans, commonly known as Prblm Child, created an electronic remix of the song. It was released as "Monsters: Prblm Child Remix." A distorted version of the chorus behind loud bass drops is heard after the main chorus.
The song’s overall sound has been described as pop-punk,[4] alternative pop,[5] electronic rock,[6] and rap rock[6] by critics, while also being compared to Fall Out Boy.[5][7] The song is in the key of C minor.[8]
The song is All Time Low's first number one on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, reaching the summit in September 2020 and remaining there for 18 weeks.[3] As of January 2022, the song holds the record for the longest continuous run on the respective chart with 88 weeks. "Monsters" is the band's highest-charting song of their career on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 55, as well as their highest peak on pop radio.
In late 2023, "Monsters" was ranked by Billboard as the biggest hit in the history of the Alternative Airplay chart.[9][10]
Lyric videos were released for the song, with cartoon illustrations of the All Time Low band members and Blackbear running away from monstrous figures. After the release of the Demi Lovato version, a new lyric video was uploaded, where an animation representing Lovato is included in the lyric video as well, coordinated with when she sings her verses of the song. Lovato's character is also seen singing on stage backed by the band comprising monsters.[1]
Digital download and streaming
Credits adapted from Tidal.[11]
All Time Low
Additional musicians
Technical
Weekly charts[edit]
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Year-end charts[edit]
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[32] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[33] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[34] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[35] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
'Monsters' initially gave me a new-age Fall Out Boy kinda vibe…The addition of Blackbear presents an opportunity for the band to gain some universal reach, it's very alt/pop and they didn't completely lose themselves here.
The track bleeds into "Monsters" featuring Blackbear, which is one of the two features that is found on the album. Dabbling in the more experimental, this slick, electro-rap/rock blend feels more at home on Last Young Renegade than it does here…
The driving bass line from Zack Merrick makes the song stomp with the some of the swagger that we have grown accustomed to from pop-punk veterans Fall Out Boy, but now All Time Low are taking their own stab at this type of scene royalty.