Monster (Skillet song)

2009 single by Skillet

"Monster"

Single by Skillet
from the album  Awake
Released| July 14, 2009 (2009-07-14)
Genre| Hard rock[1]
Length| 2:57
Label|

* Lava
* Ardent
* Atlantic

Songwriter(s)|

* John Cooper
* Gavin Brown[2]

Producer(s)| Howard Benson
Skillet singles chronology
| "Hero"
(2009)  | "Monster"
(2009)  | "Awake and Alive"
(2010)

|
|

Music video
"Monster" on YouTube

"Monster" is the second single from the 2009 album Awake by the American Christian rock band Skillet, and is the second track on the album. The single went on to become the band's breakthrough single, charting at No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and No. 1 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. A radio edit of the song can be found on the deluxe version of the album Awake which doesn’t include the growling section of the song. It is also the fifth single by Skillet to be released to physical media.

## Reception

[edit]

The single peaked No. 1 on Christian Rock radio, No. 2 on Christian Hard Rock radio, No. 20 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart, No. 7 on the Top Heatseekers, No. 4 on the US Active rock charts, and number No. 4 on the Mainstream rock charts, making it the most successful single in the band's history. It is also the first single to make the Alternative Songs chart, debuting at No. 40, peaked at No. 28.[3] On November 10, it was announced that the song had reached the "Elite 8" on MTV's rotation slot.[citation needed] The song was also the tenth-most played Halloween song of 2010.[4]

## Music video

[edit]

The music video for "Monster" was directed by the Erwin brothers, and was released on September 2, 2009 on Noisecreep. It features the band performing in a hospital room while in the next room, lead vocalist and bassist, John Cooper and guitarist, Korey Cooper, are being tested on and under observation from a medical team. The video cuts back to both Korey and John who wake up in different parts of the hospital while undergoing various tests. Eventually both escape while being chased by SWAT teams. The video ends with a dub over of a man reporting that there has been a "containment breach", and John and Korey walking out of the hospital into the sunlight.[5] Guitarist Ben Kasica and drummer Jen Ledger both appear as doctors in the beginning of the video. Skillet released a making-of for the video in one of their podcasts. The video was featured on Fuse's number one countdown: Viewer's Choice at No. 1\. In April 2015, it had passed 100 million views on YouTube, and as of April 2025[update], it has gained over 485 million views.[6]

## Awards

[edit]

The song was nominated for "Short Form Video of the Year" at the 41st GMA Dove Awards.[7][8]

## Personnel

[edit]

* John Cooper – vocals, bass
* Korey Cooper – guitar, keyboard
* Ben Kasica – lead guitar
* Jen Ledger – drums

## Accolades

[edit]

Publication  | Country  | Accolade  | Year  | Rank

|
|
|
|

AOL Radio | United States  | "Top Rock Songs of 2009"  | 2009  | 4[9]

## Charts

[edit]

Chart (2009–10)  | Peak
position

|

UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[10] | 40
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[11] | 1
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[12] | 20

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[13] | Gold  | 45,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[14] | Platinum  | 30,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[15] | Gold  | 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[16] | Gold  | 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[17] | 6× Platinum  | 6,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "15 Modern Hard Rock Songs You've Already Forgotten About". Loudwire. June 14, 2018. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
2. ^ "BMI entry for songwriters". Repertoire.bmi.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
3. ^ "Billboard - Music Charts, News, Photos & Video". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
4. ^ "2010's Most-Played Halloween Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 29, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
5. ^ "Skillet 'Monster' - Video Premiere". Noisecreep. September 2, 2009. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
6. ^ "Skillet - Monster (Official Video)". YouTube. October 2, 2009. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
7. ^ Mike Jackson. "Skillet Earns 6 Nominations In 2010 Dove Awards". Ardent Records. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
8. ^ "The Tennessean". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2010.
9. ^ Anderson, Sara D (December 1, 2009). "Top Rock Songs of 2009". AOL Radio Blog. Archived from the original on December 4, 2009. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
10. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
11. ^ "Skillet Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
12. ^ "Skillet Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
13. ^ "Danish single certifications – Skillet – Monster". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
14. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Skillet – Monster". Radioscope. Retrieved December 23, 2024. Type Monster  in the "Search:" field.
15. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Skillet – Monster". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
16. ^ "British single certifications – Skillet – Monster". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
17. ^ "American single certifications – Skillet – Monster". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 7, 2025.

* v
* t
* e

Skillet

* John Cooper
* Korey Cooper
* Jen Ledger
* Seth Morrison

* Ken Steorts
* Trey McClurkin
* Kevin Haaland
* Lori Peters
* Ben Kasica
* Jonathan Salas

Studio albums|

* Skillet
* Hey You, I Love Your Soul
* Invincible
* Alien Youth
* Collide
* Comatose
* Awake
* Rise
* Unleashed
* Victorious
* Dominion
* Revolution

Live albums|

* Ardent Worship
* Comatose Comes Alive

Compilation albums|

* The Early Years (1996–2001)

EPs|

* Awake and Remixed

DVDs|

* Comatose Comes Alive
* Awake & Live

Singles|

* "Savior"
* "Rebirthing"
* "Whispers in the Dark"
* "The Last Night"
* "The Older I Get"
* "Comatose"
* "Hero"
* "Monster"
* "Awake and Alive"
* "Forgiven"
* "Lucy"
* "It's Not Me, It's You"
* "One Day Too Late"
* "Sick of It"
* "Feel Invincible"

Related articles|

* Skillet discography

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