Format Digital download Genre Indie popindie rock Label Empire of Song | Recorded Early 2014 Length 3:39 | |
Released 28 February 2014 (2014-02-28) | ||
"Geronimo" is the second single released by Australian indie pop band Sheppard. "Geronimo" was written by three of the band's members, Jay, George & Amy, and produced by Stuart Stuart at Analog Heart Studios. It is the first number one single ever recorded in Brisbane and reached number one on the Australian Singles Chart in April 2014. Having held the position for three weeks, the song became the longest stay at the top of the charts for an Australian artist or band since "Battle Scars" by Guy Sebastian in August 2012. "Geronimo" also held the longest stay at number one on the Australian Singles Chart for any independent release.
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The title of the song is a reference to the famous Apache military leader Geronimo, and the custom of yelling his name before doing a courageous act. It is also a reference to the Eleventh Doctor's quote "Geronimo!" in the popular sci-fi British drama Doctor Who. "Geronimo" was certified 6× Platinum in Australia. It was also featured as the trailer theme for the 2015 Australian family film Paper Planes and appears in the 2015 film Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip and its soundtrack. It was also briefly used in Alpha and Omega: The Legend of the Saw Tooth Cave, Underdogs and Norm of the North. Sheppard performed the song in the 13th episode of the second season of the television series Girl Meets World, called "Girl Meets Semi-Formal", which aired on Disney Channel August 14, 2015. The song was a sleeper hit in the U.S. and has peaked at number 53.
Composition
"Geronimo" is written in the key of G major, with a tempo of 142 beats per minute.
Music video
in the official music video, a Frankenstein-like version of Geronimo appears, as the central motif, and is shown as the secret creation of a group of rebels. The video, which incorporates many costumes and props made from cardboard, tells the story of a rebellion and two war-torn lovers, one played by the band's lead vocalist George Sheppard. The rebels bring to life a Frankenstein-like creature, based on the real Geronimo, to aid their army. Amidst the chaos, the two lovers reunite and share a kiss.
An alternate video for the song shows the band performing the song in a warehouse, with various props spelling the word "Geronimo", and clips of George running on a treadmill as various backgrounds are projected behind him and shadow puppets are used to spell out the lyrics.
Track listing
- "Geronimo" – 3:37
- "Geronimo" – 3:38
- "Geronimo" (Benny Benassi Remix) – 4:30
- "Geronimo" (Matoma Remix) – 3:32
- "Geronimo" (D-wayne Remix) – 4:57