B-side "Bullies Always Win" Genre Indie rock, blues rock | Recorded 2008 Length 2:22 | |
Released September 1, 2008 (2008-09-01) (iTunes) Format Digital download, CD, 7" | ||
"Something Is Not Right with Me" is a song by American indie rock band Cold War Kids. It serves as the fourth track and debut single off their second album Loyalty to Loyalty (2008). The song was released online on July 2008 by the band on their Myspace page. It was given an official release on September 1, 2008 on iTunes. Lyrically, it describes a person facing a dilemma about living in a world that's constantly changing.
Contents
- Song information
- Critical reception
- Music video
- Live performances
- Use in popular culture
- Formats and track listing
- References
"Something Is Not Right with Me" received a mixed response from critics. It peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and was voted number 38 in the Triple J Hottest 100 in 2008, their third song to appear on that chart since 2007's "Hang Me Up to Dry" and "Hospital Beds". A music video for the single was directed by Sophie Muller that features the band in an abandoned warehouse space.
Song information
"Something Is Not Right with Me" was described by lead singer Nathan Willett as an upbeat track that's about a person losing touch with the revolving world and its constant changes from people to technology. James McMahon of NME described the song's rhythm as being "akin to Lodger-era Bowie."
Critical reception
The song garnered mixed reviews from critics. Joseph Coscarelli of Spin did a stream review and praised the band for its use of "a step-worthy, pounding bass line", and "Stones-styled bluesy licks". Judy Coleman of The Boston Globe found the song to be "infectiously manic". Despite finding milquetoast tracks on the album, The Guardian said that the song rose "above the general air of torpor". Chris Mincher of The A.V. Club was critical about the track, finding fault in Nathan Willett's voice going from "a mere Jack White-style wail to screechy barking" but overall found it to be "an otherwise fine tune".
The song was voted number 38 in the Triple J Hottest 100, 2008, their third song to appear on that chart since 2007's "Hang Me Up to Dry" and "Hospital Beds".
Music video
The video features the band playing in an abandoned warehouse space in which they do random stuff that follows the song's title. The video was directed by Sophie Muller and was uploaded on the band's YouTube page on September 17, 2008.
Live performances
Cold War Kids performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 19, 2008, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on October 28, 2008, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on November 13, 2008.
Use in popular culture
Formats and track listing
- "Something Is Not Right with Me" – 2:29
- "Something Is Not Right with Me" – 2:22
- "Bullies Always Win" – 3:11