Some Kind of Disaster

Album: Wake Up, Sunshine (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • All Time Low began a new era with this introspective track. Coming after their moody Last Young Renegade album, with its emphasis on analog synths and drum loops, the band wanted to revert back to a live instrument sound. "It was an attempt to be much more true to the four of us, and everybody having their moments as if they were playing it live on stage," frontman Alex Gaskarth told Billboard.
  • Released as the lead single from Wake Up, Sunshine, the group declared in an Instagram post that the Young Renegades they introduced on their previous Last Young Renegade album "are no more."
  • This was one of the first songs All Time Low wrote after Last Young Renegade; it was penned before they knew they were making an album. Frontman Ales Gasgarth explained to American Songwriter the band saw the anthemic tune as a great way to start a show. Then they thought, "Why don't we apply that to an album?" It became the opening track for Wake Up, Sunshine, setting the stage for the record. "It's just a rock 'n' roll song," Gasgarth said, "and we wanted to show people the kind of energy we were going for on the album."
  • Gasgarth told Kerrang the song's key line is:

    So what are you after?
    Some kind of disaster


    He explained: "It's like I'm asking the fans if they're ready to do this all over again with another record."
  • During the song's music video, the All Time Low members attend group therapy where they tackle some of the traits Gasgarth sings of the chorus.

    I'm a liar, I'm a cynic
    I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
    I'm a loser, I'm a critic


    By the end of the clip, the band members have resolved their issues and can start again.
  • Asked by UK newspaper The Sun about the story behind this song, Alex Gasgarth replied: "It's about sitting down with your demons and acknowledging they're along for the ride - and at times define who you are, And it's about my life in this band, asking fans if they're ready for another go around."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The Devil

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The DevilSong Writing

Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.