Invincible

Album: Lace Up (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A track from Machine Gun Kelly's debut album, "Invincible" features Ester Dean on the hook, which earned her a songwriter credit along with Kelly. The song is about overcoming adversity and blocking out negativity in the quest to succeed.
  • The producer on this track was Alex Da Kid, who has supplied the beats for many successful rap/sung collaborations, including "Love the Way You Lie" and "I Need a Doctor."
  • This song was foisted on MGK by his record company, Interscope, which was following a proven formula: get a beat by a hot producer, add a hook by a female singer, and have a rapper fill in verses about overcoming obstacles. Kelly balked at first. "I hate cookie cutter songs," he told the Tampa radio station WILD 94.1. "I write all my hooks, so when I got this hook I was offended: you guys think I'm a cookie-cutter artist. I don't work like that."

    He came around when he realized how much havoc he was causing by refusing to record the song. By defying his record company, he was putting those who championed him at Interscope in a tough spot, so he acquiesced and did the track. If he held out, the label most likely would have had one of their other rappers like Kendrick Lamar or Yelawolf do it.
  • By the time this song got to Kelly, it was complete except for his raps. He never met Ester Dean or producer Alex Da Kid.
  • In 2012, this was featured in WrestleMania 28, where MGK and Skylar Grey performed it prior to the main event pitting John Cena against The Rock.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."