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

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.