"Drop Dead" is a song by Grandson. The song was released on Grandson's debut album, Death of an Optimist. A remix with Kesha and drummer, Travis Barker was released as a single on October 29, 2021. The remix will appear on the deluxe version of Grandson's album.
Background[]
According to Grandson, the song was written with Travis Barker and guitarist-producer, Kevin Hissink in 2020 about making peace with the fact that things don't always end like the movies.
| “ | Being brave and standing for what you believe won't always end looking the way you hope it will, with the crowd cheering and the end credits rolling. Accept my inevitable shortcomings, deal with the imperfections of life, and get to work being the best version of yourself. I met Kesha through some mutual friends and she just completely embodies what this song is about, she's a badass with an incredible voice for rock and roll! | ” |
Kesha said of the song:
| “ | From the first listen, I immediately related to the energy of it. To me, it is a self-aware, defiant anthem of proud wild imperfection. It's a 'give no fucks, judge me I don't care, this is me take it or leave it, and while you're at it, get out of my way' song. It's always so special to be able to collaborate with an artist who knows who they are, and Jordan's message of honesty and unapologetically being who he is aligns so much with who I am. | ” |
Composition[]
"Drop Dead" moves effortlessly between atmospheric, pop-leaning verses and a straight-to-the-rafters arena rock chorus, with Grandson (a.k.a. Jordan Benjamin) and Kesha bellowing over Barker's blown-out drums: "I'm a pothead, I'm a sinner/Got no hope, not a sliver/I'd rather drop dead than be a quitter/I'd rather drop dead, I'd rather drop dead."[1]
The track starts off with a slow nodding beat, with grandson and Kesha flowing melodically with the lyrics over the beat, but by the time you get to the chorus, it's a full on anthem with the message, "I'd rather drop dead than be a quitter."[2]
Lyrics[]
Ayy
Sometimes, the bad guy wins and
Sometimes, the good guy dies
When the screen goes black, I'll be with you in the back
On the bright side, on the bright side
Sometimes, the good things don't last
Time flies and life goes past
When your world is a mess, I'll be with you for the rest
On the bright side, on the bright side, so
Take your money, put it all on red
I'm a pothead, I'm a sinner
Got no hope, not a sliver
Rather drop dead than be a quitter
I'd rather drop dead, I'd rather drop dead
I'm a pothead, I'm a sinner
Shit, life ain't fair, go figure
Rather drop dead than be a quitter
I'd rather drop dead, I'd rather drop dead
Sometimes
You wake up in the back of a car
No idea where you are
Numb inside
With nothin' but a promise to your mom
That you'll keep goin' onward
Fuck it, you can fold or you can double down
Me, I'm all in, hit me for a hundred thousand
I've come too far to get to runnin' out
No, they won't take me alive, I'd rather be found dead, so
Take your money, put it all on red
I'm a pothead, I'm a sinner
Got no hope, not a sliver
Rather drop dead than be a quitter
I'd rather drop dead, I'd rather drop dead
I'm a pothead, I'm a sinner
Shit, life ain't fair, go figure
Rather drop dead than be a quitter
I'd rather drop dead, I'd rather drop dead
Don't let go, don't give up that easy
No
Don't let go, don't give up that easy
It's turning around
Oh, oh-oh
I'm a pothead, I'm a sinner
Got no hope, not a sliver
Rather drop dead than be a quitter
I'd rather drop dead, I'd rather drop dead
I'm a pothead, I'm a sinner
Shit, life ain't fair, go figure
Rather drop dead than be a quitter
I'd rather drop dead, I'd rather drop dead
Woo
Music video[]
| Music video | Information | |
|---|---|---|
|
Released | October 29, 2021 |
| Length | 3:30 | |
| Director | Andrew Sandler | |
| Producer | ||
| Filmed | 2021 | |
| Location | ||
| Vevo views | +38k | |
The music video was directed Andrew Sandler. The clip follows a big furry monster who gets fired from a job and drifts through a self-destructive malaise of bong rips and bar fights, before finding solace, encouragement and eventually love at a "12 Steps to Vibing Higher" program.[1]
Trivia[]
- Kesha has red hair in the music video. She previously said in 2014 that she would never dye her hair red or orange because she doesn't like how it looks on her.[3]
Videos[]
