"All I Want" is the first single by A Day to Remember from their fourth studio album What Separates Me from You. It was released officially to radio stations in October 2010, and as a commercial single, though only as a limited edition 7" vinyl, in April 2011. In August 2016, the song was certified gold in the U.S. by the RIAA.
Composition
Unlike the band's more-known metalcore sound which incorporates growling vocals and breakdowns, the song uses almost none of these attributes, and instead shows a direction towards fast-paced pop punk with clean vocals. Lead vocalist Jeremy McKinnon wrote the lyrics, while the music was written by himself, guitarist Kevin Skaff and A Day to Remember.[2] McKinnon stated that the song is about "taking chances, and doing what you think is right regardless of what people might think. To be honest, whats more important? Live life, and be happy with yourself".[3] McKinnon said in a 2011 interview with USA Today that the song is also "about being in a band."[4] The song, along with three others from the album, was mixed by David Bendeth.[2] As the choice of a single, guitarist Neil Westfall said "All I Want" "was a great transition song from 'Homesick'".[5]
The song was released as a radio single on October 12, 2010,[7] although it premiered a week earlier on October 7 on KROQ-FM radio's website,[8] which gave the site its most web traffic ever.[9] "All I Want" charted on both Billboard's Hot Modern Rock Tracks and Hot Rock Songs charts, at number 12 and number 25, respectively.[10] A few days after the release of the music video for song, the band went on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, on January 11, 2011, and it became their national television debut[11] on which they performed "All I Want" and "Better Off This Way".[12] On April 16, the band released an exclusive 7" vinyl single of the song, especially for Record Store Day.[13][14] The vinyl pressing was limited to 2,000 copies for the U.S.[nb 1][16] and 1,000 copies for the international release[nb 2][18] and featured an acoustic version of "All I Want" as the B-side.[19] The acoustic version was recorded at The Wade Studios, and was mixed by Andrew Wade.[19] "All I Want" is available to play on the Rock Band games as well as Rocksmith 2014.[20] The song is also used as the theme song of Total Nonstop Action Pay Per View Victory Road 2011.
