Miserable at Best

"Miserable at Best"
Song by Mayday Parade
from the album A Lesson in Romantics
A-side	"Jamie All Over"
Studio	Tree Sound Studios (Atlanta, Georgia)
Genre	Emo[1][2]
Length	5:16
Label	Fearless
Songwriter(s)	Jason Lancaster Derek Sanders Jeremy Lenzo Alex Garcia Jake Bundrick Brooks Betts
Producer(s)	Zack Odom Kenneth Mount
Music video
"Miserable at Best" on YouTube

"Miserable at Best" is a song by American rock band Mayday Parade from their debut studio album, A Lesson in Romantics (2007). It was written by members of the group and former member Jason Lancaster. The song was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on December 14, 2017.[3]

Background and composition

"Miserable at Best" was written by Jason Lancaster, Derek Sanders, Jeremy Lenzo, Alex Garcia, Jake Bundrick and Brooks Betts while production was handled by Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount.[4] The track runs at 72 BPM and is in the key of D major. Vocalist Derek Sanders' range in the song spans from the notes F♯2 – D4.[5]

One of the band's more personal songs, it is one of a few songs that specifically name people.[6] In an interview with Staten Island Advance, Sanders stated, "sometimes I wonder if that's too personal, to actually go and say the name of the person, but I think all in all, I don't regret it, you know, I think it's good that way."[6] It is about "the emotional journey that a person goes through when they breakup with a loved one."[7] In March 2019, a vinyl edition of "Jamie All Over" was released, with "Miserable at Best" serving as the B-side.[8]

Critical reception

MTV described the song as, "a gut-wrenching break-up ballad with no punches pulled" and compared the song and music video to Counting Crows's 1996 song, "A Long December".[9] Alternative Press called the track a, "piano-driven anthem."[10]

Music video

The music video for "Miserable at Best" was released on January 9, 2009, and was directed by Mark Staubach.[11][9] According to Staubach, he wanted to make a video that is relatable to everyone and to capture the emotions and feelings within the video.[7] Sanders also added, "We all agreed we wanted to make a video that expressed our feelings and lyrics visually. The song is pretty heart-wrenching and we wanted to portray that feeling of heartbreak and a loss."[7]

Because Lancaster had already departed the band at the time of the video's making, he does not appear in it, with drummer Jake Bundrick lipsyncing over his vocals instead.

Track listing

7" vinyl

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Jamie All Over"	3:36
2.	"Miserable at Best"	5:16

Credits and personnel

Credits for "Miserable at Best" adpated from album's liner notes.[12]

Mayday Parade Derek Sanders – lead vocals Jeremy Lenzo – bass guitar, backing vocals Alex Garcia – lead guitar Brooks Betts – rhythm guitar Jake Bundrick – drums, backing vocals Additional musicians Jason Lancaster – co-lead vocals and guitar

Production Zack Odom – producer Kenneth Mount – producer Mark Needham – mixing Steve Hall – mastering

Certifications

Certifications for "Miserable at Best"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[3]	Gold	500,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Mortensa, Mala (February 19, 2021). "10 Of The Saddest Songs You Definitely Had On Your Ipod In The 2000'S". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
2. "The 12 Best Emo Power Ballads". Loudwire. June 13, 2024.
3. "American single certifications – Mayday Parade – Miserable at Best". Recording Industry Association of America.
4. "Miserable at Best – Mayday Parade". AllMusic. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
5. "Miserable at Best by Mayday Parade". musicnotes.com. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
6. Brian Rentas (June 15, 2009). "Interview with Derek Sanders of Mayday Parade". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
7. Johan Wippsson (January 14, 2009). "Mayday Parade Premieres Music Video For "Miserable At Best Today On Myspace". Melodic. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
8. "Mayday Parade - Jamie All Over". Discogs. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
9. "New Video: Mayday Parade, 'Miserable At Best'". MTV. January 27, 2009. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
10. Piotr Brozyna (May 19, 2017). "QUIZ: How well do you remember the lyrics to Mayday Parade's Miserable At Best?". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on May 23, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
11. "Mayday Parade posts music video for "Miserable At Best"". Alternative Press. January 9, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
12. A Lesson in Romantics (Booklet). Fearless. 2008 [First released in 2007]. FRL 30099-2.