When Legends Rise (song)

"When Legends Rise"
Single by Godsmack
from the album When Legends Rise
ReleasedApril 27, 2018 (2018-04-27)
Recorded2017–2018
GenreAlternative metal
Length2:52
LabelBMG
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Sully Erna
  • Erik Ron
Godsmack singles chronology
"Bulletproof"
(2018) 		"When Legends Rise"
(2018) 		"Under Your Scars"
(2018)
Music video
"When Legends Rise" on YouTube

"When Legends Rise" is a song by American rock band Godsmack. It was the second single off of their seventh studio album When Legends Rise.

Background and inspiration

In an interview with Billboard, Sully Erna told the magazine that "When Legends Rise" came from a sense of rebirth and reinvention on both personal and musical levels.[1] In another interview, Erna provided further insight into what inspired him to write the song:

[I]t's a reflection of what I've been through in the last couple of years, where I've made a life decision to eliminate a lot of negative people and negative things in my life. I'm in a good place now, and I have some great things surrounding me. I have a great band. I have a beautiful daughter. I have a good career. My health is good the band's health is good.[2]

Erna went on to clarify that the "Legends" part of the title was not referring to Godsmack, but rather, it was "metaphorical" and "hopefully inspirational", concluding with "I'm certainly not saying that we're the legends!"[2]

Track listing

Digital single
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."When Legends Rise"Lyrics: Sully Erna, John Feldmann; Music: Sully Erna, Shannon Larkin, Robbie Merrill, Tony Rombola2:52

Music video

The music video for "When Legends Rise" was released on Jan 11, 2019.[3] The clip, directed by Sully Erna in conjunction with Paris Visone, alternates between footage of the band performing live and highlights of pivotal moments in recent football history, concluding with a shot of the New England Patriots Super Bowl trophy.[3] In a statement released by the band, it was revealed the clip was the result of Erna collaborating directly with the NFL for three months.[4]

Appearances

The song is featured in the musical video game Rock Band 4 as a downloadable content.[5] Also, it was used as a preview song to promote UFC 226.[6] Moreover, WWE utilized the song as the official theme song for its 2018, 2019 and 2020 pay-per-view events WWE Greatest Royal Rumble, Crown Jewel and Super ShowDown that were held in Saudi Arabia.[7]

Live performance

Godsmack debuted "When Legends Rise" on April 27, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. Since then, the song is regularly performed at the band's concerts.[8]

Reception

Critical

Reviews for "When Legends Rise" were mostly positive. Blabbermouth's reviewer Jay Gorania praised Shannon Larkin's performance on the track but noted that the chorus was "perfunctory at best."[9] Chad Childers of Loudwire described the song as "pulsing with vitality."[10] AllMusic's reviewer Neil Yeung described the song as a "rousing avalanche of drums and guitar" and praised Erna's vocal delivery.[11]

Commercial

Upon its release, "When Legends Rise" entered multiple charts, including the Billboard Mainstream Rock. Like the previous single from the album, it peaked at number one where it remained for five consecutive weeks,[12] giving Godsmack their ninth number one single on that chart.[13]

Personnel

Godsmack

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[19] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Graff, Gary (13 April 2018). "Godsmack Returns With 'When Legends Rise' Title Track: Premiere". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b Lewry, Fraser (27 April 2018). "Sully Erna's track-by-track guide to Godsmack's When Legends Rise". Classic Rock Magazine. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  3. ^ a b "GODSMACK Releases Music Video For 'When Legends Rise' Title Track". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  4. ^ Scott, Munro (14 Jan 2019). "Godsmack celebrate the NFL playoffs in When Legends Rise video". Classic Rock Magazine. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  5. ^ "'When Legends Rise' - Godsmack". store.playstation.com. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  6. ^ "UFC 226 Miocic vs Cormier The Superfight Live on Main Event July 8". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  7. ^ Middleton, Marc (6 June 2019). "WWE NXT Referee Hypes Current Era, WWE Looks At 27 Dolph Ziggler Vs. Kofi Kingston Matches, SSD". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  8. ^ "Godsmack Setlist at Metropolitan Park, Jacksonville, FL, USA". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  9. ^ Gorania, Jay. "CD Reviews - When Legends Rise Godsmack - Blabbermouth.net". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  10. ^ Childers, Chad (27 April 2018). "Godsmack 'When Legends Rise' - Album Review". Loudwire. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  11. ^ Yeung, Neil. "When Legends Rise - Godsmack". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  12. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (15 May 2020). "'Unforgettable' Achievement: Godsmack Scores Fourth Mainstream Rock No. 1 From 'When Legends Rise' Album". Billboard. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Godsmack Achieves Career First With Three No. 1 Singles From Same Album - Blabbermouth.net". Blabbermouth.net. 22 July 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  14. ^ "Godsmack Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard.
  15. ^ "Godsmack Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  16. ^ "Godsmack Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  17. ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard.
  18. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs - Year-End 2019". Billboard.
  19. ^ "American single certifications – Godsmack – When Legends Rise". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 27, 2021.