Way Less Sad

"Way Less Sad"
The official cover artwork for "Way Less Sad".
Cover artwork for the Cash Cash remix of "Way Less Sad"
Single by AJR
from the album OK Orchestra
ReleasedFebruary 17, 2021 (2021-02-17)
Recorded2012, 2019–2020
Genre
Length3:26
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Ryan Met
AJR singles chronology
"My Play"
(2020) 		"Way Less Sad"
(2021) 		"World's Smallest Violin"
(2021)
Music video
"Way Less Sad" on YouTube

"Way Less Sad" is a song by American pop band AJR. It was released on February 17, 2021, via the band's label AJR Productions and BMG. It was additionally released through S-Curve Records for radio airplay and through Black Butter Records for international releases. The song was the fourth single for the band's fourth studio album OK Orchestra, appearing as the twelfth track. It samples the song "My Little Town" by American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel and builds off unused demos intended for Norwegian DJ Kygo and American rapper Cardi B.

The song's lyrics discuss having optimism amidst a poor state of mental health, instrumentally backed by upbeat pop music with hip hop influence. A music video for "Way Less Sad" was released alongside the song, featuring the band performing in various New York City locations. The single was a commercial success, with numerous radio adds helping it chart in three countries and amass hundreds of millions of streams on Spotify. It was used by ESPN as an anthem for the 2021 MLB season and would later be remixed by Cash Cash.

Promotion

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AJR released "Bang!", "Bummerland", and "My Play" as singles throughout 2020, opening pre-orders for their fourth studio album, OK Orchestra, alongside the latter on December 22, 2020.[5] A fourth single was later teased on Twitter, previewing the song's pre-chorus and music video on January 28 and February 7 before the release of "Way Less Sad" on February 17, 2021.[6] After the release of the song, AJR gave a press release with ABC News Radio, stating that "so much of last year felt apocalyptic and this year we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Things aren't back to normal yet, but we should be celebrating the small wins, even if they seem trivial".[7]

Background and composition

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In 2012, AJR created an upbeat disco song, sampling the final trumpet riff of Simon & Garfunkel's "My Little Town" as its primary hook.[8] In 2019, Kygo reached out to the band with a finished instrumental and asked for lyrical writing. They created the chorus of "don't you love it? No, I ain't happy yet, but I'm way less sad", but this was rejected.[2] In 2020, Atlantic Records asked AJR if they could produce material for Cardi B. The band reworked their previous disco song into a hip-hop song titled "Winning",[2] but this demo was denied by Cardi B in favor of "WAP". Atlantic offered the song to another rapper, but AJR withdrew the song for themselves.[9] The band began writing a song around the previously written chorus for Kygo, combining it with "Winning" as the song's instrumental to create "Way Less Sad".[10]

"Way Less Sad"
A 28-second sample of "Way Less Sad" by AJR, where the first chorus is heard.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Way Less Sad" begins with a rhythmic left-hand piano riff that appears in the majority of the song.[11] The chorus enters with a brass sample of "My Little Town", 808 bass, drums, and vocalization from lead singer Jack Met. The instrumentation tones down at the beginning of each verse, lyrically describing failed attempts at happiness and the lowering of standards to accept this.[1][12] The song's first chorus begins with only xylophone and vocals before transitioning back into the song's opening chorus, with later choruses directly beginning with the sample rather than xylophone. The lyrics during this portion notice improvement in mental health and find new happiness through previously unappreciated aspects of life.[13] The band described the song's general tone as an "ironic party song" while making the song's lyrics time-specific, directly mentioning Twitter to reference the political situation of the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.[‡ 2]

Production

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AJR produced the song in the living room of their apartment in New York.[1] During shows performed for The Maybe Man Tour in 2024, band member Ryan Met showcased the song's layers in a How We Made segment.[14] The band used a slowed-down kick, sped-up hi-hat, and flammed plate clattering as a clap to create a half-time trap beat. Piano and violin were added to the song to create emotion, with extra hi-hats and bass appearing as well. The band adapted the trumpet melody for the song's verses from Ryan telling Jack "would you put your phone down" in response to watching old home movies. These movies would later be used to create the chorus lyrics that are used in the band's demo for Kygo, which were repurposed for "Way Less Sad" due to the band failing to create a vocal melody for it.[15]

Music video

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Filming locations for "Way Less Sad", including TWA Flight Center and Jane's Carousel

A music video for "Way Less Sad" was directed by Edoardo Ranaboldo and released on February 17, 2021,[16] premiering on YouTube at 10 am EST.[17] The video cuts between several locations in New York City, with the band pushing Jack on a luggage cart at the TWA terminal at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, performing the song in front of and on Jane's Carousel in Brooklyn, standing on a beach at Coney Island, hanging Jack upside down at a table, and performing in a bedroom.[18]

On YouTube, "Way Less Sad" grossed 606,748 views on its opening day.[19] The video was filmed during a week in January 2021. Visual effects were applied to various parts of the video, simulating the band singing underwater and editing multiple versions of Jack on an escalator into the same shot. Computer-generated imagery was additionally used by Caleb Natale to create a ground shot of Ryan walking on the carousel.[20]

Commercial performance

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For the week of February 23, 2021, "Way Less Sad" became the most added song on alternative radio in the United States,[21] receiving over 50 adds.[22] In March, along with "Bummerland", the song was used in American baseball promotions for ESPN as their official anthem for the 2021 Major League Baseball season.[8][23] On April 1, 2021, "Way Less Sad" was featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with the band performing in the woods rather than the studio's stage.[24] Later in the month, the song reached 25 million streams on Spotify after being added to over 200 radio stations.[25]

"Way Less Sad" charted in Canada,[26] New Zealand,[27] and the US, spending 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 after debuting on the chart on May 8, 2021. It would peak on July 17 at number 54,[28] alongside reaching 85 million Spotify streams.[29] It was additionally performed alongside "Bang!" at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards on May 23, where the latter won the award for Top Rock Song.[30] "Way Less Sad" had amassed over 100 million streams in total by June 2022,[31] earning a Platinum certification in the US on December 9.[32]

Cash Cash remix

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A remix of "Way Less Sad" by American electronic music group Cash Cash was released on June 29, 2021.[33] The remix is at a faster tempo, adding dance components to the song.[‡ 3]

Track listings

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Personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[34]

  1. ^ a b c d "Way Less Sad" only
  2. ^ "Way Less Sad (Cash Cash Remix)" only

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Way Less Sad"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[32] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Way Less Sad"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
United States February 17, 2021
BMG [‡ 1]
Radio airplay S-Curve [3]
Various
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Black Butter [4]

References

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Secondary sources

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  1. ^ a b c Lee, Eliana (March 3, 2021). ""Way Less Sad" Review: AJR Shares a Message We All Need to Hear Right Now". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Harding, Charlie; Sloan, Nate (March 30, 2021). "How a Broadway-Inspired Banger Took Over the Pop Charts". Vulture. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Rumor Mill (February 23, 2021). "A Recap Of Radio Add Recaps". Hits Daily Double. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Billboard (May 20, 2021). "AJR's "Way Less Sad" | Watch Now!". Billboard. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  5. ^ Nattress, Katrina (December 21, 2020). "AJR Announce New Album 'OK ORCHESTRA'". iHeartRadio. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  6. ^ Sandoval, Ivy (February 21, 2021). "AJR Drop New Single "Way Less Sad" Ahead Of Fourth Album". Beyond the Stage. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  7. ^ Johnson, Josh (February 17, 2021). "AJR shares new 'OK ORCHESTRA' song, "Way Less Sad"". ABC News Radio. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Gold, Allie (March 26, 2021). "AJR Sample Paul Simon In Latest Single 'Way Less Sad' + Tease Upcoming Tour". Elvis Duran. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  9. ^ Hernandez, Valerie (May 28, 2021). "AJR Talks Childhood, 'Way Less Sad,' Cardi B, And More!". Black Information Network. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  10. ^ Tynes, Jacqueline (March 27, 2023). "The Real Meaning Behind 'Way Less Sad' By AJR". Nicki Swift. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  11. ^ Faulkner, Brent (October 24, 2022). "11 Songs Where The Boys Are Sad". The Musical Hype. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  12. ^ Fields, Taylor (February 17, 2021). "AJR Share New Song 'Way Less Sad' From Upcoming New Album 'OK Orchestra'". iHeartRadio. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  13. ^ Taylor, Danielle (February 19, 2021). "AJR — Way Less Sad". Euphoria. Magazine. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  14. ^ Hahne, Jeff (April 11, 2024). "AJR Levels Up with Spectrum Center Show". Queen City Nerve. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  15. ^ Becker, Sarah (April 11, 2024). "AJR live in Philadelphia review: An experience like no other". AudioPhix. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  16. ^ Fields, Taylor (February 17, 2021). "AJR Share New Song 'Way Less Sad' From Upcoming New Album 'OK Orchestra'". iHeartRadio. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  17. ^ Line, Brittany (February 17, 2021). "AJR releases new single "Way Less Sad"". BG Falcon Media. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  18. ^ Johnson, Josh (February 17, 2021). "AJR shares new 'OK ORCHESTRA' song, "Way Less Sad"". ABC Audio. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  19. ^ Smith, Katy (February 22, 2021). "The mythos of AJR's new single". The Anchor. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  20. ^ Curl, Emily (March 26, 2021). AJR Breaks Down Scenes From Their Music Video "Way Less Sad". iHeartRadio. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  21. ^ Cantor, Brian (February 23, 2021). "AJR's "Way Less Sad" Erupts As Alternative Radio's Most Added Song". Headline Planet. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  22. ^ Glauber, Karen (February 27, 2021). "Way Less Sad". Hits Daily Double. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  23. ^ Martin, Katie (March 19, 2021). "ESPN to Feature Indie-Pop Trio AJR's 'Way Less Sad' as MLB Anthem for First Half of 2021 Season". ESPN Press Room U.S. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  24. ^ Zemler, Emily (April 1, 2021). "AJR Perform 'Way Less Sad' in the Woods on 'Kimmel'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  25. ^ Phenicie, Courtney (April 12, 2021). "SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT: AJR to Play The Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center". CincyMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "AJR Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  27. ^ a b "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 2, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  28. ^ a b "AJR Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  29. ^ Isthmus (July 12, 2021). "AJR, Sasha Sloan, Daisy the Great". Isthmus. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  30. ^ Havens, Lyndsey (May 23, 2021). "AJR Perform 'Bang!' & 'Way Less Sad' at 2021 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  31. ^ Beat (June 15, 2022). "Eclectic pop trio AJR are coming to Australia in August". Beat Magazine. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  32. ^ a b "American single certifications – AJR – Way Less Sad". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  33. ^ Anthenelli, Matthew (June 29, 2021). "AJR - Way Less Sad Cash Cash Remix". 360 Magazine. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  34. ^ "Credits / Way Less Sad (Cash Cash Remix) / AJR". Tidal. February 17, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  35. ^ "AJR Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  36. ^ "AJR Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  37. ^ "AJR Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  38. ^ "AJR Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  39. ^ "AJR Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  40. ^ "AJR Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  41. ^ "AJR Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  42. ^ "AJR Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  43. ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. December 2, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  44. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. December 2, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  45. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. December 2, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2024.

Primary sources

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In the text, these references are preceded by a double dagger (‡):

  1. ^ a b BMG (March 26, 2021). "US: AJR release new album OK ORCHESTRA". BMG Rights Management. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  2. ^ ABC Audio (April 21, 2021). "AJR explains why their latest hit "Way Less Sad" is "your song right now"". 97.9 WRMF. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  3. ^ ABC Audio (June 29, 2021). "Listen to new remix of AJR's "Way Less Sad"". 105.7 The Point. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
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