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Dumb Blonde (Avril Lavigne song)

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"Dumb Blonde"
Promotional single by Avril Lavigne
from the album Head Above Water and The Hustle soundtrack
ReleasedFebruary 12, 2019 (2019-02-12)
Genre
Length3:09
LabelBMG
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Avril Lavigne chronology
"Tell Me It's Over"
(2018) 		"Dumb Blonde"
(2019) 		"I Fell in Love with the Devil"
(2019)
Head Above Water chronology
Tell Me It's Over
(2018) 		Dumb Blonde
(2018) 		It Was In Me
(2018)
Lyrics video
Dumb Blonde on YouTube

"Dumb Blonde" is a song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne for her sixth studio album, Head Above Water (2019). It was released as a promotional single from the album on February 12, 2019, by BMG. While originally intended to be a solo song.

"Dumb Blonde" was written by Lavigne, Mitch Allan, and Bonnie McKee; while its production was done by Allan alongside McKee, Chris Baseford, and Scott Robinson. It is a pop punk, power pop and hip hop song that is about self-love and female empowerment. Several music critics labeled it a "feminist anthem".

Background and release

On December 7, 2018, Lavigne revealed the final tracklist for her sixth studio album, Head Above Water, that included a solo song titled "Dumb Blonde" as the track number five.[5] That day, Lavigne teased the track by unveiling a nine-second long snippet along with a statement detailing themes that inspired the concept.

Composition and production

"Dumb Blonde" is a pop punk, power pop, and hip-hop song, written by Lavigne, Mitch Allan, and Bonnie McKee; while its production was done by Allan alongside McKee, Chris Baseford, and Scott Robinson. The track is three minutes and thirty-four seconds long.[6] Lavigne described it as "the most uptempo song on the album."[7] The song features rock heavy-guitar riffs, reminiscent of Lavigne early works, and has similarities between Joan Jett and Sleigh Bells with M.I.A. inspired-vocals.

About the song's concept and idea, Lavigne told Entertainment Weekly: "It’s something I actually went through where I had an experience with someone calling me a dumb blonde. I was like, 'Ooh that’s a good concept and title.' It started as a misogynist intimidated by my independence. I just thought that was really unfair."[8] In an Instagram post, she continues: "I brought it to Bonnie McKee and Mitch Allan, who helped me bring it to life. [...] I was belittled and made to feel bad for who I was: A leader, someone with a vision and opinions, someone who has strength, desire, passion and goals. [...] Fuck stereotypes. [...] Yes, women should build each other up, but so should men and women."[9]

Critical reception

Brittany Spanos from Rolling Stone complimented the song's "empowerment" theme and described it as "the power pop kiss-off" track.[10] Nick Levine from NME, while reviewing Head Above Water, called the song "a sassy clap-back to a man who underestimated her."[11] Allison Bowsher from Much considered that the song is "the rock pop sensibilities of the early ’90s, with an infectious drum line backing and call and answer chorus that is begging to be blasted from every radio station." She also praised Lavigne's decision to collaborate with Minaj and said that "[Minaj] is the perfect collaborator for the new single, bringing her own style of bravado and badassness (we’re making it a word) that could make “Dumb Blonde” a huge hit for both artists."[12]

Ian Gavan, in his review for Nylon, wrote that "Dumb Blonde" was "a new feminist pep rally anthem". He praised commercial and public appeal of the song, as well as Minaj's rap section: "Just because she's cute and sweet, doesn't mean she incompetent".[13] Lucas Villa out AXS also complemented Minaj's performance and characterized her verse as "explosive".[14] Alex Darus of Alternative Press praised the overall composition and saw that "Minaj's feature feels like a perfect fit".[15]

Madelin Roth of MTV proclaimed Lavigne and Minaj "the hottest power pop duo today".[16] Katherine Gillespie of Paper praised "Dumb Blonde" and added that "it somehow manages to combine every genre Lavigne has ever dabbled in over the course of a prolific pop-punk career."[17] In a review for Complex, Tara Mahadevan claimed that the song and the lyrics were "uplifting" and "empowering".[18] Exclaim!'s Josiah Hughes published a rave review and called the song "punk pop banger".[19] Rap Up applauded track's encouraging lyrical message.[20]

Ming Lee Newcomb of Consequence of Sound described "Dumb Blonde" as "cheeky, drum-heavy track". She noted that "song solidifies the sk8er girl’s effort to make a cultural comeback".[21] Israel Daramota of Spin praised "anthemic" nature of the composition.[22] He felt that "['Dumb Blonde']'s percussion-based track owes a lot more to Gwen Stefani’s "Hollaback Girl" mold, but it also captures the sneering attitude found on Lavigne’s best known tracks." Glenn Rowley from Billboard called the song a "fiery collaboration".[23] While reviewing "Dumb Blonde", Melody Lau from CBC Music complemented the idea of challenging 'dumb blonde' stereotypes.[24] Mike Nied from Idolator made the observation that "Dumb Blonde" was one of the "sort of fiery banger that deserves plenty of radio play."[25]

Alex Zidel of HotNewHipHop gave a positive review and expected "Dumb Blonde" to be "iconic as both the artists behind it". He considered the song was "a definitely a feel-good joint" between Lavigne and Minaj.[26]

Live performances

On February 15, 2019, Lavigne released on her YouTube channel her first live performance of the song on the Honda Stage at Henson Recording Studios, from a partnership between iHeartRadio and Honda.[27]

In other media

The song was included on The Hustle soundtrack and was officially used as the theme song for the second trailer.

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel adapted from Head Above Water album liner notes.[6]

Management

  • Almo Music Corp. (ASCAP) / Avril Lavigne Publishing LLC. (SOCAN), I Wish I Could Read Music / Beats of Primary Wave (BMI) - Administered by Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing, Bonnie McKee Music / Songs of Pulse Recordings / Where da Kasz At (BMI)

Personnel

  • Avril Lavigne – main vocals, songwriting
  • Mitch Allan – songwriting, production, vocal production
  • Bonnie McKee – songwriting, additional production
  • Chris Baseford – vocal production
  • Scott Robinson – vocal production
  • Chantry Johnson – vocal engineering
  • Caleb Hulin – vocal engineering
  • Tony Maserati – mixing engineering
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering engineering
  • Will Quinnell – mastering assistance

Charts

Chart (2019) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[28] 92
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[29] 63
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[30] 14
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[31] 16
UK Indie (OCC)[32] 22
US Pop Digital Songs (Billboard)[33] 24

References

  1. ^ "Avril Lavigne: Head Above Water". Punk News. Retrieved February 13, 2019. Dumb Blonde"; a blend of punk rock and urban carries the track on an easygoing instrumental journey.
  2. ^ Hughes, Josia. "Avril Lavigne Teams Up with Nicki Minaj for Punk Pop Banger "Dumb Blonde"". Exclaim. Retrieved February 12, 2019. "Dumb Blonde" sees Avril join forces with Nicki Minaj, and the final result is a pop-punk/hip-hop blend
  3. ^ Spanos, Brittany. "Avril Lavigne And Nicki Minaj's 'Dumb Blonde' Is The Collaboration We Didn't Know We Wanted". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 12, 2019. Avril Lavigne has recruited Nicki Minaj for the power pop kiss-off "Dumb Blonde."
  4. ^ Hughes, Josia. "Avril Lavigne Teams Up with Nicki Minaj for Punk Pop Banger "Dumb Blonde"". Exclaim. Retrieved February 12, 2019. "Dumb Blonde" sees Avril join forces with Nicki Minaj, and the final result is a pop-punk/hip-hop blend
  5. ^ Hannan, Devon (December 7, 2018). "Here's Avril Lavigne Shares Tracklist, Cover Art For Head Above Water". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on December 8, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b Head Above Water (CD). Avril Lavigne. BMG Rights Management. 2019. 4050538441789. {{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter |titlelink= ignored (|title-link= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ Lavigne, Avril (December 12, 2018). "Dumb Blonde is the most up tempo song on the album #AskAvril⁠⁠". Twitter. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  8. ^ Kaplan, Ilana (February 11, 2019). "Avril Lavigne on Head Above Water, near-death experiences, and that crazy conspiracy theory". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  9. ^ "Avril Lavigne Gets Cheeky For Nicki Minaj-Featured "Dumb Blonde" Cover Art". HotNewHipHop. February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  10. ^ Spanos, Brittany; Spanos, Brittany (February 12, 2019). "Hear Avril Lavigne, Nicki Minaj Prove Haters Wrong on 'Dumb Blonde'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  11. ^ Levine, Nick. "Avril Lavigne – 'Head Above Water' review". NME. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  12. ^ "Avril Lavigne And Nicki Minaj's 'Dumb Blonde' Is The Collaboration We Didn't Know We Wanted". Much.com. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  13. ^ "Avril Lavigne And Nicki Minaj Just Made A New Feminist Pep Rally Anthem". NYLON. February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  14. ^ "Listen: Avril Lavigne drops bombshell single 'Dumb Blonde' with Nicki Minaj". AXS. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  15. ^ "Avril Lavigne drops new track with Nicki Minaj". Alternative Press. February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  16. ^ Roth, Madeline. "Avril Lavigne And Nicki Minaj's 'Dumb Blonde' Is Like The Sassy Sister Of 'Hollaback Girl'". MTV News. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  17. ^ "Listen to Nicki Minaj and Avril Lavigne Raise Hell". PAPER. February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  18. ^ "Hear Nicki Minaj on Avril Lavigne's New Song "Dumb Blonde"". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  19. ^ "Avril Lavigne Teams Up with Nicki Minaj for Punk Pop Banger "Dumb Blonde"". exclaim.ca. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  20. ^ "New Music: Avril Lavigne feat. Nicki Minaj – 'Dumb Blonde'". Rap-Up. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  21. ^ "Avril Lavigne joined by Nicki Minaj on new track "Dumb Blonde": Stream". Consequence of Sound. February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  22. ^ "Avril Lavigne - "Dumb Blonde" (Ft. Nicki Minaj)". Spin. February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  23. ^ "Avril Lavigne & Nicki Minaj Drop Fiery Collaboration 'Dumb Blonde': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  24. ^ "Avril Lavigne and Nicki Minaj challenge 'dumb blonde' stereotypes on new collaboration: listen". CBC Music. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  25. ^ "Avril Lavigne & Nicki Minaj Drop Sassy New Single "Dumb Blonde"". idolator. February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  26. ^ "Nicki Minaj Laces Avril Lavigne's "Dumb Blonde" With Her Signature Style". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  27. ^ "Avril Lavigne "Dumb Blonde" (Live from Honda Stage at Henson Recording Studios)". YouTube. February 15, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  28. ^ "Avril Lavigne Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  29. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 17. týden 2019 in the date selector. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  30. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas : Mar 2, 2019". Billboard Japan. Retrieved March 3, 2019. (subscription required)
  31. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  32. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  33. ^ "Pop Digital Song Sales : Mar 2, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2019. (subscription required)
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