Sober Up
| "Sober Up" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by AJR featuring Rivers Cuomo | ||||
| from the album The Click | ||||
| Released | September 2017 | |||
| Length | 3:38 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | AJR | |||
| AJR singles chronology | ||||
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| Rivers Cuomo singles chronology | ||||
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"Sober Up" is the third single from AJR's second studio album The Click and features Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo, although some radio stations play a version with AJR's Ryan singing Cuomo's part. "Sober Up" became the first number one song for AJR when it peaked at number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart in March 2018. Similarly, Cuomo had his first number one on the alternative Billboard chart as a solo artist.
Background
AJR had written most of "Sober Up" before reaching out to Rivers Cuomo of Weezer. After following AJR on Twitter, Cuomo was sent an unfinished version of the song that was missing a bridge.[1] To complete "Sober Up", Cuomo wrote and sang the bridge.[2]
Composition
In an interview with Billboard, Jack and Ryan Met revealed the inspiration to "Sober Up" came to them during their time at Columbia University. While at Columbia, the Met brothers felt that they were missing their childhood. Using their feelings of loneliness, the Mets were compelled to pen a song about Jack phoning up his crush he had in the second grade of elementary school.[3]
Live performance
In January 2018, AJR performed "Sober Up" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! alongside their previous hit "Weak".[4]
Chart performance
In March 2018, "Sober Up" peaked at number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and was the first number one song for AJR. For Rivers Cuomo, "Sober Up" was his first song to reach number one on Billboard's Alternative chart as a solo artist outside of Weezer.[5]
Reception
iHeartRadio said "Sober Up" was a positive song despite the difficult lyrics.[6]
Music video
On January 31, 2018, a music video for "Sober Up" was released. In the music video, the band is walking through New York City while Singer/brother Jack Met meets a younger version of himself.[7]
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[16] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[17] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
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^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also
References
- ^ LeDonne, Rob (30 March 2018). "Anatomy Of a Hit: AJR and Rivers Cuomo Discuss How Sliding Into DMs Yielded 'Sober Up'". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ Weatherby, Taylor (6 August 2017). "AJR Unveils 'Sober Up' Collaboration With Their Hero, Weezer's Rivers Cuomo: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ Atkinson, Katie; Caulfield, Keith (10 April 2018). "Pop Shop Podcast: AJR Talk Surprise Hit 'Sober Up,' Why Rivers Cuomo Was a 'Perfect Fit' & Seeing New Fans on Tour". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ O'Malley, Maura. "WATCH: AJR Perform "Sober Up" and "Weak" on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'". 107.7 The End. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ Rutherford, Kevin (1 March 2018). "AJR Crosses Over, Lands First Alternative Songs No. 1 With 'Sober Up'". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ "#NewMusicTuesday: AJR, "Sober Up"". iHeartRadio. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
- ^ Cosores, Philip (31 January 2018). "Premiere: AJR's Earnest 'Sober Up' Video Gets Back To That Youthful Feeling". Uproxx. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ "AJR Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ "AJR Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- ^ "AJR Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
- ^ "AJR Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ "AJR Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
- ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "Alternative songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "Rock airplay – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Ajr – Sober Up (Ft. Rivers Cuomo)". Music Canada. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ^ "American single certifications – Ajr – Sober Up". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 5, 2018.