Dead (Madison Beer song)

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"Dead"
Single by Madison Beer
from the EP As She Pleases
ReleasedMay 19, 2017 (2017-05-19)
GenreIndie pop[1]
Length3:14
LabelAccess
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Michael Keenan
Madison Beer singles chronology
"Something Sweet"
(2015) 		"Dead"
(2017) 		"Say It to My Face"
(2017)

"Dead" is a song by American singer Madison Beer. It was released on May 19, 2017 by Access, as the lead single from her debut EP As She Pleases (2018). The song was written by Brittany Amaradio, Madison Love, and Michael Keenan, the latter of whom produced the track. Two remixes and an acoustic version of the song were also released.

Composition[edit]

Speaking about the song's inspiration, Beer stated "It's about a situation myself and so many others find themselves in when you feel ignored and not loved in a relationship, yet you’re still hearing empty words like 'I can't live without you,' and it tears you up inside so I wanted to make the anthem for staying strong through this moment and not taking any shit!"[2]

"Dead" is an indie pop[1] song with a length of three minutes and fourteen seconds. Musically, it features breathy vocals from Beer over a beat that has been described by one music critic as "danceable".[3] Taylor Weatherby, writing for Billboard, compared the song to the works of Ariana Grande and JoJo.[3] Lyrically, it has been described as a breakup anthem[4] where the singer confronts a lying boyfriend.[1] In the chorus, Beer sings "You say you can't live without me, so why aren't you dead yet?"[3] Some sources suggested that the lyrics were about Beer's breakup with American singer Jack Gilinsky.[4]

Critical reception[edit]

Mike Wass, writing for Idolator, called the song a "biting kiss-off" that "repositions her as an alt-pop diva".[1] Mike Nied, also writing for Idolator, wrote the song's chorus "boasted one of the best lyrics of the year".[5] On behalf of Billboard, Taylor Weatherby described the song as "edgy" and wrote that it "is sure to strike a chord with just about anyone who hears it".[3]

Music video[edit]

The music video for "Dead" was released on August 3, 2017. It was directed by Darren Craig.[6] The video features the singer singing much of the song in a bathtub, with scenes of Beer and an ex-boyfriend interspersed throughout.[7] Presley Gerber Mike Wass of Idolator called the video "sexy and emotional".[6]

Track listing[edit]

Digital download[8]

  1. "Dead" – 3:14

Cedric Gervais Remix[9]

  1. "Dead" (Cedric Gervais Remix) – 3:19

Acoustic[10]

  1. "Dead" (Acoustic) – 3:44

Laibert Remix[11]

  1. "Dead" (Laibert Remix Radio Edit) – 3:59
  2. "Dead" (Laibert Remix Club Edit) – 4:25

Charts[edit]

Chart (2017) Peak
position
UK Indie (OCC)[12] 34

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[13] Platinum 70,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[14] Platinum 80,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[15] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[16] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Wass, Mike (19 May 2017). "Madison Beer Reinvents Herself On Indie-Pop Anthem "Dead"". Idolator. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  2. ^ Wass, Mike (14 August 2017). "Madison Beer's "Dead" Gets A Massive Cedric Gervais Remix". Idolator. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d Weatherby, Taylor. "Madison Beer Confronts a Game-Playing Ex in New Single 'Dead': Video Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Wiest, Brianna (3 August 2017). "Madison Beer's "Dead" Video Fuels Fan Speculation That the Song Is About Jack Gilinsky". Teen Vogue. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  5. ^ Nied, Mike (14 June 2018). "Madison Beer Hits The Skate Park In Her "Home With You" Video". Idolator. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Wass, Mike (3 August 2017). "Madison Beer Shows Her Ex What He's Missing In "Dead" Video". Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  7. ^ "madison beer's 'dead' music video is finally here". MTV. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  8. ^ "Dead – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  9. ^ "Dead (Madison Beer vs. Cedric Gervais) [Cedric Gervais Remix] – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  10. ^ "Dead ((Acoustic) - Single". Apple Music. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  11. ^ "Dead (Madison Beer vs. Cedric Gervais) [Cedric Gervais Remix] – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  12. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  13. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  14. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Madison Beer – Dead". Music Canada.
  15. ^ "British single certifications – Madison Beer – Dead". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  16. ^ "American single certifications – Madison Beer – Dead". Recording Industry Association of America.
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