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The Best Damn Thing (song)

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This article is about the song. For the album, see The Best Damn Thing.
"The Best Damn Thing"
Song

"The Best Damn Thing" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne. The song was written by Lavigne and Butch Walker, and produced by Walker for Lavigne's third studio album, The Best Damn Thing (2007).

The song was released on June 24, 2008, as the fourth and final single from The Best Damn Thing.[3] The song received mixed reviews from music critics, some citing its similarities to Toni Basil's song "Mickey", and comparing it to her previous single "Girlfriend".

Chart performance

Though the single had no physical release in North America, it charted at number seven on the U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and at number seventy-six on the Canadian Hot 100. However, it failed to re-enter the Billboard charts. In Germany, it debuted at number sixty-four, becoming her lowest peaking single there. The song was never released in the UK, though the video was leaked into music channels. Overall, it flopped worldwide.

Critical reception

Allmusic highlighted the song as a 'track pick' in a review of the album, The Best Damn Thing.[4] Darryl Sterdan of JAM! described the song as "Another cheerleader beat, another killer chorus and another brash vocal about how Avril hates having to open her own door. Call it Girlfriend Pt. 2".[5]

Sal Cinquemani of Slant magazine noted similarities between The Best Damn Thing and Toni Basil's song "Mickey".[6]

Music video

File:Avril Lavigne The Best Damn Thing video screen shot.png
Avril performing in the music video for The Best Damn Thing.

The music video was directed by Wayne Isham and was filmed on February 28, 2008. It premiered on Total Request Live Italy on April 4, and on the website Imeem on April 9 following an introduction by Lavigne.

The video shows Lavigne as three distinct characters: a cheerleader with other cheerleaders, wearing a dress on her own with a guitar, and as herself with her band. She plays the drums towards the end of the video. Her brother Matthew and former band members Evan Taubenfeld and Devin Bronson appeared in the video.

Live performances

Lavigne performed the song and "I Can Do Better" on an episode of the American talk show Live with Regis and Kelly in April 2008. She also performed "The Best Damn Thing" on Music Station Japan on 12 September 2008.[7]

Track listing

CD single[8]
  1. "The Best Damn Thing" – 3:10
  2. "Girlfriend" (MSN Control Room) – 4:16
  3. "Innocence" (MSN Control Room) – 3:59
  4. "Hot" (MSN Control Room) – 3:36
  5. "Losing Grip" (MSN Control Room) – 3:48

Charts

Chart (2008)[9] Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[10] 51
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[11] 14
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[12] 18
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13] 76
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[14] 84
songid field is MANDATORY FOR GERMAN CHARTS 64
U.S. Billboard Pop 100[15] 91

Certifications

Country Certification
Brazil Platinum[16]

References

  1. ^ "Avril Lavigne Announces Release of Third Album". starpulse.com. 30 January 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2010. ....up-tempo pop-punk anthems like "I Can Do Better," "The Best Damn Thing," and "Girlfriend"....
  2. ^ "Avril Lavigne on SortMusic". SortMusic. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  3. ^ "The Best Damn Thing [Maxi Single] - Avril Lavigne". AllMusic. 2008-06-24. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  4. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Allmusic review, The Best Damn Thing". allmusic.com. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  5. ^ Sterdan, Darryl (14 April 2007). "Jam! review". Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  6. ^ "Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing". 15 April 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2010. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Text "last-Cinquemani" ignored (help)
  7. ^ Avril Lavigne Live Music Station with performance of The Best Damn Thing and interview
  8. ^ "The Best Damn Thing [Maxi Single] - Avril Lavigne". AllMusic. 2008-06-24. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  9. ^ aCharts
  10. ^ "Avril Lavigne – The Best Damn Thing" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  11. ^ "Avril Lavigne – The Best Damn Thing" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  12. ^ "Avril Lavigne – The Best Damn Thing" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  13. ^ "Avril Lavigne Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  14. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 28. týden 2008 in the date selector. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  15. ^ Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing Billboard Pop 100
  16. ^ "Associaçăo Brasileira de Produtores de Disco". ABPD. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
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