Safe and Sound (Capital Cities song)
"Safe and Sound" | ||||
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Single by Capital Cities | ||||
from the album In a Tidal Wave of Mystery | ||||
Released | January 6, 2011 | |||
Recorded | 2010 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:13 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Capital Cities singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Safe And Sound" on YouTube |
"Safe and Sound" is a song by American indie pop duo Capital Cities, written and produced by band members Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian. The song was released as a single on January 6, 2011, and first appeared on their debut EP Capital Cities (2011), later serving as the lead single from their debut studio album, In a Tidal Wave of Mystery (2013). "Safe and Sound" became the duo's breakout hit, peaking at number eight on the United States Billboard Hot 100 and achieving commercial success in several other territories. Three music videos were produced for the single, with the third video, directed by Grady Hall and set in the Los Angeles Theatre, later being nominated for Best Music Video at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. It is the theme song for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League.
Background and composition[]
"Safe and Sound" is a synth-pop,[1] dance-pop[2] and alternative rock song,[3] and was written and produced by Capital Cities members Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian. It features a prominent trumpet line, which was only incorporated into its production after eight previous takes of the song.[4]
Music videos[]
The first music video for "Safe and Sound" was self-produced and edited by the band and uploaded to their official YouTube account on February 24, 2011. It features alternating historical film clips of dancing and war from the last century generally arranged in chronological order.[5] Another video, directed by Jimmy Ahlander, was released on October 21, depicting the duo being led through a junkyard by a monk.[6]
The third and most well-known video for the song was directed by Grady Hall[7] and released on April 25, 2013.[8] The video is set in the Los Angeles Theatre and depicts Capital Cities performing on stage as dancers of all types (1940s swing dancers, 1970s roller disco skaters, 1990s hip-hop dancers, etc.) emerge from pictures on the wall and film clips from different time periods in the theater's history come to life and compete in dance-offs.[7] It received a nomination in the Best Music Video category at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.[9]
Cover versions and in other media[]
On November 7, 2013, the song was performed by Team Adam (consisted of Tessanne Chin, James Wolpert, Will Champlin, Grey and Preston Pohl) from the fifth season of the series, The Voice.[10]
Zendaya, Kina Grannis, Kurt Hugo Schneider and Max Schneider (not related) released a cover of the song on March 31, 2014, used for a Coca-Cola commercial. Actual Coca-Cola bottles served as instruments in the version.[11]
The song is briefly played at a party scene in the beginning of the 2015 film Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip.
Commercial performance[]
"Safe and Sound" first gained commercial success in Germany following its use in a Vodafone commercial, later topping the German Media Control singles chart.[12] A sleeper hit, it peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 2013, over two-and-a-half years after its initial release.[13] It has sold over two million copies in the United States as of January 2014.[14] It also reached #2 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart. In the United Kingdom, the single was added to the BBC Radio 2 playlist on August 31, 2013;[15] following its official single release in the country the following month, it peaked at number 42 on the UK Singles Chart.[16]
Air New Zealand have used the song in their in-flight safety video for 2014, while the Barcelona's Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) has used it in its dance video to raise awareness and support for research into diseases such as cancer and metastasis, Alzheimer's and diabetes.[17] McDonald's has used the song in 2020 in McDonald's Australia promotion for the return of the McRib® & El Maco® as part of the summer 2020 menu.[18]
Premiering in July 2021, "Safe and Sound" serves as the background track for the ADT commercial titled "It's Safe to Say" featuring Property Brothers, Drew Scott and Jonathan Scott.[19]
Awards and nominations[]
Year | Awards | Category | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Visual Effects | Won |
Best Art Direction | Nominated | ||
2014 | Grammy Awards | Best Music Video | Nominated |
World Music Awards | World's Best Song | Nominated | |
World's Best Video | Nominated | ||
Billboard Music Awards | Top Rock Song | Nominated |
Track listing[]
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Charts[]
Weekly charts[] |
Year-end charts[]
Decade-end charts[]
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Certifications[]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[83] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[84] | Gold | 15,000* |
Canada (Music Canada)[85] | 5× Platinum | 400,000![]() |
Germany (BVMI)[86] | 3× Gold | 450,000![]() |
Italy (FIMI)[87] | 2× Platinum | 60,000* |
Mexico (AMPROFON)[88] | 2× Platinum | 120,000* |
Sweden (GLF)[89] | 2× Platinum | 80,000![]() |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[90] | Gold | 15,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[91] | Silver | 200,000![]() |
United States (RIAA)[93] | 6× Platinum | 6,000,000[92] |
Streaming | ||
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[94] | Platinum | 1,800,000![]() |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[95] | Platinum | 8,000,000![]() |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history[]
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United States[20][96][97][98] | January 6, 2011 | Digital download | Lazy Hooks |
January 27, 2013 | Modern rock radio | Capitol | |
February 4, 2013 | Adult album alternative radio | ||
April 2, 2013 | Contemporary hit radio | ||
Germany[99] | April 5, 2013 | Digital download (remix EP) |
|
Canada[100] | April 16, 2013 | ||
United States[21] | |||
Germany[22] | May 17, 2013 | Compact disc | Capitol |
Italy[101] | June 14, 2013 | Contemporary hit radio | EMI |
Australia[102] | June 21, 2013 | Digital download |
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New Zealand[103] | |||
Australia[104] | August 16, 2013 | Digital download (remix EP) | |
New Zealand[105] | |||
United States[106] | August 19, 2013 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | Capitol |
United Kingdom[107] | September 20, 2013 | Digital download (remix EP) |
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References[]
- ^ Cridlin, Jay (July 15, 2013). "Photos: Capital Cities strip down 'Safe and Sound' at 93.3-FLZ in Tampa". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
- ^ Daw, Robbie (November 13, 2013). "Capital Cities (Safe And) Sound Great On 'Jimmy Fallon': Watch". Idolator. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
- ^ "Ranking: Every Alternative Rock No. 1 Hit from Worst to Best". Consequence of Sound. July 5, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ Ruygrok, Steven (April 14, 2014). "Capital Cities exclusive: 'Safe and Sound', new music videos, a new album & more". AXS. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ capitalcitiesmusic (February 24, 2013). "Capital Cities – Safe and Sound (Original)". Retrieved July 2, 2014 – via YouTube.
- ^ Ahlander, Jimmy (October 21, 2013). "Capital Cities – Safe and Sound". Retrieved July 2, 2014 – via Vimeo.
- ^ a b Nostro, Lauren (April 25, 2013). "Video: Capital Cities 'Safe and Sound'". Complex. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ CapitalCitiesVEVO (April 25, 2013). "Capital Cities – Safe And Sound (Official Video)". Retrieved July 2, 2014 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Grammy nominations 2014: The complete list". Los Angeles Times. December 6, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
- ^ Ball-Dionne, Caila (November 8, 2013). "The Voice: Team Christina Aguilera Performs Maroon 5's "Love Somebody" On Elimination Night". Idolator. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
- ^ McGahan, Michelle (May 20, 2014). "2014 Coca-Cola 'The Sounds of AHH' Commercial – What's the Song? Read More: Coca-Cola 'The Sounds of AHH' Commercial - What's the Song?". PopCrush. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
- ^ a b "Capital Cities – Safe and Sound" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- ^ a b "Capital Cities Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ Grein, Paul (January 2, 2014). "Can You Believe 'Don't Stop Believin Loses Spot as Best-Selling Rock Song?". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
- ^ Hart, Tina (August 28, 2013). "Radio playlist update: BBC Radio 2". Music Week. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Scientists at IRB Barcelona dance for cancer, Alzheimer's and diabetes research". IRB Barcelona. October 12, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014 – via YouTube.
- ^ "McDonald's, Get ready for our most delicious Summer yet!". McDonald's AU. December 20, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020 – via Facebook.
- ^ It's Safe to Say, retrieved September 10, 2021
- ^ a b "Safe and Sound – Single by Capital Cities". iTunes Store (US). Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ a b "Safe and Sound Remix EP – EP by Capital Cities". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ a b "Safe and Sound". Amazon.de (in German). Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities – Safe And Sound". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities – Safe And Sound" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities – Safe And Sound" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities – Safe And Sound" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Top 100 Billboard Brasil". Billboard Brasil. June 28, 2014.
- ^ "Hot 100 Billboard Brasil – weekly". Billboard Brasil. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ Capital Cities — Safe and Sound. Tophit. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201341 into search. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201424 into search. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities – Safe And Sound". Tracklisten. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "IFPI - Capital Cities: Safe And Sound". Suomen virallinen lista. September 3, 2015.
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- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Safe and Sound". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- ^ "Week: 38. Period: 15-09-13 21-09-13". Media Forest. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities – Safe And Sound". Top Digital Download. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities Chart History (Luxembourg Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2013.[dead link]
- ^ "Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. October 12, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 35, 2013" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities – Safe And Sound" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
- ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities Chart History (Portugal Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2013.[dead link]
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201326 into search. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201428 into search. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
- ^ "SloTop50: Slovenian official singles weekly chart" (in Slovenian). SloTop50. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities – Safe And Sound" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities – Safe And Sound". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities – Safe and Sound". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Record Report – Pop Rock General". Record Report (in Spanish). November 9, 2013. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2013". austriancharts.at. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
- ^ "Canadian Hot 100: 2013 (Year-End)". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2013" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "Classifiche Annuali 2013 Top Of The Music By FIMI Gfk" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
- ^ "Russian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2013)". Tophit. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2013 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
- ^ "Ukrainian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2013)". Tophit. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songs: 2013 (Year-End)". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs: 2013 (Year-End)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Adult Pop Songs: 2013 (Year-End)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- ^ "Rock Songs: 2013 (Year-End)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Pop Songs: 2013 (Year-End)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Canadian Hot 100 - Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
- ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2014" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "Russian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2014)". Tophit. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ "SloTop50 | Slovenian official year-end singles charts" (in Slovenian). Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- ^ "Ukrainian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2014)". Tophit. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs: 2014 (Year-End)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
- ^ "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
- ^ "Decade-End Charts: Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – Capital Cities – Safe & Sound" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Capital Cities – Safe and Sound". Music Canada. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Capital Cities; 'Safe and Sound')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Capital Cities – Safe and Sound" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 10, 2015. Select "2014" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Safe and Sound" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved February 1, 2014. Type Capital Cities in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Safe and Sound in the box under TÍTULO
- ^ "Capital Cities - Safe and Sound" (in Swedish). Grammofon Leverantörernas Förening. Archived from the original on August 4, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Capital Cities; 'Safe and Sound')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
- ^ "British single certifications – Capital Cities – Safe and Sound". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- ^ Grein, Paul (January 2, 2014). "Can You Believe "Don't Stop Believin'" Loses Spot as Best-Selling Rock Song?". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ "American single certifications – Capital Cities – Safe and Sound". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Capital Cities – Safe and Sound". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
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- ^ "Safe and Sound (Remix) – EP von Capital Cities". iTunes Store (DE). Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Safe and Sound Remix EP – EP by Capital Cities". iTunes Store (CA). Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Capital Cities – Safe and Sound (EMI)" (in Italian). Radio Airplay SRL. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Safe and Sound – Single by Capital Cities". iTunes Store (AU). Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Safe and Sound – Single by Capital Cities". iTunes Store (NZ). Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Safe and Sound Remix – EP by Capital Cities". iTunes Store (AU). Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Safe and Sound Remix – EP by Capital Cities". iTunes Store (NZ). Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Rhythm Crossover". FMQB. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ "Safe and Sound by Capital Cities". iTunes Store (GB). Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- 2011 singles
- Capital Cities (band) songs
- Number-one singles in Germany
- Number-one singles in Russia
- Capitol Records singles
- Record Report Pop Rock General number-one singles
- 2010 songs