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Irrelevant (song)

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"Irrelevant"
Single by Pink
from the album Trustfall (tour deluxe edition)
ReleasedJuly 14, 2022 (2022-07-14)
RecordedJune–July 2022
Genre
Length3:52
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Fitchuk
Pink singles chronology
"All I Know So Far"
(2021) 		"Irrelevant"
(2022) 		"Never Gonna Not Dance Again"
(2022)
Music video
"Irrelevant" on YouTube

"Irrelevant" is a protest song by American singer-songwriter Pink. It was surprise release single on July 14, 2022, through RCA Records. It was written by the singer and the track's producer Ian Fitchuk. A pop punk and pop rock song, it features lyrics advocating for fighting over one's rights and touching on trolls, hypocrites, bad political decisions, and the continued fight for women's rights. Additionally she references Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" (1983) and the Who's "The Kids Are Alright" (1965). The song was highly inspired by the overrule of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as hate and troll comments Pink received after she voiced her opinion about the issue. It was praised by music critics, who named the track a "protest anthem". An accompanying music video, directed by the singer and Brad Comfort, was released on July 18. Irrelevant was later included on the Deluxe Tour Edition of Pink's ninth studio album, Trustfall.

Background and release

[edit]
See also: Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in a landmark decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, returning the power to define abortion rights or restrictions to the states.[1] The following day, Pink voiced her opinion on Twitter, writing that the people who oppose Roe v. Wade should not listen to her music and instructed them to "fuck right off".[2][3] The tweet divided the audiences, and generated various hate and troll comments towards the singer, which she was responding to.[4] On July 3, she posted a picture of a microphone in her house with a caption "When they tell you to 'shut up and sing'.... Okay then."[5] On July 12, the singer shared a video where she croons the chorus of "Irrelevant" a cappella.[6][7][8] The next day, a photo of a napkin with the song's lyrics appeared on her social media, with a caption "Woke up. Got heated. Wrote song. Coming soon."[9]

"Irrelevant" was released without any prior announcement on July 14 at 12 AM Eastern Time through RCA Records for digital download and streaming.[10][11][12] According to Billboard, all of the song's proceeds will be donated to Michelle Obama's nonpartisan voting initiative "When We All Vote".[8] Alongside the release, Pink revealed the cover which is a "blurry snap" depicting her giving the finger;[13] Billboard's Gil Kaufman opined that it matches the song's message.[8] She also posted a statement about the track:

"As a woman with an opinion and the fearlessness to voice that opinion, it gets very tiring when the only retort is to tell me how irrelevant I am. I am relevant because I exist, and because I am a human being. No one is irrelevant. And no one can take away my voice."[14]

Composition and reception

[edit]
Pink references to "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" performed by Cyndi Lauper (left) in the song's lyrics, while Tarana Burke (right) can be seen in the music video.

"Irrelevant" was written by Pink alongside the track's producer Ian Fitchuk, and it marks their first collaboration.[6][11][14] It is a pop punk[2] and pop rock[13][15] song, described as a protest anthem by music critics.[16][17] It is a "thumping, guitar-strumming" song,[15] with lyrics encouraging to fight for one's rights.[11] In the pre-chorus she sings "You can call me irrelevant, insignificant / You can try to make me small / I'll be your heretic, you fuckin' hypocrite / I won't think of you at all",[16] after which she asks people who hide their actions behind Christianity: "Does Jesus love the ignorant?"[11] According to her, "he'd gladly take us all".[18] She nods to the Who's "The Kids Are Alright" (1965) chanting in the chorus: "The kids are not alright / None of us are right / I'm tired but I won't sleep tonight / 'Cause I still feel alive / The kids are not alright (not alright)."[8][13] While in the bridge, she references Cyndi Lauper's 1983 hit "Girls Just Want to Have Fun",[19] belting "Girls just wanna have rights / So why do we have to fight?"[15] Additionally, the singer is claiming ownership of her voice, opinions and self-worth in the song's lyrics.[6]

Good Housekeeping reported that fans were "stunned" by "Irrelevant" and that they "bombard[ed] Pink's Instagram with emotional comments".[5] Alexa Camp of Slant Magazine was keen of the track, opining that it "channels the scrappy energy and brash outspokenness that helped make Pink a star" which was, according to her, lacking on her past few efforts.[2] On a similar note, Julien Goncvales said that "Irrelevant" is a "ferocious anthem, with pop-rock sounds that will delight listeners—early fans".[13] iHeartRadio's Sarah Tate commented that by the song Pink "transform[ed] hateful comments she has received into a powerful protest anthem".[16] Writing for Entertainment Tonight, Sarah Schillaci described the track as "charged-up";[6] while Dan DeLuca from The Philadelphia Inquirer labeled it as an "emphatic protest song, a rallying cry of defiance in which the singer refuses to be defined by others and works herself up into a righteous rage".[19]

Music video

[edit]

The music video for "Irrelevant" was directed by Pink and Brad Comfort premiered on the former's official YouTube channel on July 18, 2022.[20] It mixes clips taken on various protests and footage that Pink recorded herself in the studio. Protests shown in the video were from civil rights movement, marches in support of MeToo movement, LGBT rights, Black Lives Matter,[21] and calls for an end to gun violence. The video also shows activists like Tarana Burke and Muhammad Ali, as well as politicians like Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani. Billboard's Kyle Denis called the visual "chilling" and tracing a "through-line between past and present struggles for justice", in addition commenting: "Although [Pink has] become known for her high-flying acrobatic performances, the star gives an equally arresting performance with her anguished delivery of the lyrics."[20] According to Leach Asmelash of CNN, the singer is protesting against sexism and racism in the video.[21]

Credits and personnel

[edit]
  • Pink – vocals, songwriting
  • Ian Fitchuk – songwriting, production, acoustic guitar, bass, keyboards
  • Sarah Buxton – backing vocals
  • Court Clement – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
  • Aaron Sterling – drums
  • Jeff Gunnel – editing, programming, engineering
  • Konrad Snyder – engineering
  • Spike Stent – mixing
  • Matt Wollach – assistant mixing
  • Dave Kutch – mastering

Charts

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ Schumer, Lizz (June 24, 2022). "Understanding the Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade". Good Housekeeping. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Camp, Alexa (July 14, 2022). "Pink's 'Irrelevant' Takes on Twitter Trolls, Hypocrites, and Women's Rights". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  3. ^ Iasimone, Ashley (June 25, 2022). "Pink Addresses Supporters of Overturning Roe v. Wade: 'Never F—ing Listen to My Music Again'". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  4. ^ Avila, Daniela (June 27, 2022). "Pink Tells Fans Who Oppose Roe v. Wade to 'Never F—ing Listen to My Music Again'". People. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Barrientos, Selena (July 15, 2022). "Fans Are Bombarding Pink's Instagram With Emotional Comments About Her New 'Powerful Song'". Good Housekeeping. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d Schillaci, Sophie (July 14, 2022). "Pink Releases Fired-Up Protest Anthem 'Irrelevant,' Supports Michelle Obama's Voting Initiative". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  7. ^ Tate, Amethyst (July 13, 2022). "Pink Shares New Song Lyrics Written on Paper Napkin: 'Woke Up. Got Heated. Wrote Song'". People. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d Kaufman, Gil (July 14, 2022). "The Kids Are Not Alright on P!nk's Urgent Protest Single 'Irrelevant'". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  9. ^ Kaufman, Gil (July 13, 2022). "P!nk Turns Haterade Into 'Irrelevant' Song". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  10. ^ Stone, Megan (July 13, 2022). "Pink announces new song 'Irrelevant': 'Woke up. Got heated.'". ABC News. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d Brow, Jason (July 14, 2022). "Pink Declares 'Girls Just Wanna Have Rights' On New Song Following 'Roe's Overturning". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  12. ^ Vincente, Juan (July 14, 2022). "Pink responde con la canción 'Irrelevant' a quienes silenciaron su protesta". Los 40 (in Spanish). Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  13. ^ a b c d Goncvales, Julien (July 15, 2022). "Pink répond aux critiques sur l'hymne féroce 'Irrelevant' pour son retour". Pure Chartsi in France (in French). Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  14. ^ a b Zemler, Emily (July 14, 2022). "Pink Calls for Action on Protest Anthem 'Irrelevant'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  15. ^ a b c Pareles, Jon (July 15, 2022). "Lizzo Conquers Self-Doubt With an '80s Jam, and 7 More New Songs". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c Tate, Sarah (July 14, 2022). "Pink Turns Hate Comments Into Powerful Protest Song 'Irrelevant'". iHeartRadio. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  17. ^ "Pink: il nuovo singolo 'Irrelevant' ha un significato importantissimo". MTV Italia (in Italian). July 15, 2022. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  18. ^ Prieb, Natalie (July 15, 2022). "Pink releases political single 'Irrelevant' with proceeds going to voting initiative". The Hill. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  19. ^ a b DeLuca, Dan (July 18, 2022). "DeLuca's 5 Picks: Pink and Margo Price protest songs, plus Nightlands and music of 'The Bear'". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  20. ^ a b Denis, Kyle (July 18, 2022). "Pink Takes On The Supreme Court, Trump & Gun Violence in New 'Irrelevant' Music Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  21. ^ a b Asmelash, Leah (July 18, 2022). "Pink releases music video for new song 'Irrelevant,' protesting sexism and racism in the US". CNN. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  22. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 25 July 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1690. Australian Recording Industry Association. July 25, 2022. p. 4.
  23. ^ "P!nk – Irrelevant" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  24. ^ "Pnk Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  25. ^ "P!nk Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  26. ^ "Pnk Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  27. ^ P!nk — Irrelevant. TopHit. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  28. ^ "HRT Airplay Radio Chart No. 1055 - Issue Date: November 29st 2022" (PDF). Hrvatska Radiotelevizija. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  29. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 42. týden 2022 in the date selector. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  30. ^ "Classement Radio (Week 1, 2023)". SNEP. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  31. ^ "Offizielle Download Charts Single" (in German). Official German Charts. 15 November 2022. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  32. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of July 27, 2022". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  33. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  34. ^ "P!nk Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  35. ^ "P!nk Chart History (Mexico ingles airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  36. ^ "Tipparade week 31 van 2022". Top40.nl (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  37. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 25, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  38. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 38. týden 2022 in the date selector. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  39. ^ "Schweizer Airplay Charts 31/2022 - hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  40. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  41. ^ "Pnk Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  42. ^ "Pnk Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  43. ^ "Pnk Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  44. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2022" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
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