"Lover, Leaver" is a song by American rock band Greta Van Fleet. It was released as the third single from their debut studio album, Anthem of the Peaceful Army. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in June 2019.[3] Two versions of the song were released: the full six-minute version called "Lover, Leaver (Taker, Believer)", and a shorter edit as a single called "Lover, Leaver".
| "Lover, Leaver" | ||||
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| Single by Greta Van Fleet | ||||
| from the album Anthem of the Peaceful Army | ||||
| Released | May 9, 2019 | |||
| Recorded | 2018 | |||
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| Label | Republic | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Greta Van Fleet singles chronology | ||||
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Background
editThe song had been performed in a live setting throughout 2018.[4] The song's studio version was first released on September 24, 2018, almost a month ahead of its respective album, Anthem of the Peaceful Army, as a promotional song.[5] It was the third promotional song to be released from the album, after single "When the Curtain Falls" and track "Watching Over".[6]
The song was co-written by all four members of the band,[7] and recorded in 2018 in Blackbird Studios in Nashville and Rustbelt Studios in Royal Oak, Michigan.[8] Two incarnations of the song exist; "Lover, Leaver" a three-minute version of the song later released as the band's third single from the album, and "Lover, Leaver (Taker, Believer)", a six-minute version of the song, with an extended psychedelic jamming/improvisational outro.[1] Both versions are available on the digital version of the album, while the physical album release only contains the extended version as track number five.[9]
Themes and composition
editJournalists described the song's genre as hard rock, with having classic rock influences.[1][2] Musically, it was described as having "crunch guitars" and "psychedelic melodies".[5] Josh Kiszka's vocals were described as "emotive crooning" with moments of "skyscraping falsetto".[4][1] Lyrically, the song covers topics commonly covered in classic rock – love of a woman, and dealings with the devil.[2]
Reception
editLoudwire ranked the song as the ninth-best hard rock song of 2018.[1] The website also noted that live performances had generally received a positive response from crowds as well.[10]
In 2020, the song won "Outstanding National Single" from the Detroit Music Awards.[11]
Personnel
editBand
- Joshua Kiszka – vocals
- Jacob Kiszka – guitar
- Samuel Kiszka – bass guitar
- Daniel Wagner – drums
Charts
edit| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Poland (ZPAV)[12] | 9 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[13] | 32 |
| US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[14] | 19 |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Loudwire Staff (December 3, 2018). "The 40 Best Hard Rock Songs of 2018". Loudwire.
- ^ a b c Reed, Ryan (September 24, 2018). "Greta Van Fleet Sing About Love and Satan on New Song 'Lover, Leaver'". Rolling Stone.
- ^ "Greta Van Fleet Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
- ^ a b "Greta Van Fleet Unveils New Song "Lover, Leaver"". www.radio.com. September 24, 2018.
- ^ a b "Greta Van Fleet release new song, "Lover, Leaver (Taker, Believer)": Stream". September 24, 2018.
- ^ Munro, Scott (September 24, 2018). "Listen to Greta Van Fleet's groove-filled new single Lover, Leaver (Taker, Believer)". Classic Rock Magazine.
- ^ Blabbermouth (September 21, 2018). "Listen To New GRETA VAN FLEET Song 'Lover, Leaver'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET.
- ^ Bienstock, Richard (September 7, 2023). "Greta Van Fleet Premiere New Song, "Lover, Leaver"". GuitarPlayer.com.
- ^ Bienstock, Richard (September 24, 2018). "Greta Van Fleet Share New Song, "Lover, Leaver"". Guitar World.
- ^ Childers, Chad (September 21, 2018). "Greta Van Fleet Unveil 'Lover, Leaver' from Upcoming Album". Loudwire.
- ^ "Detroit Music Awards Foundation - 2023 Winners". www.detroitmusicawards.net. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ^ "Lista Przebojów Trójki - Polskie Radio Online". Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "Greta Van Fleet Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
- ^ "Greta Van Fleet Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2019.