Surrender (Godsmack song)

"Surrender" is a song by American rock band Godsmack. It marks the first single from their eighth and final studio album Lighting Up the Sky^[3] and their first new music in four years since the release of their seventh studio album When Legends Rise in 2018.^[4]

"Surrender"
Single by Godsmack
from the album Lighting Up the Sky
Released	September 28, 2022 (2022-09-28)
Genre	Hard rock[1]
Length	3:40
Label	BMG
Songwriter(s)	Sully Erna Erik Ron
Producer(s)	Sully Erna Andrew Murdock[2]
Godsmack singles chronology
"Unforgettable" (2018) "Surrender" (2022) "You and I" (2022)
Music video
"Surrender" on YouTube

Lyrical theme

In an exclusive comment to Audacy, frontman Sully Erna described the song as "very cut and dry", and revealed that it's about waving the white flag in a relationship:

It's simply about the exhaustion we can all feel in relationships at times from the redundancy of fighting with each other. At a certain point in our lives, we submit to putting aside who's right or wrong, we just want it to STOP! So we wave the white flag.^[5]

Liz Scarlett of Louder Sound magazine described the lyrics as both "brooding" and "contemplative".^[1]

Release

On September 22, 2022, the band released a 12-second teaser for "Surrender".^[4] The single made its official world premiere on September 28.^[5]

Music video

The music video for "Surrender" was released on November 18, 2022.^[6] The clip alternates between live footage of the band performing the song, behind the scene footage, and heartfelt interactions they had with fans throughout the years.

Reception

Critical

Initial reviews of the single have been positive. Greg Kennelty of Metal Injection described the song as having "this very specific early 2000s radio vibe to it" but noted that "I don't mean it in a bad way either.^[7] Joe DiVita of Loudwire praised the song as both "catchy" and "punchy" and commended the band for their hit-writing ability 25 years into their career.^[8]

Commercial

Upon its release, "Surrender" entered multiple charts, including the Billboard Mainstream Rock. Like the band's previous four singles from the When Legends Rise, "Surrender" peaked at number one, giving Godsmack their first number one single off Lighting Up the Sky, and their twelfth number one single overall.^[9]

Personnel

Godsmack

• Sully Erna – vocals, rhythm guitar, producer
• Tony Rombola – lead guitar
• Robbie Merrill – bass
• Shannon Larkin – drums

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Surrender"

Chart (2022)	Peak position
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[10]	3

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Surrender"

Chart (2023)	Position
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[11]	22

References

1. "Godsmack drop first new music in four years with new song Surrender". Louder. September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
2. "Godsmack Announces 'Lighting Up The Sky' Album, Shares 'You And I' Single". Blabbermouth.net. November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
3. "Godsmack's Sully Erna previews the band's upcoming album 'Lighting Up The Sky'". Audacy. September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
4. "Godsmack Teases New Single 'Surrender'". Blabbermouth.net. September 22, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
5. "World Premiere: Godsmack – 'Surrender'". Audacy. September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
6. "Shares Music Video For 'Surrender'". Blabbermouth.net. November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
7. "The New Godsmack Song Feels Like It Should've Been On The Radio 20 Years Ago". Metal Injection. September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
8. "Godsmack Debut Catchy New Song 'Surrender'". Loudwire. September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
9. "Godsmack Continues No. 1 Streak on Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart With 'Surrender'". Billboard. November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
10. "Godsmack Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
11. "Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2023.