Dark Horses
Encyclopedia
"Dark Horses" is a song written and recorded by the alternative rock
band Switchfoot
, and serves as the first single off their eighth studio album
entitled Vice Verses
. It was debuted on the band's official website on July 20, 2011 and serviced to radio the same day. The release was announced on AllAccess/Mediabase
and later confirmed by singer Jon Foreman
during an interview with radio DJ Adrian Hummel.
during Switchfoot's Hello Hurricane tour
. The band sound-checked it once there, and also subsequently played it at several more shows during the fall leg of their tour.
It was reworked afterwards during the studio sessions for Vice Verses
, and the band debuted the revamped version with a new chorus with different melodies and a re-worked second verse in Winnipeg
, Canada in May 2011.
The band performed it throughout the summer festival season, and also allowed fans to preview it at their Bro-Am event in June.
Singer Jon Foreman has from time to time stated that the song is an anthem for Stand Up For Kids, organization that aids orphaned youth back in the band's hometown of San Diego, CA. "For me that song the Dark Horses is all about the homeless kids back in San Diego, specifically the ones who are being helped out by Stand Up For Kids," he says. "It’s always nice when you have a song you are passionate about singing night after night that has a deeper meaning than simply another verse and another chorus."
spun the song for the very first time on July 20, with Los Angeles' KROQ
featuring the single on their First Listen blog a couple days later.
It has peaked thus far at No. 6 on Billboard Alternative Songs, and has been well-received in the Christian radio scene as well, having spent seven straight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Christian Rock songs chart.
Switchfoot performed the song on "Conan" on October 25, 2011.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Switchfoot
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an American rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman , Tim Foreman , Chad Butler , Jerome Fontamillas , and Drew Shirley .After early successes in the Christian rock scene, Switchfoot first gained mainstream...
, and serves as the first single off their eighth studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
entitled Vice Verses
Vice Verses
Vice Verses is the eighth studio album by American alternative rock band Switchfoot. It was released on September 27, 2011. "Dark Horses" was the first single released from the album, with a July 20 radio date and August 2 digital release. Vice Verses debuted on the US Billboard 200 at No...
. It was debuted on the band's official website on July 20, 2011 and serviced to radio the same day. The release was announced on AllAccess/Mediabase
Mediabase
Mediabase is a music industry service that monitors radio station airplay in 180 US and Canadian markets. Mediabase publishes music charts and data based on the most played songs on terrestrial and satellite radio, and provides in-depth analytical tools for radio and record industry professionals...
and later confirmed by singer Jon Foreman
Jon Foreman
Jonathan Mark Foreman is the lead singer, lead guitarist, main songwriter and co-founder of the alternative rock band Switchfoot. He started Switchfoot in 1996 with drummer Chad Butler and bassist Tim Foreman ....
during an interview with radio DJ Adrian Hummel.
Song history
The song first made a public appearance on June 10, 2010 in AmsterdamAmsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
during Switchfoot's Hello Hurricane tour
Hello Hurricane tour
The Hello Hurricane Tour is a 2009-2010 concert tour by the alternative rock band Switchfoot in support of their seventh studio album, Hello Hurricane. The tour began in San Diego, CA on November 8, 2009 and concluded in Avila Beach, CA on October 29, 2010. Dates were first announced on...
. The band sound-checked it once there, and also subsequently played it at several more shows during the fall leg of their tour.
It was reworked afterwards during the studio sessions for Vice Verses
Vice Verses
Vice Verses is the eighth studio album by American alternative rock band Switchfoot. It was released on September 27, 2011. "Dark Horses" was the first single released from the album, with a July 20 radio date and August 2 digital release. Vice Verses debuted on the US Billboard 200 at No...
, and the band debuted the revamped version with a new chorus with different melodies and a re-worked second verse in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Canada in May 2011.
The band performed it throughout the summer festival season, and also allowed fans to preview it at their Bro-Am event in June.
Singer Jon Foreman has from time to time stated that the song is an anthem for Stand Up For Kids, organization that aids orphaned youth back in the band's hometown of San Diego, CA. "For me that song the Dark Horses is all about the homeless kids back in San Diego, specifically the ones who are being helped out by Stand Up For Kids," he says. "It’s always nice when you have a song you are passionate about singing night after night that has a deeper meaning than simply another verse and another chorus."
Reception
The song was picked up quickly by a couple of alternative rock stations in the first week of availability. San Diego's 91xXETRA-FM
XETRA-FM — branded 91X, and sometimes identified as XTRA-FM — is an English language, Mexican-owned modern rock music station broadcasting from Tijuana, Baja California on 91.1 MHz. The studios are located in the Mira Mesa area of San Diego...
spun the song for the very first time on July 20, with Los Angeles' KROQ
KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
featuring the single on their First Listen blog a couple days later.
It has peaked thus far at No. 6 on Billboard Alternative Songs, and has been well-received in the Christian radio scene as well, having spent seven straight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Christian Rock songs chart.
Live performances
Switchfoot performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 19, 2011.Switchfoot performed the song on "Conan" on October 25, 2011.
Chart positions
| Chart (2011) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100... |
1 |
| US Billboard Alternative Songs | 6 |
| US Billboard Rock Songs Rock Songs Rock Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks the airplay of songs on alternative, mainstream rock and triple A radio stations. The first chart was published in the issue dated June 20, 2009. "Know Your Enemy" by Green Day was the first number-one song. The Rock Songs... |
21 |
| US Billboard Christian Rock Songs | 1 |