Sober

Album: N.A.T.I.O.N. (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Sober" is a reflective ballad inspired by Bad Wolves vocalist Tommy Vext's own battle with alcoholism. It tells the story of a relationship deeply affected by the cycle of alcohol and drug abuse, but not giving up on the addict who is trying to better themselves.

    "This song was a unique opportunity to talk about addiction not only from the perspective of the addict but also from the perspective of their loved ones," Vext said of "Sober." "The message is very different from traditional songs that seem to always perpetuate a mentality of self victimization, which is exactly the kind of misguided thinking that perpetuates the mental obsessive side of alcoholism and addiction. In the end, the moral of the story is about holding on to not giving up on ourselves or the people who are trying -- who are really, really trying to make and better themselves."
  • The song's music video opens with a voiceover describing how alcoholism destroys lives without discriminating between sex, race, gender identity or religion. The action turns to an addiction recovery meeting, in which a series of addicts, including Tommy Vext, share their stories.
  • Bad Wolves released a second video for the song. It includes footage from the movie Sno Babies about two college-bound best friends who battle with opiate addiction. The visual's release coincided with the launch of the Wolfpack Recovery charity campaign. The initiative benefits Rock to Recovery, which uses music therapy to help those battling addiction, eating disorders and mental health issues.
  • The song topped Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, becoming Bad Wolves' fourth #1 on the survey out of five singles. Only "Hear Me Now" failed to reach the Mainstream Rock summit out of their first five releases; it "only" peaked at #2.

Comments: 1

  • Kasie Perrin from Nygrate song
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.