Defy

Album: Defy (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the title track of Defy, Of Mice and Men's fifth album. The record finds the band defiant in the wake of the departure of frontman and principle songwriter Austin Carlile in 2016.

    "To defy means to challenge the power of; resist boldly or openly," commented the band's new vocalist Aaron Pauley. "Our song 'Defy' is all about digging your heels in and being defiant towards feelings of hopelessness and defining yourself in the process."
  • Here's what Aaron Pauley told Kerrang about the track:

    "A song has to have something about it to open an album, and this was just a ripper! It's fast-tempo and energetic, and it has a super heavy element to it. For us It also reflects the overall theme of the record. Naming the album define was important, because we feel in a lot of ways like we are defying people's expectations. No matter what you do or where you are, I think human beings experience that a lot. They feel like they have to defy the odds, which aren't always in their favor."
  • Aaron Pauley told HMV.com this was "one of the easiest" tracks on Defy "to write musically, but lyrically was more difficult."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Amy Lee of Evanescence

Amy Lee of EvanescenceSongwriter Interviews

The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."

Which Songs are About Drugs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.