Firecracker

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"Firecracker"
Firecracker.png
Single by Brody Chandler
from the album Introduction
Released April 13, 2009 (2009-04-13)
Format
  • 7"
  • CD
  • digital download
Recorded 2008
Genre Pop
Length 4:36
Label Music Nation Label Group
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Riprock & Alex-G
Brody Chandler singles chronology
"Bodyrock"
(2009)
"Firecracker"
(2009)
"Emergency"
(2009)
Alternative cover
Japan single cover
Japan single cover

"Firecracker" is a song recorded by American singer Brody Chandler for his debut studio album Introduction (2009). It was co-written by Chandler and Justin Lamar, and produced by Riprock & Alex-G. "Firecracker" was released as the album's second single on April 13, 2009 by Music Nation Label Group. Following the sexually explicit persona portrayed by Chandler on his previous single "Bodyrock", the singer wanted to display a more emotional side of himself and prove his vocal talent with the release of his follow-up. Powered by melodic keyboard notes, guitars, drums, bass riffs and layered harmonies, "Firecracker" is a midtempo pop ballad. The lyrics carry a torch of longing a lover that has come and gone. Sooner or later, it becomes evident that the longing is only hurting you, but you continue, if only to grasp onto the memories.

"Firecracker" received universal acclaim from music critics around the world, who considered it a stand-out track on Introduction, praising Riprock & Alex-G's production and Chandler's vocal performance. The song earned a position on several lists of best of the year and the decade (2000s), while Rolling Stone included it on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time at 484. The song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Singles Chart and faired even better in the UK, Australia and Japan, where it charted at number one. It was certified 4× platinum in the US by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting sales of 4,000,000+ units, and certified double platinum in the UK and Australia.

Filmmaker DJ Caruso directed the music video for "Firecracker" in Los Angeles, California. The treatment was written by Chandler and screenwriter John Welch. The clip for "Firecracker" broke new ground as the first video to premiere exclusively on the iTunes Store on April 3, 2009. In the nine minute director's cut video, Chandler's character meets a tragic fate after trying to reconnect with his ex-lover. The clip won the awards for Best Concept Video at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2009. Chandler performed "Firecracker" on his two major concert tours: the Introducing Brody Chandler World Tour (2009–10) and the Tourist World Tour (2014–16). The song has been covered by various recording artists, including Haylie Thomas and Justice Jones.

Writing and production

Chandler denied that his ended relationship with Whitney Wilson was the inspiration for "Firecracker".

"Firecracker" was written by Chandler and Justin Lamar, and produced by Riprock & Alex-G. Lamar found working with Chandler easy because of the song's meaning. Reporters believed its lyrics were inspired by Chandler's romantic relationship with American heiress and singer Whitney Wilson, which ended in January 2009. For his part, Chandler denied that Wilson was behind the song's inspiration. Chandler told MTV News correspondent SuChin Pak, "To answer your question directly, there's not one individual song [on this album] dedicated to anyone. Certain pieces of songs may be about someone, but like I said, when it comes to my music, I don't have to explain anything. You can draw your own conclusions and it's more fun that way."

Musically, Chandler wanted to have a few songs on Introduction that diplayed his vocal talent and "Firecracker" became the face of that effort. In his 2014 VH1 Storytellers concert special, Chandler explained: "The idea going in was to sing my face off with some vulnerability and passion and still have it make sense on a record like Introduction, which was heavily focused on sexually explicit moments. I didn't want people to write me off as just another pop singer whose beats are his saving grace. It was important, if I were to prove my worth as a singer, that the end product had substance vocally, lyrically and musically. I was very focused on those elements when it came to creating this song."

"Firecracker" was recorded at Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles and Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank. Jetson Gurgen was the engineer, while Martika Evelyn and Enrique "Storm" Martinez served as the assistant engineers. Don Pensado mixed the song. Chandler arranged the vocals and was his own backup singer. Alex Goldstein of Riprock & Alex-G compared Chandler's soaring vocals on "Firecracker" to pop and R&B singer George Michael.

Release

"Firecracker" was released as the second single from Introduction. Prior to its release, Chandler spoke of being nervous about following "Bodyrock" with a slower song. "You should never expect to be as successful as you were the last time around – so, sure, I'm a little nervous that people won't accept this single because it's nothing like the last one," he told Popjustice. "At the end of the day, it's out of my hands. But I'm happy to be releasing a song that showcases my voice. I don't think 'Bodyrock' allowed me to express myself vocally because that was more about the dancing and my personality. People are always surprised to find out that I can actually sing."

On April 13, 2009, a CD single was released in the United Kingdom containing the radio edit of the song, the music video edit and two club extended mixes. On April 18, 2009, an alternate version of the single was released in Australia including an exclusive unplugged mix. In the United States and Canada, the single was released in two physical formats and an iTunes exclusive digital remix EP on April 21, 2009. In Japan, the song was released on January 6, 2010. It was also released in all nations as a standalone digital single.

Critical reception

"Firecracker" received universal acclaim from critics. Tyler Martin of The Guardian and Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine regarded it as a stand-out track from Introduction. Andy Kellman of AllMusic selected the song as a highlight in his review of Introduction. Peter Robinson of Jam! called it a "power-pop epic" and "a world class ballad sprouting with heartache and confusion, with Riprock & Alex-G's surprisingly mellow production at the helm". Rolling Stone's Ken Tucker viewed Riprock & Alex-G's production of "Firecracker" as exceptional. Denise Boyd of BBC Music felt that the song's lyrics play as large a role as Chandler's vocals, unlike other songs on Introduction. Chad Bengali of Entertainment Weekly concluded that the song is "a genuine stunner" that should leave Chandler's fans concerned that he truly may not want to bodyrock anymore. For USA Today it was the 3rd best song of 2009. According to MTV News, the song "made people pay very close attention to Brody Chandler start asking what he would do next".

Commercial performance

"Firecracker" debuted and peaked at number two on the US Billboard Singles Chart, earning the week's highest debut. It held onto number two in its second week and dropped to number six in its third week. The song spent a total of 22 weeks on the chart. As of November 2009, the single has sold more than 4.6 million units in the United States and is certified 4× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). "Firecracker" debuted at number one on Australia's ARIA Singles Chart. It held onto the top spot in its second week before falling to number two. It became Chandler's second consecutive number one single on the chart. The song remained on the chart for 23 consecutive weeks and was certified 2× platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for sales of over 140,000 units. In the United Kingdom, "Firecracker", debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart. The next week it fell to number four, before returning to its original peak during the week of May 4, 2009; it stayed on the chart for 20 weeks. The song has sold over 1.3 million units in the country as of November 2009, and is certified 2× platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). In Japan, "Firecracker" debuted and peaked at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart, where it remained for seven consecutive weeks. It was certified platinum by Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) and stayed on the chart for 12 weeks.

Music video

Development and synopsis

The full music video for "Firecracker" is a 9-minute short film written by Chandler and screenwriter John Welch, and directed by filmmaker DJ Caruso during the week of February 9, 2009. Speaking on the video's concept, Chandler told MTV News, "My goal for [the 'Firecracker' video] is cinematic. It's a mini-movie; sort of a short film. It has a story and a plot just like any movie would, but this is still very much a music video. I think it came out great, so I can't wait for the fans to finally see it." Chandler also revealed that executives of Music Nation Label Group were nervous about some aspects of the video, such as him making a short film during a time when music videos were expected to be brief and concise. He stated: "The attention span is very short nowadays, so it was a challenge to get people [at the label] to see that taking the long way would be exciting and innovative for the industry we're all apart of today. I wanted to go against the status quo and take a chance on people not wanting to spend 9 minutes of their day on my video. I knew that if it came out good, it would make an impact." The music video for "Firecracker" was the first to be exclusively premiered on the iTunes Store on April 3, 2009. During its first three days on iTunes, fans purchased and downloaded the video to the tune of over 236,000 downloads. As an alternative, a shortened, dialogue-less edit of the "Firecracker" video was later released for music networks and various online outlets.

Chandler in the "Firecracker" music video.

The video opens with a woman, played by model Allie Crandell, shown sitting at a reserved table in a restaurant. Crandell appears to be exasperated over the tardiness of her guest. There is no music, just the sound of random conversations going on in the room. She checks her watch for the time, she sighs and rolls her eyes before looking up. Finally, her male guest, Brody Chandler, arrives. But Crandell isn't exactly enthused by the sight of him, and the look on her face suggests her problem runs a little deeper than him not showing up on time. These two are clearly not strangers; there's a history, a heartbreak within. After an emotional discussion, Crandell decides to make it clear that she has no intentions of getting back together with Chandler. Crandell leaves the restaurant and Chandler follows after her. They both end up outside and Crandell is walking far ahead of a tearful, heartbroken Chandler while he struggles to catch up. The music to "Firecracker" begins to play and Chandler begins to sing the song's lyrics. Directly after the first verse, the music suddenly stops. Crandell is shown running across the street, and Chandler follows her, but he's not so lucky getting across. A car crash collision ensues and Chandler is caught in the crossfire. Instantly, just like that, he is killed. The music starts up again and Crandell is shown in her apartment, shaken up and shocked over the events that took place. Her ex-boyfriend has just been killed. Her conscience is eating at her; making her wish she'd have done things differently. That maybe if she hadn't been so selfish, Chandler wouldn't be dead right now. As Crandell starts to wind down, she begins to feel the presence of another in her space. This presence is supernatural and distant, but she recognizes it from somewhere: it's Chandler's spirit. Chandler sings the song as his angelic presence connects with Crandell. The next scene takes place at a graveyard, and even though Chandler's spirit is leading the way, Crandell still doesn't know he's there. Crandell is ready to face Chandler's grave and unleash her regrets. The song comes to a climax during the bridge. Crandell starts to become more aware of Chandler's spirit, enabling her to feel his touch. Although she knows this is just her imagination, she feels connected enough to believe it's real – that he's really alive again somehow. Chandler is then shown walking through the street (it's unknown if this was before or after his death), with various flashbacks to earlier scenes in the video. In the final scene, Chandler reaches for Crandell's hand, and unlike that moment in the restaurant, she gives in. Finally, she's able to see him. They dance together in the street he died on. The end of the video shows Crandell standing alone in the street and Chandler's spirit walking away behind her, leaving the moral of the story to be: "Never take someone you love for granted, because in an instant they could be taken away from you and there's no rewinding the clock to get them back."

Reception

Peter Robinson of NME wrote that the video shows "Brody's ambition to create music videos that will matter long after his legacy is cemented". According to Virginia Heffernan of The New York Times, Chandler proves himself to be a competant actor, "expressing every ounce of emotion necessary to pull off such a dramatic piece". At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, the video for "Firecracker" won in the category of Best Concept Video. It had also been nominated for Best Cinematography in a Video.

Live performances and cover versions

Haylie Thomas is one of the artists who covered "Firecracker".

Chandler performed "Firecracker" on television for the first time during a concert on Good Morning America to promote Introduction on January 20, 2009. He performed the song during his headlining Super Bowl XLIII halftime show in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009. During his UK promo tour in April 2009, Chandler performed the song on MTV's TRL UK, The Paul O'Grady Show, GMTV, CD:UK and Top Of The Pops. He also performed "Firecracker" on the Introducing Brody Chandler World Tour (2009–10), his first worldwide tour. Chandler performed "Firecracker" at the 2010 Grammy Awards with a full backing band, including two guitarists on bass and rhythm, a violinist, a cellist and a drummer. In May 2014, he performed "Firecracker", while also explaining how it was created, during his VH1 Storytellers special. Chandler included the single on the set list of his second worldwide concert tour, the Tourist World Tour (2014–16).

The song was first covered by Haylie Thomas in tribute to Chandler on The MN Factor's cycle one finale on May 17, 2013. Entertainment Weekly described the version as a "rock-'n'-roll ballad for the ages with Thomas' pipes on full display". British singer-songwriter Justice Jones performed a cover of "Firecracker" alongside Chandler in Adelaide, Australia, during Jones' Soul Geek Tour (2015).

Track listings

  • US CD single
  1. "Firecracker" (Radio Mix)  – 4:10
  2. "Firecracker" (Toradisco 4th of July Mix - Edit)  – 4:50
  3. "Firecracker" (Video Version - Edit)  – 4:59
  • US digital EP single
  1. "Firecracker" (Bimbo Jones Club Remix)  – 8:22
  2. "Firecracker" (Smilez & Southstar Sparks Mix)  – 7:34
  3. "Firecracker" (Toradisco 4th of July Mix)  – 8:41
  4. "Firecracker" (Longform Video Version w/ Dialogue)  – 9:20
  5. "Firecracker" (Unplugged Mix)  – 4:23
  6. "Firecracker" (Haji & Emanuel Remix)  – 5:17
  7. "Firecracker" (Radio Mix)  – 4:10
  8. "Firecracker" (Album Version)  – 4:26
  • US iTunes exclusive remixes - digital EP single
  1. "Firecracker" (Soulshocker Remix)  – 6:52
  2. "Firecracker" (Beatmaker Mix)  – 5:57
  3. "Firecracker" (Spensane DeLUX Workout Mix)  – 11:39
  4. "Firecracker" (Benz Remix)  – 4:46
  5. "Firecracker" (Free-Xone Club Mix w/ Intro)  – 7:26
  • UK CD single
  1. "Firecracker" (UK Radio Edit)  – 4:13
  2. "Firecracker" (Haji & Emanuel Remix)  – 5:17
  3. "Firecracker" (Toradisco 4th of July Mix - Edit)  – 4:50
  4. "Firecracker" (Video Version - Edit)  – 4:59
  • UK digital EP single
  1. "Firecracker" (Bimbo Jones Club Remix)  – 8:22
  2. "Firecracker" (Smilez & Southstar Sparks Mix)  – 7:34
  3. "Firecracker" (Toradisco 4th of July Mix)  – 8:41
  4. "Firecracker" (Longform Video Version w/ Dialogue)  – 9:20
  5. "Firecracker" (Unplugged Mix)  – 4:23
  6. "Firecracker" (Haji & Emanuel Remix)  – 5:17
  7. "Firecracker" (UK Radio Edit)  – 4:13
  8. "Firecracker" (Album Version)  – 4:26

  • Australia CD single
  1. "Firecracker" (Album Version)  – 4:36
  2. "Firecracker" (Riprock Remix)  – 4:47
  3. "Firecracker" (Unplugged Mix)  – 4:23
  4. "Firecracker" (Video Version - Edit)  – 4:59
  • Australia digital EP single
  1. "Firecracker" (Bimbo Jones Club Remix)  – 8:22
  2. "Firecracker" (Smilez & Southstar Sparks Mix)  – 7:34
  3. "Firecracker" (Toradisco 4th of July Mix)  – 8:41
  4. "Firecracker" (Longform Video Version w/ Dialogue)  – 9:20
  5. "Firecracker" (Unplugged Mix)  – 4:23
  6. "Firecracker" (Haji & Emanuel Remix)  – 5:17
  7. "Firecracker" (Radio Mix)  – 4:10
  8. "Firecracker" (Album Version)  – 4:26
  • Australia limited edition pt. 1 7" single
  1. "Firecracker" (Summer Night Mare Mix)  – 4:26
  2. "Firecracker" (Ric Smoove Remix)  – 4:06
  • Australia limited edition pt. 2 7" single
  1. "Firecracker" (Toradisco Alternative Remix)  – 5:01
  2. "Firecracker" (Riprock Remix)  – 4:47
  • Japan CD single
  1. "Firecracker" (Radio Mix)  – 4:10
  2. "Firecracker" (Toradisco 4th of July Mix - Edit)  – 4:50
  3. "Firecracker" (Haji & Emanuel Remix)  – 5:17
  4. "Firecracker" (Benz Remix)  – 4:46
  5. "Firecracker" (Video Version - Edit)  – 4:59
  • Digital download
  1. "Firecracker"  – 4:36

Credits and personnel

Recording and mixing
  • Recorded and mixed at Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles and Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank.
Personnel

  • Engineer - Jetson Gurgen
  • Assistant engineers – Martika Evelyn, Enrique "Storm" Martinez
  • Vocal arrangement – Brody Chandler

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Introduction, Music Nation Label Group.

Charts

Chart (2009-10) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA Singles Chart) 1
Japan (Oricon Singles Chart) 1
UK (UK Singles Chart) 1
US (Billboard Singles Chart) 2

Certifications

Nation Certification Sales/Shipments
AUNation (Australian Recording Industry Association) 2× Platinum 151,408
JPNation (Recording Industry Association of Japan) Platinum 335,723
UKNation (British Phonographic Industry) 2× Platinum 1,327,740
USNation (Recording Industry Association of America) 4× Platinum 4,640,094
Summaries
Worldwide 6,454,965

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United Kingdom April 13, 2009
  • CD
  • digital download
Music Nation Label Group
Australia April 18, 2009
United States April 21, 2009
Canada
Japan January 6, 2010