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{{short description|2009 single}}
{{Infobox single <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Songs -->
{{Infobox song
| Name = The High Road
| Cover = Broken Bells The High Road.jpg
| name = The High Road
| Artist = [[Broken Bells]]
| cover = Broken Bells The High Road.jpg
| alt =
| Album = [[Broken Bells (album)|Broken Bells]]
| A-side =
| type = single
| B-side =
| artist = [[Broken Bells]]
| Released = December 22, 2009
| album = [[Broken Bells (album)|Broken Bells]]
| released = {{Start date|2009|12|22}}
| Format = [[Music download|Digital download]], [[Vinyl single|7-inch single]]
| recorded = Mondo Studio ([[Los Angeles]])
| Recorded =
| Genre = [[Indietronica]]
| studio =
| Length = 3:52
| venue =
| Label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| genre = [[Indietronica]]
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=52}}
| Writer = [[Danger Mouse|Brian Burton]], [[James Mercer (musician)|James Mercer]]
| Producer = [[Danger Mouse]]
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer = {{hlist|[[James Mercer (musician)|James Mercer]]|[[Danger Mouse (musician)|Brian Burton]]}}
| Certification =
| producer = [[Danger Mouse (musician)|Danger Mouse]]
| Last single =
| prev_title =
| This single = "'''The High Road'''"<br />(2009)
| prev_year =
| Next single = "The Ghost Inside"<br />(2010)
| next_title = The Ghost Inside
| next_year = 2010
}}
}}
'''"The High Road"''' is a song by American alternative rock band [[Broken Bells]]. Written by [[James Mercer (musician)|James Mercer]] and [[Danger Mouse]], and produced by the latter, the song was released as the lead single from the duo's [[Broken Bells (album)|self-titled debut album]] on December 22, 2009.<ref name=MusicBrainz>{{cite web|title="The High Road" by Broken Bells on MusicBrainz|url=http://musicbrainz.org/release-group/c122e738-d3bb-4bb1-9196-601fde7cee43|work=MusicBrainz|accessdate=24 November 2013}}</ref> On March 9, 2010, the song was the [[iTunes]] Single of the Week, where it was offered for free for one week.<ref name=MusicBrainz/>
"'''The High Road'''" is a song by American [[alternative rock]] duo [[Broken Bells]] from their [[Broken Bells (album)|self-titled debut album]] (2010). Written by [[James Mercer (musician)|James Mercer]] and [[Danger Mouse (musician)|Danger Mouse]], and produced by the latter, the song was released as the album's lead single on December 22, 2009.<ref name="MusicBrainz">{{cite web |url=http://musicbrainz.org/release-group/c122e738-d3bb-4bb1-9196-601fde7cee43 |title="The High Road" by Broken Bells on MusicBrainz |publisher=[[MusicBrainz]] |accessdate=November 24, 2013}}</ref> On March 9, 2010, the song was the [[iTunes Store|iTunes]] Single of the Week, where it was offered for free for one week.<ref name="MusicBrainz"/> The music video for the song was directed by [[Sophie Muller]].


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
''The High Road'' was well received by music critics, which praised the lyrics and song's production. [[AllMusic]] stated the song "melds slick electronic percussion and a searching, minor-key melody into something that echoes the duo’s previous work without rehashing it."<ref>{{cite web|title=Broken Bells, Broken Bells|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/broken-bells-mw0001959449}}</ref> [[Idobi Radio]] said " 'The High Road' serves as a great introduction for the album, with soothing multi-layered vocals and beautiful lyrics weaving in and out of hypnotizing drum beats, synths and various other instruments."<ref>{{cite web|title=Album Review: James Mercer, Danger Mouse are Broken Bells|url=http://idobi.com/news/2010/03/broken-bells-album-review/}}</ref> [[PopMatters]]'s Anthony Lombardi observed that "when Mercer and Burton are on point though, it works, and works well: opener and lead single, 'The High Road', proves the perfect vantage point, its minor-key melody, noodly synths and clapping percussion providing an ample bed for the soaring, swelling chorus."<ref>{{cite web|title=Broken Bells: Broken Bells|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/122863-broken-bells-broken-bells/}}</ref>
"The High Road" was well received by music critics, who praised the lyrics and song's production. Heather Phares of [[AllMusic]] stated the song "melds slick electronic percussion and a searching, minor-key melody into something that echoes the duo's previous work without rehashing it."<ref>{{cite web |last=Phares |first=Heather |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/broken-bells-mw0001959449 |title=Broken Bells – Broken Bells |publisher=[[AllMusic]]. [[All Media Network]] |accessdate=February 6, 2015}}</ref> Shingai of [[idobi Radio]] wrote that "'The High Road' serves as a great introduction [for the album], with soothing multi-layered vocals and beautiful lyrics weaving in and out of hypnotizing drum beats, synths and various other instruments."<ref>{{cite web |author=Shingai |url=http://idobi.com/news/2010/03/broken-bells-album-review/ |title=Album review: James Mercer, Danger Mouse are Broken Bells |publisher=[[idobi Radio]] |date=March 10, 2010 |accessdate=February 6, 2015}}</ref> [[PopMatters]]' Anthony Lombardi observed, "When Mercer and Burton are on point [...] it works, and works well: opener and lead single, 'The High Road', proves the perfect vantage point, its minor-key melody, noodly synths and clapping percussion providing an ample bed for the soaring, swelling chorus."<ref>{{cite web |last=Lombardi |first=Anthony |url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/122863-broken-bells-broken-bells/ |title=Broken Bells: Broken Bells |publisher=[[PopMatters]] |date=March 23, 2010 |accessdate=February 6, 2015}}</ref>


==Commercial performance==
==Commercial performance==
"The High Road" peaked at #10 on the ''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]'' [[Alternative Songs]] chart, becoming the duo's highest peaking single to date on the chart.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broken Bells chart history on Alternative Songs|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/297602/broken-bells/chart?f=377|work=Billboard|accessdate=24 November 2013}}</ref> The single also made an appearance on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot Rock Songs]] where it peaked at #15.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broken Bells chart history for Hot Rock Songs|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/297602/broken-bells/chart?f=902|work=Billboard|accessdate=24 November 2013}}</ref> It also peaked at #60 in Japan and #75 on the [[Canadian Hot 100]] in Canada, where it was certified [[Music recording sales certification|Gold]] by [[Music Canada]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Broken Bells chart history for Japan Hot 100|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/297602/broken-bells/chart?f=848|work=Billboard|accessdate=24 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Broken Bells chart history for Canadian Hot 100|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/297602/broken-bells/chart?f=793|work=Billboard|accessdate=24 November 2013}}</ref><ref name=CRIA>{{cite web|title=Certifications for Broken Bells|url=http://www.musiccanada.com/GPSearchResult.aspx?st=&sa=Broken+Bells&smt=0|work=MusicCanada|accessdate=25 December 2013}}</ref>
"The High Road" peaked at number ten on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Alternative Songs]] chart, becoming the duo's highest-peaking single to date on the chart.<ref name="USalt"/> The single also made an appearance on ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Hot Rock Songs]] where it peaked at number fifteen.<ref name="USrock"/> It reached number sixty on the [[Japan Hot 100]] and number seventy-five on the [[Canadian Hot 100]] in Canada,<ref name="japan"/><ref name="can"/> where it was certified gold by [[Music Canada]].<ref name="MC"/>


==Charts==
==Charts==
===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! Chart (2010)
!scope="col"|Chart (2010)
! Peak<br>position
!scope="col"|Peak<br>position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Canada ([[Canadian Hot 100]])<ref name="can">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/297602/broken-bells/chart?f=793 |title=Broken Bells – Chart history: Billboard Canadian Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708111940/http://www.billboard.com/artist/297602/broken-bells/chart?f=793 |archivedate=July 8, 2014 |accessdate=November 24, 2013}}</ref>
{{singlechart|Canada|75|artist=Broken Bells}}
|75
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardjapanhot100|60|artist=Broken Bells}}
{{singlechart|Billboardcanadarock|22|artist=Broken Bells|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 27, 2020}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardrocksongs|15|artist=Broken Bells}}
{{singlechart|Billboardjapanhot100|60|artist=Broken Bells|accessdate=November 24, 2013|rowheader=true|refname="japan"}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US Alternative Songs (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref name="USalt">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/297602/broken-bells/chart?f=377 |title=Broken Bells – Chart history: Alternative Songs |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709110307/http://www.billboard.com/artist/297602/broken-bells/chart?f=377 |archivedate=July 9, 2014 |accessdate=November 24, 2013}}</ref>
{{singlechart|Billboardalternativesongs|10|artist=Broken Bells}}
|10
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardrocksongs|15|artist=Broken Bells|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 24, 2013|refname="USrock"}}
|-
! scope="row"| US [[Hot Singles Sales]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/broken-bells/chart-history/hot-singles-sales |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820200208/https://www.billboard.com/music/broken-bells/chart-history/hot-singles-sales |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 20, 2021 |title=Broken Bells Chart History: Hot Singles Sales |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
| align="center"| 12
|}
|}


===Year-end charts===
==Certifications==
{|class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2010)
!Region
! scope="col"| Position
!Certification
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US Alternative Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2010/alternative-songs|title=Alternative Songs – Year-End 2010|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=September 6, 2018}}</ref>
|Canada <small>([[Music Canada]])</small>
| 29
|Gold<ref name=CRIA/>
|-
! scope="row"| US Hot Rock Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2010/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2010|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=September 6, 2018}}</ref>
| 47
|}
|}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Broken Bells|title=High Road|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2009|digital=true|certyear=2013|date=November 8, 2013|accessdate=February 6, 2015|refname="MC"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=Broken Bells|title=High Road|relyear=2009|certyear=2021|accessdate=October 10, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}


==Joss Stone version==
==Joss Stone version==
{{Infobox single
{{Infobox song
| Name = The High Road
| name = The High Road
| Cover =
| cover =
| Artist = [[Joss Stone]]
| alt =
| type =
| Album = [[The Soul Sessions Vol. 2]]
| Released = July 05, 2012
| artist = [[Joss Stone]]
| Format = [[music download|Digital download]]
| album = [[The Soul Sessions Vol. 2]]
| released = {{Start date|2012|7|16}}
| Genre = [[soul music|Soul]]
| recorded =
| Length = 4:40
| studio =
| Label = [[S-Curve Records|S-Curve]], [[Stone'd Records|Stone'd]]
| venue =
| Writer = Brian Burton, James Mercer
| genre = [[Soul music|Soul]]
| Producer = [[Steve Greenberg (record producer)|Steve Greenberg]], Steve Greenwell, Joss Stone
| length = {{Duration|m=4|s=40}}
| Certification =
| label = {{hlist|[[S-Curve Records|S-Curve]]|[[Stone'd Records|Stone'd]]}}
| Last single = [[While You're Out Looking for Sugar]]"<br>(2012)
| writer = {{hlist|James Mercer|Brian Burton}}
| This single = "'''The High Road'''"<br>(2012)
| producer = {{hlist|Steve Greenwell|Joss Stone|[[Steve Greenberg (record producer)|Steve Greenberg]]}}
| Next single = "[[Teardrops (Womack & Womack song)|Teardrops]]"<br>(2012)
| Misc =
}}
}}


In 2012, English singer and songwriter [[Joss Stone]] covered the song for her sixth album, ''[[The Soul Sessions Vol. 2]]''. A lyric video premiered on July 3, 2012,<ref name="RS">{{cite magazine |last=Fuentes |first=Catherine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/premiere-joss-stone-covers-broken-bells-the-high-road-20120703 |title=Premiere: Joss Stone Covers Broken Bells' 'The High Road' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |publisher=[[Wenner Media]] |date=July 3, 2012 |accessdate=February 6, 2015}}</ref> while the official music video, directed by [[Brian Savelson]], debuted on September 13.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://archive.shorefire.com/index.php?a=pressrelease&o=6107 |title=Vevo Premieres Joss Stone's New Music Video For "The High Road" (Broken Bells) From New LP 'The Soul Sessions Volume 2' |agency=[[Shore Fire Media]] |date=September 13, 2012 |accessdate=February 6, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205072021/http://archive.shorefire.com/index.php?a=pressrelease&o=6107 |archivedate=February 5, 2015 }}</ref>
In 2012, English [[soul music|soul]] singer [[Joss Stone]] covered the song for her sixth album, ''[[The Soul Sessions Vol. 2]]''—a follow-up of her 2003 debut album, ''[[The Soul Sessions]]''. It was released on July 5, 2012 as the second album's single.


===Development and production===
===Development and production===
Stone told ''[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]'' that while they were considering tracks for the album, [[Steve Greenberg]] played the for her. "I thought it sounded good," she explains to [[Rolling Stone]]. "I'd never heard the song before this and thought I'd give it a try, with a bit of a twist!"<ref>{{cite web|title=Premiere: Joss Stone Covers Broken Bells' 'The High Road'|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/premiere-joss-stone-covers-broken-bells-the-high-road-20120703}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine, she said, "I think 'High Road' is quite a different one for me. It's still soul but it's got a darker tone to it, certainly in the beginning of the song."<ref>{{cite web|title=Joss Stone Covers Broken Bells' 'High Road': Listen|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/482153/joss-stone-covers-broken-bells-high-road-listen}}</ref>
Stone told ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' that while they were considering tracks for the album, [[Steve Greenberg (record producer)|Steve Greenberg]] played "The High Road" for her. "I thought it sounded good. I'd never heard the song before this and thought I'd give it a try, with a bit of a twist!"<ref name="RS"/> In an interview with ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine, she said, "I think 'High Road' is quite a different one for me. It's still soul but it's got a darker tone to it, certainly in the beginning of the song."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Greenwald |first=David |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/482153/joss-stone-covers-broken-bells-high-road-listen |title=Joss Stone Covers Broken Bells' 'High Road': Listen |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=July 3, 2012 |accessdate=February 6, 2015}}</ref>


===Critical reception===
===Critical reception===
The cover received positive reviews from music critics, and comparisons were drawn with her earlier cover of [[The White Stripe]]' song, "[[Fell in Love with a Girl]]." The [[Idolator (website)|Idolator]] opined that Stone delivered a "robust, impassioned take on the first-ever Broken Bells single".<ref>{{cite web|title=Joss Stone - The Soul Sessions Vol. 2: album review|url=http://www.idolator.com/6764732/joss-stone-the-soul-sessions-vol-2-album-review}}</ref> ''[[American Songwriter]]'' stated that "like her revelatory reading of the White Stripes' ''Fell in Love with a Girl]]'' from the first set, Stone brings her throaty R&B to the Broken Bells’ “The High Road” in one of this album’s finest performances".<ref>{{cite web|title=Joss Stone: The Soul Sessions Vol. 2|url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2012/07/joss-stone-the-soul-sessions-vol-2/}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'''s Hermione Hoby described the song as a "bombastic cover".<ref>{{cite web|title=Joss Stone: Soul Sessions Vol 2 – review|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jul/22/joss-stone-soul-sessions-vol-2-review}}</ref> [[AllMusic]] praised the choice and the song's production, saying, "Stone refashioned the Broken Bells' song to sound old, thereby occupying the same space as Joss' White Stripes "[[Fell_in_Love_with_a_Girl#Joss_Stone_version|Fell in Love with a Boy]]" cover did on the first Soul Sessions. This is the song to prove that Stone isn't living in the past but rather she's seeing the future through a retro prism that turns everything into something that feels classic."<ref>{{cite web|title=The Soul Sessions Vol. 2, Joss Stone|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-soul-sessions-vol-2-mw0002392823}}</ref>
Stone's version received positive reviews from music critics, who compared it to her 2003 cover of [[The White Stripes]]' song "[[Fell in Love with a Girl]]". Christina Lee of [[Idolator (website)|Idolator]] opined that Stone "delivers a robust, impassioned take on the first-ever Broken Bells single".<ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Christina |url=http://www.idolator.com/6764732/joss-stone-the-soul-sessions-vol-2-album-review |title=Joss Stone's 'The Soul Sessions, Vol. 2': Album Review |publisher=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]. [[Spin Media]] |date=July 31, 2012 |accessdate=February 6, 2015}}</ref> Hal Horowitz of ''[[American Songwriter]]'' stated, "Like her revelatory reading of the White Stripes' 'Fell in Love with a Girl' from the first set, Stone brings her throaty R&B to the Broken Bells' 'The High Road' in one of this album's finest performances."<ref>{{cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Hal |url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2012/07/joss-stone-the-soul-sessions-vol-2/ |title=Joss Stone: ''The Soul Sessions Vol.2'' |work=[[American Songwriter]] |date=July 23, 2012 |accessdate=February 6, 2015}}</ref>

''[[The Observer]]''{{'}}s Hermione Hoby described the song as a "bombastic cover".<ref>{{cite web |last=Hoby |first=Hermione |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jul/22/joss-stone-soul-sessions-vol-2-review |title=Joss Stone: Soul Sessions Vol 2 – review |work=[[The Observer]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]] |date=July 22, 2012 |accessdate=February 6, 2015}}</ref> [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] of [[AllMusic]] praised the choice and the song's production, writing that Stone "refashioned [the Broken Bells' song] to sound old, thereby occupying the same space as Joss' White Stripes '[[Fell in Love with a Girl#Joss Stone version|Fell in Love with a Boy]]' cover did on the first ''[[The Soul Sessions|Soul Sessions]]''. This is the song to prove that Stone isn't living in the past but rather she's seeing the future through a retro prism that turns everything into something that feels classic."<ref>{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |authorlink=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-soul-sessions-vol-2-mw0002392823 |title=The Soul Sessions, Vol. 2 – Joss Stone |publisher=AllMusic. All Media Network |accessdate=February 6, 2015}}</ref>

===Personnel===
Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''[[The Soul Sessions Vol. 2]]''.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=[[The Soul Sessions Vol. 2]] |type=CD liner notes |others=[[Joss Stone]] |publisher=[[S-Curve Records]] |year=2012 |id=5053105347926}}</ref>

{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
* [[Joss Stone]] – lead vocals, backing vocals, production
* [[Raymond Angry]] – [[Hammond B3|B3]], piano
* Chris Gehringer – mastering
* [[Steve Greenberg (record producer)|Steve Greenberg]] – production
* Steve Greenwell – engineering, mixing, production
* Pete Iannacone – bass
{{col-2}}
* [[Ernie Isley]] – guitars
* Lowell Reynolds – assistant engineering
* [[Tony Royster, Jr.]] – drums
* Ted Tuthill – assistant engineering
* [[Betty Wright]] – backing vocals
{{col-end}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|30em}}


{{Broken Bells}}
{{Broken Bells}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:High Road}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:High Road}}
[[Category:2009 singles]]
[[Category:2009 songs]]
[[Category:2012 singles]]
[[Category:Broken Bells songs]]
[[Category:Broken Bells songs]]
[[Category:Joss Stone songs]]
[[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
[[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
[[Category:2009 debut singles]]
[[Category:Joss Stone songs]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Danger Mouse (musician)]]
[[Category:Songs written by James Mercer (musician)]]
[[Category:Songs written by James Mercer (musician)]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Danger Mouse]]
[[Category:Songs written by Danger Mouse (musician)]]

Latest revision as of 23:38, 7 January 2023

"The High Road"
Single by Broken Bells
from the album Broken Bells
ReleasedDecember 22, 2009 (2009-12-22)
RecordedMondo Studio (Los Angeles)
GenreIndietronica
Length3:52
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Danger Mouse
Broken Bells singles chronology
"The High Road"
(2009) 		"The Ghost Inside"
(2010)

"The High Road" is a song by American alternative rock duo Broken Bells from their self-titled debut album (2010). Written by James Mercer and Danger Mouse, and produced by the latter, the song was released as the album's lead single on December 22, 2009.[1] On March 9, 2010, the song was the iTunes Single of the Week, where it was offered for free for one week.[1] The music video for the song was directed by Sophie Muller.

Critical reception

[edit]

"The High Road" was well received by music critics, who praised the lyrics and song's production. Heather Phares of AllMusic stated the song "melds slick electronic percussion and a searching, minor-key melody into something that echoes the duo's previous work without rehashing it."[2] Shingai of idobi Radio wrote that "'The High Road' serves as a great introduction [for the album], with soothing multi-layered vocals and beautiful lyrics weaving in and out of hypnotizing drum beats, synths and various other instruments."[3] PopMatters' Anthony Lombardi observed, "When Mercer and Burton are on point [...] it works, and works well: opener and lead single, 'The High Road', proves the perfect vantage point, its minor-key melody, noodly synths and clapping percussion providing an ample bed for the soaring, swelling chorus."[4]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"The High Road" peaked at number ten on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, becoming the duo's highest-peaking single to date on the chart.[5] The single also made an appearance on Billboard's Hot Rock Songs where it peaked at number fifteen.[6] It reached number sixty on the Japan Hot 100 and number seventy-five on the Canadian Hot 100 in Canada,[7][8] where it was certified gold by Music Canada.[9]

Charts

[edit]

Weekly charts

[edit]
Chart (2010) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] 75
Canada Rock (Billboard)[10] 22
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[7] 60
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[5] 10
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[6] 15
US Hot Singles Sales (Billboard)[11] 12

Year-end charts

[edit]
Chart (2010) Position
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[12] 29
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[13] 47

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[9] Gold 40,000*
United States (RIAA)[14] Platinum 1,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Joss Stone version

[edit]
"The High Road"
Song by Joss Stone
from the album The Soul Sessions Vol. 2
ReleasedJuly 16, 2012 (2012-07-16)
GenreSoul
Length4:40
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • James Mercer
  • Brian Burton
Producer(s)

In 2012, English singer and songwriter Joss Stone covered the song for her sixth album, The Soul Sessions Vol. 2. A lyric video premiered on July 3, 2012,[15] while the official music video, directed by Brian Savelson, debuted on September 13.[16]

Development and production

[edit]

Stone told Rolling Stone that while they were considering tracks for the album, Steve Greenberg played "The High Road" for her. "I thought it sounded good. I'd never heard the song before this and thought I'd give it a try, with a bit of a twist!"[15] In an interview with Billboard magazine, she said, "I think 'High Road' is quite a different one for me. It's still soul but it's got a darker tone to it, certainly in the beginning of the song."[17]

Critical reception

[edit]

Stone's version received positive reviews from music critics, who compared it to her 2003 cover of The White Stripes' song "Fell in Love with a Girl". Christina Lee of Idolator opined that Stone "delivers a robust, impassioned take on the first-ever Broken Bells single".[18] Hal Horowitz of American Songwriter stated, "Like her revelatory reading of the White Stripes' 'Fell in Love with a Girl' from the first set, Stone brings her throaty R&B to the Broken Bells' 'The High Road' in one of this album's finest performances."[19]

The Observer's Hermione Hoby described the song as a "bombastic cover".[20] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic praised the choice and the song's production, writing that Stone "refashioned [the Broken Bells' song] to sound old, thereby occupying the same space as Joss' White Stripes 'Fell in Love with a Boy' cover did on the first Soul Sessions. This is the song to prove that Stone isn't living in the past but rather she's seeing the future through a retro prism that turns everything into something that feels classic."[21]

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Soul Sessions Vol. 2.[22]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b ""The High Road" by Broken Bells on MusicBrainz". MusicBrainz. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  2. ^ Phares, Heather. "Broken Bells – Broken Bells". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  3. ^ Shingai (March 10, 2010). "Album review: James Mercer, Danger Mouse are Broken Bells". idobi Radio. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  4. ^ Lombardi, Anthony (March 23, 2010). "Broken Bells: Broken Bells". PopMatters. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
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  8. ^ a b "Broken Bells – Chart history: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on July 8, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – Broken Bells – High Road". Music Canada. November 8, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  10. ^ "Broken Bells Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  11. ^ "Broken Bells Chart History: Hot Singles Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  12. ^ "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  13. ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  14. ^ "American single certifications – Broken Bells – High Road". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  15. ^ a b Fuentes, Catherine (July 3, 2012). "Premiere: Joss Stone Covers Broken Bells' 'The High Road'". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  16. ^ "Vevo Premieres Joss Stone's New Music Video For "The High Road" (Broken Bells) From New LP 'The Soul Sessions Volume 2'" (Press release). Shore Fire Media. September 13, 2012. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  17. ^ Greenwald, David (July 3, 2012). "Joss Stone Covers Broken Bells' 'High Road': Listen". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  18. ^ Lee, Christina (July 31, 2012). "Joss Stone's 'The Soul Sessions, Vol. 2': Album Review". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
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  22. ^ The Soul Sessions Vol. 2 (CD liner notes). Joss Stone. S-Curve Records. 2012. 5053105347926.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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