"Ronald" is a song by American metal band Falling in Reverse featuring American rapper Tech N9ne and Russian singer Alex Terrible. It was released on May 7, 2024, through Epitaph Records. The song was released as the sixth single from the band's upcoming fifth studio album Popular Monster.[1]

"Ronald"
Single by Falling in Reverse featuring Tech N9ne and Alex Terrible
from the album Popular Monster
ReleasedMay 7, 2024
Recorded2023
Genre
Length3:17
LabelEpitaph
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Falling in Reverse singles chronology
"Last Resort (Reimagined)"
(2023)
"Ronald"
(2024)
"All My Life"
(2024)
Tech N9ne singles chronology
"Boomer Rang"
(2024)
"Ronald"
(2024)
"Drippy Drop"
(2024)
Alex Terrible singles chronology
"Katyusha"
(2023)
"Ronald"
(2024)
"Pain Remains I: Dancing Like Flames (cover)"
(2024)
Music video
"Ronald" on YouTube

Promotion and release

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Unlike their previous singles, the band did not promote the song in advance. Suddenly on May 7, 2024, the single was released under the name "Ronald" which is the real name of vocalist Ronnie Radke. The song features American rapper Tech N9ne and Slaughter to Prevail vocalist Alex Terrible.[2] In 2022 the band had announced that they were going to release an EP called Neon Zombie, however this did not happen as the band never announced a preview or release date.[3]

After 7 years of the release of their fourth studio album Coming Home, the band finally announced that they would be releasing their fifth studio album called Popular Monster and it will be released on July 26, 2024.[1] The band also announced "The Popular MonsTour II" in the United States alongside Dance Gavin Dance, Black Veil Brides, Tech N9ne, Jeris Johnson and Nathan James.[4] After 6 years the band also announced that they will perform outside the United States headlining the "We Missed Ourselves Fest" in Mexico.[5]

Composition and lyrics

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The song was written by vocalist Ronnie Radke, Tyler Smyth, All That Remains guitarist Jason Richardson, Tech N9ne and drummer Luke Holland and was composed by Ronnie Radke and Tyler Smyth. It was again produced by Tyler Smyth, Ronnie Radke and Charles Kallaghan Massabo.[6] "Ronald" dives into the transition from innocence to the harsh realities of adult life. It's a blunt outcry against the world's darkness, underlined by a recognition of inner demons and societal evils. This song isn't just a tune; it's a bold wake-up call to the chilling truths that surround us.[7]

So far it is the band's heaviest song, throughout the song we could hear the breakdowns, screaming and death growls characteristic of metalcore, only in Tech N9ne's part it was completely rap until a heavier sound returns again in Alex Terrible's part.[citation needed]

Commercial performance

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The song entered the Top 100 of YouTube Top Songs Charts in the United States for the first time, debuting at No. 74. The video became first in trend on YouTube in the United States and already has more than 15 million streams in their digital platforms.[8]

Music video

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The music video was again directed by Jensen Noen, who is acclaimed for his videos. The music video is a continuation of the video for the single "Watch the World Burn", beginning with Ronnie Radke waking up in an ambulance attacking the paramedics wearing the same suit as in the previous video. Ronnie finds himself in a post-apocalyptic world fleeing from demons and a S.W.A.T team and then appears with Tech N9ne who apparently plays God and sends him to hell and confronts the Devil who is apparently Alex Terrible, the video ends without knowing who was the winner of the fight.[9]

Personnel

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Credits adapted from Genius.[6]

Falling in Reverse

  • Ronnie Radke – lead vocals, programming, producer, writer, composer, keyboards
  • Max Georgiev – lead guitar
  • Christian Thompson – rhythm guitar
  • Luke Holland – drums, percussion, writer, composer
  • Tyler Burgess – bass

Additional personnel

Charts

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Chart performance for "Ronald"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[10] 30
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[11] 27
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[12] 79
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[13] 73
UK Independent Singles Breakers (OCC)[14] 17
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[15] 20
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[16] 13
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[17] 18
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[18] 12

References

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  1. ^ a b DiVita, Joe (May 7, 2024). "Falling In Reverse Announce First Album Since 2017, 'Popular Monster'". Loudwire. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  2. ^ Gonzalez, Ramon (May 7, 2024). "Falling In Reverse Drop New Collab Track, "Ronald": featuring Tech N9ne and Alex Terrible". Knotfest. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  3. ^ "Falling in Reverse – Neon Zombie". Genius. January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  4. ^ Scythe, Mandy (May 8, 2024). "Falling in Reverse Announce New Album and Tour". MetalSucks. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Suarez, Miriam (May 1, 2024). "Anuncian a Falling In Reverse como headliner de We Missed Ourselves Fest: precios, fecha y cartel completo" (in Spanish). Infobae. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Falling in Reverse – Ronald (feat. Tech N9ne & Alex Terrible)". Genius. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  7. ^ "Meaning of 'Ronald' by 'Falling In Reverse' feat. Tech N9ne, Alex Terrible". Flesh Flow Nation. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  8. ^ DiVita, Joe (May 15, 2024). "Falling In Reverse's 'Ronald' Enters YouTube Top Songs Chart for First Time". Loudwire. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  9. ^ "Falling In Reverse Premiere New Music Video "Ronald" - Tech N9ne & Alex Terrible Guest". Metal Underground. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  10. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 13 May 2024". The ARIA Report. No. 1784. Australian Recording Industry Association. May 13, 2024. p. 9.
  11. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  12. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart". Official Charts Company. May 10, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  13. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  14. ^ "Official Independent Singles Breakers Chart". Official Charts Company. May 17, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  15. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  16. ^ "Falling in Reverse Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  17. ^ "Falling in Reverse Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  18. ^ "Falling in Reverse Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2024.