Painkiller (Three Days Grace song)

"Painkiller" is a song by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace.[1][2] This is the first single released by Three Days Grace with new singer Matt Walst, following the departure of Adam Gontier. It is the lead single off the band's fifth studio album Human.

"Painkiller"
Single by Three Days Grace
from the album Human
Released	April 1, 2014
Genre	Alternative metal hard rock
Length	2:58
Songwriter(s)	Johnny Andrews Gavin Brown Douglas Ryan Oliver Neil Sanderson Barry Stock Brad Walst Matt Walst
Producer(s)	Gavin Brown
Three Days Grace singles chronology
"Misery Loves My Company" (2013) "Painkiller" (2014) "I Am Machine" (2014)
Music video
"Painkiller" (lyric video) on YouTube

Background

On March 28, 2014, the band officially announced that Matt Walst would be Adam Gontier's permanent replacement in the band.[3] Within the announcement, it was teased that new music would be heard the following week and on March 31, the band uploaded "Painkiller" onto their YouTube account.[4] The song was officially released through iTunes on April 1. Drummer Neil Sanderson talked about the meaning behind the song in a making of video released on the band's YouTube account:

"Painkiller, that song is about how everybody is addicted to something. It's written from the perspective of the vice that you need to be addicted to it. The love of the drug, it's the villain who taunts you into wanting more."[5]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2014) Peak position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[6] 86 Canada Rock (Billboard)[7] 6 US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[8] 24 US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[9] 14

Year-end charts Chart (2014) Position US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[10] 64 US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[11] 37

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[12]	Gold	40,000
United States (RIAA)[13]	Gold	500,000
sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

References

1. "Painkiller - Single". iTunes. 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
2. Hartmann, Graham (2014). "Three Days Grace Unveil New Song Painkiller". Loudwire. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
3. Childers, Chad (2014). "Three Days Grace Confirm That Matt Walst Will Continue As Band's Frontman". Loudwire. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
4. "Painkiller". YouTube. 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
5. "Making of Painkiller". YouTube. 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
6. "Three Days Grace Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
7. "Three Days Grace Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
8. "Three Days Grace Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
9. "Three Days Grace Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
10. "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
11. "Rock Airplay Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
12. "Canadian single certifications – Three Days Grace – Painkiller". Music Canada. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
13. "American single certifications – Three Days Grace – Painkiller". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2 November 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.