The Wolf (Mumford & Sons song)
| "The Wolf" | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||
| Single by Mumford & Sons | |||||||
| from the album Wilder Mind | |||||||
| A-side | "Believe" (7") | ||||||
| Released | 29 June 2015 | ||||||
| Format | |||||||
| Recorded | 2014–15 at AIR Studios (London) | ||||||
| Genre | |||||||
| Length | 3:41 | ||||||
| Label | |||||||
| Writer(s) | |||||||
| Producer(s) | James Ford | ||||||
| Mumford & Sons singles chronology | |||||||
| |||||||
| |||||||
"The Wolf" is a song by English rock band Mumford & Sons. It was released as the second single from their third studio album Wilder Mind on 9 April 2015 and charted in multiple countries. The official music video for the song was uploaded on 30 June 2015 to the band's Vevo channel on YouTube.
Composition
"The Wolf" is an alternative rock[1] and garage rock song.[2] The song displays the band's change in sound from heavily folk inspired to more electric instruments. Most noticeably, the use of the banjo is absent from this song as well as Wilder Mind, the album which the song is featured on.[3]
Music video
The official music video for the song, lasting three minutes and fifty-five seconds, was uploaded on 30 June 2015 to the band's Vevo channel on YouTube.[4] Directed by Marcus Haney, the video takes place at the 2015 Bonnaroo Music Festival as the band explores its sights and sounds. It also showcases the headlining performance by the band.[5] In the video the band members are dressed in various costumes; Marcus Mumford can be seen wearing a Robin Hood costume, Ted Dwane in giant chicken costume, Winston Marshall in a wedding dress and Ben Lovett in a fox costume. Actor Ed Helms can also be seen in the video; the actor performed at the festival that year alongside Dierks Bentley.[6]
Critical reception
The single has received positive critical reception. Sputnikmusic labeled the song as a "massive highlight" from Wilder Mind as well as a "beautiful form of alternative rock."[1] Rolling Stone ranked "The Wolf" at number 43 on its annual year-end list to find the best songs of 2015.[7]
Track listing
7" vinyl
| Side A | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Believe" | 3:41 |
| Side B | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "The Wolf" | 3:41 |
Digital download
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Wolf" | 3:41 |
Charts
| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[9] | 53 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[10] | 61 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] | 4 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] | 57 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[13] | 71 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[14] | 56 |
| US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[15] | 10 |
| US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[16] | 4 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[17] | 2 |
| US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[18] | 11 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[19] | 17 |
| US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[20] | 3 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalogue no. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | 9 April 2015 | Digital download | — | |
| 18 April 2015 | Record Store Day 7" | 4730218[8] |
References
- 1 2 "Review: Mumford and Sons – Wilder Mind". Sputnikmusic. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- ↑ Dolan, Jon (5 May 2015). "Wilder Mind". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ↑ http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-mumford-sons-take-over-bonnaroo-in-the-wolf-video-20150630
- ↑ "Mumford & Sons - The Wolf". YouTube. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6613177/mumford-sons-run-wild-at-bonnaroo-the-wolf
- ↑ http://www.musictimes.com/articles/6841/20140617/bonnaroo-dierks-bentley-jams-with-hangover-star-ed-helms.htm
- ↑ "50 Best Songs of 2015". rollingstone.com.
- 1 2 "Mumford & Sons - RSD (Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ↑ Ryan, Gavin (18 April 2015). "ARIA Singles: Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth Remain On Top". Noise11. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
- ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Mumford & Sons – The Wolf" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Mumford & Sons – The Wolf" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/311935/mumford-sons/chart?f=793
- ↑ "Discography Mumford & Sons". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2015-04-25" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ↑ "Mumford & Sons – Chart history" Billboard Adult Alternative Songs for Mumford & Sons. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ↑ "Mumford & Sons – Chart history" Billboard Alternative Songs for Mumford & Sons. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ↑ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 : May 02, 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ↑ "Mumford & Sons – Chart history" Billboard Hot Rock Songs for Mumford & Sons. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ↑ "Mumford & Sons – Chart history" Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs for Mumford & Sons. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ↑ "Mumford & Sons – Chart history" Billboard Rock Airplay for Mumford & Sons. Retrieved 29 August 2015.