History of Violence (song)

"History of Violence" was produced by Martin Terefe and recorded at Kensaltown Recording Studios in London in 2019.Recording dates for Say Nothing:

• {{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BvIQv4AHoMD/|title=Record 7 is upon us!! We start recording in april in jolly ole England with #martinterefe so stay tuned!! #theory #record7|date=March 17, 2019|publisher=Instagram|accessdate=September 25, 2019}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/ByIG9JZFMgi/|title=@theory_dean slappin da bass. Today is officially our last day here before we fly home and get ready for summer touring!! #theory7 #london|date=May 31, 2019|publisher=Instagram|accessdate=September 25, 2019}} Say Nothing is the second album in which the band collaborated with the Swedish music producer with the first time being their previous studio album, Wake Up Call, released in 2017. The single was mixed by Neal Avron and Scott Skrzynski, while engineering was done by Clem Cherry and Jorge Arango Kure.{{cite web|title=History of Violence – Theory of a Deadman – Credits|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/history-of-violence-mw0003322617/credits|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=November 11, 2019}}

The single was released alongside its music video on September 25, 2019; the same day, Theory of a Deadman announced the name of their pending album. It was included as an instant download with pre-orders of Say Nothing.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/theory-of-a-deadman-to-release-say-nothing-album-in-january-history-of-violence-video-available/|title=Theory of a Deadman to Release 'Say Nothing' Album in January; "History of Violence" Video Available|date=September 25, 2019|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=September 25, 2019}}

The lyrics of the single—written by lead singer and primary songwriter Tyler Connolly along with ex-wife Christine Connolly—discuss the topic of domestic violence and was greatly inspired by the #MeToo movement.{{cite web|url=https://www.popdust.com/theory-of-a-deadman-interview-2641342849.html|title=Theory's Tyler Connolly Discusses the #MeToo Movement and Going Pop on New Album|last=Cummings-Grady|first=Mackenzie|date=November 15, 2019|publisher=Popdust|accessdate=January 2, 2020}} Tyler spoke of the song, "'History of Violence' tells the sad story of a girl trapped in a life of domestic abuse, leaving her with what she feels is the only way to escape. Even though she's in jail, it's still a better place to be than being imprisoned in real life by this man." The chorus, initially written about a different topic, was composed first. The subject of domestic abuse was later established as the remaining lyrics were penned, with the assistance of Christine; Tyler acknowledged and appreciated the perspective of a woman and being the member of an all-male band, felt compelled to release a song in an effort to help women.

The band has encouraged those who are, or know of someone who is, experiencing domestic violence to reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. For their 2020 tour while promoting Say Nothing, the band supported domestic violence groups by partnering with Plus1, an organization that takes US$1 from each concert ticket sold and donating it to a charity of the band's choosing.{{cite web|url=https://substreammagazine.com/2019/12/theory-2020-us-tour/|title=Theory Announce Spring Headlining Tour w/ 10 Years|last=White|first=Logan|date=December 3, 2019|website=Substream Magazine|accessdate=January 2, 2020}}

"History of Violence" peaked at number 15 on Billboard's Canada Rock chart on January 3, 2020.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/theory-of-a-deadman/chart-history/car/|title=Theory of a Deadman – Chart History: Canada Rock – History of Violence|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=February 1, 2020}} In the United States, the track spent a total of 23 weeks on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and peaked at number one, making it the band's fourth single to top this chart, after "Bad Girlfriend", "Lowlife", and "Rx (Medicate)".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/theory-of-a-deadman/chart-history/rtt/|title=Theory of a Deadman – Chart History: Mainstream Rock – History of Violence|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=March 9, 2020}} The song also made an appearance on the Rock Airplay and Hot Rock Songs charts, climbing to positions 13 and 15, respectively.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/theory-of-a-deadman/chart-history/rka/|title=Theory of a Deadman – Chart History: Rock Airplay – History of Violence|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=March 9, 2020}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/theory-of-a-deadman/chart-history/ark/|title=Theory of a Deadman – Chart History: Hot Rock Songs – History of Violence|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=March 9, 2020}}

The music video for "History of Violence" premiered on September 25, 2019, via Theory of a Deadman's official YouTube account. It was directed by Sam Sulam and produced by Eric Cook for Psycho Films,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgHwXM7GYuk|title=Theory – History of Violence (Official Video)|date=September 25, 2019|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=September 25, 2019}} and was filmed in September 2019 in northern Los Angeles County, with some scenes being shot at Mira Loma Detention Center (a women's prison located in Lancaster, California).{{cite web|url=https://www.backstage.com/casting/history-of-violence-314186/|title='History of Violence' Casting Call|website=Backstage|accessdate=September 25, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B2hGy9mDKFe/|title=Stopped by Mira Loma prison to watch them film some scenes for our new music video!! #theory #miraloma #rock #theory7|publisher=Instagram|accessdate=September 25, 2019}} Its narrative focuses on the story of a woman enduring the abusive behavior of her husband; after shooting and killing him, she is sentenced to prison, which ultimately leads her to a feeling of freedom. Connolly stated, "We wanted to have a video that not only reflected the lyrics of the track but also left the viewer feeling like there's something they can do if they've been affected by something like this."{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/features/theory-of-a-deadman-history-of-violence-say-nothing-interview/|title=Theory of a Deadman Embrace Newfound Political Identity on 'Say Nothing'|last=Hafke|first=Tim|date=September 25, 2019|website=Alternative Press|accessdate=September 25, 2019}} The video does not include an appearance by any of the band members, with guitarist Dave Brenner describing it as a "mini movie" and Connolly emphasizing the need for viewers to focus on the woman and her story, rather than the band.{{cite web|url=https://www.vindy.com/life/ticket/2019/09/theory-continues-wake-up-call-sound/|title=Theory Continues 'Wake Up Call' Sound|last=Gray|first=Andy|date=September 25, 2019|website=The Vindicator|accessdate=September 30, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://music.allaccess.com/an-interview-with-the-multi-platinum-band-theory-of-a-deadman-on-their-forthcoming-album-and-more/|title=An Interview with the Multi-Platinum Band Theory of a Deadman on Their Forthcoming Album and More|last=Brungardt|first=Leah|date=November 27, 2019|publisher=All Access Music|accessdate=January 2, 2020}}

Credits adapted from AllMusic.

{{col-float}}

Theory of a Deadman

• Tyler Connolly – vocals, guitar
• Dave Brenner – guitar, backing vocals
• Dean Back – bass, backing vocals
• Joey Dandeneau – drums, backing vocals

{{col-float-break}}

Production

• Martin Terefe – producing
• Tyler Connolly – producing, programming, recording
• Clem Cherry – engineering, programming
• Jorge Arango Kure – engineering
• Ted Jensen – mastering engineering
• Neal Avron – mixing
• Scott Skrzynski – mixing
• Glen Scott – programming
• Oskar Winberg – programming, recording
• Dyre Gormsen – recording
• Nikolaj Torp Larsen – recording

{{col-float-end}}

{{col-float}}

Location

• Recorded at Kensaltown Recording Studios in London, England

{{col-float-end}}

{{col-start}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{reflist}}

• {{YouTube|id=hgHwXM7GYuk|title=History of Violence (Official Video)}}

{{Theory of a Deadman}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Theory of a Deadman songs

Category:2019 songs

Category:2019 singles

Category:Atlantic Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Martin Terefe

Category:Songs written by Tyler Connolly

Category:Songs about domestic violence