I'm Not Your Hero

File:SaraQuin.JPG

In November 2011, it was revealed on Tegan and Sara Quinn's official website that they were writing new material for their seventh studio album: "[we] are back in our home studios working away at more songs. We’re really looking forward to making a new record now. Our hope is to be in the studio by early 2012."{{cite web| url= http://www.teganandsara.com/post-turkey-coma-dispatch/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702161936/http://www.teganandsara.com/post-turkey-coma-dispatch/|archive-date=July 2, 2014|title= Post Turkey Coma Dispatch | first=Tegan | last= Quin | publisher=Tegan and Sara Official Website | date= November 30, 2011 | access-date= August 27, 2014}} "I'm Not Your Hero" was written for the album, which was later named Heartthrob and recorded between February and May 2012.{{cite web |title= Tegan and Sara / Heartthrob Press Kit|url=http://www.media.wmg-is.com/media/portal/media/cms/docs/201301/i-press-kit_1358366785741.pdf|publisher=Warner Bros. Records|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104211532/http://www.media.wmg-is.com/media/portal/media/cms/docs/201301/i-press-kit_1358366785741.pdf|archive-date=November 4, 2013|access-date=August 27, 2014}} Sara, who wrote the lyrics, said the song was based on her life as a teenager when she was unable to identify with the lives of pop culture figures and had unforeseen thoughts about her future. She claimed the lyrics were about her political views from watching The West Wing, her identity and her sexuality.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cc8jKRdx5I|title= Tegan & Sara "I'm Not Your Hero" – 'Heartthrob': Track by Track|publisher=The Live Room powered by Warner Music Official YouTube Channel|date=February 15, 2013|access-date=August 26, 2014}} Tegan stated that when Sara showed the song to her and the producers, it was initially more of a love song and much more acoustic and slow than the final mix that would be released, and said she "was haunted by it almost immediately. I found the verses to be quintessential Sara."{{cite web|last=Trunick|first=Austin|date=January 22, 2013|url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/track-by-track_tegan_and_sara_heartthrob_part_two/|title=Track-by-Track: Tegan and Sara's Heartthrob Part Two|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530082018/http://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/track-by-track_tegan_and_sara_heartthrob_part_two/|archive-date=May 30, 2013|work=Under the Radar|access-date=August 27, 2014}}

According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Naked in a Snowsuit Publishing, the new wave synthpop ballad{{cite web|last=Snapes|first=Laura|date=January 28, 2013|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17597-heartthrob/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627022901/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17597-heartthrob/|archive-date=June 27, 2014|title=Tegan and Sara: Heartthrob|publisher=Pitchfork Media|access-date=August 26, 2014}}{{cite web|last=Carlick|first=Stephen|date=October 22, 2012|url=http://exclaim.ca/MusicVideo/ClickHear/tegan_sara-im_not_your_hero|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111132739/http://exclaim.ca/MusicVideo/ClickHear/tegan_sara-im_not_your_hero|archive-date=November 11, 2012|title=Tegan and Sara "I'm Not Your Hero"|work=Exclaim!|publisher=Ian Danzig|access-date=August 26, 2014}} is performed in common time at a tempo of 122 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of A Major, with the vocal range spanning from E₄ to D₆. A chord progression of A5−E5−F♯m−Dmaj7−F♯m−E−Dmaj7 is followed in the verse, D−A in the pre-chorus, and D−E−F♯m−D in the chorus.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0125416&ref=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140826081755/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0125416&ref=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |title=Tegan and Sara – I'm Not Your Hero (Digital Download) |publisher=Musicnotes.com. Naked in a Snowsuit Publishing |access-date=August 26, 2014 }} The track opens with guitar chords before loud drums are played. Harmonized vocals, bass guitar and blurred synthesizers are also parts of the track's arrangement.{{cite web|last=Brodsky|first=Rachel|date=October 23, 2012|url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2012/10/23/tegan-and-sara-im-not-your-hero/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115957/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2012/10/23/tegan-and-sara-im-not-your-hero/|archive-date=August 26, 2014|title=New Song: Tegan And Sara, 'I'm Not Your Hero'|publisher=MTV Buzzworthy. Viacom|access-date=August 26, 2014}} Reviewers made comparisons of its musical structure to songs such as "L.E.S. Artistes" by Santigold,{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2013/01/tegan-and-sara-heartthrob.html|title=Tegan and Sara: Heartthrob|last=Weiss|first=Dan|date=January 29, 2013|website=Paste Magazine|access-date=February 18, 2017}} The Temper Trap's "Sweet Disposition",{{cite web|last=Johansen|first=Martine|date=February 20, 2013|url=http://www.altrocklive.com/reviews/cd/tegan-and-sara-heartthrob/180/#sthash.acZ033FJ.dpuf|title=Tegan and Sara – Heartthrob|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829162500/http://www.altrocklive.com/reviews/cd/tegan-and-sara-heartthrob/180/|archive-date=August 29, 2014|publisher=Alt Rock Live|access-date=August 28, 2014}} and the works of Fleetwood Mac.{{cite web|last=Zaleski|first=Annie|date=January 29, 2013|url=http://www.avclub.com/review/tegan-and-sara-emheartthrobem-91671|title=Tegan And Sara: Heartthrob|work=The A.V. Club|publisher=The Onion|access-date=August 26, 2014}}

"I'm Not Your Hero" was first available for digital download in the United Kingdom as part of their compilation extended play called In Your Head: An Introduction to Tegan and Sara, which was issued on October 19, 2012.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/in-your-head-introduction/568805729|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829163945/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/in-your-head-introduction/id568805729|archive-date=August 29, 2014|title=In Your Head: An Introduction to Tegan and Sara – EP by Tegan and Sara|date=October 19, 2012 |publisher=iTunes Store (Great Britain). Apple Inc.|url-status=live|access-date=August 27, 2014}} On October 21, it was released as a promotional single for worldwide streaming.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSGbOmW4AjI|title= Tegan and Sara – I'm Not Your Hero [Audio] |date=October 21, 2012|publisher=Tegan and Sara Official YouTube Channel|access-date=August 27, 2014}} It received mostly positive reviews from critics upon its release, some calling it one of the best songs off Heartthrob.{{cite web|last=Hirsh|first=Marc|date=January 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829164233/http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2013/01/29/review-heartthrob-tegan-and-sara/onVrNfBkmJiokBrO4tIq2K/story.html|archive-date=August 29, 2014|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2013/01/29/review-heartthrob-tegan-and-sara/onVrNfBkmJiokBrO4tIq2K/story.html|title=Tegan and Sara, 'Heartthrob'|work=The Boston Globe|publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC|access-date=August 27, 2014}}{{cite web|last=Copsey|first=Robert|date=February 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102222610/http://www.digitalspy.com/music/review/a457018/tegan-and-sara-heartthrob-album-review.html#~oO9ZPwNMezKmog|archive-date=January 2, 2014|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/review/a457018/tegan-and-sara-heartthrob-album-review.html#~oO9ZPwNMezKmog|title=Tegan and Sara: 'Heartthrob' – Album review|publisher=Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation|access-date=August 27, 2014}} Brodsky described it as "a track that honors their previous work but shows their dedication to musical development." Bryne Yancey of Punknews.org wrote the song "blows out its chorus rather impressively from the verses with some neat, alternated instrumentation."{{cite web|last=Yancey|first=Bryne|date=January 28, 2013|url=http://www.punknews.org/review/11814/tegan-and-sara-heartthrob|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216061914/http://www.punknews.org/review/11814/tegan-and-sara-heartthrob|archive-date=December 16, 2013|title=Tegan and Sara – Heartthrob|publisher=Punknews.org|access-date=August 27, 2014}} A more mixed opinion came from Billboard{{'}}s Jason Lipshutz; he praised the song's "eloquent" message, but felt the track overall was not as engaging as the other songs on the album.{{cite magazine|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|date=January 29, 2013|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1535913/tegan-and-sara-heartthrob-track-by-track-review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716141825/http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1535913/tegan-and-sara-heartthrob-track-by-track-review|archive-date=July 16, 2013|title=Tegan and Sara, 'Heartthrob': Track-By-Track Review|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=August 27, 2014}}

In an interview with MTV Hive, Tegan and Sara said "I'm Not Your Hero" was one of their favorite songs to perform live.{{cite web|last=Solomon|first=Dan|date=October 16, 2012|url=http://www.mtvhive.com/2012/10/16/tegan-and-sara-heartthrob-interview/|title=Tegan and Sara Went 'Crazy' With the Hooks on 'Heartthrob' Tegan and Sara|publisher=MTV Hive. Viacom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717052552/http://www.mtvhive.com/2012/10/16/tegan-and-sara-heartthrob-interview/|archive-date=July 17, 2014|access-date=August 27, 2014}} The duo first did so, along with "Now I'm All Messed Up" and "I Was a Fool", in Vancouver on September 23, 2012.{{cite web|last=Ableson|first=Joe|date=September 2012|url=http://www.alterthepress.com/2012/09/tegan-and-sara-perform-three-new-songs.html|title=Tegan and Sara Perform Three New Songs Live In Vancouver|publisher=Alter The Press! SpinMedia|access-date=November 22, 2014}} They performed it at the 2012 Austin City Limits Music Festival,{{cite web|last=Ableson|first=Jon|date=October 2012|url=http://www.alterthepress.com/2012/10/tegan-and-sara-perform-im-not-your-hero.html|title=Tegan and Sara Perform 'I'm Not Your Hero' At Austin City Limits Music Festival|work=Alter the Press! Spin Media|archive-date=August 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115249/http://www.alterthepress.com/2012/10/tegan-and-sara-perform-im-not-your-hero.html|access-date=August 26, 2014}} and the song was also a part of the set list of their 2014 "Let's Make Things Physical" promotional tour.{{cite web|last=Christine|first=Matt|date=June 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826113756/http://sightofsoundmagazine.com/2014/06/27/tegan-and-sara-make-things-physical-in-bethlehem/|archive-date=August 26, 2014|url=http://sightofsoundmagazine.com/2014/06/27/tegan-and-sara-make-things-physical-in-bethlehem/|title=Tegan and Sara Make Things Physical in Bethlehem|publisher=Sight of Sound|access-date=August 26, 2014}} In April 2014, the pair played it at the Juno Awards in Burton Cummings Theatre live on Queen's TV.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/television/posts/juno-winners-tegan-sara-perform-im-not-your-hero-on-q|title=Juno winners Tegan & Sara perform 'I'm Not Your Hero' on Q|date=April 10, 2014|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424233514/http://www.cbc.ca/television/posts/juno-winners-tegan-sara-perform-im-not-your-hero-on-q|archive-date=April 24, 2014|access-date=August 29, 2014}} The duo has performed two acoustic renditions of the song, one in November 2012 in a studio session for Alter The Press!,{{cite web|url=http://www.alterthepress.com/2012/11/atp-acoustic-session-tegan-and-sara.html|date=November 2012|title=ATP! Acoustic Session: Tegan and Sara|publisher=Alter The Press!|access-date=August 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826235555/http://www.alterthepress.com/2012/11/atp-acoustic-session-tegan-and-sara.html|archive-date=August 26, 2014 }} and in July 2013 on their interview by the WNYC program Soundcheck.{{cite web|url=http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/308128-tegan-and-sara-in-studio/|title=Tegan And Sara: Synth Pop Jubilation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829162111/http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/308128-tegan-and-sara-in-studio/|archive-date=August 29, 2014|date=July 31, 2013|work=Soundcheck|publisher=WNYC|access-date=August 26, 2014}}

The following information adapted from the liner notes of Heartthrob:{{cite AV media notes|others=Tegan and Sara|title=Heartthrob|year=2013|publisher= Vapor|id=2-532232}}

;Locations

• Recorded and engineered at Echo Studio, Los Angeles, California; drums recorded at EastWest Studios, Hollywood, California
• Mixed at Larrabee Sound Studios, Los Angeles, California
• Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood, California.

;Personnel

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• Songwriting, vocals – Tegan Quin, Sara Quin
• Production, recording, engineering, programming, keyboards, guitar, bass – Greg Kurstin
• Drums recording – Billy Bush
• Drums recording assistant – Andrew Ford, Jeremy Miller
• Additional engineer – Jesse Shatkin
• Mixing – Manny Marroquin
• Mixing assistant – Chris Galland, Del Bowers
• Mastering – Brian Gardner

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{{Tegan and Sara}}

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Category:Tegan and Sara songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Greg Kurstin

Category:2012 songs

Category:Synth-pop ballads