Rocket Skates

{{Infobox song

| name = Rocket Skates

| cover = Rocket Skates.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Deftones

| album = Diamond Eyes

| B-side = Rocket Skates (M83 Remix)

| released = April 17, 2010

| recorded = Late 2009

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length = 4:14

| label = Reprise

| writer = Stephen Carpenter, Abe Cunningham, Chino Moreno, Frank Delgado, Sergio Vega

| producer = Nick Raskulinecz

| prev_title = Diamond Eyes

| prev_year = 2010

| next_title = Sextape

| next_year = 2010

}}

"Rocket Skates" is a song by the American alternative metal band Deftones. It was the second single released from Deftones' sixth studio album, Diamond Eyes. It was also the first single released without bassist Chi Cheng, who was in a coma during its recording, following a car accident in October 2008. The single was recorded with former Quicksand bassist Sergio Vega, who played bass on the entirety of Diamond Eyes.{{cite web| last = Firecloud| first = Johnny| title = Deftones Offer Free Download of 'Rocket Skates'| work = CraveOnline| date = February 24, 2010| url = http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/music/article/deftones-offer-free-download-of-rocket-skates-96977| accessdate = March 18, 2010}} It was later released as a limited edition 7" vinyl single for international Record Store Day on April 17, 2010, serving as the second overall single.

Release

Deftones began incorporating "Rocket Skates" into their live set list as early as October 2009.{{cite web| title = Deftones: Performance Footage Of New Song Available| work = Blabbermouth| publisher = Roadrunner| date = October 15, 2009| url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/BLABBERMOUTH.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=128814| accessdate = March 17, 2010}}{{cite web| last = Anderson| first = Sara D.| title = Deftones 'Rocket Skates' -- New Song| work = AOL Radio Blog| publisher = AOL Music| date = February 23, 2010| url = http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/02/23/deftones-rocket-skates/| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100918162331/http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/02/23/deftones-rocket-skates/| url-status = usurped| archive-date = September 18, 2010| accessdate = March 17, 2010}} As part of a promotion for Diamond Eyes, a free download of the single was made available for 24 hours on February 23, 2010 through the band's website, accompanying new information about the album.{{cite web| last = Sciarretto| first = Amy| title = Deftones, 'Rocket Skates' -- New Song| work = Noisecreep| publisher = AOL Music| date = February 23, 2010| url = http://www.noisecreep.com/2010/02/23/deftones-rocket-skates-new-song/| accessdate = March 17, 2010}} The surge of visitors trying to download the track crashed the website's servers, resulting in temporary technical difficulties.{{cite web| last1 = Miller| first1 = Nick| last2 = Miller| first2 = Frank| title = Blame the Russian judge, salchow breath| work = NewsReview.com| date = February 25, 2010| url = http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=1376824| accessdate = March 17, 2010}} It was later made available on digital music retail sites such as iTunes and Amazon.com after the free download expired.{{cite web| last = Staples| first = Derek| title = Deftones release new single, 'Rocket Skates'| work = Consequence of Sound| date = March 11, 2010| url = http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/03/11/deftones-release-new-single-rocket-skates/| accessdate = March 18, 2010}}

As a part of international Record Store Day on April 17, 2010, 3,000 copies of "Rocket Skates" were released in a limited edition 7" vinyl format with a "picture sleeve" supporting the unofficial holiday. The vinyl edition featured a B-side remix of "Rocket Skates" by French electronic band M83.{{cite web| title = Record Store Day 2010 - The Return of Releases| work = Record Store Day| url = http://www.recordstoreday.com/NewsItem/1987| accessdate = March 19, 2010}} The remix was also given away as a free download to anyone who placed a pre-order for the CD version of Diamond Eyes.{{cite web| title = Deftones: New Album Release Moved Forward Two Weeks| work = Blabbermouth.net| publisher = Roadrunner| date = March 24, 2010| url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=137298| accessdate = March 24, 2010}}

A music video directed by 13thWitness was released on March 9, 2010.{{cite web| last = Karan| first = Tim| title = Deftones unveil 'Rocket Skates' video| work = Alternative Press| date = March 9, 2010| url = http://altpress.com/news/rocketskatesvideo.htm| accessdate = March 17, 2010}}

Reception

The song was well received by music critics, and compared to Deftones' older and heavier material. Amy Sciarretto of Noisecreep claimed the song was "heavier than granite and very Deftones circa '98", while Annie Zaleski of Riverfront Times stated, "Calling it 'heavy' doesn't do it justice".{{cite web| last = Annie| first = Zaleski| title = Deftones Then and Now: A Live St. Louis Video and a New, Free MP3| work = Riverfront Times| date = February 24, 2010| url = http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/atoz/2010/02/deftones_then_and_now_a_live_st_louis_video_galaxy_1996_chi_cheng_mp3_single_rocket_skates_diamond_eyes.php| accessdate = March 18, 2010}}

Track listing

Digital single • UK 1-track promo CD{{cite AV media notes| title=Rocket Skates| others = Deftones| year = 2009| publisher = Warner Bros. Records| id = none}} • Denmark promo CD{{cite AV media notes| title=Rocket Skates| others = Deftones| year = 2010| publisher = Warner Music Denmark| id = none}}

"Rocket Skates" – 4:14

Digital single - remix

"Rocket Skates" (M83 Remix) – 5:45

7" single{{cite AV media notes| title=Rocket Skates| others = Deftones| year = 2010| type = Vinyl back cover| publisher = Reprise| id = 523801-7| location = Burbank, California}}

"Rocket Skates" – 4:14
"Rocket Skates" (M83 Remix) – 5:45

UK 2-tracks promo CD{{cite AV media notes| title=Rocket Skates| others = Deftones| year = 2009| publisher = Warner Bros. Records| id = none}}

"Rocket Skates"
"Diamond Eyes"

Chart positions

class="wikitable sortable"

!Chart (2010)

!Peak
position

US Hot Singles Sales (Billboard){{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/deftones/chart-history/hot-singles-sales|title=Deftones - Hot Singles Sales |website=billboard.com|access-date=May 4, 2021}}{{dead link|date=December 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

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