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Paralyzer
View on Wikipedia| "Paralyzer" | ||||
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| Single by Finger Eleven | ||||
| from the album Them vs. You vs. Me | ||||
| Released | March 1, 2007 | |||
| Recorded | 2006 | |||
| Studio | Groovemaster (Chicago) Metalworks (Mississauga) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:28 | |||
| Label | Wind-up | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producer | Johnny K | |||
| Finger Eleven singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Paralyzer" | ||||
"Paralyzer" is a song by Canadian rock band Finger Eleven. It was released as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Them vs. You vs. Me, on March 1, 2007. The song's release as a single preceded the release of Them vs. You vs. Me by five days. The song received high airplay in both the United States and Canada, and was performed live on the March 14, 2007 episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and again ten months later on January 9, 2008. The song has surpassed "One Thing" to be Finger Eleven's most successful single.
Composition
[edit]Finger Eleven's frontman Scott Anderson has said that the single has a feel distinct from the rest of Finger Eleven's music, possessing more of a funk rock[1] or dance-rock[2] sound. However, the song has also been characterized as alternative rock,[3] hard rock,[4] and post-grunge.[5] The style of the song has been compared to (though inspired by) "Take Me Out", a 2004 single by indie rock band Franz Ferdinand. Finger Eleven occasionally performed "Take Me Out" during the middle of Paralyzer in live performances as a part of a medley along with "Trampled Under Foot" by Led Zeppelin and "Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)" by Pink Floyd.[6] "Paralyzer" is about feeling uncomfortable in a dance club.[7] Drummer Rich Beddoe said "It's something the whole band feels". He added,
You’re always the guy in the corner that feels awkward and just drinks too much and then says something stupid and goes home lonely. (laughs) We were all coming from that place, so when he [singer Scott Anderson] wrote that song, it was like, ‘Oh, man. It’s so cool that finally that’s being said.’ ... I don’t know if he had a particular experience about that or just it’s every fucking time you go to a bar that’s what happens. Obviously there is a big difference between like a pub and a club. We belong in a dirty little bar in the corner drinking. That’s our place – where we feel comfortable. A bunch of laser lights and girls dancing to Lil’ Wayne – we’re screwed.[7]
The single has three versions; one is the original CD version, while the other two are radio edit versions, in which the line containing the word "shitty" is either censored or replaced with "shady". The song alludes to the band's prior hit "One Thing" with the lyric "I should just stay home, if one thing really means one".
Music video
[edit]The video was released on YouTube. It starts with a man, walking, who begins to intersperse his steps with dance moves. He looks into windows and in the reflection, he sees himself with dancers around him, but when he turns he sees a woman. The two begin to dance with the symbolic dancers returning in greater numbers every time the chorus repeats. The video alternates between shots of the band playing on a rooftop that overlooks the dancers in a seemingly abandoned street.
The video reached number eight on VH1's weekly VSpot Top 20 Countdown. On the channel's year-end Top 40 Videos of 2007, it placed at number 23, despite only having spent (at the time) one week on its weekly Top 20 Countdown.
Chart performance
[edit]"Paralyzer" debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at number 97 in June 2007.[8] It proceeded to slowly gain in airplay and digital sales over the months. For the chart week of November 24, 2007 (over six months after the song was released), it became the band's first-career top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, rising from number 14 to number 10. The song then rose to peak at number six on the Hot 100 over a month later, for the chart week of January 5, 2008. The song became the band's first number one on the Mainstream Rock and Alternative charts. It also became their second top five song on the Alternative Chart after "One Thing", which had peaked at number five, and it later tied 30 Seconds to Mars "The Kill (Bury Me)" and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus "Face Down" for the record of spending the most weeks on that chart (52 weeks). The record has since been broken by Rise Against's "Savior". It also found great success on the Billboard Adult Top 40, eventually climbing peaking at number three, their second top three song on that chart after "One Thing", which had reached number two. It also hit number one on its recurrent chart. The song topped three million digital downloads in the United States in late December 2010,[9] and as of January 2015, the song has sold 3.4 million copies in the U.S.[10]
The track peaked at number 12 on the Australian Singles Chart based on downloads alone; an amazing achievement considering eighty percent of single sales come from physical releases. "Paralyzer" is one of the most successful hits for the band. At the end of the year, the single ranked number 58 for the year in Australia.
The single has been certified double platinum (2,457,058 downloads) by the RIAA.[11]
On the Canadian Singles Chart, the song became the band's second number one following 2003's "One Thing." It also did well on the Canadian Hot 100, reaching number three. The song later debuted at number 10 on the New Zealand RIANZ chart in February 2008, becoming the band's first charting song there. It climbed to number seven the following week.
In September 2023, for the 35th anniversary of Alternative Airplay,[12] Billboard published a list of the top 100 most successful songs in the chart's history; "Paralyzer" was ranked at number 45.[13]
Usage in media
[edit]The song has been featured on the television series Gossip Girl and Greek. It is also a playable song in the rhythm game Rock Revolution by Konami;[14] although the game's producers have stated that all songs will be covers, the song is one of two for which the game uses the original master recording (the other being "Given Up" by Linkin Park). The song is also a playable song in the rhythm game Band Hero by Activision.[15] The song is also on the Rock Band Network, and was introduced as DLC into Rocksmith by Ubisoft.[16] The song is also part of the third game in the Guitar Hero On Tour Series for the Nintendo DS, Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits.
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[37] | 5× Platinum | 400,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[38] Ringtone |
Platinum | 40,000* |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[39] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[40] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[41] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000* |
| United States (RIAA)[42] Mastertone |
Platinum | 1,000,000* |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ Schallau, Bob. "Interview with Finger Eleven's Eleven's Scott Anderson". About.com Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- ^ Shipley, Al. "Modern Rock Programmers Ponder What They've Done In 2007". Idolator. Retrieved September 19, 2015.[dead link]
- ^ "Five Crooked Lines Review". Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- ^ Kellman, Andy. Now That's What I Call Music 27 (2008): Review at AllMusic. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ Graves, Wren (May 20, 2024). "50 Best Post-Grunge Songs". Consequence. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ Marc Hirsh, "MixFest provides plenty of pop", Boston Globe, October 13, 2008.
- ^ a b Jacobs, Jay S. (March 15, 2008). "Finger Eleven interview about 'Them vs. You vs. Me'". Pop Entertainment. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
- ^ Jonathan Cohen, "Rihanna's 'Umbrella' Reigns Again Atop Hot 100", Billboard.com, June 14, 2007.
- ^ Week Ending Jan. 2, 2011: This Is No Bomb Chart Watch by Paul Grein. Retrieved: 2011-01-06.
- ^ Grein, Paul (31 January 2015). "The 15 Most Downloaded Songs in Rock History". Yahoo! Music.
- ^ RIAA Gold and Platinum Program - Finger Eleven
- ^ Rutherford, Kevin (September 7, 2023). "Alternative Airplay Chart's 35th Anniversary: Foo Fighters Remain No. 1 Act, 'Monsters' New Top Song". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ "Greatest of All Time Alternative Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ "The Full Rock Revolution Setlist". Kotaku. 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
- ^ Qualls, Eric. "Band Hero Song List". Lifewire. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
- ^ "Store Update: 10th July 2012 (North America)". Push Square. 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
- ^ "Finger Eleven – Paralyzer". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Finger Eleven Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Finger Eleven Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ "Finger Eleven Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ "Finger Eleven Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ "Top Radio Singles November 16, 2008". SNEP. November 16, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ "Finger Eleven – Paralyzer". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Finger Eleven Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Finger Eleven Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
- ^ "Finger Eleven Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
- ^ "Billboard Pop 100 - January 12, 2008" (PDF). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. August 3, 2020. p. 46. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 2007". Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
- ^ "Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Mainstream Rock Songs: Year End 2007". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2008". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2008". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 2008". Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
- ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2008". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "2008 Year-End Charts: Alternative Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2008". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Finger Eleven – Paralyzer". Music Canada. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ "Canadian ringtone certifications – Finger Eleven – Paralyzer". Music Canada. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Finger Eleven – Paralyzer". Radioscope. Retrieved January 17, 2025. Type Paralyzer in the "Search:" field.
- ^ "British single certifications – Finger Eleven – Paralyzer". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
- ^ "American single certifications – Finger Eleven – Paralyzer". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
- ^ "American ringtone certifications – Finger Eleven – Paralyzer". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
Paralyzer
View on GrokipediaBackground and development
Writing and inspiration
"Paralyzer" was written collaboratively by all five members of Finger Eleven—Scott Anderson, Sean Anderson, Rich Beddoe, James Black, and Rick Jackett—as part of their standard songwriting process, where credits are split equally among the band.[5] The song's inspiration stemmed from frontman Scott Anderson's personal discomfort in nightclub settings, where he felt immobilized by the awkward social interactions and pretentious atmosphere of club culture. This theme resonated with the entire band, as drummer Rich Beddoe explained that it captures a shared experience of feeling out of place in dance clubs, often preferring casual pubs and ending up isolated after overindulging.[6] The idea for "Paralyzer" emerged spontaneously during a photo shoot for the album, when the band began jamming a riff to give their photographer friend something dynamic to capture; this improvisation quickly evolved into the chorus, with the group recognizing its potential as a full song.[3] An initial demo of the track was developed in 2006 during sessions for Them vs. You vs. Me, the band's fourth studio album.[7]Recording process
The song "Paralyzer" by Finger Eleven was recorded at Groovemaster Studios in Chicago, Illinois, during 2006.[8] It originated from an initial demo developed spontaneously during a band photo shoot.[9] The production was handled by Johnny K, a Chicago-based producer and engineer who owns Groovemaster Studios and has worked on albums for acts including Disturbed and Staind.[10] Johnny K also served as the recording and mixing engineer for the track.[11] The final version of "Paralyzer" runs approximately 3:28 in length and was selected as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album, Them vs. You vs. Me.[12]Composition
Musical style and structure
"Paralyzer" is classified within the genres of alternative rock, funk rock, and dance-rock, incorporating post-grunge and hard rock elements that contribute to its energetic, radio-friendly appeal.[13] The song's production by Johnny K lends it a polished, commercial sheen that enhances its blend of rock aggression and danceable rhythms.[14] The track follows a conventional verse-chorus structure, opening with a distinctive guitar riff that sets a groovy, syncopated tone before transitioning into verses and building tension toward an explosive chorus.[15] Written in the key of E minor at a tempo of 106 beats per minute, it maintains a driving pace that supports its rhythmic intensity.[16][17] Instrumentation features prominent electric guitar riffs, a tight bass line, and military-style driving drums that create a solid rock foundation, while the chorus introduces anthemic, layered vocals.[18] A key distinctive element is the chorus "drop," where falsetto vocals by lead singer Scott Anderson combine with the song's rhythmic groove to deliver a euphoric, paralyzing lift that defines its hook.[19] This fusion of live band dynamics and subtle electronic-tinged production elements underscores the track's hybrid rock style.[3]Lyrics and themes
The lyrics of "Paralyzer" center on the core theme of social anxiety and empowerment within nightlife settings, depicting the narrator's internal struggle with awkwardness and hesitation in a pretentious club environment, ultimately finding a surge of confidence propelled by the infectious rhythm of the music. Lead singer Scott Anderson crafted the words from a place of shared band discomfort, portraying the protagonist as the outsider clinging to his drink amid a scene of superficial glamour, yearning for genuine connection but paralyzed by self-doubt. As Anderson and his bandmates reflected in a 2008 interview, the song captures the universal frustration of being "the guy in the corner that feels awkward and just drinks too much and then says something stupid and goes home lonely," highlighting a raw vulnerability that resonates with those ill at ease in high-energy club atmospheres.[6] Key lyrics underscore this narrative tension, beginning with the opening verse that evokes immediate unease: "I hold on so nervously to me and my drink / I wish it was cooling me / But so far has not been good / It's been shitty / And I feel awkward as I should / You're so beautiful and I'm not that cool." These lines establish the narrator's hesitation and self-deprecating isolation, refusing to "open up that door" to approach an alluring figure, symbolizing the barrier of intimidation in social settings. The chorus shifts toward empowerment, with the pulsating beat acting as a catalyst: "Well, it's hot and dangerous / If you're one of us, then roll with us / 'Cause we roll tight / Ooh, on a fair night / Well, I'm not paralyzed, but I seem to be struck by you / I want to make you move / Because you're standing still." Here, the music's energy transforms paralysis into action, inviting inclusion in a tight-knit group while expressing a desire to break through stagnation and forge an intimate bond.[20][21] Symbolism in the lyrics layers the title "Paralyzer" as a metaphor for the overwhelming, immobilizing force of attraction and the club's chaotic vibe, which the narrator resists through rhythmic liberation. The drink motif recurs as a crutch for cooling nerves yet failing to alleviate discomfort, mirroring how alcohol in nightlife culture promises escape but often amplifies isolation. This duality evolves in the bridge and outro, where bravado emerges—"I'll pretend that I know you / And we'll make a good connection"—balancing initial vulnerability with assertive fantasy, as if the beat itself unparalyzes the soul.[6][3]Release and promotion
Single release
"Paralyzer" was released on March 1, 2007, as the lead single from Finger Eleven's fourth studio album, Them vs. You vs. Me, by Wind-up Records.[22][23] The single was made available in multiple formats, including digital download, CD single, and a promotional radio edit.[11] In some international markets, CD releases featured B-sides consisting of other tracks from the album.[11] The initial rollout began with airplay on rock radio stations in late 2006, building anticipation ahead of the album's release on March 6, 2007.[1]Marketing and promotion
Wind-Up Records launched an intensive radio campaign for "Paralyzer" targeting alternative and mainstream rock stations across North America, which drove significant early airplay and helped establish the song's momentum shortly after its March 1, 2007 release.[2] The track appeared on promotional compilations like Promo Only Mainstream Radio in June 2007, facilitating broader exposure on stations and playlists.[24] The band supported the single with live performances beginning in early 2007, including a high-profile debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on March 14, 2007.[25] During their 2007 tour promoting the album Them vs. You vs. Me, "Paralyzer" became a staple, often closing sets to capitalize on its energetic close; for instance, it concluded the show at Louisville Gardens in Kentucky on March 27, 2007, and similarly at JRRBQ in Orlando on November 18, 2007.[26][27] Promotion included strategic tie-ins with early advertisements and digital playlists, amplifying the song's reach beyond traditional radio.Music video
Production and direction
The music video for "Paralyzer" by Finger Eleven was directed by Barnaby Roper, a visual artist known for his innovative and surreal style in music videos.[28] Production was handled by Thom Fennessey, with involvement from the companies Collaboration Factory and Flynn Productions.[28][29] Filming took place in 2007 in downtown Los Angeles, where the band performed on a rooftop set overlooking the city streets, capturing an urban atmosphere that loosely echoes the song's themes of discomfort in a club-like social scene.[29] Casting featured professional dancers, including lead performers Wendy Rae Fowler and Nathan Kim, alongside approximately 40 additional dancers choreographed by Tracy Phillips to create synchronized, reflective movements.[28][30] The production emphasized practical filming logistics with a focus on dynamic street-level and elevated shots, utilizing the Los Angeles skyline for authenticity without extensive set builds beyond the rooftop. Post-production was edited by Mike Calao, incorporating visual effects to enhance the mirroring and surreal dance sequences, though specific details on techniques like green screen usage remain undocumented in primary sources.[28] The project aligned closely with the single's release timeline, allowing for a swift rollout following the album Them vs. You vs. Me in March 2007.[29]Content and visual elements
The music video for "Paralyzer" opens with Finger Eleven performing energetically on an urban rooftop, interspersed with scenes of a lone man in a business suit navigating city streets, his awkward yet rhythmic movements drawing the attention of passersby. As the narrative unfolds, the man's dance evolves into a choreographed sequence where he is joined by a group of similarly attired figures—professional dancers—who mirror and amplify his actions, creating a surreal chain reaction of synchronized movement that "infects" others around him, including a woman who engages in a seductive interplay of gestures and steps. This culminates in a proliferation of dancers, symbolizing the contagious pull of the song's central motif, before transitioning back to the band's rooftop set amid an atmospheric backdrop.[31][29] Visually, the video employs a stark contrast between the elevated, windswept rooftop—bathed in natural daylight and emphasizing the band's isolation high above the city—and the bustling, ground-level street scenes in downtown Los Angeles, where shadows and urban architecture heighten the sense of immediacy and multiplicity. The aesthetic draws on surreal, mime-inspired choreography with the suited dancers' precise, exaggerated motions evoking themes of social paralysis and liberation, directly tying into the song's exploration of anxiety and allure in nightlife settings. Neon accents and dynamic camera work during dance climaxes underscore the "paralyzer" effect, building visual intensity that parallels the track's pulsing rhythm.[29][30] Directed by Barnaby Roper, the video extends beyond the song's 3:28 runtime to 4 minutes, allowing for elaborated visual motifs that enhance the narrative without altering the audio.[31][28]Reception
Critical response
Upon its release in 2007, "Paralyzer" garnered positive attention from critics for its infectious energy and blend of rock and dance elements, often highlighted as a standout on Finger Eleven's album Them vs. You vs. Me. In a contemporary album review, Sputnikmusic critic wakeupdead praised the track as "incredibly catchy and packed full of energy," crediting it with introducing the reviewer to the record and emphasizing its radio dominance in the hard rock genre.[32] Some reviews offered mixed assessments, particularly regarding the song's influences and originality. The A.V. Club noted its resemblance to Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out," stating that "'Paralyzer' sounds more like 'Take Me Out' every time I hear it," while expressing a wary anticipation of its ubiquity on airwaves, which underscored both its hooky appeal and perceived derivativeness.[33] Retrospective analyses have reinforced the song's enduring impact and nostalgic value within 2000s rock. In Rolling Stone's 2025 list of the 50 Best One-Hit Wonders of the 2000s, the track was commended for "amping up the jock-jam quotient of Franz Ferdinand's 'Take Me Out,'" positioning it as a high-energy staple that captured the era's alternative radio ethos.[34] While no Metacritic aggregate exists for the single, the parent album Them vs. You vs. Me earned a mixed critic score of 50/100 on Album of the Year, based on three reviews that frequently singled out "Paralyzer" as the project's strongest moment amid broader critiques of the band's post-grunge formula.[35]Fan and industry acclaim
"Paralyzer" garnered substantial fan enthusiasm following its release, as evidenced by the strong performance of its music video on television countdowns. It ranked number 23 on VH1's year-end Top 40 Videos of 2007 chart, underscoring the track's enduring popularity throughout the year despite its relatively late entry into rotation.[36] The song's reception extended to industry recognition through award nominations and wins associated with its parent album. At the 2008 Juno Awards, "Paralyzer" earned a nomination for Single of the Year, reflecting its impact on Canadian music scenes. The album Them vs. You vs. Me won the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year at the same ceremony, with the success of "Paralyzer" as the lead single contributing significantly to this accolade.[37][37] Further industry nods came from the 2007 MuchMusic Video Awards, where "Paralyzer" received nominations for Best Rock Video and Best Video, celebrating its visual and musical execution. In live settings, the band enhanced fan engagement by incorporating medleys into performances of the song, such as blending it with Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out" to capitalize on shared riff similarities and create extended crowd-pleasing sets.[37]Commercial performance
Chart achievements
"Paralyzer" achieved significant success on music charts in North America following its release in March 2007, marking Finger Eleven's breakthrough hit on mainstream formats. In the United States, the song debuted at number 97 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 2007 and climbed to a peak of number 6 in November 2007, spending a total of 52 weeks on the chart. It also topped both the Mainstream Rock Airplay and Alternative Airplay charts, reaching number 1 for one week each in August 2007.[38][2][39][40] The song ranked number 98 on the 2007 Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart.[41] In Canada, "Paralyzer" peaked at number 3 on the Canadian Hot 100, holding the position for several weeks and totaling 52 weeks on the chart, while also reaching number 1 on the Canada Rock chart.[42][43] Internationally, the song entered the top 20 in several markets, peaking at number 12 on the Australian Singles Chart in 2008 and number 7 on the New Zealand Top 40 Singles Chart. It performed moderately in the United Kingdom, reaching number 28 on the UK Singles Chart. The track also achieved top 10 status on rock-specific charts in countries such as New Zealand and the Netherlands.[44][45][1]| Country/Region | Chart | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Billboard Hot 100 | 6 | 52 |
| United States | Mainstream Rock Airplay | 1 | 52 |
| United States | Alternative Airplay | 1 | 25 |
| Canada | Canadian Hot 100 | 3 | 52 |
| Canada | Canada Rock | 1 | N/A |
| Australia | ARIA Singles Chart | 12 | 20 |
| New Zealand | Recorded Music NZ Top 40 | 7 | 12 |
| United Kingdom | UK Singles Chart | 28 | N/A |

