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"The Adventure"
Single by Angels & Airwaves
from the album We Don't Need to Whisper
ReleasedMay 18, 2006
Recorded2005
Genre
Length5:12
Label
SongwriterTom DeLonge
Producers
Angels & Airwaves singles chronology
"The Adventure"
(2006) 		"It Hurts"
(2006)
Audio sample
Music video
"The Adventure" on YouTube

"The Adventure" is a ballad single[2] recorded by American rock band Angels & Airwaves. It was released on May 18, 2006, through Geffen Records, as the lead single from their debut studio album, We Don't Need to Whisper (2006). The song received increased attention when it aired on a Smallville trailer. After the season finale of Smallville aired, "The Adventure" climbed to #30 on Amazon. The track was also played in the crowd warm-up session before Barack Obama's presidential election rallies in 2008.[3]

During concerts, DeLonge has often used both "Down" and "I Miss You" by Blink-182 as part of an extended intro to the song.

"The Adventure" is also featured as downloadable content in the karaoke game Lips and in the music game Rock Band. It is also a playable song in the music games, Band Hero and Rocksmith 2014 (DLC). The song was also featured on a Ford and X-Play commercial. It was also used in the WWE Network documentary special "WWE 24: Goldberg". DeLonge has often stated that "The Adventure" is his favorite song by the band.[4]

Background

[edit]

"The Adventure" was inspired by singer Tom DeLonge’s friend whose marriage was falling apart. Singer DeLonge felt touched by their story that he ended up shedding some tears on a certain night.[2]

Track listing

[edit]
  1. "The Adventure" (Album version) – 5:12
  2. "The Adventure" (Radio edit) – 4:40

Acoustic version

[edit]

An acoustic version of "The Adventure" appears as a B-side on the "Everything's Magic" single. Another version can be found on the band's 2017 We Don't Need To Whisper acoustic EP, featuring four acoustic versions of songs off their debut album.

This song was included on MuchMusic's Big Shiny Tunes 11.[citation needed]

Short film

[edit]

The song was officially released on February 20, 2006, as an internet-only short film. Although DeLonge had stated differently, the same version of the song that had been leaked previously after someone hacked into DeLonge's email account. It is shot on 8mm black and white, with the film having a science fiction feel to it. DeLonge stated that "...it kind of looks like George Lucas' THX 1138, where it's all beautiful naked women and fast cars and concrete and glass architecture." The subsequent short-film, "It Hurts", was released on April 18 and continues the story where "The Adventure" left off.

Music video

[edit]

The music video for the song was directed by The Malloys. It was shot in March 2006 was released on April 5. The video was leaked onto the Internet soon after its release. "The Adventure" begins with the band boarding a spacecraft to pick up their instruments and begin playing, and then moves to DeLonge walking in a field. It ends with clips of World War II and DeLonge walking off into the distance in a meadow with the sky lit with planets. The video was nominated for Best Effects by the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, including Best New Artist and Best Editing. It was also number one on MuchTopTens: "Top Ten Out of This World Videos" on December 14, 2006.

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2006) Peak
position
Germany (GfK)[5] 82
Scotland Singles (OCC)[6] 15
Ireland (IRMA)[7] 47
UK Singles (OCC)[8] 20
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 55
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[10] 5
US Pop 100 (Billboard)[11] 51

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Adventure

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"" is a song by the American band , serving as the from their debut studio album We Don't Need to Whisper. Released on May 18, 2006, through , the track marked the band's entry into the music scene following the hiatus of Blink-182, with frontman forming to explore more expansive, ic sounds. The song features soaring melodies, layered guitars, and lyrics emphasizing shared human experience and resilience, such as "I cannot live, I can't breathe unless you do this with me," which contributed to its reception as an uplifting . Accompanied by a directed by Pixar animator and a promotional released online on February 20, 2006, "" helped propel the album to commercial success, debuting at number 9 on the Billboard 200. While the single achieved moderate chart performance internationally, including top-50 entries in the UK and , it solidified ' reputation for cinematic production and thematic depth focused on unity amid existential challenges.

Background

Band context and song origins

formed in in 2005, founded by following Blink-182's indefinite hiatus announced on February 22, 2005. DeLonge, who had co-founded Blink-182 in 1992, sought to pursue music with broader inspirational themes, emphasizing hope, love, and human potential over the humor and irreverence of his prior band. The initial lineup consisted of DeLonge on vocals and guitar, longtime collaborator David Kennedy on guitar, on bass, and on drums. This project emerged from DeLonge's work on new material during Blink-182's final 2004 tour, reflecting his desire for a more ambitious sonic and conceptual scope. "The Adventure" originated as the lead single from Angels & Airwaves' debut album We Don't Need to Whisper, released May 23, 2006, via . DeLonge has described the track as drawing from personal reflections on relational commitment amid life's uncertainties, with reports indicating inspiration from a close friend's , which prompted contemplation of enduring partnerships as a shared journey. The song's creation aligned with the album's overarching themes of resilience and aspiration, influenced by DeLonge's experiences including family health crises and global tensions post-9/11. Its anthemic structure and lyrics underscore a call to embrace challenges collectively, marking a departure from DeLonge's earlier work toward uplifting, cinematic rock.

Development and recording

The development of "The Adventure" stemmed from Tom DeLonge's efforts to create music with a more ambitious, inspirational scope following Blink-182's indefinite hiatus in February 2005. DeLonge, who composed the song alongside bandmates David Kennedy, , and , has cited it as emerging early in the writing process for ' debut album We Don't Need to Whisper, marking a shift toward anthemic, atmospheric rock distinct from his prior work. Recording occurred at DeLonge's home studio, Neverpants Ranch, in , , with sessions commencing in early 2005 and extending through the band's formation later that year. DeLonge produced the track, emphasizing an immersive creative environment where dimmed lights, closed blinds, and used headphones to experiment freely, resulting in layered guitars, synthesizers, and expansive production elements. Jeff "Critter" Newell served as recording engineer and additional producer, while handled mixing to achieve the song's polished, stadium-ready sound. Drums were tracked at Studio 606 in some instances for the , contributing to the rhythmic drive.

Composition

Musical elements

"The Adventure" exemplifies ' alternative rock sound, incorporating and influences through expansive, atmospheric guitar layers and reverb-heavy production that evoke a sense of vastness and urgency. The track's core instrumentation features dual electric guitars—played by and David Kennedy—with , delay effects, and palm-muted riffs driving the rhythm section, complemented by Jason Hollis on bass and Adam Willard on drums, creating a propulsive, anthemic feel. Vocals by DeLonge employ a soaring, emotive delivery with multi-tracked harmonies in the chorus, mixed by to emphasize clarity and dynamics. Musically, the song is structured in with a standard 4/4 and a of 144 beats per minute, facilitating its high- drive (88% energy rating) while maintaining a melancholic undertone (19% valence). Key chord progressions revolve around (I), (IV), (V), and (iii), forming the backbone of verses and choruses that build tension through ascending arpeggios and power chords. The arrangement opens with a delayed guitar intro, transitions into verse-chorus-verse patterns, and culminates in an extended bridge and outro featuring intensified guitar swells and rhythmic breakdowns, underscoring the song's thematic intensity without excessive soloing. Production elements like subtle synth pads and ambient swells enhance the aesthetic, though acousticness remains low at 5%, prioritizing electric instrumentation for a polished, stadium-ready texture.

Lyrics and interpretation

The lyrics of "The Adventure" emphasize themes of personal awakening, resilience amid confinement and loss, and the restorative power of shared human connection. The opening verse depicts a of vitality breaking through isolation—"I wanna have the same last dream again / The one where I wake up and I'm alive / Just as the four walls close me within / My eyes are opened up with pure "—symbolizing from emotional or existential enclosure. Subsequent lines affirm regeneration and support, such as "Anything that's dead shall be re-grown / And your vicious pain, your warning sign / You will be fine," extending to communal endeavor in the chorus: "Hey oh, here I am / And here we go, life's waiting to begin." The bridge intensifies interdependence: "I cannot live, I can't breathe / Unless you do this with me," underscoring that individual survival hinges on collective pursuit. Tom DeLonge, the band's founder and lead vocalist, has described the song's inspiration as stemming from a close friend's deteriorating marriage, which profoundly affected him emotionally: "It touched me so deeply that I was up one night crying for him—I felt so hurt." This personal anguish fueled the track's creation during sessions for the debut album We Don't Need to Whisper, where DeLonge experienced an intense, "magical" surge of energy while composing, likening it to "electric waves through your body" in the documentary The Pursuit of Tone. The resulting lyrics interpret life's trials—such as relational breakdown or broader disillusionment—as surmountable through mutual commitment and optimism, reflecting DeLonge's post-Blink-182 shift toward inspirational messaging rather than punk cynicism. Annotations from lyric databases align this with a broader call to embrace existence fully alongside others, portraying the "adventure" as an active, interdependent journey of renewal rather than passive endurance.

Release and formats

Single release

"The Adventure" was released as the from ' debut album We Don't Need to Whisper on May 18, 2006, via . The release was precipitated by an unauthorized leak of the track to radio stations, compelling the label to advance the planned rollout to mitigate further uncontrolled distribution. Suretone Records co-distributed the single alongside Geffen. The single was made available in multiple physical formats, including a standard CD edition and a limited-edition 7-inch single-sided picture disc vinyl pressed on May 15, 2006. UK and European markets received CD singles under catalog number MCSTD 40461, featuring the radio edit of the track. Promotional copies, such as U.S. radio edit CDs, were also distributed to broadcasters ahead of the commercial launch. No digital single release details are prominently documented for the initial 2006 rollout, with streaming availability emerging later through platforms like Spotify under Geffen's catalog.

Track listing

The commercial CD single for "The Adventure," released in the UK on July 17, 2006, by , contains two tracks.
No.TitleLength
1"The Adventure" (album version)5:09
2"The Adventure" ()5:30
The 7-inch vinyl edition follows the same track configuration, with the album version on side A and the instrumental on side B. Promotional releases, such as the US enhanced CD, mirror this structure but may include additional multimedia content like liner notes or video links without altering the audio tracks.

Media adaptations

Music video

The music video for "The Adventure," directed by Brendan Malloy and Emmett Malloy (collectively known as The Malloys), premiered in the United States on April 5, 2006. It depicts the band members boarding a spacecraft to retrieve musical instruments before performing amid surreal, space-themed visuals, intercut with footage of frontman Tom DeLonge walking through a grassy field. This traditional performance-oriented video, produced under Geffen Records, contrasted with an earlier internet-exclusive short film adaptation of the track released the prior month. The video's behind-the-scenes footage, including the making-of process, was later shared online in June 2016, highlighting practical effects and set construction for the spacecraft sequences. An official upload of the video appeared on YouTube on June 16, 2009, garnering over 33 million views as of 2023.

Short film

A accompanying the single "The Adventure" was released exclusively online on February 20, 2006, to promote the track from ' debut album We Don't Need to Whisper. Intended for the band's website only, the production featured black-and-white shot on stock, evoking the dystopian aesthetic of ' . The film aligned with the band's recurring motifs of exploration and futurism, though specific directorial credits and narrative details remain undocumented in primary promotional materials. It was later re-uploaded to platforms like in 2016 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the single's launch.

Acoustic version

The acoustic rendition of "The Adventure" features a simplified emphasizing guitar and vocals, diverging from the original's expansive production with synthesizers and layered . It runs for 4:49 and maintains the song's core of 140 beats per minute in . This version appeared on the We Don't Need to Whisper – Acoustic EP, a four-track release comprising reimagined takes on selections from the band's debut album of the same name. The EP, priced at $4.99 upon launch, offered fans stripped-down interpretations of tracks including "The Adventure" to mark the longevity of the original record. It became available for streaming on August 25, 2017, via platforms such as and . A lyric video for the acoustic "The Adventure" premiered on August 22, 2017, incorporating archival studio footage to highlight the recording process. The EP's distribution later aligned with Rise Records, which handled subsequent uploads and availability.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

"The Adventure" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 92 for the chart week ending April 29, 2006, before climbing to a peak position of number 55 on the chart dated June 17, 2006, and spending a total of 12 weeks on the ranking. On the Modern Rock Tracks chart (now known as Alternative Airplay), the track reached the top five, marking significant airplay success in the alternative rock format. Internationally, "The Adventure" peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart upon its release in May 2006.
Chart (2006)Peak position
US 55
US Modern Rock Tracks5
UK Singles (OCC)20

Sales and certifications

"The single 'The Adventure' did not receive any certifications from the RIAA or other major industry bodies. Detailed sales figures for the single, whether physical or digital downloads, have not been publicly disclosed by official tracking services such as Nielsen SoundScan or Billboard. Its release on May 18, 2006, via Geffen Records, however, significantly boosted awareness for the parent album We Don't Need to Whisper, which achieved RIAA gold certification for 500,000 units shipped in the United States. The album also earned gold status in Canada for 50,000 units and silver in the United Kingdom for 60,000 units, reflecting the single's role in driving overall commercial performance."

Reception

Critical response

The single "The Adventure," released on May 18, 2006, as the lead track from ' debut album We Don't Need to Whisper, elicited praise from some reviewers for its anthemic build-up and inspirational tone, though opinions on its execution varied amid broader skepticism toward the band's ambitious post-Blink-182 direction. Punktastic's album review singled out the song as "the best [track] on the by a significant margin," commending its minute-long intro layered with 98 instrumentation tracks that culminates in a "catchy verse and chorus," positioning it as a rare highlight in an otherwise overproduced effort. The parent album garnered mixed critical assessments, with The Adventure often cited as a relative strength despite complaints of pretension and U2-like bombast elsewhere. rated We Don't Need to Whisper 5 out of 10, faulting its "directionless" expanses but implicitly elevating the single through its commercial prominence as the 's emotional core. awarded the 8 out of 10, favorably describing the song's entry via "clanking keyboards and ambient textures" that enhance its soaring accessibility, framing it as a successful pivot to "grand human experience" themes. Later retrospectives have occasionally revisited the track more charitably, with outlets like Uproxx arguing that early dismissals of ' output—including the single—overlooked its earnest melodic drive and thematic optimism rooted in Tom DeLonge's vision of exploratory , even if contemporaries found the shift from juvenilia to cosmic anthems uneven. aggregates for the album averaged around 52 out of 100 from 12 critics, underscoring a consensus of qualified approval where "The Adventure" stood as the most radio-friendly and structurally coherent element.

Fan and cultural impact

"The Adventure" has cultivated a devoted fanbase within and circles, particularly among listeners drawn from Blink-182's audience during Tom DeLonge's hiatus from that band, with many describing the track as an immediate hook due to its uplifting themes of perseverance and . Fans frequently cite its hopeful and anthemic build as mood-brighteners, associating it with personal motivation and for mid-2000s alt-rock. This resonance is evident in widespread fan covers and tributes, including live renditions by tribute acts like the Brazilian group Blinkers-182 and instrumental versions shared on platforms such as and . The song's cultural footprint extends to electronic music crossovers, exemplified by EDM producer Illenium's 2019 orchestral remix, which reinterpreted its expansive sound for broader audiences and highlighted its enduring melodic appeal. It has appeared in television soundtracks, including episodes of One Tree Hill, reinforcing its role in youth-oriented narratives of ambition and emotional growth. Within DeLonge's oeuvre, "The Adventure" symbolizes his shift toward ambitious, cinematic rock with Angels & Airwaves, often positioned as a cornerstone of his intended legacy beyond Blink-182's pop-punk roots. Social media platforms like amplify its nostalgic pull, with users linking it to and guitar-driven culture, spawning guitar covers and discussions of its influence on emotional songwriting in the genre. While not achieving pervasive mainstream status or broad pop culture saturation, the track sustains a niche but passionate reverence, evidenced by its recurrence in fan playlists, wedding entrances, and retrospective tributes tying it to DeLonge's broader contributions to alternative music.

Criticisms and controversies

The release of "The Adventure" encountered an early controversy when unauthorized leaks of the track and its surfaced online in April 2006, prior to its official single debut on May 18, prompting legal threats against leakers and an accelerated promotional timeline by . Critics and some fans expressed reservations about the song's expansive, cinematic production and inspirational lyrics, perceiving them as a stark pivot from the irreverent of Blink-182 toward what was dubbed overly earnest "," potentially alienating listeners accustomed to DeLonge's prior catalog. Album reviews encompassing the track, such as those for We Don't Need to Whisper, highlighted its hype-building role but faulted the overall sound for failing to match the ambition, with descriptors like "misguided" applied to the band's lofty aspirations. The song's launch was further shadowed by the acrimonious context of Tom DeLonge's 2005 departure from Blink-182 to form , which bandmates and later described as disruptive, citing scheduling conflicts and creative divergences that strained relationships and fueled public speculation of ego-driven motives. DeLonge maintained the split stemmed from family priorities and a desire for more substantive music, but the transition drew derision from observers who viewed as an escapist vehicle for extraterrestrial-themed mysticism over grounded rock.

References

  1. https://genius.com/Angels-and-airwaves-the-adventure-lyrics/q/release-date
  2. https://www.discogs.com/master/158116-Angels-Airwaves-The-Adventure
  3. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/angels-airwaves/the-adventure
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMl8cQjBfqk
  5. https://tothestars.media/blogs/press-and-news/angels-airwaves-epic-short-film-the-adventure-marks-its-14-anniversary-today
  6. https://musicfacts.fandom.com/wiki/Angels_%2526_Airwaves
  7. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/angels-airwaves
  8. https://medium.com/%40STEV3DELAPRIDA/artist-retrospective-episode-3-angels-airwaves-7743934177de
  9. https://genius.com/Angels-and-airwaves-the-adventure-lyrics/q/writer
  10. https://www.kerrang.com/tom-delonge-my-life-in-10-songs
  11. https://interscope.com/products/angels-airwaves-we-don-t-need-to-whisper-2lp-interscope-exclusive
  12. https://en.faceoffrockshow.com/post/angels-airwaves-we-don-t-need-to-whisper
  13. https://music.apple.com/ca/song/the-adventure/1442842793
  14. https://www.discogs.com/release/10903114-Angels-Airwaves-We-Dont-Need-To-Whisper
  15. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/angels-airwaves-mn0000569600
  16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8mSmE5b-zQ
  17. https://tunebat.com/Info/The-Adventure-Angels-Airwaves/2uuTo18bRgXj3RvlbZKMvU
  18. https://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/angels-and-airwaves/the-adventure
  19. https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/angels-airwaves/the-adventure-chords-476609
  20. https://genius.com/Angels-and-airwaves-the-adventure-lyrics
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  22. https://eil.com/SHOP/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=360354
  23. https://open.spotify.com/track/2mUBYgLepOxaDqL4ls6IO5
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  27. https://www.punknews.org/article/16709/angels-and-airwaves-the-adventure-video-surfaces-online
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  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezr1ix5Z7xE
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  35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx7_GdaZ5YU
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuXXH2nlSqk
  37. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2006-06-17/
  38. https://www.billboard.com/artist/angels-airwaves/
  39. http://www.masqueradeatlanta.com/attraction/angels-airwaves/
  40. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/angels-airwaves-the-adventure/
  41. https://bestsellingalbums.org/album/2736
  42. https://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=74285
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  45. https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/31/angels-airwaves-we-dont-need-to-whisper
  46. https://uproxx.com/music/angels-and-airwaves-better-than-reputation/
  47. https://www.metacritic.com/music/we-dont-need-to-whisper/angels-and-airwaves
  48. https://www.reddit.com/r/Blink182/comments/17rb5wo/i_never_got_into_cared_about_ava/
  49. https://hilite.org/16434/news/blink-182/
  50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFCnPaclmBU
  51. https://www.edmsauce.com/2019/01/05/illenium-releases-a-stunning-rendition-of-angels-airwaves-the-adventure/
  52. https://www.reddit.com/r/ONETREEHILL/comments/1iql2lp/one_tree_hill_music_the_definitive_music_guide/
  53. https://rantingaboutmusic.com/tag/retrospective/
  54. https://www.reddit.com/r/Blink182/comments/a3u7v3/for_you_older_fans_remember_when_the_adventure/
  55. https://rantingaboutmusic.com/2016/05/23/im-not-like-you-guys-ten-years-of-angels-and-airwaves/
  56. https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/7465/Angels-and-Airwaves-We-Dont-Need-to-Whisper/
  57. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tom-delonge-nearly-broke-blink-103329632.html
  58. https://www.kerrang.com/the-truth-is-out-there-the-wild-adventures-of-tom-delonge-and-angels-and-airwaves
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