| "I Don't Belong" | ||||
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| Single by Fontaines D.C. | ||||
| from the album A Hero's Death | ||||
| Released | 9 June 2020 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:13 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer(s) | Dan Carey | |||
| Fontaines D.C. singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "I Don't Belong" on YouTube | ||||
"I Don't Belong" is a song by Irish band Fontaines D.C. from their second studio album, A Hero's Death (2020). The song was written by Carlos O'Connell, Conor Curley, Conor Deegan III, Grian Chatten and Tom Coll, while production was handled by Dan Carey. It was released on 9 June 2020 by Rough Trade and Partisan Records as the second single from the album.
A mid-tempo post-punk song, "I Don't Belong", is about dismissing expectations imposed by other people onto themselves. The production of the song features needeled electric guitars, a bass guitar, and drums, with elements of psychedelic and surf rock. Thematically, "I Don't Belong" discusses various scenarios that trace back to the message of the track. The opening is about soldier who has his military service commended by his country, but rejects the medal as the soldier sees the acceptance of the medal as compromising their personal principles. The second verse focuses about a fight breaking out in a bar, due to onself refusing to be enticed by friendliness or kindness.
Upon the single's release, "I Don't Belong" received critical acclaim from contemporary music critics, with some in retrospect, calling it one of the most musically mature singles on the album. Praise was directed at Chatten's singing and the overall song structure, and Carey's production of the track.
Commercially, "I Don't Belong" was the band's second single to chart, the first being the self-titled track for the album, which was released earlier that spring. The song peaked at 86 in the Irish Singles Chart. One music video was made to accompany the track, which was directed by Deegan III and produced by Hugh Mulhern, was released on 10 June. The visual depicts lead singer, Chattan, singing across the Irish countryside while going on a walk.