Believe (Mumford & Sons song)

"Believe"
Single by Mumford & Sons
from the album Wilder Mind
B-side
Released 9 March 2015 (2015-03-09)
Format
Recorded 2014–2015
Studio AIR Studios (London)
Genre Alternative rock
Length 3:41
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) James Ford
Mumford & Sons singles chronology
"Hopeless Wanderer"
(2013)		 "Believe"
(2015)		 "The Wolf"
(2015)

"Hopeless Wanderer"
(2013)		 "Believe"
(2015)		 "The Wolf"
(2015)
Music video
"Believe Official Audio" on YouTube

"Believe" is a song by British rock band Mumford & Sons. The song was released on 9 March 2015, serving as the lead single from the band's third studio album, Wilder Mind (2015). The song marks a significant departure in the sound of the band, substituting their acoustic instrumentation for electric with a more alternative sound being featured in the song.

Background

After attending a friend's wedding in Texas, USA, the band stayed at a ranch for a week to write songs. Mumford, the band's usual songwriter, left a day early and by the time the band met up again in London, Dwane, Lovett and Marshall had written the song "Believe". The band then built the song up together, which was eventually recorded and produced by James Ford. The song has a length of 3 minutes and 41 seconds. The song, which has rock music influences and was inspired by bands such as The National, is considered a departure from the folk rock sound Mumford & Sons had become known for on their albums Sigh No More and Babel.

"Believe" was first aired on BBC Radio 1 on 9 March 2015 and was subsequently made available to download Worldwide.

Critical reception

Many music critics complimented the band's change of sound. NME gave the song a very positive review, saying "'Believe' proves that the Mumfords know exactly what they're doing. Twinkling synths herald its arrival, as Marcus softly deals with weighty matters of the heart. "I don't even know if I believe/everything you're trying to say to me," he croons, as the song keeps relatively light on its feet over its first half, as languid keys do calmly flirt with the idea of becoming a string section, but then think better of it. It's all change at two minute mark though, when Winston Marshall, finally free from the shackles of the banjo, lets rip a piercing electric guitar wail as the song rockets skywards. From here on in its a steady race to epic heights. "Say something like you love me," implores Marcus against increased riffage courtesy of Winston, in what's easily the first stadium-worthy song of 2015".[1] In a positive review, The Independent commented on the lack of banjo in the song, "Synthetic sounds can sometimes create a flatness to a tune, but the Mumfords have managed to use them to create a sense of power and energy that’s hard to resist. The banjo is dead, long live electric".[2] Maud Deitch of Pitchfork Media said in a review of Wilder Mind, "Songs like 'Believe' are so lumbering that they are almost vulgar", criticizing Mumford for using his "best Chris Martin-soft-voice".[3]

Chart performance

"Believe" peaked at number 1 on the US iTunes chart and number 5 on the UK iTunes chart after its release, reaching number 31 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 20 on the UK Official Chart, due to its midweek release.

Music video

"Believe" was the first Mumford & Sons single to not receive an official music video. An 'Official Audio' video was uploaded to the band's YouTube channel after its radio premiere.

Live performances

Mumford & Sons made their live return at the 375 capacity Oslo, Hackney on 8 March 2015 with an intimate show for family and friends. The band played again to fans on the following two nights, debuting songs from Wilder Mind, including "Believe". This was followed by shows at small venues in Berlin, Los Angeles, Toronto and New York,[4] with the band playing two nights in each city.

On 11 April 2015, the band performed on Saturday Night Live for the second time, playing "Believe" for the first time on television.[5] On 21 April 2015, the band performed "Believe" on Later... with Jools Holland.[6]

Other versions

The song was covered by British rock band Nothing But Thieves for the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge series.

Track listing

Digital download – Single
No.TitleLength
1."Believe"3:41
7" single
No.TitleLength
1."Believe"3:41
2."If This Is Love" 
7" single (Record Store Day Edition)
No.TitleLength
1."Believe"3:41
2."The Wolf"3:41

Credits and personnel

Charts

Chart (2015) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[7] 29
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[8] 67
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] 35
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[10] 29
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[11] 11
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[12] 25
Germany (Official German Charts)[13] 65
Ireland (IRMA)[14] 20
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15] 46
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[16] 29
Slovenia (SloTop50)[17] 30
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[18] 62
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] 47
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[20] 20
US Billboard Hot 100[21] 31
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[22] 4
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[23] 1
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[24] 29
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[25] 17
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[26] 1
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[27] 1

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/Sales
Italy (FIMI)[28] Gold 25,000double-dagger

double-daggersales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region Date Label Format
Worldwide 9 March 2015 Gentlemen of the Road, Island Digital download

References

  1. ↑ NME.COM. "Mumford & Sons Beef Up Their Sound On Banjoless New Single 'Believe' - Track Review - NME.COM".
  2. ↑ "Our verdict is in on the new, banjo-free Mumford & Sons song". 10 March 2015.
  3. ↑ Deitch, Maud (7 May 2015). "Mumford & Sons: Wilder Mind". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "Mumford & Sons April 6th, 2015 - (le) poisson rouge".
  5. ↑ "Taraji P. Henson with Mumford & Sons Episode from Saturday Night Live on NBC.com".
  6. ↑ "Later... with Jools Holland - Mumford & Sons".
  7. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Mumford & Sons – Believe". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Mumford & Sons – Believe" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Mumford & Sons – Believe" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Mumford & Sons – Believe" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  12. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert {{{year}}}{{{week}}} into search. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Mumford & Sons – Believe". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 12, 2015". Irish Singles Chart.
  15. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Mumford & Sons – Believe" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Charts.nz – Mumford & Sons – Believe". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  17. ↑ "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  18. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Mumford & Sons – Believe". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Mumford & Sons – Believe". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  21. ↑ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Hot Rock Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Mumford & Sons Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Mumford & Sons – Believe" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
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