The Gold Explained

"The Gold" is a song by the American rock band Manchester Orchestra. The song was released on June 9, 2017, as the lead single from their fifth studio album, A Black Mile to the Surface. The song was a chart success for the band, peaking at No. 2 on Billboard's Adult Alternative Songs chart and No. 12 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, their first charting single in six years.^[2]

Background and recording

In an interview, Manchester Orchestra lead singer Andy Hull stated that "The Gold" deals with issues of trust and learning to communicate. The song was written by Hull. Producer Catherine Marks, who the band was working with for the first time, allowed the band's songwriters to work on the A Black Mile to the Surface album for three months by themselves, during which they deconstructed and added new layers to "The Gold".^[3]

Release

"The Gold" was released as a single on June 9, 2017, as part of the A Black Mile to the Surface album announcement.^[4] The song was sent for adds to Triple-A radio stations on June 26 and Alternative radio stations on September 12.^[5]

A video for "The Gold" was released on the same day as the song, directed by Mike Dempsey and Johnny Chew.^[6]

In July 2018, Phoebe Bridgers released a cover version of "The Gold" featuring Manchester Orchestra on instruments.^[7]

Chart performance

Chart performance for "The Gold"! Chart (2017–2018)! Peak
position

Notes and References

1. Web site: Collar. Matt. A Black Mile to the Surface - Manchester Orchestra Songs, Reviews, Credits. December 27, 2020. AllMusic.
2. News: Krzaczek. Katie. January 18, 2018. Manchester Orchestra Premieres 'The Gold (Live)' Video, Talks Recording 'A Black Mile to the Surface': Exclusive. Billboard. January 24, 2018.
3. News: Roa. Ray. August 30, 2017. Interview: Manchester Orchestra's Andy Hull goes the extra Mile before Ybor City show. Creative Loafing: Tampa Bay. January 24, 2018.
4. News: Richards . Will . Manchester Orchestra announce new album 'A Black Mile to the Surface', share 'The Gold' . February 19, 2021 . DIY Mag . June 9, 2017.
5. News: Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations, Independent Artist Song Releases .... All Access. January 24, 2018.
6. Web site: Yoo. Noah. June 9, 2017. Manchester Orchestra Announce New Album, Share Video for New Song "The Gold": Watch. January 24, 2018. Pitchfork.
7. Web site: 2018-07-12 . Phoebe Bridgers - "The Gold" (Manchester Orchestra Cover) . 2023-05-21 . Stereogum . en.