Dark Horses

"Dark Horses"
Single by Switchfoot
from the album Vice Verses
Released	July 20, 2011
Format	Digital download
Recorded	2011
Genre	Post-grunge, hard rock, electronic rock
Length	3:54
Label	lowercase people/Atlantic
Writer(s)	Jon Foreman, Tim Foreman
Producer	Switchfoot, Neal Avron
Switchfoot singles chronology
"Bullet Soul" (2010) "Dark Horses" (2011)

"Dark Horses" is a song written and recorded by the alternative rock band Switchfoot, and serves as the first single off their eighth studio album entitled Vice Verses. It was debuted on the band's official website on July 20, 2011 and serviced to radio the same day. The release was announced on AllAccess/Mediabase and later confirmed by singer Jon Foreman during an interview with radio DJ Adrian Hummel.^[1]

Song history

The song first made a public appearance on June 10, 2010 in Amsterdam during Switchfoot's Hello Hurricane tour. The band sound-checked it once there, and also subsequently played it at several more shows during the fall leg of their tour.

It was reworked afterwards during the studio sessions for Vice Verses, and the band debuted the revamped version with a new chorus with different melodies and a re-worked second verse in Winnipeg, Canada in May 2011.

The band performed it throughout the summer festival season, and also allowed fans to preview it at their Bro-Am event in June.^[2]

Singer Jon Foreman has from time to time stated that the song is an anthem for Stand Up For Kids, organization that aids orphaned youth back in the band's hometown of San Diego, CA. "For me that song the Dark Horses is all about the homeless kids back in San Diego, specifically the ones who are being helped out by Stand Up For Kids," he says.^[3] "It’s always nice when you have a song you are passionate about singing night after night that has a deeper meaning than simply another verse and another chorus."

Reception

The song was picked up quickly by a couple of alternative rock stations in the first week of availability. San Diego's 91x spun the song for the very first time on July 20,^[4] with Los Angeles' KROQ featuring the single on their First Listen blog a couple days later.^[5]

It has peaked thus far at No.10 on Billboard Alternative Songs, and has been well-received in the Christian radio scene as well, having spent seven straight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Christian Rock songs chart.

Live performances

Switchfoot performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 19, 2011.

Switchfoot performed the song on "Conan" on October 25, 2011.

Chart positions

Chart	Position
Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles	1
Billboard Alternative Songs	10
Billboard Rock Songs	22
Billboard Christian Rock	1

References

1. ^ Jon Foreman of Switchfoot (Interview) - Published June 27, 2011 (retrieved July 5, 2011)
2. ^ Switchfoot Bro-Am lineup revealed
3. ^ Jon Foreman of Switchfoot (Interview) - Published June 27, 2011 (retrieved July 5, 2011)
4. ^ Official Switchfoot Twitter. Twitter. Published July 20, 2011
5. ^ First Listen Switchfoot Drop’s “Dark Horses, The First Single From Their Upcoming Album - Published July 21, 2011 (retrieved July 22, 2011)

External links

• 'Dark Horses - Switchfoot' at Billboard.com