Getting Down the Germs
| "Getting Down the Germs" | ||||
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| Single by Gerard Way | ||||
| Released | November 16, 2018 | |||
| Genre | Indie rock | |||
| Length | 4:51 | |||
| Label | Reprise | |||
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| Producers |
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| Gerard Way singles chronology | ||||
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"Getting Down the Germs" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Gerard Way. It was released as a standalone single on November 16, 2018, through Reprise Records. An indie rock song, it focuses on pushing through harder aspects of life. Backed by guitar riffs, it features a flute that Way had long wanted to include in a song. It was the second song Way wrote with My Chemical Romance bandmate Ray Toro, following "Into the Cave We Wander". The song was written by Way, Toro, Doug McKean, and Sara Andon, and was produced by McKean, Way and Toro.
Upon release, "Getting Down the Germs" received positive reviews from music critics, with many of them praising its composition and highlighting the flute melody. Many of them also stated that "Getting Down the Germs" sounded like a form of classic rock, such as Alternative Press's Jason Pettigrew, who claimed it "sounds like a hybrid mix of '70s-rock". It was accompanied by a music video, directed by Claire Marie Vogel, of fuzzy germs dancing along to the track.
Background and production
[edit]In March 2018, Gerard Way revealed he was working on new music,[1] after releasing the extended play (EP) "Pinkish" / "Don't Try" and the single "Into the Cave We Wander" in 2016.[2][3][a] In a press release, Way stated that he had "been wanting [to write] a song that featured the flute prominently for quite some time",[5][6] mentioning in an interview with Forbes that he was inspired by bands like King Crimson and Jethro Tull.[7] While constructing "Getting Down the Germs", Way saw that the song had "all these chilled-out little spaces in it", and decided to fill them with flutes.[7] The title for the song came from Way's editor, who said to him to "Just get the germs down. Just the germs of the ideas."[7] "Getting Down the Germs" was written by Way, Toro, Doug McKean, and Sara Andon. McKean mixed the song, and produced it along with Way and Toro. Michelle Mancini mastered it.[8] It was the second song written by Way and Toro, following "Into the Cave We Wander".[3]
Composition and lyrics
[edit]Musically, "Getting Down the Germs" has been labeled as a indie rock song by critics;[9] it has a length of four minutes and fifty-one seconds.[8] A writer at DIY noted that it continued his Britpop roots, making a comparison to Blur.[10] Graham Hartmann of Loudwire stated that it was "reminiscent of '60s psychedelic music and new school indie rock",[9] and Jason Pettigrew of Alternative Press mentioned it "sounds like a hybrid mix of '70s-rock", comparing it to the Rolling Stones and Traffic.[11] The song features "jangling riffs"[12] and "bongo flourishes" beneath Way's vocals, building up to a flute solo over the course of its length.[13] Regarding its lyrics, Way discussed that "Getting Down the Germs" centers around getting through the harder things in life,[7] and claimed that the song reminded him "of wiggling squiggling wormy germs".[9]
Release and reception
[edit]"Getting Down the Germs" was released following his previous single, "Baby You're a Haunted House", on November 16, 2018, through Reprise Records.[8][11][14] A music video, directed by Claire Marie Vogel, was also released alongside the song, featuring clips of fuzzy germs dancing along to the track.[15][16][17]
"Getting Down the Germs" received positive reviews from music critics. Scott Munroe of Louder referred to it as a "laid-back" track,[16] while Sarah Murphy of Exclaim! claimed it sounded "straight out of the '90s".[17] Charlotte Krol, writing for NME, called it "catchy" and praised its composition, stating it was a "catchy indie track replete with a psych flute and jangling riffs."[12] Zac Gelfand of Consequence discussed the song's composition, writing "It seems that with every new solo release, Way gets further and further away from his roots".[13]
Billboard's Nicole Engelman named it "infectious", praising the flute melody by stating "Way stays true to his punk rock roots, while simultaneously taking the song into uncharted territory by including a flute melody, revisiting the great rock-music flute solos of the '60s and '70s."[5] Hartmann acclaimed the way Way fit the flute into the song, writing it "really bring you back to rock's golden age" and also claimed it was a "stripped-down, feel-good song".[9]
Credits and personnel
[edit]Credits are adapted from the digital liner notes.[8]
- Musicians
- Gerard Way – lead vocals, guitar, songwriter, producer
- Ray Toro – bass, drums, songwriter, producer
- Sara Andon – flute, songwriter
- Technicals
- Doug McKean – recording engineer, mixing engineer, songwriter, producer
- Michelle Mancini – mastering engineer
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Butler, Will (March 12, 2018). "Gerard Way reveals that he'll be working on new music every Friday". NME. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- ↑ Engelman, Nicole (October 22, 2018). "Gerard Way Teases New Halloween Single 'Baby You're a Haunted House'". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- 1 2 Deming, Mark. "Gerard Way Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved November 11, 2026.
- ↑ Trendell, Andrew (March 22, 2017). "Gerard Way to release two new songs for Record Store Day 2017". NME. Archived from the original on March 25, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- 1 2 Engelman, Nicole (November 16, 2018). "Gerard Way Is 'Getting Down the Germs' With Infectious New Single: Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
- ↑ Kreps, Daniel (November 16, 2018). "Hear Gerard Way's Surprise New Song 'Getting Down the Germs'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Leimkuehler, Matthew (November 16, 2018). "Gerard Way Explains Why He's Not Overthinking His New Music". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Getting Down the Germs — Song by Gerard Way". Apple Music. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Hartmann, Graham (November 16, 2018). "Gerard Way + Ray Toro Reunite for New Song 'Getting Down the Germs'". Loudwire. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- ↑ "Gerard Way continues the Britpop channelling on new track 'Getting Down The Germs'". DIY. November 16, 2018. Archived from the original on August 11, 2026. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- 1 2 Pettigrew, Jason (November 16, 2018). "Gerard Way recruits Ray Toro on "Getting Down The Germs"". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on December 7, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- 1 2 Krol, Charlotte (November 16, 2018). "Gerard Way shares catchy new track 'Getting Down The Germs' written with My Chemical Romance bandmate Ray Toro". NME. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- 1 2 Gelfand, Zac (November 16, 2018). "Gerard Way shares new solo single "Getting Down the Germs": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
- ↑ "Gerard Way Drops New Solo Single, Getting Down The Germs". Kerrang!. November 16, 2018. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2026.
- ↑ Campbell, Rachel (November 20, 2018). "Gerard Way shares how "Getting Down The Germs" video came to life". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on December 8, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- 1 2 Munro, Scott (October 26, 2018). "Check out Gerard Way's laid-back new track Getting Down The Germs". Louder. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- 1 2 Murphy, Sarah (November 15, 2018). "Gerard Way Celebrates Flu Season with "Getting Down the Germs"". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2026.