Take a Walk (Passion Pit song)

"Take a Walk"
Single by Passion Pit
from the album Gossamer
Released	May 8, 2012
Format	Digital download
Recorded	2011; Gigantic Studios; N.Y.C
Genre	Indie pop synthpop
Length	4:25 (album version) 3:59 (radio edit) 4:10 (music video edit)
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	Michael Angelakos
Producer(s)	Michael Angelakos Chris Zane
Passion Pit singles chronology
"Little Secrets" (2009) "Take a Walk" (2012) "I'll Be Alright" (2012)

"Take a Walk" is a song by American indietronica band Passion Pit from their second studio album, Gossamer (2012). The song was written and produced by the band's frontman Michael Angelakos, with Chris Zane providing co-production. It was released as the lead single from the album in May 2012.

Rolling Stone named "Take a Walk" the third-best song of 2012.^[1]

Background

"Take a Walk" was written by Michael Angelakos, lead singer and keyboardist of Passion Pit. The song's lyrical content depicts a businessman burdened by financial troubles. According to Angelakos, each verse of the song is based upon a certain member of his family at one point in his or her life.^[2]

In pop culture

• The song appeared in a commercial by fast food chain Taco Bell advertising their Doritos Locos. Reception by the band's fan base to the song's use in the commercial was mixed. Angelakos defended the use of "Take a Walk" in the commercial, explaining: "It's not about promoting celebrities or giant corporations or anything like that. It’s just airtime…It's an amazing opportunity. And, honestly, you take what you can get. I say no to about 90 percent of the offers, but we just want people to hear the music at the end of the day."^[3]

• In Season 3, Episode 3 ("Main Justice") of The Newsroom, the song is playing in the background when MacKenzie is approached by Neal's source during the Correspondent's Dinner.

• "Take a Walk" was featured in the video game Forza Horizon as one of 22 tracks played on Horizon Pulse, an in-game radio station. In addition, the song appeared in the remake Carrie and as a playable track for the video game Guitar Hero Live.

Music video

The music video for "Take a Walk" was directed by David Wilson in collaboration with the Creators Project.^[4] The video is seen from the perspective of a ball as it bounces across several locations in and around Philadelphia, including a suburban neighborhood, farmland, Fairmount Park, and various parts of the city.^[5] Advanced helicam technology was utilized in the production of the video in order to achieve the effect.^[6]

Formats and track listings

Digital download^[7]

1. "Take a Walk" – 4:23

Digital download – remix single^[8]

1. "Take a Walk" (The M Machine Remix) – 4:23

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2012–13) Peak position Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[9] 27 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] 97 France (SNEP)[11] 84 Japan (Japan Hot 100)[12] 36 US Billboard Hot 100[13] 84 US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[14] 9 US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[15] 7 US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[16] 22 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[17] 24 US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[18] 5

Year-end charts Chart (2012) Position US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[19] 34 US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[20] 16 Chart (2013) Position US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[21] 27 US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[22] 25 US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[23] 28

Certifications

Region	Certification	Sales/shipments
United States (RIAA)[24]	Gold	0
^*sales figures based on certification alone

References

1. "50 Best Songs of 2012: Passion Pit, 'Take a Walk'". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
2. Montgomery, James (May 9, 2012). "Passion Pit's 'Take A Walk': The 'Not Political' Anthem Of Our Times". MTV Music. MTV Networks. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
3. Sterling, Scott T. (September 17, 2012). "Passion Pit Address Taco Bell ‘Take A Walk’ Controversy: “It’s An Amazing Opportunity”". CBS News. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
4. Pelly, Jenn (June 14, 2012). "Video: Passion Pit: "Take a Walk"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
5. "Passion Pit Take to the Sky in 'Take A Walk' Clip". Rolling Stone. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
6. "Passion Pit Take to the Sky in 'Take A Walk' Clip". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. June 14, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
7. "Take a Walk – Single by Passion Pit". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
8. "Take a Walk (The M Machine Remix) – Single by Passion Pit". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
9. "Ultratop.be – Passion Pit – Take a Walk" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
10. "Passion Pit – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Passion Pit. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
11. "Lescharts.com – Passion Pit – Take a Walk" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
12. "Passion Pit – Chart history" Japan Hot 100 for Passion Pit. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
13. "Passion Pit – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Passion Pit. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
14. "Passion Pit – Chart history" Billboard Hot Rock Songs for Passion Pit. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
15. "Passion Pit – Chart history" Billboard Rock Airplay for Passion Pit. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
16. "Passion Pit – Chart history" Billboard Adult Alternative Songs for Passion Pit. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
17. "Passion Pit – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Passion Pit. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
18. "Passion Pit – Chart history" Billboard Alternative Songs for Passion Pit. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
19. "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
20. "Alternative Songs: Year End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
21. "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
22. "Rock Airplay Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
23. "Alternative Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
24. "American single certifications – Passion Pit – Take A Walk". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 4 May 2013. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics