Boom (X Ambassadors song)

"Boom" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rock band X Ambassadors. It was released as the lead single from their second studio album, Orion, on January 25, 2019.

"Boom"
Single by X Ambassadors
from the album Orion
Released	January 25, 2019 (2019-01-25)
Genre	Alternative rock[1]
Length	2:44
Label	Kidinakorner Interscope
Songwriter(s)	Sam Harris Tom Peyton
Producer(s)	Ricky Reed
X Ambassadors singles chronology
"Don't Stay" (2018) "Boom" (2019) "Hey Child" (2019)
Music video
"Boom" on YouTube

Composition

According to TuneBat.com, "Boom" is written in the key of E minor and has a tempo of 108 beats per minute.^[2]

Music video

The music video for "Boom" opens with the three members of the band wearing outfits that resemble construction site uniforms. Lights in the background flash, spelling out "boom" in braille.^[3]

Right before the bridge, an overhead light falls on the frontman, Sam Harris, knocking him out. He gets up and begins to perform again with a bleeding temple.^[4]

Personnel

X Ambassadors

• Sam Harris – lead vocals, guitar
• Casey Harris – backing vocals, keyboards, synthesizers
• Adam Levin – drums, percussion

Additional musicians

• Ricky Reed – additional guitars and bass guitar

Critical reception

Reception of "Boom" was generally positive. In a review of Orion, Mark Kennedy of Associated Press calls the song "infectious."^[5] Kaitlyn Sperduto of Soundigest describes the song as having a "dance/pop vibe."^[6] Ky Kasselman says the song has a "classic X Ambassadors feel", with a "catchy beat and repetitive lyrics."^[7]

In other media

• The song was used as the official theme song for the 2019 edition of WWE Stomping Grounds.
• The song was briefly played in the 2019 Nickelodeon Movies film Playing with Fire.
• The song was used in the 2020 film Sonic the Hedgehog during the bar fight bullet time sequence.
• The song was used in the in-game EA Trax for the ice hockey videogame NHL 20
• The song was played during the closing credits of the NFL Films 2021 film NFL Championship Chase.
• This song is used in the intro to the Fox Big Noon Kickoff show often.
• This song was used in the soundtrack for NASCAR 21: Ignition.

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Boom" Chart (2019) Peak position US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[8] 30 US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[9] 24

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Boom" Chart (2019) Position US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[10] 41

Certifications

Certifications for "Boom"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[11]	Gold	500,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "X Ambassadors Release Huge New Song 'Boom'". January 28, 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
2. "Key & BPM for BOOM by X Ambassadors". Retrieved June 23, 2019.
3. Legaspi, Althea (March 19, 2019). "Watch X Ambassadors' Resilient New 'Boom' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
4. Thilo, Amanda (March 28, 2019). "X Ambassadors Reject Bad Vibes in 'Boom' Music Video". Soundigest. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
5. Kennedy, Mark (June 11, 2019). "Music Review: X Ambassadors return right where they left off". Associated Press. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
6. Sperduto, Kaitlyn (January 31, 2019). "The X Ambassadors Reveal a Whole New Sound in New Single "Boom"". Soundigest. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
7. Kasselman, Ky (June 17, 2019). "Album Review: X Ambassadors "Orion"". Stitched Sound. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
8. "X Ambassadors Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
9. "X Ambassadors Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
10. "Adult Alternative Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
11. "American single certifications – X Ambassadors – Boom". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 13, 2024.