Built by Nations

"Built By Nations" is a song by American rock band Greta Van Fleet. It is the fifth and final single from their second album, The Battle at Garden's Gate. The song reached number six on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.^[1]

"Built by Nations"
Single by Greta Van Fleet
from the album The Battle at Garden's Gate
Released	April 16, 2021 (2021-04-16)
Recorded	2019
Genre	Hard rock
Length	3:58.
Label	Republic
Songwriter(s)	Jake Kiszka Josh Kiszka Sam Kiszka Danny Wagner
Greta Van Fleet singles chronology
"Broken Bells" (2021) "Built by Nations" (2021) "Meeting the Master" (2023)

Background

The song was written and recorded during The Battle at Garden's Gates sessions in 2019. On April 16, the band released the song as the final single off their sophomore album. The song was also played on July 27, when it was released as a live recording of the band playing the song.^[2]

Composition

In an interview with the band, they stated that the song is about "when boys go to war", adding: "A mutiny that chronicles a unit of bewildered, young renegade soldiers, as they march into the mouth of hell. “Built by Nations” delves into challenging themes such as military moguls, the manufacturing of killing machines, and the spirit of a warrior."^[3]

Reception

The single was met with mostly positive reviews.^[4] Variety described the song as "A slower song, with a quasi-philosophical titles"^[5] RiffMagazine said "Guitarist Jake Kiszka still seems to be paying homage to Page, both with his delicately strummed with his scorching lead work on songs like "Built by Nations"".^[6]

Personnel

Greta Van Fleet

• Joshua Kiszka – vocals, background vocals
• Jacob Kiszka – guitar, backing vocals
• Samuel Kiszka – bass, keyboards, background vocals
• Daniel Wagner – drums, background vocals

Technical

• Greg Kurstin – production, engineering
• Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
• Julian Burg – engineering
• Alex Pasco – engineering
• Matt Wolach – mixing assistance
• Matt Tuggle – recording assistance
• Peter Luretig – recording assistance
• Brian Rajaratnam – recording assistance

Charts

Chart (2021)	Peak position
US Hot Hard Rock Songs (Billboard)[7]	10
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[8]	13
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[9]	6
Canada Rock (Billboard)[10]	45

References

1. "Greta Van Fleet". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
2. Team, Editorial (2021-07-27). "GRETA VAN FLEET Releases New 'Built By Nations' Performance Video". Sonic Perspectives. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
3. Hadusek, Jon (2021-04-16). "Battle at the Garden's Gate Track by Track: Stream". Consequence.net. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
4. "Public Reviews of Built By Nations". Album of the Year. 2023-04-27. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
5. Aswad, Jem (2021-04-16). "Greta Van Fleet Channels Spinal Tap in Epic Fashion on 'The Battle at Garden's Gate': Album Review". Variety. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
6. "ALBUM REVIEW: Greta Van Fleet rushes things on 'The Battle at Garden's Gate'". RIFF Magazine. 2021-04-12. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
7. "Greta Van Fleet Chart History (Hot Hard Rock Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
8. "Greta Van Fleet Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
9. "Greta Van Fleet Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
10. "Greta Van Fleet Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2023.