Only Love Can Save Me Now (song)

"Only Love Can Save Me Now"
Single by The Pretty Reckless featuring Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron
from the album Death by Rock and Roll
ReleasedJune 22, 2021[1]
StudioLondon Bridge (Seattle, Washington)
GenrePost-grunge
Length5:12
Label
Songwriters
ProducerJonathan Wyman
The Pretty Reckless singles chronology
"And So It Went"
(2021)		 "Only Love Can Save Me Now"
(2021)		 "For I Am Death"
(2025)
Acoustic single artwork
Music video
"Only Love Can Save Me Now" on YouTube

"Only Love Can Save Me Now" is a song by American rock band The Pretty Reckless, from their fourth studio album, Death by Rock and Roll. It features Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron from the rock band Soundgarden, and was released on June 22, 2021, as the album's third single. The song topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in September 2021.

Background and recording

Frontwoman Taylor Momsen said that The Pretty Reckless opened for Soundgarden on their final tour before Chris Cornell's death, which she said created a bond.[2] Momsen said that she had become close with Soundgarden members Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron.[3] After writing the song, she sent a demo to Cameron and Thayil and asked whether they would be interested in performing on it,[4] because she felt the song was "very much in their vein".[3] In May 2020, Blabbermouth.net confirmed that the song would feature guest appearances from Cameron and Thayil. The track was recorded at Seattle's London Bridge Studio. Momsen described recording at London Bridge Studio with Cameron and Thayil as a "surreal" experience, noting that Ten and Louder Than Love were recorded there.[5] Momsen joked that without their involvement, she would sound as though she was "ripping [them] off". She described recording the song with Cameron and Thayil as a "full circle moment".[6] People magazine reported that Momsen recorded the song with Cameron and Thayil as an homage to Cornell.[7] Momsen stated that the song was "born out of tragedy" and described it as representing getting through "the worst time" in her life.[8]

Composition

Momsen described the song as having a "Soundgarden-esque feel".[4] Thayil said that the song contains elements of classic Soundgarden and that its riff would likely have fit on Louder Than Love.[9][10] Thayil also praised Ben Phillips' guitar parts, saying that they provided a heavy foundation for the song.[8] Backing vocals are provided by Cameron, and the song features a 45-second guitar solo at the three-minute mark.[11]

Guitar World noted that the song "features several signature Soundgarden traits", including an opening riff in 7/4 time, "modal motifs", "and nearly a full minute of wailing, wah-drenched Thayil leads".[12] Mike DeWald of Riff Magazine wrote that the song's "bluesy grunge riffs" recalled 1990s grunge bands such as Soundgarden and Alice in Chains.[13] Distorted Sound described the song as "further down the post-grunge rabbithole".[14] Lauryn Schaffner of Loudwire noted the song's odd time signatures, Thayil's "distinctly deep and sludgy" guitar tone, and Cameron's "thunderous percussion", which she said "rounds out the Soundgarden feel completely". She also wrote that the airy effect on Momsen's vocals was reminiscent of Soundgarden's "Searching with My Good Eye Closed".[15]

Critical reception

Riff Magazine praised the song's chorus and melodic buildup, as well as Phillips' guitar solo.[13] Jack Press of Distorted Sound likened the song to what a latter-era Alter Bridge and Soundgarden supergroup might sound like.[14] Metal Hammer described the song as a "Soundgarden-esque sludge-fest".[16] James Hickie of Kerrang! called the song a "firm highlight" of the album.[17] Dom Lawson of Blabbermouth.net described it as "a simply great song" and noted the "blistering leads" from Phillips.[18]

Loudwire ranked "Only Love Can Save Me Now" at number two on its list of the 35 best rock songs of 2021.[19]

Track listing

"Only Love Can Save Me Now (acoustic)" single[20]
No.TitleLength
1."Only Love Can Save Me Now" (acoustic)4:06
2."Only Love Can Save Me Now" (featuring Matt Cameron and Kim Thayil)5:12
Total length:9:18

Music video

The music video was released on June 9, 2021. It depicts Taylor Momsen, Ben Phillips and Mark Damon performing alongside Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron against a backdrop of ocean waves, rain and lightning.[21] Momsen is also shown performing in a flooded room.[22]

Live performances

During a concert at Seattle's Moore Theatre on August 31, 2022, Kim Thayil joined The Pretty Reckless onstage to perform "Only Love Can Save Me Now" and the Soundgarden song "Loud Love".[23][24][25]

Chart performance

"Only Love Can Save Me Now" became the band's seventh number-one single on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart,[26] reaching the top position on September 25, 2021. It was the third number-one single from Death by Rock and Roll. The song gave Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron their first Mainstream Rock Airplay number-one as individually billed soloists.[27]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Apple Music.[28]

Charts

References

  1. ↑ "Rock Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  2. ↑ Cooper, Ali (February 11, 2021). "The Pretty Reckless' Taylor Momsen: "This record saved my life"". Metal Hammer. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Sharma, Amit (August 24, 2020). "Taylor Momsen: "Guitars are like people. The longer they've been in your life the better"". Guitar World. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Schaffner, Lauryn (January 15, 2021). "Taylor Momsen: Playing With Soundgarden Brought New Pretty Reckless Song to Life". Loudwire. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  5. ↑ "The Pretty Reckless's 'Death By Rock And Roll' Album To Feature Guest Appearances By Matt Cameron, Kim Thayil And Tom Morello". Blabbermouth.net. May 21, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  6. ↑ Summan, Yasmine (February 10, 2021). "Five things we learned from our In Conversation video chat with Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless". NME. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  7. ↑ Tracy, Brianne (February 17, 2021). "Taylor Momsen Opens Up About Surviving a Period of 'Depression and Substance Abuse': Music 'Saved' Me". People. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Shaffer, Claire (June 9, 2021). "The Pretty Reckless, Soundgarden Members Drop Video for 'Only Love Can Save Me Now'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  9. ↑ Enis, Eli (June 9, 2021). "See Pretty Reckless Joined by Soundgarden Members in New Video". Revolver. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  10. ↑ Gregory, Allie (June 9, 2021). "The Pretty Reckless Enlist Soundgarden Members for "Only Love Can Save Me Now"". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  11. ↑ Kaufman, Spencer (June 9, 2021). "The Pretty Reckless Join Forces with Soundgarden Members in "Only Love Can Save Me Now" Video: Watch". Consequence. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  12. ↑ Astley-Brown, Michael (February 12, 2021). "Hear Soundgarden's Kim Thayil tear it up on new The Pretty Reckless track Only Love Can Save Me Now". Guitar World. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  13. 1 2 DeWald, Mike (February 9, 2021). "Review: The Pretty Reckless find new life in 'Death By Rock And Roll'". Riff Magazine. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  14. 1 2 Press, Jack (February 9, 2021). "Album Review: Death By Rock And Roll – The Pretty Reckless". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  15. ↑ Schaffner, Lauryn (February 12, 2021). "The Pretty Reckless' Collaboration With Soundgarden Is Grunge Bliss". Loudwire. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  16. ↑ Fawcett, Paris (February 9, 2021). "The Pretty Reckless's Death By Rock And Roll: vulnerability, reflection and schmaltz". Metal Hammer. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  17. ↑ Hickie, James. "Album review: The Pretty Reckless – Death By Rock And Roll". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  18. ↑ Lawson, Dom. "The Pretty Reckless - Death By Rock And Roll". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  19. ↑ Schaffner, Lauryn (December 8, 2021). "The 35 Best Rock Songs of 2021". Loudwire. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Only Love Can Save Me Now (Acoustic) - Single by The Pretty Reckless". Spotify. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  21. ↑ Schaffner, Lauryn (June 9, 2021). "The Pretty Reckless Release New Video for 'Only Love Can Save Me Now'". Loudwire. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  22. ↑ Kinnett, Tristan (June 9, 2021). "The Pretty Reckless are Joined by Soundgarden Members Matt Cameron and Kim Thayil in New Video for "Only Love Can Save Me Now"". MXDWN. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  23. ↑ Schaffner, Lauryn (September 1, 2022). "See Soundgarden's Kim Thayil Perform With The Pretty Reckless in Seattle". Loudwire. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Watch: Soundgraden's Kim Thayil Joins The Pretty Reckless On Stage In Seattle". Blabbermouth.net. September 1, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  25. ↑ Astley-Brown, Michael (September 2, 2022). "Watch Soundgarden's Kim Thayil shred with The Pretty Reckless on stage in Seattle". Guitar World. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  26. ↑ Schaffner, Lauryn (September 20, 2021). "The Pretty Reckless' 'Only Love Can Save Me Now' Is Band's Seventh No. 1 Single". Loudwire. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  27. 1 2 Rutherford, Kevin (September 21, 2021). "The Pretty Reckless Lands Third Mainstream Rock Airplay No. 1 From Latest Album". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Only Love Can Save Me Now (feat. Matt Cameron & Kim Thayil) - Song by The Pretty Reckless". Apple Music.
  29. ↑ "The Pretty Reckless Chart History: Canada Rock". Billboard Canada. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  30. ↑ "The Pretty Reckless Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 19, 2026. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Mainstream Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 18, 2026. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
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