Price to Play

"Price to Play"
Single by Staind
from the album 14 Shades of Grey
B-side
  1. "Let It Out"
  2. "Can't Believe" (live)
ReleasedApril 7, 2003 (2003-04-07)
Length3:35
Label
Songwriters
ProducerJosh Abraham
Staind singles chronology
"Epiphany"
(2002)		 "Price to Play"
(2003)		 "So Far Away"
(2003)
Music video
"Price to Play" on YouTube

"Price to Play" is a song by American rock band Staind. It was released as the lead single from their fourth album, 14 Shades of Grey, on April 7, 2003. "Price to Play" was released in advance of the album and became a hit on US rock radio, charting at number two on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number six on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It served as the official theme song of WWE's Vengeance 2003 event.

Themes and composition

Frontman Aaron Lewis explained that the song was the last song written and recorded for the 14 Shades of Grey album, and the lyrics initially were influenced from his frustrations that the band was so close to done with finishing the album.[1] He explained:

Lyrically, what started the song was my frustrations with having to be back in the studio writing more songs and feeling like we were underneath somebody's thumb, but it turned into a song that just applies to life in general. And it's kind of tongue-in-cheek because life isn't a game, but it's the price we pay to play this game that we call life.[1]

Similarly, Lewis stated the song was about the physical and mental toll of working in the music industry.[2] While 14 Shades of Grey was less heavy than previous Staind albums at that time, "Price to Play" retained Staind's heavier and more aggressive sound, with heavy guitars in the verses, soaring vocal harmonies, and melody/harmony guitars to complement the vocals.

Track listing

  1. "Price to Play"
  2. "Let It Out"
  3. "Can't Believe" (live version from MTV Unplugged)

Charts

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Price to Play"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States April 7, 2003 [13]
United Kingdom May 12, 2003
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
 [14]
Australia May 19, 2003 CD [15]

References

  1. 1 2 Wiederhorn, Jon (May 28, 2003). "Born Of Frustration, 'Price to Play' Is Paying Off For Staind". MTV. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  2. ↑ D'Angelo, Joe (March 10, 2003). "New Staind LP Marked By Grey Matters". MTV. Archived from the original on November 30, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  3. ↑ "The ARIA Report, Issue 692". ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Staind". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 24/5/2003 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 24/5/2003 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart on 24/5/2003 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Staind Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Staind Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Staind Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  11. ↑ "2003 Year End Charts: Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Titles". Billboard. December 27, 2003. Archived from the original on March 27, 2004. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  12. ↑ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Modern Rock Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 43.
  13. ↑ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1498. April 4, 2003. p. 28.
  14. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 12 May 2003: Singles". Music Week. May 10, 2003. p. 29.
  15. ↑ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 19th May 2003" (PDF). ARIA. May 19, 2003. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
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