Hey You (Disturbed song)

"Hey You"
Single by Disturbed
from the album Divisive
ReleasedJuly 14, 2022
Length4:28
Label
Songwriters
ProducerWZRD BLD
Disturbed singles chronology
"Hold On to Memories"
(2020) 		"Hey You"
(2022) 		"Unstoppable"
(2022)
Music video
"Hey You" on YouTube

"Hey You" is a song by American heavy metal band Disturbed. It is the first single and opening track from their eighth album, Divisive. It reached number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in September 2022.

Background and release

On July 7, 2022, Disturbed announced the release of a new single titled "Hey You" which was scheduled for release online on July 14, 2022.[1] In the days leading up to its release, the band promoted the single by sharing a preview of its music video on July 11, 2022.[2] It was followed by a 30-second audio teaser released via social media on July 12, 2022.[3]

The band confirmed that the song would be the first single from their upcoming album, which was expected to be released later in 2022.[4]

Composition and lyrics

The song has been described by Consequence as recalling the band's early work, particularly the band's first album The Sickness. The track features singer David Draiman's staccato vocal delivery over heavy guitar riffs by Dan Donegan. It features a melodic chorus but remains heavy overall.[4] Wall of Sound characterized the track as a return to the band's heavier, riff-driven sound, comparing it to "Indestructible".[5]

According to Draiman, the song was written in response to what he described as growing division in society since the release of Evolution. He called the track a "wake-up call", saying it deals with outrage addiction, the breakdown of respectful conversation, and societal division.[6]

Donegan said the song was meant as a wake-up call to encourage reflection on increasing hostility due to social media and politics. He pointed to how people are no longer really having respectful conversations, how attacks have increased, and how those with different views are often just "canceled".[7]

Reception

Loudwire reported that fan reactions to the song were mixed, with some listeners expressing praise and others offering criticism, including negative responses to its lyrics.[8] A Kerrang! review said that after listening to the first three tracks, including "Hey You", the reviewer was hoping they were just off tracks and that the album's heavier, more high-energy material would show up later.[9] Sputnikmusic staff Trey said the song's verses and grooves are solid, but the big area-rock chorus kills the momentum and isn't as good as the choruses on the other singles, disrupting the track's flow.[10]

According to Consequence and as of November 18, 2022, "Hey You" had amassed more than 25 million streams.[11]

Music video

The single was released alongside a cinematic, science-fiction-themed music video, which premiered on the same day.[12] The video was directed by Josiahx and filmed in Los Angeles on June 14, 2022, featuring all four members of the band performing.[13] The video depicts a futuristic, Matrix-like setting in which people are shown consuming a constant stream of media.[14]

Track listing

Hey You - by Disturbed Single[15][16]
No.TitleLength
1."Hey You" (Explicit)4:28

Chart performance

It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart on September 3, 2022, their eleventh song to do so.[17]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Apple Music.[18]

Disturbed

  • David Draiman - lead vocals, background vocals, songwriter
  • Dan Donegan - guitar, background vocals, piano, synthesiser, songwriter
  • John Moyer - bass guitar, songwriter
  • Mike Wengren - drums, percussion, background vocals, songwriter

Additional credits

  • WZRD BLD - producer, mixing engineer, recording engineer

Charts

References

  1. ^ wookubus (July 7, 2022). "Disturbed To Launch New Single "Hey You" Next Week". ThePRP. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  2. ^ wookubus (July 11, 2022). "Disturbed Share Preview Of "Hey You" Music Video". ThePRP. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  3. ^ "Listen to a 30 second teaser of Disturbed's brand new single Hey You". Metal Hammer. July 12, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  4. ^ a b Kaufman, Spencer (July 14, 2022). "Disturbed Return with "Hey You," First New Song in Four Years: Stream". Consequence. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  5. ^ Aarons, Ricky (July 14, 2022). "Disturbed Return To Form With Heavy New Single 'Hey You'". Wall of Sound. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  6. ^ Hobson, Rich (July 14, 2022). "Disturbed's new single Hey You is a 'wake up call': "We've become our own worst enemies"". Metal Hammer. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  7. ^ Reesman, Bryan (October 28, 2022). "Disturbed's Dan Donegan: Upcoming Album 'Divisive' a 'bit of a wake-up call [to] reflect on how crazy we're all acting'". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  8. ^ Trapp, Philip (July 14, 2022). "Rock + Metal Fans React to Disturbed's New Song 'Hey You'". Loudwire. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  9. ^ "Album review: Disturbed–Divisive". Kerrang!. November 18, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  10. ^ Trey (November 18, 2022). "Disturbed–Divisive". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  11. ^ Erickson, Anne (November 18, 2022). "Disturbed Unveil AI-Generated "Bad Man" Video, Unleash Full Divisive Album: Stream". Consequence. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  12. ^ Schaffner, Lauryn (July 14, 2022). "Disturbed Drop Fiery First New Song in Four Years 'Hey You'". Loudwire. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  13. ^ "Disturbed Releases Music Video For First New Song In Four Years, 'Hey You'". Blabbermouth. July 14, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  14. ^ Emperor Rhombus (July 14, 2022). "Disturbed Release New Single via Video About — Shocker! — How the Media Is Bad". MetalSucks. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  15. ^ "Hey You - Single by Disturbed - Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  16. ^ "‎‎‎Hey You - Single - Album by Disturbed - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  17. ^ a b Rutherford, Kevin (September 1, 2022). "Disturbed's 'Hey You' hits no. 1 on Mainstream Rock Airplay chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  18. ^ "‎Hey You – Song by Disturbed". Apple Music.
  19. ^ "Disturbed Chart History: Canada Rock". Billboard Canada. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  20. ^ "Disturbed – Hey You" (in Czech). ČNS IFPI. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  21. ^ "Disturbed: Hey You" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  22. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 22, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  23. ^ "Disturbed Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  24. ^ "Disturbed Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  25. ^ "Disturbed Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  26. ^ "Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  27. ^ "Mainstream Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.