"I'm Not a Vampire" is the third single from the debut album, The Drug in Me Is You, of the band Falling in Reverse. Like other songs on the album, Ronnie Radke wrote the song while incarcerated for parole violation, before the formation of Falling in Reverse.
Music video
The music video was released on October 24, 2011 and parodied Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, with Ronnie Radke checking himself into the fictionalized rehab while performing the song. Some of the figures parodied in the video included socialite and heiress Paris Hilton, drummer Tommy Lee, and fictional supernatural serial killer Jason Voorhees. Additionally, internet personality Jeffree Star appeared as an extra, sporting pink hair and large hoop earrings, visible at the 2:25 mark of the video.
Critical reception
About "I'm Not a Vampire", Loudwire said "On the track, frontman Ronnie Radke belts out an appealing chorus that will burrow in your head and linger there as he sings, 'I'm insane / Well, I can feel it in my bones / Coursing through my veins / When did I become so cold? / For goodness sake / Where is my self-control? / If home is where my heart is / Then my heart has lost all hope.' The song is complete with heavy guitar riffs and a serious guitar solo, plus soaring synthesizers along with crushingly upbeat drum patterns. Radke's hasty deliverance of witty lyrics makes this song a treat, as well [...] One of the best and humorous parts of the song is when Radke cleverly sings 'Hi, my name is Ronnie / I'm an addict / Daddy should’ve never raised me on Black Sabbath.'"
Revamped version
In February 2021 a new, revamped version accompanied by a cinematic music video Directed by Jensen Noen featuring Ronnie Radke as a vampire and Radke’s girlfriend Saraya Bevis (better known as former WWE star Paige) was released featuring a full orchestra, choir and piano, at the end of the music video features a tribute to guitarist Derek Jones. The new arrangement was composed by Irish composer Sean Rooney (The Drug in Me Is Reimagined). A full live chorus and various instruments were recorded in studio to further enhance the epic feel of the song. The track was produced by Tyler Smyth.
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal and YouTube.
Falling in Reverse
Ronnie Radke – lead vocals, songwriting, composer
Jacky Vincent – lead guitar, backing vocals
Derek Jones – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Nason Schoeffler – bass, backing vocals (uncredited performance) Scott Gee – drums, percussion, backing vocals (uncredited performance) Mika Horiuchi – bass, backing vocals (only appears in credits and music video) Ryan Seaman – drums, percussion, backing vocals (only appears in credits and music video) Additional personnel Michael 'Elvis' Baskette – producer, songwriting, composer David Holdredge – mixing, engineer, songwriting, composer