"Centuries" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released September 9, 2014 as the lead single from their sixth studio album, American Beauty/American Psycho (2015). Co-written by Fall Out Boy members and producers J. R. Rotem and Omega, the single reached number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the band's fourth top ten hit and first in eight years, since "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" in 2007, and was certified quadruple Platinum by the RIAA. It reached number one on the UK Rock and Metal Chart. A gladiator-themed music video was created for the song. In 2015, "Centuries" was nominated for the Kerrang! Award for Best Single. Fall Out Boy has played the song numerous times on televised performances, and it was used as ESPN's official theme song for sports coverage.
Background
"Centuries" was written by Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman, Andy Hurley, J.R. Rotem, Justin Tranter, Raja Kumari and Julian Lennartz in mid-2014 and was produced by Omega and Rotem. Stump originally came forward with the song while Fall Out Boy were on the Monumentour tour with fellow American band Paramore. In an interview with Kerrang!, Wentz described the idea of the song as a "David vs. Goliath story", stating "We wanted to write a song that empowered people who are a little weird." Tranter later confirmed the song was partially inspired by Marsha P. Johnson.
The song contains part of the melody from the song "Tom's Diner" by DNA featuring Suzanne Vega. The segment is not a sample, but instead an interpolation as it was actually re-recorded by American singer Lolo for the track. Stump described the inclusion as "a tip of the hat" to "Tom's Diner", a song which the band wanted to "re-inject" into popular culture. Vega is credited as a co-writer for "Centuries." The song is written in the key of E minor.
Release
Days after the ending of co-headlining the Monumentour tour with Paramore, on September 4, 2014, Fall Out Boy released a teaser video depicting the title of the song in Morse code. "Centuries" received its worldwide premiere on BBC Radio 1 on September 8, 2014, before being released worldwide the next day. The song is featured as the second track of Now! 54 (2015).
Critical reception
"Centuries" has received favorable reviews from music critics. MTV described the song as "The ultimate battle cry of a track". While Under the Gun described its hook as the band "Taking yet another step in their evolution from pop punk giants to bonafide pop stars."
Vidette provided a positive review, stating "'Centuries' displays a definite pop vibe and certainly does not reflect much of the band’s earlier albums. Fall Out Boy seems to have produced this song with greater musing in mind than their concept album." B-Sides on Air also applauded the song, noting how it acknowledges contemporary radio trends and calling it "An infusion of electronic elements to up the ante on the band's next step in their musical journey". However, the reviewer criticized Stump's vocals as "raw" and "overdone", causing the track to lose its "charm".
Music video
The official music video, which features the band members in a gladiator-style battle, and a cameo from rapper Rick Ross, was released on October 17, 2014. The video features strong Christian imagery and thematic elements, including a scene of a crucified figure, a cross in place of the "T" in the song title, the use of a sling against a "giant" (in reference to the Hebrew story of David and Goliath), and an angelic figure depicted as a human with white wings. The "giant" is portrayed by Canadian actor Jon Ambrose, and the band's gladiator doubles were Simu Liu, Ben Devries, Sebastian Deery and Paul Ebejer. "Centuries" was shot on-site at Fort Henry National Historic Site in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Prior to the release of an official music video, Fall Out Boy released a video for "Centuries" filmed in Chicago featuring the use of the mobile app Hyperlapse on September 8, 2014.