Avril Lavigne released 'What The Hell' after her 4 year hiatus and to a lot of hype. The song received a video worth over 1 million dollars and was the first 3D music video made, supposedly going to be linked in with Sony's advertisement campaign for their new 3D TVs. Sony obviously expected a huge hit from this song.
The song was promoted a little bit on shows such as Dick Clark, radio interviews, AOL sessions, Jimmy Kimmel, Walmart Soundcheck, Jay Leno and America's Got Talent, and she SLAYED the vocals to all her performances.
The song stayed in the iTunes top 10 for nearly 8 weeks, and sold over 2 million units in the U.S. digitally.
Radio did not support the song, however. And the system for Billboard was much different with no streaming views counted, and radio audience having a bigger pull.
The music video has 180 million views, showing that its streaming power was strong.
YET, from all of this, the song peaked at #11. Did it need more promo? Bigger push? Avril was very much in the spotlight in this time, was it too similar to 'Girlfriend'? Why didn't What The Hell SMASH? It had all the potential and forumla?
It was still a top 20 hit. #11 isn't bad. The radio thing is really the only reason. Radio just has a vendetta against her or something now.
I remember ATRL saying it would be the biggest #1 in the first quarter when it was released. #11 was on lock for a song like this however any other big female artist i.e. Kelly or P!nk would have went top 5 with it!
The only explanation I can give is that the GP are basic and have no taste. It's one of my favourite Avril songs and had everything within the song it needed to be a no.1 smash.
1) The song is bad and not memorable.
2) She's been using the same happy-sappy formula as with 'Girlfriend' and the latter lead single.
3) Bad timing. 'Grenade', 'Firework' & 'Born this Way' happened.
The performance was amazing. Youthful, energetic, pop image is strong, vocals on point. Can't get a better pop performance tbh!
It was awkward and she looked bored. The New Years performance is a trillion times better and her vocals was on point compared to that one where she was all over the place.
1) The song is bad and not memorable.
2) She's been using the same happy-sappy formula as with 'Girlfriend' and the latter lead single.
3) Bad timing. 'Grenade', 'Firework' & 'Born this Way' happened.
She was releasing Max Martin singles just as P!nk was from 2008 to 2012 And they had the same pop/rock forumla. So goodbye
It was awkward and she looked bored. The New Years performance is a trillion times better and her vocals was on point compared to that one where she was all over the place.
She's singing along to a backing track at Dick Clark's and the vocals were mastered for the TV airing. So it doesn't even sound live