Amy Shark has given listeners more than they bargained for this morning, offering up a cover of Fall Out Boy’s “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down” for triple j’s weekly Like a Version sessions.
Returning to the triple j studios for her third appearance on the segment, Shark kicked off her performance with a rendition of “Baby Steps”, the penultimate track from her forthcoming second album, CRY FOREVER.
However, the headline from Shark’s two-set performance was undoubtedly her stripped-back cover of Fall Out Boy’s 2005 emo anthem “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down”. Originally released on the band’s second album, From Under the Cork Tree, the track went on to become Fall Out Boy’s signature song, despite never hitting the charts here in Australia.
“I chose this song because I guess I wanted something that I knew really well,” Shark explained in an interview after her performance. “I think that’s the key to doing a good Like a Version, just knowing the song super well.
“It reminds me of a fun time in my life, just having a massive group of friends [and] we all love that emo, pop-punk sort of phase. It just brings back good memories, and it’s a great song.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time that Amy Shark has shown off a fondness for pop-punk, having previously worked with Blink-182 members Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker on “Psycho” and “C’MON”, respectively, while talk of a collaboration with Tom DeLonge had also been discussed.
“[Fall Out Boy] was just another band that showcased really good songwriting,” Shark continued. “I didn’t know that’s what my ear was attracted to at the time; I thought it was just punk music.
“When you really look at the song, it’s got great lyrics, a great sort of melody, and I myself borrow a lot of punk melodies and put them into pop music.”
Amy Shark is on track to release her new album in just over a month, while the accompanying album tour will kick off in early June, with full details available below.
Amy Shark’s CRY FOREVER is released on April 30th, 2021 via Wonderlick/Sony Music Entertainment Australia, with pre-orders available now.
Amy Shark CRY FOREVER Tour 2021
Saturday, June 12th, 2021
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, NSW
Friday, June 18th, 2021
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday, June 19th, 2021
Wrest Point Lawns, Hobart, TAS
Friday, June 25th, 2021
HOTA, Gold Coast, QLD
Saturday, June 26th, 2021
Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD
Thursday, July 1st, 2021
AEC Theatre, Adelaide, SA
Saturday, July 3rd, 2021
RAC Arena, Perth, WA
Tickets on sale now via Amy Shark’s website.
