Switchfoot and Jonas Brothers have today released the new single titled ‘The Beautiful Letdown’ as part of Switchfoot’s ‘The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version) [Deluxe Edition]’ out September 15th. As a beautiful bookend to the Switchfoot version (embed below) their is a slight alpha and omega feeling when combining the two versions together. Two different artists’ take, if you will, however, not veering off as far as you may think yet getting a different feeling evoked with each version.
You may like one better from the other, you may like both, or neither. But, you will get something evoked from each version. A release. An homage from one artist to another. A tip of the hat. Whatever, you will appreciate for what it’s worth: good music.
About ‘The Beautiful Letdown’
“The Beautiful Letdown (Jonas Brothers Version)” retains the slow-burning intensity of the 2003 original while incorporating a string section to compliment the Jonas Brothers’ trademark harmonies. Produced by longtime collaborator John Fields, the new track showcases the Jonas Brothers’ vocal chemistry and highlights the band’s reverence for Switchfoot’s timeless songwriting. John Fields actually achieved his first mainstream success producing Switchfoot’s ‘The Beautiful Letdown’ before working with the Jonas Brothers, making this track a full-circle moment for all involved.
Speaking about the track, The Jonas Brothers noted: “We grew up listening to their album ‘The Beautiful Letdown’ and “Meant To Live” was a huge influence for us. We’ve seen them a ton of times live and we always wanted to work with their music producer (John Fields). “Twenty Four” was the first song that me (Joe) and Kevin ever played together. This album has incredible significance for us on an emotional level but also sonically it was a big part of our sound. We worked with John Fields who produced ‘The Beautiful Letdown’ and it was a dream come true for us. And the guys in the band have always been so supportive of us. Thank you for inspiring us and we are so happy to be part of this project singing one of our favorite songs “The Beautiful Letdown.”
Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman added: “The first time we met the Jonas Brothers was on our tour bus somewhere in the middle of the country. This was at least a decade ago and I had never heard of them before. (Apparently I live under a rock!) They seemed like wonderful, talented young men. We were chatting for a while when they asked for advice. I gave them some sort of “follow your dreams and stay true to your heart” talk. The next week at the airport I saw them on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine.
I did a double take and started laughing. Not sure they needed my pep talk- (maybe they needed to give me one‽ ha!) Years later, Joe and I wrote a song together and later that day he jumped up on stage to sing “Dare you to move” with us. From the beginning, I’ve been impressed by their musicality and talent. After a few texts back and forth, with Joe and the fellas- they decided that they wanted to take on the title track for this project. Not only that, but they wanted to work with a specific producer to recreate it: John Fields.
This was fitting in so many ways. Not only had John produced many Jonas Brothers albums already, he was brought to their attention by producing The Beautiful Letdown the first time around. Such talented musicians- I love the way this new version came out. We’re so thankful to have the Jonas Brothers and John Fields represented here on this compilation. Legends!”
“The Beautiful Letdown (Jonas Brothers Version)” is the third preview of ‘The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version) [Deluxe Edition]’, and follows the acclaimed recent releases of “On Fire (Ingrid Andress Version)” and “Meant To Live (Jon Bellion Version)”.
Switchfoot will kick off their massive 45+ date tour of North America at the tail end of Summer. The run of shows sees the band performing ‘The Beautiful Letdown’ from front to back in its entirety in major markets like Chicago, Boston, Orlando, Detroit, Seattle, Los Angeles and more. Numerous shows on the tour are already sold out or have very few tickets remaining such as The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA, The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, House of Blues in Chicago, IL, and The Bluestone in Columbus, OH.
About Switchfoot
Switchfoot has sold over 10 million copies worldwide of their thirteen studio albums (including their 2003 triple-platinum breakthrough The Beautiful Letdown and 2009’s Grammy Award-winning Hello Hurricane), racked up a string of Alternative radio hit singles, and performed sold-out tours with over 5 million concert tickets sold in over 40 countries around the world.
Through their unique blend of emotionally intelligent and uplifting brand of alternative rock, Switchfoot has earned a devoted and loyal global fan base. Switchfoot has raised over $2.5 million dollars to aid kids in their community through their Bro-Am Foundation. Switchfoot consists of Jon Foreman (vocals, guitar), Tim Foreman (bass), Jerome Fontamillas (keys, guitar) and Chad Butler (drums).
About Jonas Brothers
Standing out as one of the most successful groups of the 21st century, Jonas Brothers—Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, and Kevin Jonas—have sold north of 20 million albums and counting, garnered two GRAMMY® Award nominations, earned 26 Billboard Hot 100 hits, logged three consecutive #1 debuts on the Billboard 200, and generated billions of streams. Among many accolades, they’ve recently claimed a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2019, they notably ignited the comeback of the decade with their Platinum-Certified Republic Records debut, Happiness Begins.
It yielded the history-making, 5x-Platinum smash “Sucker,” which minted them as “the first group in the 21st century to debut at #1 on the Hot 100,” exploded as the “longest running #1 Pop Airplay Single of 2019,” and received a GRAMMY® Award nomination in the category of “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.” Bowing at #1 on the Billboard 200, Happiness Begins impressively scored the “biggest sales week of 2019 at time of release” and housed the Double-Platinum “Only Human” and Platinum “Cool.” The band supported the album with the worldwide “Happiness Begins Tour”—selling over 1.2 million tickets—and the Amazon Original documentaries Chasing Happiness and Happiness Continues.
Along the way, the members simultaneously juggled prolific solo careers extending into television, film, and successful business ventures. In 2023, Jonas Brothers once again proved they are a constant force, embarking on a new era with the release of The Album, via Republic Records. The Album was produced by Jon Bellion and features hit singles “Waffle House” and “Wings.” In support of the new album and this new era for Jonas Brothers, they’re kicking off “The Tour” with two sold-out shows at New York’s iconic Yankee Stadium on August 12th and 13th. “The Tour” will include stadium and arena dates around the globe through 2024, resulting in the band’s biggest and most extensive tour to date.
Jonas Brothers appears courtesy of Republic Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Featured image by Pamela Littky.