Best Laid Plans (song)
| "Best Laid Plans" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Something Clever | ||||
| from the album Season of Darkness | ||||
| Released | June 1, 2014[1] | |||
| Recorded | 2014 | |||
| Studio | Sioux Sioux Studios | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:57 | |||
| Label | Something Clever Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Mike Pepe | |||
| Something Clever singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Best Laid Plans" on YouTube | ||||
"Best Laid Plans" is a song by the American rock band, Something Clever. It was officially released as a single independently on June 1, 2014.[2] The song was featured as the second and final single from the band's second EP, “Season of Darkness” released on March 17, 2015. It was also the band's first release with new rhythm guitarist Brett Baker after the departure of original guitarist Christopher St. Hilaire.[3]
Background and history
[edit]Following the release of their single "Freaks Like You" in December 2013, which marked the debut of new lead vocalist Adam Nelson and bassist Colt Crevar, the band continued to write and record new music for their then-untitled upcoming EP, which continued on throughout early 2014 in an effort to release more new music before the band’s summer 2014 tour dates where they will be providing touring support for various different national acts and promoting their new music.
"Best Laid Plans" was first announced on March 7, 2014 when lead guitarist Kelly Flusk shared a small teaser of herself recording the demo in a short video clip via the band's official YouTube channel.[4]
Writing and recording of the band's new music paused briefly in April 2014 when rhythm guitarist Christopher St. Hilaire announced his impending departure from the band, stating his final performance with the band will be their tour date with Puddle of Mudd on May 16, 2014, in Wilmington.[5] Although not announced at the time, the band recruited new rhythm guitarist Brett Baker to join the band to replace Christopher St. Hilaire in mid-May 2014, and immediately resumed writing and recording new music. Final production on the track was recorded at Sioux Sioux Studios and was produced by Mike Pepe whom the band previously worked with in 2012 on their debut EP Walk Away.[6]
Although "Best Laid Plans" was initially announced before the departure of rhythm guitarist Christopher St. Hilaire, he was not listed in the song's credits list, meaning he did not partake in the song's creation. New rhythm guitarist was credited for contributing to the song despite not being announced as the band's new guitarist until the same day Best Laid Plans official release on June 1, 2014.[7]
On May 12, 2014 it was announced "Best Laid Plans" would officially be released as a single on June 1, 2014.[8] The song would serve as the second promotional single from their forthcoming EP, Season of Darkness that would be released on March 17, 2015.[9]
Personnel
[edit]- Adam Nelson – lead vocals[10]
- Kelly Flusk – lead guitar[11]
- Colt Crevar – bass guitar[12]
- Brett Baker – rhythm guitar[13]
- Dylan Roles – drums[14]
Technical credits
[edit]- Mike Pepe – producer, engineer, mixing, recording[15]
Promotion
[edit]To promote "Best Laid Plans", Something Clever performed the song live for the first time on June 8, 2014, at Amos Southend in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they opened for Tantric, A Course of Action, and Beyond the Fade. Throughout the remainder of 2014, the band continued to provide tour support for various different national acts including The Dead Rabbitts, Nonpoint, Saliva, A Light Divided, Zach Myers of Shinedown as well as the 2014 Vans Warped Tour. The band finished 2014 continuing to work on their then-untitled second EP.[16][17]
On January 6, 2015 it was announced the new EP would be titled Season of Darkness and fully revealed the cover art on January 11, 2015 as well as the final track list, which included "Best Laid Plans". Ended up being the first of the two promotional singles featured on Season of Darkness, which officially released on March 17, 2015.[18]
In popular media
[edit]In 2017 the WWE NXT tag team The Metro Boys began using "Best Laid Plans" as their entrance song.[19]
Content and composition
[edit]The song addresses themes of resilience and defiance in the face of jealousy and adversity. The lyrics suggest that envy from others serves as confirmation of the protagonist's success, with lines like "the jealousy that you had for me never went away" framing external negativity as a motivator. Referencing the adage "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry," the song acknowledges life’s unpredictability while asserting confidence in overcoming obstacles. Metaphors such as "the match or the kerosene" emphasize that conflict, regardless of its source, will only fuel further determination. The recurring message that "the best revenge is living well" reinforces perseverance as the ultimate response to detractors, aligning with the song’s assertive tone and its blend of alternative rock, post-grunge, and hard rock elements.[20]
Commercial success
[edit]"Best Laid Plans" received airplay on 106.5 The End.[21]
References
[edit]- ^ "Best Laid Plans by Something Clever streaming on Spotify". Spotify. Staff. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Release Info: Best Laid Plans by Something Clever (Single)". Spirit-of-Metal.com. Spirit of Metal Staff. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Something Clever - Season of Darkness (EP) Release Information on Allmusic". allmusic.com. Allmusic. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Chris steps down as rhythm guitarist: I have decided to step down from being in Something Clever due to personal reasons. I love these guys and girl and I've had a great time with them and have played some killer shows and made some memories". Archive.org. Christopher St. Hilaire. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "New single Best Laid Plans: Stay tuned to find out the release date of our up and coming single "Best Laid Plans"! Done by Mike Pepe at Sioux Sioux Studios!". Something Clever. Something Clever Band. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
- ^ "Something Clever releases new single 'Best Laid Plans' and welcomes new guitarist Brett Baker to band's lineup". archive.org. The Unheard Ear NC. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- ^ "mixed and produced the new Something Clever single 'Best Laid Plans' at Sioux Sioux and it comes out June 1st". Mike Pepe Music. Mike Pepe. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ "Something Clever – Season of Darkness Review". My Global Mind. Myglobalmind_Webzine. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ "Something Clever lands "Jupiter Tide" singer Adam Nelson as new frontman". backstagelosangeles.net. BackStage: Los Angeles. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
- ^ "Band Profile: Something Clever". Sonicbids. Staff. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Interview with Something Clever guitarist Kelly Flusk". The Black Angel. Mister Denial. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- ^ "Brett Baker (Something Clever guitarist): Discography". Discogs.com. Something Clever. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Artist Spotlight: Adam Nelson, Kelly Flusk, Dylan Roles, Colt Crevar, Brett Baker (Something Clever)". Amplified Edge. Amplified Edge Staff. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
- ^ "Producer Credits Profile: Mike Pepe". Discogs. 77 Music Group. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "Playing with The Dead Rabbitts & The Relapse Symphony We are excited to announce that we are playing with The Dead Rabbiits (Craig Mabbitt from Escape the Fate) on Thursday, July 17th". Something Clever. Management. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
- ^ "National Shows, Warped Tour, and more Surprises". Internet Archive. Brandon Hinson. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
- ^ "Something Clever: Season of Darkness -EP (2015)". spirit-of-metal.com. Spirit-of-Metal. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
- ^ "WWE NXT: "Best Laid Plans" (Intro Cut) by Something Clever (The Metro Brothers 1st Theme Song)". WayBackMachine. FanSmackdownV2. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "About The Song: Best Laid Plans - Something Clever". Sonic Hits. Jake H. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
- ^ "106.5FM adds new single "Best Laid Plans" by Charlotte based rock band Something Clever to its rotation". Internet Archive. Something Clever Band. Retrieved 28 April 2025.