"Terrified" is a song by American rock band, Blink-182. It is the fourth track from their ninth album, One More Time... The song was originally written by guitarist Tom DeLonge and drummer Travis Barker for their early 2000s side project, Box Car Racer. Following its recording for One More Time..., bassist Mark Hoppus was also credited as a songwriter, alongside additional songwriter Nick Long. The song was produced by Barker, Long, and Aaron Rubin.

Background

Following the release and touring in support of Blink-182's fourth album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, guitarist Tom DeLonge began writing songs with the intent of exploring more of his post hardcore influences. As he continued to write, DeLonge invited his bandmate, Travis Barker, and longtime friend, David Kennedy, to record with him, which would eventually become enough for them to start Box Car Racer.^[2] Most of these songs were released on the band's 2002 self-titled album, but a few went unreleased. Following the album's release, Barker had discussed an EP that would include a few new Box Car Racer songs, but the band ultimately broke up in the following months, leading the new songs to be shelved.^[3] After a conversation between DeLonge and Barker a few years after DeLonge's second departure from Blink-182, ideas were created to record another Box Car Racer track.^[4] The song was written in 2018, while the recording process circulated between the years 2018 and 2021.^[5][6]

News of an unreleased Box Car Racer song began to surface in late 2020, when Barker was asked in an interview if there would ever be new music from the side project:

"So, there is a Box Car song that's unreleased. I think whenever the time's right or it makes sense, we're gonna release it. I would just love for the fans to hear that song." - Travis Barker^[7]

DeLonge later confirmed these claims the following year, stating that he and Barker had recorded it within the last few years.^[6] News on the song went dark until early 2023, when Barker claimed that the song would never be released.^[8] At the time of these claims, Blink-182 was in the middle of recording their ninth album, One More Time..., which marked DeLonge's return to the band after a seven year absence. While recording the album, DeLonge and Barker discussed the idea of releasing "Terrified" on One More Time..., which they ultimately agreed on.^[9] In an interview with Zane Low, the two called the song "a gem," and expressed how happy they were that they could have it on this album.^[10] As Box Car Racer caused a large amount of resentment between DeLonge and bassist Mark Hoppus, there were questions of if including "Terrified" on One More Time... would cause tension between the two again. When asked about the song in his Discord server, Hoppus clarified that this wasn't the case:

"My old ego would've rejected the boxcar song out of hand but this whole album was about getting past all that shit and just making music. It turned out so good." - Mark Hoppus^[11]

Reception

The song has been well received by many critics, many of which favorably compared it to multiple songs from their untitled album.^[12][13] Emily Carter of Kerrang! called the song an "explosive easter egg," noting how the song originated from Box Car Racer.^[14] Paolo Ragusa of Consequence heavily praised DeLonge's guitar playing, while also making comparisons to not just Box Car Racer, but DeLonge's later side project, Angels & Airwaves.^[13]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the song's YouTube video.^[15]

Charts

References