Feel Invincible
"Feel Invincible" is a hard rock song by the American Christian rock band Skillet, released as the lead single from their ninth studio album, Unleashed, on May 20, 2016.[1] The track features aggressive guitar riffs, pounding drums, and anthemic vocals, embodying the band's signature style of blending hard rock with inspirational themes.[2] The song achieved significant commercial success, topping the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart in its 31st week and marking Skillet's first number-one single on that ranking after 25 previous entries.[3][4] It also topped the Christian Rock chart for a record 19 weeks, and has been certified double platinum by the RIAA (as of 2023).[5][6] "Feel Invincible" was selected for use in professional sports, including by the NFL, MLB, NHL, WWE, and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for the 2016 football season.[5][7] The official music video, which depicts themes of inner strength and triumph over adversity, premiered exclusively on Billboard.com on June 29, 2016.[8] Lyrically, the song emphasizes empowerment and resilience, with chorus lines proclaiming, "You make me feel invincible / Earthquake, powerful / Just like a tidal wave / You make me brave / You're my titanium / Fight song, raise it up / Like the roar of war."[9] Unleashed was released on August 5, 2016, debuting at number three on the US Billboard 200, number one on the Top Christian Albums chart, and number two on the Top Rock Albums chart.[10][2] The album's success propelled "Feel Invincible" into broader recognition within the rock and Christian music genres, contributing to Skillet's ongoing influence in mainstream and faith-based audiences.[10]Background and development
Conception and writing
"Feel Invincible" was written by Skillet frontman John Cooper and songwriter Seth Mosley during the pre-production phase for the band's ninth studio album, Unleashed, in early 2016.[9][11] The track emerged as the lead single, with Cooper and his wife, keyboardist Korey Cooper, initiating the writing process informally to recapture a sense of creative freedom following the more pressured sessions for their previous album, Rise (2013).[12] They experimented with various styles while on tour, aiming to produce music that served as an "escape" from personal and global hardships.[13] The song's conception was driven by the band's intent to craft anthemic rock centered on empowerment through faith, reflecting resilience in the face of adversity. John Cooper described the inspiration as drawing from a desire to create "fight songs" that encourage listeners not to succumb to fear, stating, "Let’s write a record that is a bit instead of pointing out all the terrible things that happened in the world, let’s write a record that is a little bit of an escape from those things."[12] Specifically for "Feel Invincible," Cooper explained its core theme: "It’s about finding that one thing that helps you wake up tomorrow morning… In my life, that one thing is my relationship with God," emphasizing hope and inner strength amid challenges.[13] This aligned with Skillet's broader mission to inspire boldness in faith, as Cooper noted in 2016 interviews that the band sought to produce uplifting tracks rooted in Christian principles without limiting their appeal.[14] Much of the writing for Unleashed, including contributions to "Feel Invincible," took place during sessions in Nashville, Tennessee, a hub for music collaboration.[14] These sessions focused on building a "fight song" structure, prioritizing optimistic lyrics about standing strong and feeling unstoppable.[14] The process emphasized fun and experimentation, free from external producer input initially, to foster authentic expressions of resilience and empowerment.[12]Recording process
The recording sessions for "Feel Invincible" formed part of the broader production for Skillet's ninth studio album, Unleashed, which commenced in late 2015 at The Casita in Hollywood, California, and continued through spring 2016 at additional facilities including Full Circle Music in Franklin, Tennessee.[15] These sessions marked the band's return collaboration with producer Brian Howes, who had previously helmed their 2006 breakthrough album Comatose.[16] Howes oversaw the track's production, with additional contributions from Seth Mosley and Jason van Poederooyen, emphasizing its high-energy dynamics to enhance radio accessibility and live performance impact, drawing on his experience crafting mainstream rock hits.[17][18] Key technical decisions included integrating heavy guitar riffs contributed by session musicians including Seth Mosley with electronic programming by keyboardist Korey Cooper, alongside layered vocals from frontman John Cooper to fuse hard rock foundations with industrial textures.[19][20] The song was finalized by May 2016, aligning with the album's official announcement on May 20 and its subsequent release on August 5.[21]Composition and lyrics
Musical style
"Feel Invincible" blends Christian rock and hard rock, creating a high-energy anthem suited for both faith-based and mainstream rock audiences.[22][23] The song's instrumentation centers on a propulsive rhythm section of bass and drums that drives the track forward, complemented by palm-muted electric guitars tuned in drop C for a heavy, chugging riff in the verses.[24][25] Keyboards and programming introduce electronic synth elements, particularly in transitional breakdowns that heighten the dynamic shifts.[26] Composed in F minor at a tempo of 126 beats per minute, the piece employs a verse-pre-chorus-chorus structure with a tension-building bridge that escalates into the explosive final chorus, spanning a runtime of 3:50.[27][9] This arrangement mirrors the escalating intensity found in Skillet's prior single "Monster," where rhythmic builds culminate in anthemic, crowd-engaging peaks.[22]Lyrical themes
The lyrics of "Feel Invincible" center on themes of overcoming adversity through inner strength and divine support, portraying the narrator as a resilient survivor facing relentless challenges. In the opening verse, lines such as "Target on my back / Lone survivor lasts / They got me in their sights / No surrender, no" evoke perseverance amid opposition, symbolizing a battle against external forces that seek to defeat the individual.[9] This imagery extends to metaphors of unyielding power, including "titanium" for unbreakable fortitude and "tidal wave" or "earthquake" for overwhelming yet empowering force, reinforcing the idea of transformation from vulnerability to dominance.[9] The chorus amplifies this empowerment, declaring "You make me feel invincible / Earthquake, powerful / Just like a tidal wave / You make me brave / You're my titanium / Fight song, raise it up," where the unidentified "You" represents a guiding presence—explicitly faith for the song's creator—that instills courage and invincibility.[9] Skillet frontman John Cooper has described the track as a "fight song," intended as a reminder not to give up when the world feels overwhelming, drawing from his personal struggles to emphasize standing firm in the face of fear and violence.[15] He elaborated that the song stems from finding strength in one's faith, stating, "We are living in a world of violence... This song is about finding something/someone who makes you feel strong and safe. I found this in my Christian faith."[15] This aligns with concepts of courage through God's presence, inspiring listeners to confront daily battles with renewed resolve.[28] The song's dual appeal lies in its layered interpretation: for Christian audiences, the lyrics carry overt spiritual undertones of reliance on God as the source of bravery, while for mainstream listeners, they offer universal messages of self-empowerment and resilience applicable to personal or relational support systems.[13] Cooper noted that the poetic structure allows it to "resonate differently with listeners," such as viewing the empowering force as a spouse, friend, or inner resolve, broadening its reach beyond explicit religious contexts.[13] This balance contributes to the track's role as an anthemic call to action, blending faith-inspired hope with motivational energy.Release and promotion
Single release
"Feel Invincible" was released as a digital download single on May 20, 2016, through Atlantic Records.[29] The track served as the lead single from Skillet's ninth studio album, Unleashed, which followed on August 5, 2016, with the single later included on the full release.[21] Initial promotion for the single was integrated with pre-orders for Unleashed, allowing fans instant access to the download upon purchase.[30] This release marked Skillet's ongoing collaboration with Atlantic Records, building on the commercial success of their prior album Awake from 2009, which had solidified the band's position in the rock and Christian music markets.[31] The single's announcement coincided with the reveal of the Unleashed album title and tracklist, accompanied by the premiere of an official lyric video on Skillet's YouTube channel on the same day.[21] Promotional tie-ins included early radio airplay as an Active Rock debut.[30]Marketing and media usage
"Feel Invincible" received a robust promotional push through radio airplay, achieving Skillet's first number-one position on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in November 2016.[32][33] The campaign was closely tied to the band's Unleashed Tour, which commenced in September 2016, with the song serving as a centerpiece in live sets and tour marketing materials.[8] Billboard played a key role in promotion by exclusively premiering the music video on June 29, 2016, amplifying visibility ahead of the album release.[34] The track's media placements extended its reach into sports and entertainment. It was selected as the theme song for TBS's E-League, the network's inaugural esports league in 2016, aligning the song's empowering lyrics with competitive gaming broadcasts.[35] In professional wrestling, "Feel Invincible" functioned as an official theme for WWE's Battleground event in July 2016, enhancing its association with high-stakes athletic performances.[36] The song also appeared in NFL-related media, including ESPN promos for the 2016 Monday Night Football season and the league's season-opening highlights, as well as usages by MLB, NHL, and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for the 2016 football season.[37][5][7] Additionally, it featured in video games, such as downloadable content for Rock Band 4, broadening its appeal to gaming audiences.[38] Further promotion included social media teasers from the band, which built anticipation through behind-the-scenes clips and fan interactions on platforms like Facebook and Twitter. VIP tour packages for the Unleashed Tour bundled exclusive access to the single's digital download, incentivizing fan engagement. To sustain momentum, Skillet released the Feel Invincible Remix EP on November 17, 2017, featuring five remixed versions of the track available as a pre-order bonus with the Unleashed Beyond deluxe edition.[39][40] This release helped extend the song's buzz into late 2017.Critical reception
Professional reviews
Professional reviews of "Feel Invincible" were limited, with most critiques appearing within broader assessments of Skillet's 2016 album Unleashed, rather than as standalone single evaluations. Music critics generally praised the track's anthemic energy and production, highlighting its role as a powerful opener that evoked the band's early-2000s industrial rock influences through electronic undertones and aggressive guitar riffs.[41] Renowned for Sound noted its foot-tapping rhythm and dynamic vocal interplay, describing it as a motivational piece about discovering purpose amid fear and chaos.[42] Similarly, Plugged In commended the song's portrayal of Christian perseverance against adversity, emphasizing themes of divine empowerment that render the believer "invincible" in life's battles.[43] Some reviewers offered mixed feedback, particularly on the lyrics, which were seen as relying on familiar Christian rock tropes of triumphant faith without much innovation. Sputnikmusic critiqued lines evoking the idea of achieving invincibility through God as clichéd and emblematic of the album's overly commercial leanings.[44] In the context of Unleashed reviews, outlets like Jesusfreakhideout positioned "Feel Invincible" as a solid but predictable starter that aligned with Skillet's established formula, contributing to an overall album reception described as a "mixed bag" with strong moments overshadowed by inconsistency.[41] CCM Magazine echoed this by celebrating the track's explosive guitar-driven start in its video premiere coverage, though dedicated analysis remained sparse across professional sources.[15]Fan and commercial acclaim
Fans have embraced "Feel Invincible" for its empowering message, with the official music video accumulating over 350 million views on YouTube by November 2025, reflecting widespread enthusiasm and repeated engagement.[45] Positive fan reactions often emphasize the track's motivational qualities, serving as an anthem for resilience amid personal struggles, as seen in community discussions within Christian rock circles.[46] The song earned a nomination for Top Christian Song at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, underscoring its recognition in the genre.[47] It has been lauded in Christian music communities for bridging mainstream rock and faith-based themes, contributing to Skillet's crossover success.[48] Culturally, "Feel Invincible" has permeated fitness and motivational spaces, appearing in gym workout playlists on Spotify curated for high-energy training sessions.[49] Fan covers have proliferated online, amplifying its reach through creative reinterpretations that maintain its anthemic spirit.[50] The track's enduring appeal is evident in its status as a cornerstone of Skillet's catalog, sustaining over 458 million streams on Spotify as of late 2025.[51]Commercial performance
Chart performance
"Feel Invincible" experienced strong performance on U.S. music charts, particularly within rock and Christian genres. The song debuted on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart in June 2016 and climbed steadily, reaching No. 1 for the week dated January 7, 2017, marking Skillet's first leader on the ranking.[52] It held the top spot for one week before descending, but remained on the chart for over 30 weeks in total.[3] The track also topped the Christian Rock chart (Monitored by Mediabase), where it spent 19 weeks at No. 1 starting in mid-2016, showcasing its dominance in the format.[53] On mainstream rock charts, "Feel Invincible" rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs airplay chart dated November 19, 2016, a historic milestone as the first Christian-leaning act to achieve this since the chart's inception in 1981.[54] This peak lasted one week, highlighting the song's crossover appeal to broader rock radio audiences. The single peaked at No. 12 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, reflecting solid but not dominant performance in the combined sales, streaming, and airplay metric.[33] Internationally, the song saw moderate success on rock-oriented charts, entering the top 20 on the UK Rock & Metal Singles chart and achieving similar placements on airplay charts in Poland and New Zealand, though it had limited penetration into mainstream pop rankings. Its U.S. chart runs were bolstered by robust radio airplay on both Christian and mainstream rock stations, as well as growing digital streaming on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music following its August 2016 release. The track reached its Christian chart peaks in late 2016, with the Mainstream Rock No. 1 arriving in November; it ranked No. 3 on the 2017 year-end Hot Christian Songs chart.[55]Certifications and sales
"Feel Invincible" has earned multiple certifications reflecting its commercial success across various markets. In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the song 2× Platinum on January 20, 2023, representing 2 million units of sales and streaming equivalents.[6] The track achieved Gold certification in 2017, representing 500,000 units of sales and streaming equivalents.[56] Internationally, "Feel Invincible" achieved Platinum certification in Poland from the Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry (ZPAV) in 2017, denoting 50,000 units. It was certified Gold in New Zealand by Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ), equivalent to 15,000 units, and Silver in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in 2020, for 200,000 units. By 2025, the song's total equivalent units exceeded 3 million globally, bolstered by sustained popularity. The track's streaming performance has been substantial, with certifications recognizing over 1 billion streams across platforms such as Spotify and YouTube. On Spotify alone, it has garnered more than 458 million streams as of November 2025, while the official music video on YouTube has accumulated over 351 million views.[51][57]Music video
Production details
The music video for "Feel Invincible" was released on June 29, 2016, and directed by Mark Staubach.[58] Produced by Vilas Entertainment, the video was filmed at The Escarpment studio in Huntington Park, California, a location in the Los Angeles area suitable for controlled action sequences.[59] Filming took place in mid-2016, capturing the band's performance alongside high-energy choreography involving a diverse cast of performers embodying themes of strength and resilience.[45] The production adopted a dynamic, cinematic style emphasizing intense visuals and rapid cuts to match the song's aggressive rock energy, with a focus on practical effects and stunt work rather than extensive CGI.[58] Key crew included the band's core members—John Cooper on vocals and bass, Korey Cooper on guitar and keys, Jen Ledger on drums and vocals, and Seth Morrison on guitar—who appear prominently, supported by additional performers such as dancer Jonathan Chu.[59] While specific budget details are not publicly disclosed, the video reflects a mid-range production typical for established rock acts, prioritizing impactful choreography and thematic visuals over high-cost spectacle.[8]Content and themes
The music video for Skillet's "Feel Invincible," directed by Mark Staubach,[58] opens with the band performing energetically in a dimly lit warehouse setting, dressed in all-black attire against a stark gray backdrop, while intercut with surreal vignettes of masked figures engaging in symbolic acts of defiance.[60] These scenes feature a diverse array of characters, including gas-masked combatants, samurai warriors, plague doctors, and anonymous-masked individuals, alongside dancers and representations of everyday heroes, all clad in black to evoke a unified front against chaos.[61] The narrative unfolds without a linear plot, instead presenting fragmented moments of struggle and triumph, such as a lone figure rising amid destruction, to symbolize personal and collective resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.[45] Visual motifs dominate the video's aesthetic, with slow-motion action sequences capturing fighters in mid-strike and dancers in fluid, empowering movements that convey unyielding determination.[34] Fire effects erupt dramatically during high-energy choruses, representing an inner "fire" of power, while shots of cheering crowds and rocket-like bursts mirror the song's lyrics like "earthquake, powerful" and "just like a tidal wave," amplifying the sensation of an unstoppable force surging forward.[45] These elements create a cinematic intensity, blending industrial grit with fantastical heroism to visually echo the track's anthemic build-up. Thematically, the video aligns closely with the song's core message of discovering invincibility through inner strength and external support, portraying diverse protagonists— from warriors to ordinary people—overcoming symbolic barriers to highlight themes of perseverance and empowerment.[60] This reinforcement extends to subtle Christian undertones in the emphasis on unity and communal uplift, reflecting frontman John Cooper's stated inspiration from faith as a source of resilience amid worldly turmoil.[15] By November 2025, the video has surpassed 350 million views on YouTube, earning acclaim for its motivational imagery that resonates as a visual "fight song" inspiring viewers to embrace their potential.[45][8]Live performances
Concert setlists
"Feel Invincible" debuted live during Skillet's promotional events for the album Unleashed in the summer of 2016, with one of its earliest performances at the Pinkpop Festival on June 11, 2016, in Landgraaf, Netherlands. The song quickly became a fixture in the band's live repertoire, serving as an opener or early-set highlight to energize audiences. As a staple of the Unleashed Tour (2016–2017), "Feel Invincible" opened many shows with an extended intro and outro, enhancing its high-energy rock elements for arena environments.[62] It maintained prominence in subsequent tours, including the Victorious Tour in 2019, where it frequently appeared near the start of setlists alongside tracks like "Not Gonna Die" and "Legendary."[63] By 2025, the song had been performed over 869 times across Skillet's tours and festivals, often positioned early to build momentum.[64] Live adaptations of "Feel Invincible" typically feature an extended intro with amplified guitar riffs and opportunities for crowd sing-alongs during the chorus, fostering audience participation.[65] These modifications, along with integrated pyrotechnics during high-intensity sections, amplify the song's thematic empowerment on stage. The track has been a highlight at major festivals, such as Rock on the Range in 2017, where it kicked off Skillet's set at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.[66]Notable events
Skillet's performance of "Feel Invincible" at the Harvest Crusade at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on August 27, 2016, marked one of the song's earliest major live outings, captivating a large audience with its high-energy delivery alongside acts like Phil Wickham.[67] The following year, the track opened the band's set at the Uprise Festival on September 15, 2017, in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, where it energized fans during a lineup featuring Jeremy Camp and Zach Williams.[68][69] In 2022, "Feel Invincible" was a standout during Skillet's appearance at the Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium, on June 19, blending seamlessly into their hard rock set amid a festival crowd of heavy metal enthusiasts.[70][71] The song's enduring appeal was evident in its recent rendition at Winter Jam 2025 on February 7 in Indianapolis, Indiana, where it kicked off the performance at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as part of the Christian music tour's headline slot.[72][73] Beyond concerts, "Feel Invincible" gained prominence in sports and entertainment contexts. It served as the official theme song for WWE's Battleground pay-per-view event in July 2016 and was featured in WWE live events throughout 2016-2017, amplifying the high-stakes atmosphere of wrestling spectacles.[74][75] The track also integrated into esports as the theme for TBS' E-League broadcasts starting in June 2016, underscoring competitive video gaming series like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive majors with its motivational intensity.[35] Variations of the song have added to its live versatility, particularly in intimate settings. Skillet delivered acoustic renditions at fan meet-and-greet sessions, such as a stripped-down version for iRock Radio in August 2016 that highlighted the lyrics' empowering message in a more personal format.[76] Similar acoustic performances occurred at stations like Q102 in September 2016 and WGRD in August 2016, fostering closer connections with audiences during promotional events.[77][78] At larger Christian gatherings, full-band versions have occasionally incorporated guest vocalists, enhancing collaborative energy, as seen in festival contexts like Winter Jam where the song's anthemic quality unites performers and crowds.[79]Track listings and formats
Standard editions
The standard edition of "Feel Invincible" was initially released as a digital download single on May 20, 2016, as an instant download with pre-orders of the album Unleashed, consisting solely of the radio edit version of the title track.[1] This single format was distributed through major digital platforms and served as the lead promotional release for Skillet's album Unleashed.Digital single track listing
- "Feel Invincible" – 3:49
Unleashed standard CD track listing
| No. | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Feel Invincible" | 3:50 |
| 2. | "Back from the Dead" | 3:33 |
| 3. | "Stars" | 3:47 |
| 4. | "I Want to Live" | 3:28 |
| 5. | "Undefeated" | 3:35 |
| 6. | "Famous" | 3:18 |
| 7. | "Lions" | 4:19 |
| 8. | "Out of Hell" | 3:25 |
| 9. | "Burn It Down" | 3:13 |
| 10. | "Watching for Comets" | 3:25 |
| 11. | "Saviors of the World" | 3:37 |
| 12. | "The Resistance" | 3:06 |
Remix versions
The Feel Invincible Remix EP is a digital-only extended play by American rock band Skillet, released on November 17, 2017, alongside the deluxe reissue of their 2016 album Unleashed titled Unleashed Beyond.[84][40] It contains five remixed versions of the album's lead single "Feel Invincible," which originally runs 3:49 in length, reinterpreted by electronic and rock producers to broaden the track's appeal in club, dance, and alternative scenes.[85][86] The EP was initially offered as an exclusive pre-order incentive for Unleashed Beyond starting in October 2017, before becoming available on streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music.[84][87] These remixes emphasize electronic elements like dub and hard rock influences, providing "vastly different re-imaginations" of the original hard rock composition to cater to diverse listener preferences and expand the song's versatility beyond its standard radio and live formats.[88][86] The track listing is as follows:| No. | Title | Remix producer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Feel Invincible" | KELLR Remix | 3:11 |
| 2 | "Feel Invincible" | Doug Weier Remix | 3:32 |
| 3 | "Feel Invincible" | 81Neutronz Remix | 4:01 |
| 4 | "Feel Invincible" | blastforever Remix | 3:48 |
| 5 | "Feel Invincible" | Noise Revolution Remix | 3:59 |