I'm Not Dead
"I'm Not Dead" is the fourth studio album by American singer and songwriter Pink, released on April 4, 2006, by LaFace Records.[1][2] The record incorporates pop rock and alternative influences, with Pink co-writing most tracks to address personal experiences, romantic entanglements, and pointed critiques of politics and celebrity superficiality, exemplified by the duet "Dear Mr. President" challenging then-U.S. President George W. Bush on policy issues.[3] Commercially, it debuted strongly, reaching number one on charts in Australia and the UK among others, and has sold over six million copies globally, earning double platinum certification in the United States from the RIAA.[4][5] Key singles such as "Stupid Girls," a satire of vapid Hollywood culture, and "Who Knew," a reflective ballad on fleeting relationships, both achieved platinum status and sustained radio play, contributing to the album's enduring chart presence and tour success.[3]Background and Recording
Conception and Development
Following the relative commercial underperformance of her third studio album Try This (2003), which debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200 but sold fewer copies than her prior releases, P!nk took an extended break from recording to focus on personal reflection and songwriting.[6] This period allowed her to channel experiences from her life, including relationships, loss, and frustrations with fame, into material that emphasized authenticity over mainstream appeal.[7] P!nk conceived I'm Not Dead as a declaration of vitality and defiance, titling the album to signify "being alive and feisty and not sitting down and shutting up even though people would like you to."[3] She described the project in a 2006 MTV interview as symbolizing a personal awakening, shifting away from external expectations toward self-expression, including politically charged themes like criticism of the Iraq War and presidential policies.[8] The title track itself marked her first attempt at a more subtle, poetic style, contrasting her typically direct lyricism, and was co-written with longtime collaborator Billy Mann during sessions that explored introspection amid industry pressures.[9] Development began in 2005, with P!nk serving as executive producer to maintain creative control, co-writing the majority of the 14 tracks alongside a diverse roster of collaborators including Mann (on "Stupid Girls," "Dear Mr. President," and others), Butch Walker, Max Martin, and Lukasz Gottwald (Dr. Luke).[10] Songwriting drew from raw personal events, such as the overdose deaths of multiple friends inspiring "Who Knew," which P!nk later recalled as a therapeutic outlet for grief accumulated from her teenage years onward.[11] This hands-on approach, emphasizing her dual role as vocalist and lyricist, resulted in an album blending pop-rock with acoustic elements, completed over several months in Los Angeles studios before its April 4, 2006 release.[12]Recording Process and Collaborators
The recording of I'm Not Dead spanned approximately 2005, following Pink's dissatisfaction with the collaborative style of her previous album Try This, leading her to seek greater creative control as executive producer.[7] Sessions occurred at multiple studios, including The Magic Shop and Turtle Sound Studios in New York City, Conway Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, Decibel Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, South Beach Studios in Miami, Florida, and Echo Studios in Los Angeles, California.[13] Pink collaborated closely with producers Billy Mann and Butch Walker, who handled the bulk of the production on several tracks; for instance, Mann co-wrote and produced key songs like "God Is a DJ," often starting from Pink's personal writings or informal discussions before refining them rapidly in the studio.[14][13] Additional producers included Max Martin and Dr. Luke (Lukasz Gottwald) for pop-oriented tracks such as "Who Knew," Mike Elizondo for "Runaway," and Greg Kurstin for bonus material.[13] Butch Walker contributed production and background vocals on songs like "Crazier" and "I Got Money Now," while co-producers like MachoPsycho and Chris Rojas assisted on specific elements, including programming and engineering.[13] The track "Dear Mr. President" featured guest appearances by the Indigo Girls (Amy Ray and Emily Saliers), who provided harmonies and co-wrote the music, marking a notable folk-influenced collaboration amid the album's pop-rock framework.[15] Mixing was handled by engineers such as Tom Lord-Alge and Serban Ghenea at facilities like MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach.[13] This distributed recording approach allowed Pink to experiment with diverse sonic elements, blending organic instrumentation with electronic production.[13]Musical Composition
Genres and Styles
"I'm Not Dead" is classified primarily as a pop rock album, blending aggressive rock energy with accessible pop structures and hooks.[16] It incorporates subgenres such as contemporary pop/rock and dance-pop, evident in upbeat tracks like "U + Ur Hand," which occupies a space between dance rock and mainstream pop.[16][17] The album's styles extend to power pop, ballads, and funk/soul elements, allowing for a dynamic range from high-octane anthems to more subdued, introspective pieces. Reviewers noted P!nk's ability to fuse rock, pop, and R&B, delivering urgent, belted vocals across these hybrids without adhering strictly to one form.[18] This versatility is highlighted in tracks that shift from politically charged acoustic folk-leaning arrangements, such as "Dear Mr. President," to rhythmic, R&B-infused grooves.[19] Influences from alternative rock and country appear in select songs, adding textural variety and raw emotional delivery to the core pop rock framework, though these remain secondary to the dominant pop-oriented sound.[20] The production emphasizes melodic female vocals, political undertones in mid-tempo rockers, and occasional folk pop introspection, distinguishing it from purely commercial pop contemporaries.[21] Overall, the album's stylistic breadth underscores P!nk's evolution toward a more mature, genre-blending approach compared to her earlier R&B-heavy work.[22]Production Elements
P!nk acted as executive producer for I'm Not Dead, guiding a production team that emphasized experimentation with rock sounds alongside pop structures to reflect her evolving artistic vision. Primary collaborators included Billy Mann, who produced and recorded several tracks with live instrumentation such as guitars and piano; Butch Walker (credited as MachoPsycho on some songs); Max Martin; and Lukasz Gottwald (Dr. Luke), who handled pop-leaning cuts like "Who Knew" with programmed elements and vocal layering.[1][23][24] Recording occurred across multiple studios to accommodate the producers' workflows, including Decibel Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, for Martin and Gottwald sessions, and Conway Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, for others. Additional engineering came from Chris Rojas and Adam Hawkins, who captured P!nk's raw vocal performances and integrated rock elements like drums and keyboards.[13][21] Mixing duties were distributed among Serban Ghenea (often with John Hanes at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia), Al Clay, and Tom Lord-Alge for the title track, ensuring dynamic range and clarity in the final mixes. The album was mastered by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound, New York, providing a cohesive, high-fidelity polish suitable for both radio play and live replication.[24][13][21]Lyrical Content
Personal and Introspective Themes
The album I'm Not Dead features several tracks that explore P!nk's personal vulnerabilities, emotional isolation, and processes of self-examination and recovery from trauma. These songs often draw from autobiographical experiences, emphasizing themes of hidden pain, resilience amid change, and the arduous path to emotional healing.[7][3] "Nobody Knows" addresses the dichotomy between outward appearances and internal turmoil, depicting a protagonist who conceals profound loneliness and self-loathing from others, including a partner. Lyrics such as "Nobody knows that I'm dying inside / Nobody knows that I'm hating my life" convey a sense of existential isolation and potential depression, serving as a metaphor for unspoken mental health struggles. P!nk has described this ballad as the most vulnerable on the album, highlighting its introspective focus on unexpressed suffering.[25][26][3] In "Who Knew," P!nk reflects on grief and the impermanence of relationships, mourning the sudden loss of a loved one—interpreted by some as a friend who died from a drug overdose—and expressing regret over unappreciated moments. The song's chorus underscores introspection about life's fragility: "Who knew / That you would mean everything to me," evolving from romantic disappointment to broader contemplation of mortality and cherished connections.[27][28] "Long Way to Happy" delves into the long-term aftermath of childhood sexual abuse, originating from a poem P!nk composed at age 13 about her own assault by a police officer as a teenager. The track portrays the cyclical nature of trauma recovery, with lines like "One night to you / Lasted six weeks for me" illustrating distorted perceptions of time and enduring emotional scars, while affirming a protracted but determined journey toward joy.[29][30][31] The title track "I'm Not Dead" encapsulates personal reinvention and defiance against perceived irrelevance, with P!nk asserting vitality through metaphors of transformation: "I'm not dead, just floating / Right between the ink on your tattoo." It reflects her self-described state of feeling "alive and feisty," prioritizing authenticity over conformity in her artistic identity.[32][7]Social and Political Elements
The lyrics of I'm Not Dead incorporate social critiques of consumerism and media influence on women, particularly in "Stupid Girls," where Pink lampoons celebrity culture and superficiality, urging female listeners to prioritize intelligence and independence over emulating figures like Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan in behaviors such as prioritizing appearance and materialism.[33] Released as the lead single on April 17, 2006, the track satirizes how societal pressures encourage women to act as "male accessories," drawing from mid-2000s tabloid excesses and advocating self-empowerment amid Hollywood's emphasis on vapid fame.[34] This feminist-leaning commentary reflects Pink's broader resistance to cultural norms that undermine personal agency, though some analyses note its prescriptive tone risks shaming individual choices rather than solely targeting systemic influences.[35] Politically, the album's most explicit engagement occurs in "Dear Mr. President," a duet with the Indigo Girls released as a single on July 11, 2006, structured as an open letter to then-U.S. President George W. Bush, questioning policies on the Iraq War, opposition to same-sex marriage, neglect of homelessness, the No Child Left Behind Act's efficacy, and environmental deregulation.[36] Lyrics such as "What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?" and references to soldiers' sacrifices highlight perceived hypocrisies in leadership, with Pink expressing doubt over paternalistic rhetoric amid ongoing conflicts initiated in 2003.[37] The track, recorded amid post-9/11 U.S. polarization, avoids partisan endorsement but critiques executive detachment, earning acclaim for its raw confrontation of authority while sparking debate on artists' roles in policy discourse.[33] Other tracks subtly weave social realism, as in "I Got Money Now," which examines fame's isolating effects and the erosion of authenticity under wealth's pressures, echoing broader critiques of capitalist incentives that prioritize status over relationships.[19] Pink described the album's genesis in a 2006 interview as stemming from a dream affirming her unfiltered voice against industry conformity, positioning I'm Not Dead—released April 4, 2006—as a platform for challenging both personal and societal complacency without aligning to orthodox political ideologies.[38] These elements underscore the record's departure from pure introspection toward public accountability, though mainstream reception varied, with some outlets praising its boldness and others questioning its rhetorical depth.[39]Release and Promotion
Album Release Details
"I'm Not Dead" was released on April 4, 2006, in the United States by LaFace Records, coinciding with the sixth anniversary of Pink's debut album Can't Take Me Home.[40][3] The album was distributed in standard CD format initially, with additional editions including a hybrid DualDisc featuring PAL video content.[2] Later reissues included a limited-edition pink double LP vinyl released in 2018 by RCA Records.[41] In its first week, the album sold 126,000 copies in the US, debuting at number six on the Billboard 200 chart, marking a stronger chart entry than Pink's prior releases Missundaztood (2001) and Try This (2003).[3] Internationally, it achieved higher positions, including number one in Australia and number two in the UK, where it has since accumulated certified sales equivalent to 1.4 million units.[42][4] These debut figures reflected renewed commercial momentum for Pink following the relative underperformance of Try This.[3]Singles and Videos
"Stupid Girls" served as the lead single from I'm Not Dead, released on February 7, 2006, in the United Kingdom and other international markets.[43] The track, co-written by P!nk, Billy Mann, and Niklas Olovson, critiques superficial celebrity behavior and female stereotypes in media.[44] Its accompanying music video, directed by Dave Meyers and released on January 26, 2006, features satirical depictions of Hollywood culture, including parodies of figures like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton, with P!nk navigating absurd scenarios emphasizing consumerism and vanity.[45] "Who Knew" followed as the second single, issued in May 2006 in the United States.[46] Penned by P!nk, Max Martin, and Dr. Luke, the ballad reflects on loss and the unpredictability of relationships, inspired by the overdose deaths of P!nk's friends.[47][11] The official music video, directed by Dave Meyers, portrays a carnival setting symbolizing fleeting youth and regret, with P!nk interacting with performers amid nostalgic imagery.[48] "U + Ur Hand", the third single, debuted on August 28, 2006.[49] Co-written and produced by P!nk, Max Martin, and Dr. Luke, it addresses unwanted advances with defiant lyrics promoting female autonomy.[50] The video, directed by Sophie Muller, depicts P!nk as a bartender rejecting persistent suitors in a lively, rebellious atmosphere blending performance and narrative elements.[51] "Nobody Knows" was released as the fourth single on November 20, 2006, primarily outside the U.S.[52] Written by P!nk and Billy Mann, the introspective track explores hidden emotional struggles in relationships.[53] Its music video features P!nk in a stark, confessional setting, emphasizing vulnerability through close-up shots and minimalistic staging.[54] "Dear Mr. President", a duet with the Indigo Girls, received limited commercial single release starting in early 2007 in select markets like Australia, though it functioned mainly as a promotional track critiquing political leadership.[55] No traditional music video exists, but live performances, including an acoustic rendition from Wembley Arena, were documented and included in bonus content.[56][54] "Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)" marked the fifth and final single, released on March 12, 2007.[57] Co-authored by P!nk and Butch Walker, it conveys ambivalence in a turbulent romance.[58] A music video was not produced; instead, live versions from tours, such as Wembley, supported its promotion.[54]Touring and Live Performances
The I'm Not Dead Tour served as the primary concert outing supporting the album, commencing with a series of promotional club performances across North America in June 2006. These included shows at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco on June 27, Avalon Theatre in Los Angeles on June 28, and The Beach at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on June 30.[59] The full tour followed in late 2006, extending through 2007 and encompassing regions such as Europe, North America, Australasia, Africa, and Asia.[60] A highlight of the European leg was the performance at Wembley Arena in London on December 4, 2006, captured via a 15-camera high-definition shoot for the concert film P!nk: Live from Wembley Arena, released on DVD in November 2007.[61] This sold-out show featured aerial acrobatics and a set blending tracks from I'm Not Dead with prior hits, including "Who Knew," "Stupid Girls," "Just Like a Pill," and a cover of "Lady Marmalade."[62] The production emphasized P!nk's high-energy style, incorporating stunts like harness-suspended flips, which became a signature of her live presentations.[63] Setlists for the tour averaged around 20 songs, prioritizing singles from the album such as "'Cuz I Can" and "U + Ur Hand" alongside staples like "Get the Party Started" and "Don't Let Me Get Me," with encores often closing on "So What" precursors or high-impact numbers.[64] The tour comprised approximately 160 dates, reflecting sustained demand following the album's release.[65]Critical and Commercial Reception
Critical Reviews
The album I'm Not Dead garnered generally favorable critical reception upon its release on April 4, 2006, earning a Metacritic aggregate score of 70 out of 100 based on 20 reviews, indicating "mixed or average" consensus among critics.[66] Reviewers frequently commended Pink's assertive vocal delivery, thematic ambition in addressing personal resilience and social critique, and production variety spanning pop-rock anthems to acoustic introspection, though opinions diverged on the album's cohesion and authenticity.[66] Entertainment Weekly awarded an 83 out of 100, praising the album's bold risks, stating that "even her misses are ballsier and blusterier than most everybody else's recent hits," highlighting tracks like the defiant "U + Ur Hand" and politically charged "Dear Mr. President" as exemplars of Pink's unfiltered edge.[66] Similarly, PopMatters gave it 8 out of 10, describing it as a "wildly ambitious album that solidifies Pink’s status as superbad funky rocker chick," with strengths in ironic self-eulogizing and collaborations yielding humorous, resilient narratives on identity.[20] The Guardian noted poignant moments in stripped-down tracks such as "Dear Mr. President," featuring Indigo Girls backing vocals for a mature political edge, and the haunting acoustic duet "I Have Seen the Rain" with her father, contrasting these with criticisms of overblown gothic drama in "Conversations with My 13-Year-Old Self."[19] Critics less enthusiastic pointed to inconsistencies and perceived commercial calculations. Slant Magazine's Sal Cinquemani critiqued it as a "calculated attempt at regaining the audience Pink lost with Try This," faulting reliance on clichés in confessional songs like "Who Knew" and "Long Way to Happy," which veered toward hair metal tropes rather than genuine punk ethos, despite standout pop moments in "Stupid Girls" and "I Got Money Now."[67] New Musical Express delivered a harsh 30 out of 100, deeming the effort "indistinguishable" amid broader pop landscape, suggesting Pink's distinctive fire had dimmed into generic territory.[66] Rolling Stone, while acknowledging a "proudly bitchy tone" and Pink's return to form after Try This's commercial underperformance, implied uneven execution in blending high-energy swings with lower-brow appeals.[17] Overall, the reviews reflected Pink's evolution toward more explicit sociopolitical commentary, appreciated by some for its candor but dismissed by others as uneven or formulaic.Sales and Chart Performance
"I'm Not Dead" debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 126,000 copies in its first week.[3] The album's position improved following the success of subsequent singles, ultimately achieving certified shipments of two million units and earning double platinum certification from the RIAA.[5] In particular, the releases of "Who Knew" and "U + Ur Hand," both top-ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100, revived domestic sales momentum.[68] Internationally, the album reached number one in Australia, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, and Switzerland, while peaking at number two in Canada and number three in the United Kingdom.[69] It also entered the top ten in several other European markets, including France at number seven.[70] In Australia, it sustained strong performance, ranking second on the year-end albums chart for both 2006 and 2007.[4] The album has been certified multi-platinum in key territories, including double platinum in Australia and Canada, reflecting shipments exceeding 140,000 and 200,000 units, respectively.[71] Globally, it has sold over six million copies.[72]Controversies
Lyrical and Visual Controversies
The lead single "Stupid Girls," released on January 17, 2006, drew criticism for its lyrics decrying the perceived superficiality and anti-intellectualism among young women influenced by celebrity culture, with lines such as "Stupid girls / Stupid girls" aimed at behaviors like obsessive tanning and materialism.[73] P!nk defended the track as a call to reject emulating "spoiled brats," but detractors argued it internalized misogyny by pitting women against each other rather than critiquing systemic pressures.[74] The song's explicit rejection of vapid femininity resonated with some as empowering, yet retrospective analyses have labeled it a "not like other girls" anthem that shamed rather than uplifted female peers.[75] "Dear Mr. President," a duet with the Indigo Girls released as an international single on February 6, 2007, provoked backlash for its direct critique of then-President George W. Bush's policies, including the Iraq War, No Child Left Behind Act, and social welfare cuts, with lyrics posing hypothetical questions like "Come take a look at my life" to highlight poverty and homelessness.[36] P!nk described the track as an open letter too politically charged for U.S. radio play, emphasizing its intent to foster dialogue on issues like military families' sacrifices and faith-based initiatives' shortcomings.[39] Conservative outlets and Bush supporters viewed it as unpatriotic partisanship amid ongoing war debates, though P!nk maintained it stemmed from personal outrage over unmet promises of compassion.[39] The third single "U + Ur Hand," issued on August 28, 2006, stirred debate over its profane language and unapologetic dismissal of male entitlement, featuring choruses like "Don't touch, unless you touch me back / Don't love, unless you feel it back," which some radio stations censored or banned for vulgarity. Critics from family advocacy groups condemned its promotion of confrontational sexuality, while supporters praised its assertion of female agency against harassment. Visually, the "Stupid Girls" music video, directed by Dave Meyers and premiered on January 13, 2006, amplified lyrical tensions through satirical sketches parodying figures like Paris Hilton (depicted shopping obliviously during an apocalypse) and Lindsay Lohan (implying bulimic habits via a bathroom scene), earning MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video despite accusations of body-shaming and classism.[75] Hilton later expressed disappointment at being portrayed as emblematic of "stupid" behavior, feeling it unfairly judged her lifestyle amid public scrutiny.[76] P!nk welcomed the uproar, stating it validated her aim to provoke reflection on media-driven dumbing-down, with the video's low-budget, mockumentary style underscoring consumerism's absurdities over polished glamour.[74] These elements collectively positioned the album's visuals as provocative extensions of its themes, prioritizing raw commentary over broad appeal.Political and Cultural Criticisms
The track "Dear Mr. President" from I'm Not Dead, released as a duet with the Indigo Girls on April 4, 2006, generated controversy for its direct address to U.S. President George W. Bush, questioning policies on the Iraq War, the No Child Left Behind Act, homelessness, and fatherless children in America.[39] Pink described the song's creation as pushing boundaries even for her, sparking debate over its unfiltered political content in a pop context.[39] She declined to release it as a commercial single in the United States, stating it was "too important" to risk commodification or misperception as a standard hit.[77] Pink alleged restrictions on airing her political views, claiming in a 2007 interview that U.S. radio stations barred discussions of the track to avoid controversy, framing it as self-censorship amid broader anti-Bush sentiment in entertainment.[77] Critics from music outlets noted the song's raw confrontation of presidential accountability, with some praising its boldness while others questioned its fit within pop's typically apolitical framework, though no widespread conservative backlash materialized in major outlets at the time.[78] Culturally, the lead single "Stupid Girls," released January 17, 2006, drew retrospective accusations of slut-shaming and body-shaming for satirizing female celebrities' emphasis on appearance, sexuality, and consumerism over intellect or activism.[79] The music video parodied figures like Paris Hilton—depicting a sex tape scene—and Lindsay Lohan, prompting Hilton to later denounce the portrayal in her 2023 memoir as insensitive to her teenage trauma from the leaked tape.[80] Detractors argued the track's messaging, intended as empowerment against media-driven superficiality, inadvertently reinforced judgmental stereotypes about women's choices in dress and behavior, contrasting with its initial reception as a feminist critique.[79]Legacy and Impact
Long-Term Influence
The album I'm Not Dead marked a critical resurgence in Pink's career trajectory, following the relative commercial underperformance of her prior release Try This (2003), by reasserting her viability in an evolving pop landscape dominated by transient trends. Released on April 4, 2006, it achieved multi-platinum status over time, including 4× platinum certification in the United Kingdom with over 1.4 million units sold, underscoring its sustained market endurance beyond initial release cycles. This longevity positioned it as Pink's second-highest-selling album in that market, reflecting persistent consumer interest in its blend of pop-rock aggression and introspective lyricism.[81][4] Tracks like "Stupid Girls" exerted a notable influence on discussions of female empowerment within pop culture, satirizing vapid celebrity archetypes and urging women toward substantive role models, which aligned with broader feminist critiques of media-driven superficiality in the mid-2000s. Though some retrospective analyses have critiqued its approach as inadvertently reinforcing stereotypes, the song's video—featuring parodies of figures like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton—sparked debates on gender expectations that echoed into later feminist pop discourse. Similarly, "Dear Mr. President," a duet with the Indigo Girls, emerged as a landmark in contemporary protest music, directly challenging the George W. Bush administration's policies on the Iraq War, homelessness, and social welfare through rhetorical questioning and folk-infused delivery. Its live performances employed ethos-building appeals to foster public discourse on political accountability, influencing perceptions of pop artists as viable voices in activism; the track's relevance persisted, with covers like Kiana Ledé's 2020 rendition adapting it to modern social unrest.[82][39][78] "Who Knew," initially a modest charting single upon its November 2006 release, gained retrospective acclaim as an archetypal emotional ballad on impermanence and loss, cementing Pink's reputation for raw vulnerability amid pop-rock hybrids. Its delayed ascent to top-10 status in multiple territories by 2007 exemplified the album's capacity for post-release momentum, contributing to Pink's evolution from early-2000s R&B-inflected pop toward a more enduring rock-leaning identity that sustained her relevance against peers whose peaks proved shorter-lived. Overall, I'm Not Dead fortified Pink's legacy as an artist prioritizing authenticity over conformity, influencing subsequent female pop-rock acts through its model of lyrical confrontation and genre fusion, though direct attributions to specific emulations remain anecdotal rather than empirically dominant in music historiography.[7][83]Retrospective Evaluations
In a 2021 retrospective review published by Spectrum Culture, I'm Not Dead was evaluated as containing some of P!nk's strongest material to date, representing a deliberate shift toward personal authenticity after the relative commercial failure of her 2003 album Try This, which sold fewer than 3 million copies worldwide compared to her prior releases.[7] The piece highlighted the album's role in reasserting P!nk's (Alecia Moore's) voice amid industry pressures, with the title track symbolizing her refusal to conform: "being alive and feisty and not sitting down and shutting up even though people would like you to."[7] Tracks like "Who Knew" and "Nobody Knows" were commended for their emotional depth, while "U + Ur Hand" exemplified her defiant pop-rock edge, contributing to the record's eclectic blend of punk influences, ballads, and social commentary.[7] The review praised "Stupid Girls" for its satirical take on vapid celebrity culture—earning an MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video in 2006 and a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance the following year—but critiqued it for elements of internalized misogyny, reflecting third-wave feminism's tensions in the mid-2000s.[7] Similarly, "Dear Mr. President," a duet with the Indigo Girls, was noted for its pointed anti-war critique of George W. Bush's administration, though its dated political edge underscores the album's era-specific urgency.[7] Overall, the evaluation positioned I'm Not Dead as a career pivot that revitalized P!nk's trajectory, spawning hits that topped charts in multiple countries and setting the stage for her subsequent multiplatinum successes, with sales exceeding 6 million copies globally by 2007.[7] Later fan and critic discussions, such as a 2008 Sputnikmusic analysis, reinforced its status as a high point in her discography for lyrical ambition and unpredictability, though without the hindsight of broader cultural reevaluations.[84] These assessments contrast with contemporaneous mixed reviews that questioned its stylistic cohesion, affirming I'm Not Dead's enduring appeal through its raw confrontation of personal and societal issues rather than polished pop conformity.[84]Track Listing and Credits
Standard and Variant Track Listings
The standard edition of I'm Not Dead, released on April 4, 2006, by LaFace and Zomba Recording, comprises 13 tracks produced primarily by Billy Mann, Butch Walker, and Max Martin.[85] The track listing is as follows:| No. | Title | Featured artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Stupid Girls" | 3:17 | |
| 2 | "Who Knew" | 3:28 | |
| 3 | "Long Way to Happy" | 3:49 | |
| 4 | "Nobody Knows" | 3:57 | |
| 5 | "Dear Mr. President" | Indigo Girls | 4:33 |
| 6 | "I'm Not Dead" | 3:25 | |
| 7 | "'Cuz I Can" | 3:13 | |
| 8 | "Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)" | 3:18 | |
| 9 | "U + Ur Hand" | 3:34 | |
| 10 | "Runaway" | 4:23 | |
| 11 | "Fingers" | 3:45 | |
| 12 | "I Got Money Now" | 3:56 | |
| 13 | "Conversations with My 13 Year Old Self" | Alanis Morissette | 4:56 |
Personnel and Production Credits
P!nk served as executive producer for the album, overseeing the project while contributing lead vocals and songwriting across multiple tracks.[72][21] Production duties were distributed among several collaborators. Billy Mann co-produced tracks including "Stupid Girls" (with MachoPsycho) and "I'm Not Dead" (with Al Clay), handling additional roles such as guitar and recording engineering on select songs.[23][72] Butch Walker produced "Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)". Max Martin and Dr. Luke (Lukasz Gottwald) co-produced "U + Ur Hand" and other tracks like "'Cuz I Can". Additional producers included Mike Elizondo, Greg Kurstin, and Josh Abraham.[88][21] Session musicians provided instrumentation, with drummer Mylious Johnson performing on tracks 3, 6, and 8; guitarist Rafael Moreira on "I'm Not Dead"; and contributions from Geoff Zanelli on guitar, bass, and synthesizer for the same track. Billy Mann also contributed guitar on various recordings.[23][89] Engineering and mixing involved personnel such as John Hanes for Pro-Tools on tracks 2, 7, and 9; Brian Malouf and Chris Rojas for recording on "I'm Not Dead"; and Lasse Mårtén as producer, mixer, and engineer on select songs. The album was mastered by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound.[23][90] Art direction and design were handled by Jeri Heiden and Glen Nakasako, with photography by Andrew MacPherson, John Heiden, and Deborah Anderson.[72]Certifications and Remixes
Certifications
"I'm Not Dead" achieved commercial success, earning multiple certifications from industry associations reflecting sales thresholds met in various countries. In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album 2× Platinum on August 22, 2017, for shipments of 2,000,000 units.[91][5] In Canada, Music Canada awarded 2× Platinum status for 200,000 units.[92] The album also received certifications in several European markets and Australia, as detailed below:| Country | Certifying Body | Certification | Certified Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | ARIA | 2× Platinum | 140,000 |
| Austria | IFPI Austria | 2× Platinum | 60,000 |
| Belgium | IFPI Belgium | Platinum | 50,000 |
| Denmark | IFPI Denmark | Gold | 15,000 |
| Finland | IFPI Finland | Gold | 16,065 |
| Sweden | IFPI Sweden | Gold | 30,000 |
The Remixes Edition
"The Remixes" is a digital extended play (EP) by American singer P!nk, released on February 20, 2007, through LaFace Records.[94] The EP compiles remixes of three singles from her fourth studio album, I'm Not Dead (2006)—"Stupid Girls", "Who Knew", and "U + Ur Hand"—targeting electronic and house music audiences with club-oriented versions.[94] It was distributed exclusively as a digital download in formats including MP3 and AAC at 128 kbps, with some versions copy-protected.[95] The EP features six tracks, consisting of two remixes per single, produced by various DJs and remixers to extend the songs' appeal in dance and remix circuits.[96] These include extended mixes suitable for DJ sets, such as the 8:15 Bimbo Jones Remix of "U + Ur Hand" and the 8:38 Sharp Boys Jonathan Harvey Remix of "Who Knew".[97] The production credits highlight collaborators like Bimbo Jones (Lee Dagger and Marc JB), BeatCult, Sharp Boys, Junior Vasquez & Dynamix, and Noize Trip, adapting the original pop-rock tracks into electronic house styles.[94]| Track | Title | Remixers | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | U + Ur Hand (Bimbo Jones Remix) | Bimbo Jones | 8:15 |
| 2 | U + Ur Hand (BeatCult Remix) | BeatCult | 6:39 |
| 3 | Who Knew (The Bimbo Jones Radio Edit) | Bimbo Jones | 3:26 |
| 4 | Who Knew (Sharp Boys Jonathan Harvey Remix) | Sharp Boys, Jonathan Harvey | 8:38 |
| 5 | Stupid Girls (Junior Vasquez & Dynamix Remix - Radio Mix) | Junior Vasquez, Dynamix | 4:00 |
| 6 | Stupid Girls (Noize Trip Remix) | Noize Trip | 3:13 |