Vindicated (song)

"Vindicated" is a song by American rock band Dashboard Confessional. It was written by Chris Carrabba with production from Don Gilmore and Gil Norton. The song was released on May 31, 2004 as the lead single from the soundtrack of the film Spider-Man 2. The song was included on Dashboard Confessional's fourth studio album, Dusk and Summer (2006) as a bonus track on some pressings and on deluxe edition versions. Played over the film's end credits, "Vindicated" is the theme for the film.

"Vindicated"
Single by Dashboard Confessional
from the album Dusk and Summer and Music from and Inspired by Spider-Man 2
B-side	"The Warmth of the Sand"
Released	May 31, 2004
Recorded	2003/2004
Studio	NRG, North Hollywood
Genre	Alternative rock emo^[1]^[2]^[3]
Length	3:21
Label	Vagrant, Interscope
Songwriter(s)	Chris Carrabba
Producer(s)	Don Gilmore, Gil Norton
Dashboard Confessional singles chronology
"Rapid Hope Loss" (2004) "Vindicated" (2004) "Don't Wait" (2006)

History

Initially, a song titled "I Need a Sure Thing" was to be used on the Spider-Man 2 soundtrack; but, after having received a special screening of the film, Carrabba penned "Vindicated" in 10 minutes,^[4][5][6] inspired by and reflecting the theme of the film.^[7]

"I Need a Sure Thing" has since then been performed during the Dusk and Summer tour, but not thereafter.^{[citation needed]}

Reception

"Vindicated" was released to radio on June 1, 2004.^[8] "Vindicated" received significant airplay on US alternative rock radio stations in late 2004, peaking at #2 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart. It was held off from the #1 spot by Three Days Grace's "Just Like You".^[9]

Track listing

UK maxi single

1. "Vindicated" – 3:20
2. "The Warmth of the Sand" – 4:17
3. "Hands Down" – 3:07

   Track 3 taken from the So Impossible EP.

Music video

Directed by Nigel Dick, the music video, through the view of an individual reading a comic book, features the band performing the song in Doctor Octopus' hideout interspersed with scenes from the film.^[10]

Chart history

Chart (2004)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[11]	46
Canada Rock Top 30 (Radio & Records)^[12]	14
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[13]	23
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)^[14]	2
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)^[15]	31

References

1. "23 Songs Every Former Emo Kid Will Never Forget". Buzzfeed. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
2. . chsrnb.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
3. "The 12 Best Emo Power Ballads". Loudwire. May 18, 2023.
4. Valmero A. (2010.) Chris Carrabba shares stories behind Dashboard Confessional's music 2011-12-17 at the Wayback Machine, loQal.ph
5. Richardson S. (2004.) Vindication: Emo superhero Chris Carrabba puts a new spin on Spider-Man 2013-04-02 at the Wayback Machine, The Boston Phoenix, 18–24 June.
6. Segovia J.-A. Q. (2010.) Chris Carrabba knows how to be funny 2013-12-09 at the Wayback Machine, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 29 May.
7. Dashboard Confessional - Vindicated on YouTube
8. . Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
9. "Alternative Songs: Top Alternative Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-02-04.
10. Dashboard Confessional - "Vindicated" on YouTube
11. "Dashboard Confessional – Vindicated". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
12. "Radio & Records Magazine" (PDF). Radio & Records. September 3, 2004. p. 55. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
13. "Dashboard Confessional – Vindicated". Top 40 Singles.
14. "Dashboard Confessional Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
15. "Dashboard Confessional Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-03-30.