"I Don't Care" is a song by the American rock band Fall Out Boy, released as the lead single from their fifth studio album, Folie à Deux, in 2008. The track blends pop-punk energy with hook-driven alternative rock and served as a flagship song for the album's public launch. It reached No. 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and has sold over one million copies in the United States.
Overview and musical style
The song is built around an assertive guitar riff, driving rhythm and a brash, melodic chorus designed for audience participation. Lyrically it conveys a tone of ironic indifference and media-savvy sarcasm, common themes in Fall Out Boy's work of that era. Musically it sits at the intersection of pop-punk, emo-pop and mainstream alternative rock.
Release, reception and chart performance
Issued as the album's lead single, the song received heavy radio play and digital sales. Critics and listeners noted its catchy chorus and radio-friendly production; responses ranged from praise for its hooks to commentary on its lyrical cynicism. Commercially it performed well, peaking at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and registering sales surpassing one million copies in the United States.
Music video and live presence
The accompanying music video featured a cinematic, cameo-filled approach that emphasized spectacle and celebrity culture, matching the single's themes. On tour, the band regularly included the song in setlists, where its chantable refrains and energetic arrangement made it a crowd favorite during live performances.
Context and significance
As the lead single from Folie à Deux, the track helped frame that album's more eclectic and experimental tendencies compared with earlier Fall Out Boy releases. While keeping the band's signature melodic immediacy, the song demonstrated a willingness to mix pop sensibilities with a sharper, satirical lyrical voice.
- Artist: Fall Out Boy
- Album: Folie à Deux
- Release year: 2008
- Chart peak: No. 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100
- Sales: Over 1 million copies sold in the US