Heart Tattoo
| "Heart Tattoo" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Joyce Manor | |
| from the album Never Hungover Again | |
| Released | July 14, 2014 |
| Length | 1:50 |
| Label | Epitaph |
| Songwriters |
|
| Producer | Joe Reinhart |
"Heart Tattoo" is a song by American rock band Joyce Manor from their third studio album, Never Hungover Again (2014). It is a clear homage to Blink-182, one of the band's biggest influences. Written by frontman Barry Johnson, the track marked a creative turning point in developing its parent album. Lyrically, the song uses the act of getting a tattoo as a metaphor for youthful impulse, permanence, and regret.
Upon release, "Heart Tattoo" was widely praised by critics for its concise songwriting and buoyant pop-punk energy, and later received public endorsement from Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus, who joined the band to perform the song live in 2024.
Background
[edit]The writing process for Never Hungover Again, the band's third album, initially produced several songs that frontman Barry Johnson dismissed, citing weak hooks despite solid lyrics. Writing the album reached a turning point when the band developed "Heart Tattoo". The song is a clear homage to Blink-182,[1] one of Johnson's first influences.[2] Johnson and guitarist Chase Knobbe first had met online and shared an interest in the band.[3] Johnson has called Blink bassist Mark Hoppus "one of the finest American songwriters ever."[4] Bassist Matt Ebert performs backing vocals on the song in a style reminiscent of Blink singer Tom DeLonge.[5]
Through "Heart Tattoo", the band explores the allure of tattoos as symbols of permanence and personal consequence,[6] framed through teenage error.[7] Johnson wrote the song from the perspective of a young person who gets a tattoo solely for catharsis,[8] and examines the potential for regret from this impulse.[9] CBS LA described the song as "pop-punk stormer" in the vein of Lifetime or Dillinger Four.[9] Al Horner of NME characterized the track as reminiscent of Green Day,[10] while Grace Robins-Somerville of Paste likened it to the work of Weezer and its Blue Album.[11] Ian Cohen for The Ringer interpreted the song and its place in pop-punk history: "One could hear “Heart Tattoo” and rightfully place Joyce Manor into a lineage of sweet, smart-ass SoCal punk."[5]
Reception
[edit]Contemporary music critics enjoyed "Heart Tattoo". NPR reviewer Lars Gotrich complimented its "pogo-ing rhythm with stuttered, melodic guitar picking."[12] Consequence's Sasha Geffen praised the song for pairing a bright, upbeat guitar progression with its deeper lyrics of insecurity and fear.[13] Tom Walters for DIY enjoyed the song's playful energy and moronic but "addictive" melody.[14] Maura Johnston in The Boston Globe highlighted Ebert's driving bass line and percussionist Kurt Walcher's drumming on the song.[15] Brian Stout of PopMatters viewed it "deceptively brilliant in how it mixes humor and heartbreak."[16] Stereogum's Danielle Chelosky perceived the song as " yearn[ing] for permanence, even if what’s being made permanent is a little stupid."[17] Zoe Camp in Spin extolled it as "perhaps the best example of the band’s unparalleled juggling act between empathy and aggression, condensed down to a simple, cutting symbol (literally)."[18]
Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus was appreciative of the song, tweeting an endorsement of it after its release.[19] In December 2024, Hoppus joined Joyce Manor onstage at the Hollywood Palladium to perform the song during the band's anniversary celebration of Never Hungover Again.[4]
References
[edit]- ↑ Kelly, Harlan (October 9, 2016). "Joyce Manor on Writing Songs From the Pop-Punk Subconscious". Denver Westword. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ↑ "In The Garage: Joyce Manor Share The Scenes And Stories Behind Million Dollars To Kill Me". Stereogum. November 8, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ Unterberger, Andrew (September 1, 2016). "Joyce Manor: These Things Take Time". SPIN. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- 1 2 "Watch Mark Hoppus Perform "Heart Tattoo" With Joyce Manor". Stereogum. October 25, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- 1 2 "You Know I Think About It Still: Joyce Manor's SoCal Classic 'Never Hungover Again' Turns 10". The Ringer. July 26, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Never Hungover Again Turns 10". Stereogum. October 25, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ Weingarten, Christopher R.; Galil, Leor; Shteamer, Hank; Spanos, Brittany; Exposito, Suzy; Sherman, Maria; Grow, Kory; Epstein, Dan; Diamond, Jason; Viruet, Pilot (November 15, 2017). "The 50 Greatest Pop-Punk Albums". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ "The Heart Tattoo of Joyce Manor's Barry Johnson". InkedMag. July 22, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- 1 2 "Artist Feature: Joyce Manor". CBS Los Angeles. February 23, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ Horner, Al (July 21, 2014). "'Never Hungover Again'". NME. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ "What Do You Want Me to Say? It's Never Going Away: Joyce Manor's Never Hungover Again at 10". Paste Magazine. July 22, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ Gotrich, Lars (July 13, 2014). "Review: Joyce Manor, 'Never Hungover Again'". NPR. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ Geffen, Sasha (July 23, 2014). "Album Review: Joyce Manor". Consequence. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ Walters, Tom (July 15, 2014). "Never Hungover Again". DIY. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ Johnston, Maura (July 21, 2014). "Joyce Manor, 'Never Hungover Again'". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ Stout, Brian (July 18, 2024). "Joyce Manor's 'Never Hungover Again' Is a Timeless Snapshot of Fading Youth » PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Joyce Manor Albums From Worst To Best". Stereogum. October 25, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ "30 Best Emo Revival Albums, Ranked". SPIN. June 14, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ Unterberger, Andrew (September 1, 2016). "Joyce Manor: These Things Take Time". spin.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2026.