Avril Lavigne and Simple Plan Relive Youth in “Young and Dumb”

Avril Lavigne and Simple Plan have reunited for a vibrant new single, “Young and Dumb,” a track that channels the infectious pop-punk spirit of the early 2000s. Lyrically, the song is a heartfelt ode to the past, brimming with memories of youthful days gone by.

Despite its nostalgic undertones, Avril Lavigne insists “Young and Dumb” carries a deeper resonance:

«This one’s for our fans. It’s a nod to the past but also a celebration of the present. Deep down, we’re still kids at heart, still crazy about music. This song is about friendship, nostalgia, and the way music has bound us together over the years. I can’t wait to perform it live for you this summer.»

The collaboration marks a full-circle moment for Lavigne and Simple Plan, who first shared the stage in 2003 during Lavigne’s Try to Shut Me Up tour, with Simple Plan as the opening act. Now, as Lavigne embarks on her Greatest Hits tour, Simple Plan joins her once again as special guests. Lavigne describes the duet as “a moment where the circle closed.” Back in 2003, both Lavigne and Simple Plan were just “kids from small Canadian towns,” fresh off their debut albums—Lavigne’s Let Go and Simple Plan’s No Pads, No Helmets… Just Balls, both released in 2002. Their shared roots and instant chemistry forged a lasting friendship. Simple Plan notes that fans have long clamored for a collaboration with Lavigne, and now, they’ve finally delivered.

Lavigne’s latest album, Love Sux, dropped in February 2022. Since then, she’s collaborated with Yungblud on “I’m a Mess” and All Time Low on “Fake as Hell.” More recently, she lent her voice to Billy Idol’s album Dream Into It, featuring on the track “77.” As for Simple Plan, their most recent record, Harder Than It Looks, arrived in May 2022. Notably, it was their first independent release, free from the backing of Atlantic Records.