Pat McAfee’s debut album is officially here. After spending nearly two decades writing songs about the criticism, headlines and public perception surrounding him, the former WWE commentator finally dropped The Diary of a Polarizing Figure on August 14.
McAfee took to Twitter on Friday morning to announce that the album was available on Spotify and YouTube, celebrating the release by trying to kick off what he called the greatest “Feel Good Friday” of all time.
“Good morning beautiful people.. Let’s have the greatest Feel Good Friday of all time. The Diary Of A Polarizing Figure is AVAILABLE NOW on @Spotify and @YouTube.”
And McAfee didn’t exactly ease his way into the music business with a couple of tracks. The Diary of a Polarizing Figure features 14 songs, with titles ranging from Pitbull And A Mugshot and Blue Collar Symphony to Rich As Shit and You’re Alive. The full tracklist includes Pitbull And A Mugshot, OOPS, Polarizing Figure, Young Me, Blue Collar Symphony, Good Times, Cheers To The South, Outlaws, No One Ever Knows, Big Rain Coming, Smokin, Rich As S***, Click Clack and You’re Alive.
McAfee first revealed the project back in July, but made it clear this wasn’t something he threw together after deciding to take a shot at music. He said he had been writing songs for nearly 20 years, with much of the album built around his experiences dealing with criticism and the narratives surrounding him.
“For as long as I can remember my mere existence has made people hate my guts… I’ve been writing songs about it for 20yrs & it’s time to let them aht.. A LOT of headlines & narratives.. if I was to die, I’d like my kids to know exactly who their dad is.”
The album also arrives during a very different chapter of McAfee’s career. Following WrestleMania 42, he said he felt he had accomplished everything he wanted in professional wrestling after working as a wrestler, commentator, referee and manager in WWE.
“For me, I finished my story… It’s been a hell of a run. Thank you, wrestling… The wrestling business is now in the rearview mirror.”
Now McAfee has officially traded the WWE commentary headset for a different microphone. What started as songs he quietly wrote over the course of nearly two decades is finally out for everyone to hear, all 14 tracks of it.
What do you make of Pat McAfee releasing his first album, and which track are you most interested in hearing? Let us know in the comments below.
