What the Hell, the first single from Avril Lavigne’s upcoming album, Goodbye Lullabye, had its live debut last weekend on Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve television broadcast.
Tired of waiting for the green light from her record company, Lavigne had been very vocal about her frustration and impatience with music executives, and now the album will finally be launched on March 8.
After the singer performed What the Hell on the TV program, the single was then offered to her Facebook fans as a free download for the following 48 hours.
"This album is different. … I’m older now, so I think that comes across in my music. It’s not as pop-rock, and it’s a little more mellow and it’s deep," Lavigne told MTV News in November. "But my first single is very ‘up’ and pop-rock. The first single is very much like my older stuff, but the rest of the album is a departure."
The album features production by ex-husband Deryck Whibley of Sum 41; the singer’s former guitarist, Evan Taubenfeld; and frequent collaborator Butch Walker, as well as Max Martin, songwriter/producer to the stars (Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson), who co-wrote the first single.