Allison Road (song)

Last updated
"Allison Road"
Allison Road.jpg
Single by Gin Blossoms
from the album New Miserable Experience
Released1994
Genre
Length3:21
Label A&M
Songwriter(s) Robin Wilson
Gin Blossoms singles chronology
"Found Out About You"
(1994)
"Allison Road"
(1994)
"Til I Hear It from You"
(1995)

"Allison Road" is a song by the American alternative rock band Gin Blossoms.

Contents

Background

In 1989, Robin Wilson passed by a sign on his way to El Paso that read "Next Exit Allison Road." The friend with whom he was riding had a sister named Allison, and so they stopped to take a picture. Five months later, Wilson had the picture and was bored. In a Billboard interview from 1994, he recalled:

I walked to the other room, sat down in front of the television and turned on CNN. And the moment the TV turned on I heard that little melody in my head; 'On Allison Road.' And I was like, 'Shit!' So I turned off the TV, climbed over the couch and went back in my bedroom and the song was pretty much done 20 minutes later. [4]

The exit sign for Allison Road is located on Interstate 10 in Roosevelt, Texas.[ citation needed ]

At this point in the band's history, Wilson had struggled in convincing his bandmates to record the songs he had written: in particular, guitarist Doug Hopkins would often refuse to rehearse Wilson's tracks or help him finish songs. However, "Allison Road" had impressed his bandmates sufficiently to earn a place on the band's album. Wilson recalled, "When I came in with 'Allison Road,' it was hard for everybody, even Doug, to deny that I had a significant contribution to make to the songs." [5]

Release

"Allison Road" was a moderate hit when released as the fourth single from New Miserable Experience, charting on the Airplay charts in the US as well as reaching number 21 in Canada.

Critical reception

"Allison Road" saw praise from music critics. Ed Masley of The Arizona Republic listed the song as the Gin Blossom's ninth best song on his list of the band's top 30 tracks, dubbing the song a "jangle-rocking gem." [2]

Charts

Chart (1994)Peak
position
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [6] 21 [7]
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [8] 31
US Adult Top 40 ( Billboard ) [9] 38
US Alternative Airplay ( Billboard ) [10] 39
US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [11] 20
US Mainstream Top 40 ( Billboard ) [12] 11

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gin Blossoms</span> American alternative rock band

Gin Blossoms is an American alternative rock band formed in 1987 in Tempe, Arizona. They rose to prominence following the 1992 release of their first major label album, New Miserable Experience, and the first single released from that album, "Hey Jealousy". "Hey Jealousy" became a Top 25 hit and went gold, and New Miserable Experience eventually went quadruple platinum; four other charting singles were released from the album. The band's follow-up album, Congratulations I'm Sorry (1996), went platinum and the single "As Long as It Matters" was nominated for a Grammy Award. Gin Blossoms broke up in 1997. Since reuniting in 2001, the band has released Major Lodge Victory in 2006, No Chocolate Cake in 2010, and Mixed Reality in 2018.

<i>New Miserable Experience</i> 1992 studio album by Gin Blossoms

New Miserable Experience is the second studio album by alternative rock band Gin Blossoms, released on August 4, 1992. The album was released to little fanfare and relatively lackluster reviews. However, nearly a year after its release the lead single "Hey Jealousy" entered the top 40. With "Found Out About You" following a few months later, the album eventually reached multi-platinum status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robin Wilson (musician)</span> American musician

Robin Wilson is an American musician most notable for his work as the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band Gin Blossoms.

<i>Congratulations Im Sorry</i> 1996 studio album by Gin Blossoms

Congratulations I'm Sorry is the third studio album by the American alternative rock band Gin Blossoms, and the follow-up album to the successful 1992 release New Miserable Experience, released in 1996 by A&M Records. The album was named in reference to the success of 1992's New Miserable Experience, followed closely by the suicide of the former band member Doug Hopkins in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey Jealousy</span> 1989 song by Gin Blossoms

"Hey Jealousy" is a song by American rock band Gin Blossoms. The song was included on the group's debut album, Dusted (1989), and was re-recorded for their 1992 album, New Miserable Experience. It was written by lead guitarist Doug Hopkins, who was fired from the band before New Miserable Experience was released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I Come Around</span> 1995 single by Green Day

"When I Come Around" is a song by American rock band Green Day. It is the 10th track on their third studio album, Dookie (1994), and was shipped to radio in December 1994 before being physically released as the fourth single from that album in January 1995 by Reprise Records. It was played live as early as 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fly (Sugar Ray song)</span> 1997 single by Sugar Ray

"Fly" is a song by American rock band Sugar Ray. It appears on their 1997 album Floored twice: one version with reggae artist Super Cat and the other without. The song was serviced to US radio in May 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lightning Crashes</span> 1994 single by Live

"Lightning Crashes" is a song by American rock band Live. It was released in September 1994 as the third single from their second studio album, Throwing Copper. Although the track was not released as a single in the United States, it received enough radio airplay to peak at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart in 1995. The song also topped the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart for 10 weeks and the Modern Rock Tracks chart for nine weeks. Internationally, the song reached No. 3 in Canada, No. 8 in Iceland, and No. 13 in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shine (Collective Soul song)</span> 1993 single by Collective Soul

"Shine" is the debut single by American alternative rock band Collective Soul. It served as the lead single for their 1993/1994 debut album, Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid. "Shine" would remain the band's most well known song and a hallmark of 1990s alternative rock. It became the number one Album Rock Song of 1994, and won a Billboard award for Top Rock Track. The song also reached the top of the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart for eight weeks. The song then went on to peak at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's All Been Done</span> 1998 single by Barenaked Ladies

"It's All Been Done" is a song by Canadian alternative rock group Barenaked Ladies. It was released as the second single from their fourth studio album, Stunt (1998). The song was successful in Canada, peaking at No. 1 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart and becoming the band's highest-charting song in their native country. The song was used as the theme song for the television series Baby Blues. The song is also notable for being one of the band's first to feature an electric guitar solo by Ed Robertson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walkin' on the Sun</span> 1997 single by Smash Mouth

"Walkin' on the Sun" is a song by American rock band Smash Mouth from their first album, Fush Yu Mang (1997). Released as their debut single in June 1997, the song was Smash Mouth's first major single, reaching No. 1 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart. It was also a success abroad, peaking at No. 3 in Canada and Iceland, No. 5 in Italy and Spain, and No. 7 in Australia, where it is certified platinum for shipments exceeding 70,000 units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Closing Time (Semisonic song)</span> 1998 single by Semisonic

"Closing Time" is a song by American rock band Semisonic. It was released on March 10, 1998, as the lead single from their second studio album, Feeling Strangely Fine, and began to receive mainstream radio airplay on April 27, 1998. The ballad was written by Dan Wilson and produced by Nick Launay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Found Out About You</span> 1989 song by Gin Blossoms

"Found Out About You" is the fourth single from American rock band Gin Blossoms' second studio album, New Miserable Experience (1992). Written by lead guitarist Doug Hopkins, who was fired from the band after the album, it first appeared on their 1989 debut recording, Dusted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Picture (song)</span> 2002 single by Kid Rock

"Picture" is a duet written by American music artists Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow, released on November 12, 2002, as the fourth single and ninth track from Kid Rock's 2001 album Cocky. The original recording on the album is performed by the song's writers. Rock re-recorded the song for radio with alternative country singer Allison Moorer because Atlantic was initially unable to get the rights from Crow's label to release the album version as a single. When the Moorer version was released, some radio stations began playing the Crow version instead, leading Billboard to credit the song variously to Kid Rock featuring Sheryl Crow or Allison Moorer. The song was a commercial and critical success and was nominated for Vocal Event of The Year at the 2003 Country Music Association awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hanginaround</span> 1999 single by Counting Crows

"Hanginaround" is a song by American rock band Counting Crows. It is the first track on their third album, This Desert Life (1999). Released on October 18, 1999, the song reached number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming their biggest hit on the chart from this album. It also reached number one on the Billboard Triple-A chart, their second number-one single on this listing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Til I Hear It from You</span> 1995 single by Gin Blossoms

"Til I Hear It from You" is a song by the Gin Blossoms that was released as the lead single from the soundtrack to the film Empire Records in July 1995. It topped the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart for six weeks, rose to number eight in Iceland, and reached number 39 in the United Kingdom. In January 1996, it was re-released as a double-A side with "Follow You Down" in the United States, peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. Billboard described "Til I Hear It from You" as "the closest thing to a perfect pop song to hit radio in recent memory" lauding its "breezy and wonderfully infectious melody, the boy-needs-girl lyrics, and the earnest execution."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Until I Fall Away</span> 1993 single by Gin Blossoms

"Until I Fall Away" is a song by American rock band Gin Blossoms. Released as a single in 1993, it reached number 13 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1994. The same year, it peaked at number 34 in Iceland and number 35 in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Follow You Down</span> 1996 single by Gin Blossoms

"Follow You Down" is a song by American rock band Gin Blossoms, and the first single released from their album Congratulations I'm Sorry. It was released as a double A-side single with "Til I Hear It from You" in the United States. The song received a fair amount of radio play and has been featured in several films, including How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. It reached number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 in a 46-week stay on the chart. It also became the band's second number-one single in Canada, after "Til I Hear It from You", and reached number 30 in the United Kingdom.

This discography of American alternative rock band Gin Blossoms, consists of six studio albums, one live album, two EPs, four compilation albums, and 15 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Live discography</span> Band discography

The discography of the American rock band Live consists of nine studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, three extended plays, twenty-eight singles and twenty-six music videos. After initially self-releasing a full-length album and an EP under the name Public Affection, their first studio album as Live, 1991's Mental Jewelry, peaked at number 73 on the Billboard 200. The single "Operation Spirit " peaked at number nine on the Alternative Songs chart.

References

  1. Unterberger, Andrew. "Top Ten Mediocre Post-Grunge / Alternative Bands". Stylus Magazine . Archived from the original on August 15, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Masley, Ed. "30 best Gin Blossoms songs including 'Hey Jealousy,' 'Follow You Down' and 'Mrs. Rita'". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  3. "The 100 Best Alternative Rock Songs Of 1994". SPIN. August 18, 2014. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  4. Boehlert, Eric (15 October 1994), "The modern age". Billboard. 106 (42):95
  5. "Robin Wilson Invites Us To His Front Yard Show, Talks Gin Blossoms". American Songwriter. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  6. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2382." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  7. "Top Singles - Volume 60, No. 16". RPM (Library and Archives Canada). November 7, 1994. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  8. "Gin Blossoms Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  9. "Gin Blossoms Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  10. "Gin Blossoms Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  11. "Gin Blossoms Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  12. "Gin Blossoms Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2018.