Glycerine (song)

Last updated

"Glycerine"
Bush glycerine.png
Single by Bush
from the album Sixteen Stone
B-side
  • "Solomon's Bones"
  • "Alien" (LP version)
ReleasedNovember 1995 [1]
RecordedJanuary 1994
Studio Westside Studios, London [2]
Genre
Length4:26
Label
Songwriter(s) Gavin Rossdale
Producer(s)
Bush singles chronology
"Comedown"
(1995)		"Glycerine"
(1995)		"Machinehead"
(1996)

"Glycerine" is a song by English rock band Bush. It was released in November 1995 as the fourth single from their debut album, Sixteen Stone .

Contents

Composition

Gavin Rossdale wrote the song in 1993, about his then-girlfriend, Suze DeMarchi as stated in an interview with Howard Stern. [6] He wrote it in his London flat, feeling that there was an ancient, mystical element to the song as it was coming together. He told Entertainment Weekly in 2017 that "I was like a conduit. Something about it was bigger than anything we were doing." [7] Rossdale found that the song was more sophisticated than his previous work, and he needed to check with his bandmates to make sure he hadn't inadvertently played an existing song. [8] [9] [10]

The song is in the key of F major. The chord progression is F maj – C maj – D min – B♭ maj throughout the verse with various ornamental embellishments diatonic to the key of F major, including the bridge which cycles between the I (F major), V (C major), IV (B♭ major), and V chord in F Major. The refrain towards the end hangs on the vi (D minor) – IV (B♭ major) before returning to the recurring progression for the last verse.

The single includes a previously unreleased B-side, "Solomon's Bones", which was recorded on 7 November 1995 at River Studios, London and engineered by Joel Monger. [11]

Music video

The music video for "Glycerine" was shot in a very short time period when the band was on tour in the United States. The video was shot so quickly because the band's visas had expired. Though simple and unadorned, the video was highly acclaimed and won several awards, including the MTV Video Music Award - Viewer's Choice as well nominated for Best Alternative Video at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards. The music video was directed by Kevin Kerslake and shot in Atlanta, Georgia on 2 October 1995. Portions were also shot in Worcester, Massachusetts. [12]

Track listing

  1. "Glycerine"
  2. "Solomon's Bones"
  3. "Alien" [LP Version]

Commercial performance

Following the album's third single, "Comedown", "Glycerine" shared equal success. Like "Comedown", it reached number one on the Modern Rock Tracks chart for two weeks, in December 1995. It is also the band's biggest pop hit to date, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 on 24 February 1996. [13] The song won the Viewer's Choice Award at the 1996 MTV Music Video Awards. The song was voted number 5 on the Australian annual music poll Triple J Hottest 100 in 1996.

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [33] Gold35,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Live version

"Glycerine (Live)"
Bush Glycerine ft. Gwen Stefani.jpg
Single by Bush featuring Gwen Stefani
Released13 December 2012 (2012-12-13)
Recorded8 December 2012
Genre Post-grunge [34]
Length4:38
Label Zuma Rock
Songwriter(s) Gavin Rossdale
Bush singles chronology
"Baby Come Home"
(2012)		"Glycerine (Live)"
(2012)		"The Only Way Out"
(2014)
Gwen Stefani singles chronology
"Early Winter"
(2008)		"Glycerine"
(2012)		"Baby Don't Lie"
(2014)

Bush performed a new version of "Glycerine" at KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas on 8 December 2012, which featured a surprise appearance from American singer and songwriter, and Gavin Rossdale's then-wife Gwen Stefani. [35] The single was never released on an album, as both Stefani and Bush were not working on any new material.

"Glycerine" live single sales and broadcast chart positions
Chart (2013)Peak position
US Alternative Digital Singles (Billboard) [36] 16
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) [37] 38
US Rock Digital Songs (Billboard) [38] 22

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gavin Rossdale</span> British musician

Gavin McGregor Rossdale is a British musician, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush. He helped form Bush in 1992; on the band's separation in 2002, he became the lead singer and guitarist for Institute and later began a solo career. He resumed his role in Bush when the band reunited in 2010. In 2013, he received the British Academy's Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bush (British band)</span> British rock band

Bush are a British rock band formed in London in 1992. Their current lineup consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Gavin Rossdale, lead guitarist Chris Traynor, bassist Corey Britz, and drummer Nik Hughes.

<i>Sixteen Stone</i> 1994 studio album by Bush

Sixteen Stone is the debut studio album by English rock band Bush, released 1 November 1994 by Trauma and Interscope Records. It became the band's most popular album, peaking at number four on the US Billboard 200 and boasting numerous successful singles. "Comedown" and "Glycerine" remain two of Bush's biggest hits to date, each reaching number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. "Comedown", "Machinehead", and "Glycerine" were the three songs from the album to enter the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number thirty, number forty-three, and number twenty-eight, respectively. The album was certified 6× Platinum in the United States by the RIAA on 16 April 1997. Although notably less successful in the band's native Britain, the album was nonetheless certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Speak</span> 1996 single by No Doubt

"Don't Speak" is a song by American rock band No Doubt, featured on their third studio album, Tragic Kingdom (1995). Released as the album's third single in April 1996 by Interscope Records, the song was initially written as a love song by lead singer Gwen Stefani and her brother, former band member Eric Stefani. However, after several revisions, Gwen reworked the lyrics into a breakup song, reflecting the end of her seven-year relationship with bandmate Tony Kanal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spiderwebs (song)</span> 1996 single by No Doubt

"Spiderwebs" is a song by American band No Doubt from their third studio album, Tragic Kingdom (1995). It was written by Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal, produced by Matthew Wilder, and released as the album's second single in 1996. "Spiderwebs" appears on their 2003 greatest hits album, The Singles 1992–2003. Stefani was inspired to write the song after an admirer recited bad poetry to her. "Spiderwebs" is a ska punk song with angsty lyrics responding to Stefani's potential suitors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Institute (band)</span> American rock band

Institute was an American rock band featuring Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale. The band's only album, Distort Yourself, was released on September 13, 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just a Girl</span> 1995 single by No Doubt

"Just a Girl" is a song by American band No Doubt from their third studio album, Tragic Kingdom (1995). Released as the record's lead single in the United States on September 21, 1995, it was written by Gwen Stefani and Tom Dumont, and produced by Matthew Wilder. It has also made an appearance on their 2003 greatest hits album, The Singles 1992–2003. Lyrically, "Just a Girl" is about Stefani's perspective of life as a woman and her struggles with having strict parents. "Just a Girl" was the first song Stefani wrote without the assistance of her brother Eric.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Underneath It All</span> 2002 single by No Doubt

"Underneath It All" is a song by American ska band No Doubt, released in July 2002 as the third single from their fourth studio album Rock Steady (2001). Written by the band's lead singer Gwen Stefani and David Stewart, the song features a reggae production from Sly and Robbie and guest vocals from Lady Saw.

<i>Razorblade Suitcase</i> 1996 studio album by Bush

Razorblade Suitcase is the second studio album by English rock band Bush, released on 19 November 1996 by Trauma and Interscope Records. The follow-up to their 1994 debut Sixteen Stone, it was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London with engineer and producer Steve Albini. Its sound is more raw than that of its predecessor and has frequently been compared to Nirvana's In Utero (1993), which was also produced and engineered by Albini. The album is widely regarded as being the last major "grunge" album of the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simple Kind of Life</span> 2000 single by No Doubt

"Simple Kind of Life" is a song written by Gwen Stefani for American rock band No Doubt's fourth album, Return of Saturn (2000). The song contrasts Stefani's desire to settle down and start a family with her commitment to the band. It received positive reviews from music critics, who noted the song's somber melody and raw lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwen Stefani discography</span>

American singer Gwen Stefani has released five studio albums, two extended plays, 37 singles, six promotional singles, one video album, and 28 music videos. She has sold more than 60 million records worldwide. Stefani is also the lead singer of the rock band No Doubt, with which she has released several albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Chemicals Between Us</span> 1999 single by Bush

"The Chemicals Between Us" is a song by alternative band Bush. It was released on 14 September 1999 as the lead single from the band's third album The Science of Things (1999). The song was featured in the TV series Charmed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comedown (song)</span> 1995 single by Bush

"Comedown" is a song by British rock band Bush, released on 26 September 1995 as the third single from their debut album, Sixteen Stone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everything Zen</span> 1995 single by Bush

"Everything Zen" is a single by British rock band Bush. Released on 28 January 1995, it was the band's first single released under the name "Bush", and their second overall. The single comes from their 1994 debut album, Sixteen Stone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swallowed (song)</span> 1996 single by Bush

"Swallowed" is a song by British rock band Bush, released in 1996 as the lead single from the band's 1996 album, Razorblade Suitcase. It also appeared on both Bush greatest hits albums, with live versions appearing on Zen X Four (2005) and Live in Tampa (2020), with remixed editions featured on Deconstructed (1997) and Loads of Remixes (2024). The release of "Swallowed" followed the fifth and final single off of the band's 1994 debut album Sixteen Stone, "Machinehead", by only six months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Machinehead (song)</span> 1996 single by Bush

"Machinehead" is a song by English rock band Bush, released in 1996 as the fifth and final single from their 1994 debut album, Sixteen Stone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Things (Bush song)</span> 1995 single by Bush

"Little Things" is a song by rock band Bush, released on 30 May 1995 as the second single from their 1994 debut album, Sixteen Stone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greedy Fly</span> 1997 single by Bush

"Greedy Fly" is a song by alternative rock band Bush, released on 28 January 1997 as the second single from their second studio album, Razorblade Suitcase (1996).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Remains the Same (song)</span> 2008 single by Gavin Rossdale

"Love Remains the Same" is a song by British artist Gavin Rossdale. It was released in May 2008 as the lead single from his album Wanderlust. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 76 and peaked at number 27. It unexpectedly became Rossdale's first top-40 hit in the United States since 1995 when his former band Bush scored hits with "Comedown" and "Glycerine". It has since become more successful than Rossdale's biggest hits with Bush from the mid-1990s and is now his most successful track.

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

British rock band Bush has released nine studio albums, two live album, three compilation albums, and 36 singles released on Interscope Records. The band had released four studio albums before separating in 2002. They reunited in 2010 and have since released five studio albums.

References

  1. ↑ "Billboard". 18 November 1995.
  2. ↑ Flans, Robyn (26 January 2024). "Classic Tracks: Bush's "Glycerine"" . Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  3. ↑ The Ultimate Nineties Alt-Rock Playlist
    The Atlantic. Retrieved 2016-02-22
  4. ↑ Piccoli, Sean (22 March 1997). "Bush: America's Band". Sun Sentiel. Sun Senitel. Retrieved 23 January 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ "Bush, "Glycerine" SPIN". www.spin.com.
  6. ↑ "Bush's Gavin Rossdale "Glycerine" on the Howard Stern Show (1995)". YouTube . 27 July 2019.
  7. ↑ "Glycerine by Bush". Songfacts. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  8. ↑ Moayeri, Lily (10 November 2023). "Bush's Gavin Rossdale Revisits 1995's Hit Single "Glycerine"". Spin. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  9. ↑ Flans, Robyn (26 January 2024). "Classic Tracks: Bush's "Glycerine"". Mixonline. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  10. ↑ Yates, Rod (14 July 2020). "Bush: The Story Behind The Songs". jaxsta.com. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  11. ↑ "Bush – Glycerine". Discogs . 1996.
  12. ↑ "Music Video History at OneSecondBush.com - A Comprehensive Fan Site for the Band Bush". Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  13. ↑ "Bush – Chart history – Billboard". Billboard . Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  14. ↑ "Bush – Glycerine". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  15. ↑ "EHR Top 40" (PDF). Music & Media. 10 August 1996. p. 25. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  16. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9194." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  17. ↑ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 2890." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  18. ↑ "EHR Top 40" (PDF). Music & Media. 10 August 1996. p. 25. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  19. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (02.03.1996)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 March 1996. p. 16. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  20. ↑ "Bush – Glycerine" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  21. ↑ "Tipparade- Bush" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  22. ↑ "Bush – Glycerine". Top 40 Singles.
  23. ↑ "PERU – Radio Miraflores Super Hit de 1996" (in Polish). Charts Around the World. 31 December 1996. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  24. ↑ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (in French). BAnQ . Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  25. ↑ "Bush Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  26. ↑ "Bush Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  27. ↑ "Bush Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  28. ↑ "Bush Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  29. ↑ "Australian Top 100 Singles 1996". The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved 12 April 2022– via Imgur.
  30. ↑ "The Year In Music 1996 – Hot 100 Singles Airplay". Billboard . Vol. 108, no. 52. 28 December 1996. p. YE-36. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  31. ↑ "The Year In Music 1996 – Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks". Billboard . Vol. 108, no. 52. 28 December 1996. p. YE-76. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  32. ↑ "The Year In Music 1996 – Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard . Vol. 108, no. 52. 28 December 1996. p. YE-78. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  33. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1996 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  34. ↑ Unterberger, Andrew. "Top Ten Mediocre Post-Grunge / Alternative Bands". Stylus Magazine . Archived from the original on 15 August 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  35. ↑ Nicole Powell (20 December 2012). "Gwen Stefani's 'Glycerine' Duet with Husband Gavin Rossdale Released on iTunes". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  36. ↑ "Chart Search". Billboard Rock Digital Songs for Gwen Stefani. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  37. ↑ "Bush Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  38. ↑ "Chart Search". Billboard Rock Digital Songs for Gwen Stefani. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.