Hey Jealousy

Last updated

"Hey Jealousy"
Gin Blossoms - Hey Jealousy.jpg
Single by Gin Blossoms
from the album New Miserable Experience
B-side "29"
ReleasedJune 1993 (1993-06)
Genre
Length3:56
Label A&M
Songwriter(s) Doug Hopkins
Producer(s)
  • Gin Blossoms
  • John Hampton
Gin Blossoms singles chronology
"Mrs. Rita"
(1993)		"Hey Jealousy"
(1993)		"Until I Fall Away"
(1993)

"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.

Contents

"Hey Jealousy" became the band's signature song, reaching number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1993. It peaked at number 20 in Iceland, number 24 in the United Kingdom, number 28 in Australia, and number 39 in Canada. "Hey Jealousy" was certified gold.

Background

Gnome-mime-audio-openclipart.svg
"Hey Jealousy" (1992 re-recording) by Gin Blossoms
Clip from "Hey Jealousy"
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Hey Jealousy" was inspired by Hopkins' desire to get back with his ex-girlfriend Cathy Swafford, who had left him because of his drinking and cheating. [4] Ed Masley of The Arizona Republic describes the song this way:

...[A guy] shows up at his ex's house too drunk to drive and asks if he can spend the night, a case he tries to make with "You can see I'm in no shape for driving and anyway, I've got no place to go."
She was the best he'd ever had, he admits before bringing the verse to a humiliating close with "If I hadn't blown the whole thing years ago, I might not be alone." But he's not giving up just yet, heading into the chorus full of hope as he attempts to sell her on a promise of "Tomorrow we can drive around this town and let the cops chase us around/ The past is gone but something might be found to take its place".
There's too much self-awareness here to win a reasonable person over ("If you don't expect too much from me, you might not be let down."). [5]

Hopkins originally included the line "you can trust me not to drink" in "Hey Jealousy", but lead singer Robin Wilson insisted on changing "drink" to "think," having grown tired of Hopkins' lyrical references to his drinking problem. [6] Wilson explained:

Yes, because there were so many references to drinking, you know, in our songs. I would try to steer it away from that all the time. The band was called Gin Blossoms, which, as you know, is a reference to heavy drinking. We had all of these lyrics about it, and it was something we seemed to be talking about too much. I didn't think it was that big of a deal to change one word. [7]

Hopkins, who was dismissed from the band due to alcohol abuse before New Miserable Experience was released, [8] was upset that Wilson changed the lyric. When asked about the song after it became a hit, Hopkins expressed discomfort with the track, stating that he turned it off when he heard it on the radio. [9] [ dead link ]

Release

"Hey Jealousy" was included as a track on Gin Blossoms' 1989 debut album, Dusted. [10] It was re-recorded [11] and released as a track on New Miserable Experience. [10] Although New Miserable Experience initially stalled in the charts, it received a second promotional push that benefited "Hey Jealousy" in the form of a new music video. Wilson noted,

One day we get a call from the label that they were going to try 'Jealousy' again and make another video for it. The budget for the first [video] was five grand; the second was ten grand; and the third was forty grand. That's when I was like, "Holy shit, they're serious." At that point we had been in the van for six months, just a blur of college cafeterias, interviews and opening for whoever we can. [12]

"Hey Jealousy" made its debut on the Billboard Top 100 on July 24, 1993. [13] It was the band's first hit single, peaking at number 25 on the Billboard chart on October 16, 1993. [5] Guitarist Jesse Valenzuela joked, "It got everywhere. You can hear it at the Lowe's hardware". [12] "Hey Jealousy" has become known as the band's signature song [5] [14] and one of its most enduring hits; [12] it was certified gold by the RIAA. [5]

Critical reception

A review by Rolling Stone called the song "manna for radio", highlighting "the ease with which this quintet casts hooks". [15] AllMusic staff writer Rick Anderson identified "Hey Jealousy" and "Until I Fall Away" as the two songs from New Miserable Experience "that leave the deepest impression". [16]

Ed Masley of The Arizona Republic listed the song as the Gin Blossoms' best song on his list of the band's top 30 tracks, writing, "It's the obvious choice for a reason -- the signature song that started as the breakthrough hit that made the whole thing possible. And it's a great song, brilliantly arranged so as to maximize the tension and release, its understated verses taking on intensity in a wave of distorted guitars as the song makes its way to that singalong chorus." [5]

In a review of the single, Ryan Wasoba of Crawdaddy! considered "Hey Jealousy" more closely in light of Hopkins's struggles, arguing:

With Hopkins functioning as the protagonist, "Hey Jealousy" outlines a cause for intervention. Coming from the mouth of an alcoholic, the deprecating claims in the song ... sting with accuracy. Other lines become the simplistic slurrings of a friend who’s had one too many ... Even the song’s peppy chorus is recontextualized, its hopefulness shriveled into empty promise. [17]

But despite this context, Wasoba still lauded the track as a "bona fide have-a-kick-ass-summer jam": "Through all the potential melancholy, 'Hey Jealousy' is still a party. The guitars still jangle, the tambourine still shimmies. The solo is still totally bitchin'." [17]

Pitchfork said, "Wilson sings, the words rippling out uncannily smooth, their inherent desperation buffed to a shine. The levity in the song's arrangement—the jangling guitar arpeggios, the shivers of tambourine—belie the weight of the addiction and mental illness Hopkins found himself tangled in while writing, which dragged him to his death." [18]

In 2023, Tyler Golsen of Far Out called "Hey Jealousy" "a candy-coated hand grenade than can still catch you off guard 35 years after Hopkins first conceived of it". Golsen also described the song as "a strange beacon of hope and optimism" and a "mix of despondent lyrics and aggressively catchy pop-rock guitars". [8]

Track listings

Charts

Release history

Release formats for "Hey Jealousy"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
United StatesJune 1993
  • CD
  • cassette
 A&M
United Kingdom [37] January 24, 1994
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Fontana

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.

Douglas Owen Hopkins was an American musician and songwriter. He co-founded Gin Blossoms, a popular modern rock band of the early 1990s, with Richard Taylor. He was the band's lead guitarist and a principal songwriter. Hopkins' writing credits included the hits "Hey Jealousy", "Found Out About You", "Hold Me Down" and "Lost Horizons".

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesse Valenzuela</span> American rock musician

Jesse Valenzuela is an American rock musician and singer who is perhaps best known as a member of the alternative rock band Gin Blossoms. He was originally the vocalist in Gin Blossoms when the band first formed in 1987.

<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">Drive (R.E.M. song)</span> Song by R.E.M.

"Drive" is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M. It is the first track on and the lead single from their eighth studio album, Automatic for the People (1992), and was the first song lead singer Michael Stipe wrote on a computer. "Drive" peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number two on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. Internationally, "Drive" became R.E.M.'s then-second-biggest hit on the UK Singles Charts, peaking at number 11, and their biggest hit in Norway until "Supernatural Superserious" in 2008, reaching number three. Elsewhere, the song reached the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laid (song)</span> 1993 single by James

"Laid" is the title track from Manchester alternative rock band James's fifth studio album, Laid (1993). Released on 1 November 1993, the song was a commercial success, charting in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States, and has received attention as a theme song for the American Pie film series.

<i>Dusted</i> (Gin Blossoms album) 1989 studio album by Gin Blossoms

Dusted is the debut album by the alternative rock band the Gin Blossoms. It was released through San Jacinto Records, a small independent label as a 12-song tape and record in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Run-Around (song)</span> 1995 single by Blues Traveler

"Run-Around" is a song by American rock band Blues Traveler, featured on their fourth studio album, Four (1994). The song was the band's breakthrough hit, peaking at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 13 on Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. It gave the band their first Grammy Award in 1996, for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She Sells Sanctuary</span> 1985 single by the Cult

"She Sells Sanctuary" is a song by British rock band the Cult. It is from their second studio album, Love (1985), and was released as a single on 13 May 1985, peaking at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart in July of the same year. In July 2020, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded the song a gold certification for sales and streams of over 400,000. In January 1993, the song was re-released as "Sanctuary MCMXCIII" and experienced chart success once more, matching its original peak on the UK Singles Chart and entering the top 10 in New Zealand.

<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">Born of Frustration</span> 1992 single by James

"Born of Frustration" is a song written by Jim Glennie, Larry Gott, and Tim Booth and released as a single by English Madchester band James. It is the follow-up to 1991 hits "Sit Down" and "Sound", which both peaked within the UK top 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allison Road (song)</span> 1994 single by Gin Blossoms

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

<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">If I Ever Lose My Faith in You</span> 1993 single by Sting

"If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" is a song by English singer-songwriter Sting, released on 1 February 1993 as the lead single from his fourth studio album, Ten Summoner's Tales (1993). The song reached number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the top 40 in several European countries. In Canada, the song reached number one, spending three weeks atop the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart and finishing 1993 as Canada's fourth-most-successful single.

<i>Outside Looking In: The Best of the Gin Blossoms</i> 1999 greatest hits album by Gin Blossoms

Outside Looking In: The Best of the Gin Blossoms is a greatest hits album by American alternative rock band Gin Blossoms. It was released in 1999 on A&M Records. It includes eleven songs from their previous two A&M studio albums, New Miserable Experience and Congratulations… I'm Sorry. The remaining three songs are from different sources. "Just South of Nowhere" was originally included on the 1991 EP Up and Crumbling. The hit single "Til I Hear It from You" was originally found on the soundtrack of the 1995 movie Empire Records. "Whitewash" is a previously unreleased 1996 live recording of the song originally included on Congratulations… I'm Sorry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">As Long as It Matters</span> 1996 single by Gin Blossoms

"As Long as It Matters" is a song by American power pop band Gin Blossoms. It was released in July 1996 via A&M Records as the third single from their third studio album, Congratulations I'm Sorry (1996). The song was written by Phillip Rhodes, Jesse Valenzuela, and Robin Wilson and produced by John Hampton and the band.

References

  1. ↑ Al-Sharif, Rabab (August 21, 2020). "10 Pop-Punk Covers of '90s Songs". Loudwire . Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  2. ↑ Waldman, Scott (April 3, 2020). "10 Best Pop-Rock Songs of the '90s". Loudwire . Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  3. ↑ Unterberger, Andrew (August 6, 2004). "Top Ten Mediocre Post-Grunge / Alternative Bands". Stylus Magazine . Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Gin Blossoms: Doug Hopkins". VH1 True Spin. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Masley, Ed (February 23, 2021). "30 best Gin Blossoms songs including 'Hey Jealousy,' 'Follow You Down' and 'Mrs. Rita'". The Arizona Republic . Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  6. ↑ Geffen, Sasha (April 28, 2016). "13 Sunny '90s Hits with Surprisingly Dark Backstories". MTV.
  7. ↑ Clash, Jim (November 26, 2019). "Gin Blossoms Vocalist Robin Wilson Remembers The Group's Late Guitarist Doug Hopkins". Forbes . Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  8. 1 2 "The story of how Gin Blossoms created 'Hey Jealousy'". faroutmagazine.co.uk. April 11, 2023.
  9. ↑ Ruelas, Richard (December 6, 1993). "Ex-Guitarist for Gin Blossoms Kills Self". Associated Press. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  10. 1 2 Harvilla, Rob (October 22, 2020). "The Heartbreaking Story Behind Gin Blossoms' "Hey Jealousy"". The Ringer.
  11. ↑ "Gin Blossoms". Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 Hudak, Joseph (March 29, 2017). "Gin Blossoms' 'New Miserable Experience' at 25: Inside LP's Dark History". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Gin Blossoms - Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Gin Blossoms go acoustic in Connecticut". The Hour. November 5, 2009.
  15. ↑ "Gin Blossoms: New Miserable Experience". Rolling Stone . July 17, 1997. Archived from the original on December 30, 2007. Retrieved April 16, 2010.
  16. ↑ Anderson, Rick. "New Miserable Experience - Gin Blossoms | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved April 22, 2010.
  17. 1 2 Wasoba, Ryan (October 13, 2009). "Gin Blossoms "Hey Jealousy"". Crawdaddy! . Archived from the original on November 3, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
  18. ↑ Sasha Geffen (September 27, 2022). "The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  19. ↑ Hey Jealousy (US cassette single cassette notes). Gin Blossoms. A&M Records. 1992. 314 560 242-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ↑ Hey Jealousy (UK cassette single sleeve). Gin Blossoms. Fontana Records. 1992. GINMC-3, 580 363-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ↑ Hey Jealousy (European & Australasian CD single liner notes). Gin Blossoms. A&M Records. 1992. AMCD 127, 580 127-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ↑ Hey Jealousy (Australian cassette single sleeve). Gin Blossoms. A&M Records. 1992. 580 356-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ Hey Jealousy (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Gin Blossoms. Fontana Records. 1993. GIN3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ↑ Hey Jealousy (UK CD single liner notes). Gin Blossoms. Fontana Records. 1993. GINCD 3, 580 357-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ↑ Hey Jealousy (UK maxi-CD single liner notes). Gin Blossoms. Fontana Records. 1993. GINCD 1, 580 363-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ↑ "Gin Blossoms – Hey Jealousy". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2277." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 9. February 26, 1994. p. 14. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (11.–17. nóv.)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). November 11, 1993. p. 20. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Gin Blossoms Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Gin Blossoms Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Gin Blossoms Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  35. ↑ "U.S. Cash Box Charts" (PDF). popmusichistory. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1993". Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  37. ↑ "Single Releases". Music Week . January 22, 1994. p. 21.
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.