Never There (Cake song)

Last updated
"Never There"
Never there CAKE.jpg
Single by Cake
from the album Prolonging the Magic
B-side "I Will Survive"
ReleasedSeptember 27, 1998 (1998-09-27)
Studio
Genre Alternative rock [1]
Length2:44
Label Capricorn
Songwriter(s) John McCrea
Producer(s) John McCrea
Cake singles chronology
"Friend Is a Four Letter Word"
(1998)
"Never There"
(1998)
"Let Me Go"
(1999)
Music video
"Never There" on YouTube

"Never There" is the first single released from American alternative rock band Cake's third studio album, Prolonging the Magic (1998). The song was commercially successful, topping the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and appearing on the music charts of four other countries. In Australia, the song appeared at number 30 on the Triple J Hottest 100 countdown for 1998. [2]

Contents

Content

According to Cake vocalist John McCrea, the lyrics are sung from the viewpoint of a boy who is frustrated that his girlfriend never answers his phone calls. The boyfriend believes he will not make it through life without her, but in reality, he needs to focus on his own concerns instead. McCrea has described "Never There" as "a country song in disguise". [3]

Chart performance

The song spent three weeks at number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, surpassing "The Distance" (which peaked at number four) as the band's highest-charting single. [4] "Never There" was the band's first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 78. [5] In Iceland, the song was a top-10 hit, peaking at number nine in November 1998. [6] The song also charted in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, reaching numbers 75, 42, and 66, respectively. [7] [8] [9]

Music video

The music video for "Never There", directed by McCrea, features Cake performing in a western-style bar, while a story arc covers a trucker calling his girlfriend on a pay phone and she never answers as she is too busy partying with male body builders in speedos. It was filmed in Sacramento, California. [10]

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the European CD single and Prolonging the Magic liner notes. [12] [17]

Studios

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [24] Gold500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
AustraliaSeptember 27, 1998CD Capricorn [16]
United StatesOctober 20, 1998 Contemporary hit radio [25]
United KingdomApril 19, 1999
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
[26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Week (song)</span> 1998 single by Barenaked Ladies

"One Week" is a song by Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies released as the first single from their 1998 album, Stunt. It was written by Ed Robertson, who is featured on the lead vocal of the rapped verses. Steven Page sings lead on the song's chorus, while the two co-lead the prechoruses in harmony. The song is notable for its significant number of pop culture references and remains the band's best-known song in the United States, where it topped the Billboard Hot 100. Coincidentally, when the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, it remained in the top spot for one week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dolphin's Cry</span> 1999 single by Live

"The Dolphin's Cry" is a song by American alternative rock band Live, released on August 24, 1999, as the lead single from their fourth studio album, The Distance to Here. The song was co-produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads, and features Adam Duritz of Counting Crows on backing vocals. It reached number one on the Canadian RPM Top 30 Rock Report and number two on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. Internationally, "The Dolphin's Cry" peaked at number one in Iceland, number seven in Flanders, and number 10 in the Netherlands while reaching the top 50 on the Australian and New Zealand music charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Know Where It's At</span> 1997 single by All Saints

"I Know Where It's At" is a song by English girl group All Saints, released in August 1997 as their debut single from their first album, All Saints (1997). The song debuted on the National Lottery Live on 9 August 1997 and was first performed on Top of the Pops on 2 September same year. It became the group's first top-10 hit, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart. In the US, the single reached to number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song additionally reached the top 20 in Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Israel and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweetest Thing</span> 1998 single by U2

"Sweetest Thing" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It was originally released as a B-side on the "Where the Streets Have No Name" single in 1987. The song was later re-recorded and re-released as a single in October 1998 for the band's compilation album The Best of 1980–1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That Don't Impress Me Much</span> 1998 single by Shania Twain

"That Don't Impress Me Much" is a song co-written and recorded by Canadian singer Shania Twain. It was released in December 1998 as the sixth country single, and seventh single overall, from her third studio album, Come On Over (1997). It was third to pop and fourth to international markets. The song was written by Robert John "Mutt" Lange and Twain, and was originally released to North American country radio stations in late 1998. It became her third biggest single on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of Twain's biggest hits worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Way (Fastball song)</span> 1998 single by Fastball

"The Way" is a song by American alternative rock band Fastball. It was released on January 7, 1998, as the lead single from their second studio album, All the Pain Money Can Buy (1998). The song was written by the band's lead vocalist, Tony Scalzo, and was produced by the band and Julian Raymond. Scalzo was inspired to write the song after reading about the disappearance of an elderly couple who were found dead in their car many miles away from their intended destination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">There Goes the Neighborhood (Sheryl Crow song)</span> 1998 single by Sheryl Crow

"There Goes the Neighborhood" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow. The song was released as the second single from her third studio album, The Globe Sessions (1998), on November 23, 1998, and won an award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2001.

<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">Slide (Goo Goo Dolls song)</span> 1998 single by Goo Goo Dolls

"Slide" is a song by American alternative rock group Goo Goo Dolls. It was released as the first single from their sixth studio album, Dizzy Up the Girl, in September 1998. According to lead guitarist John Rzeznik, the song is about a Catholic girl who becomes pregnant and discusses with her boyfriend how they should respond to it. Musically, the track is a jangle pop and alternative rock song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">To the Moon and Back (Savage Garden song)</span> 1996 single by Savage Garden

"To the Moon and Back" is a song by Australian pop duo Savage Garden, released in Australia on 4 November 1996 as the second single from their self-titled 1997 album. It was the follow-up to their first hit "I Want You", and won the 1997 ARIA Music Award for Song of the Year. The song became the band's first number-one single in their native country, reached number three on the UK Singles Chart, and peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<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">Black Balloon (Goo Goo Dolls song)</span> 1999 single by Goo Goo Dolls

"Black Balloon" is a song by American rock band Goo Goo Dolls. It was released in June 1999 as the fourth single from the band's sixth studio album, Dizzy Up the Girl (1998), and reached No. 3 in Canada, No. 16 in the United States, and No. 23 in Iceland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clumsy (Our Lady Peace song)</span> 1997 single by Our Lady Peace

"Clumsy" is a song by Canadian alternative rock band Our Lady Peace. It was released in 1997 as the second single from their second album, Clumsy. It is one of the band's most successful singles, reaching number one in Canada for three weeks. It also experienced success in the United States, reaching number five on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and staying in the top ten for 15 weeks. The song ranked number one on CILQ-FM's Top 107 songs of 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just the Two of Us (Will Smith song)</span> 1998 single by Will Smith

"Just the Two of Us" is a song by American rapper Will Smith. It was released as the fourth single from his debut solo studio album, Big Willie Style (1997), on July 20, 1998. The song was inspired by Bill Withers' and Grover Washington, Jr.'s love song of the same title; Smith's version samples and incorporates lyrics from the original. Instead of love between a couple, "Just the Two of Us" focuses on the relationship between a father and son. The song features Fuzzy and Sauce from the R&B group Somethin' for the People with Fuzzy providing the chorus and ad-libs, while Sauce is a credited as a producer on the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Impression That I Get</span> 1997 single by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones

"The Impression That I Get" is a song by American ska punk band the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, released as the lead single from their fifth studio album, Let's Face It (1997), in February 1997. The track reached number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart while also charting highly in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The song was certified gold in the United States and Australia. Chris Applebaum directed the song's music video while Adam Stern produced it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Every Morning (Sugar Ray song)</span> 1999 single by Sugar Ray

"Every Morning" is a song by American rock band Sugar Ray, released as the lead single from their third studio album, 14:59 (1999). The track is an alternative rock and flamenco pop song that references Malo's "Suavecito" and Hugh Masekela's "Grazing in the Grass". Serviced to US radio in December 1998, "Every Morning" was released in Japan in January 1999 and in the United States two months later, making it Sugar Ray's first commercially available single in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lullaby (Shawn Mullins song)</span> 1998 single by Shawn Mullins

"Lullaby" is a song by American rock singer Shawn Mullins from his fourth studio album, Soul's Core (1998). It was released in August 1998 and is Mullins' most successful song to date, reaching number one on the US Billboard Adult Top 40, number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, and number nine on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also found success abroad, reaching number nine on the UK Singles Chart, number five in Australia, and number two in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweet Surrender (Sarah McLachlan song)</span> 1997 single by Sarah McLachlan

"Sweet Surrender" is a song by Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan. It was released in 1997 as the second single from her fourth studio album, Surfacing (1997). The song peaked at number two in Canada and number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2001, a maxi-single with remixes by DJ Tiësto was released peaking at number six on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, three years after its original release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falls Apart (Sugar Ray song)</span> 1999 single by Sugar Ray

"Falls Apart" is a song by American rock band Sugar Ray from their third studio album, 14:59 (1999). The song was released commercially in Japan as the album's second single on May 12, 1999, and was serviced to US radio on November 22, 1999, as the album's third single. "Falls Apart" reached number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. Outside the US, the single peaked at number 15 in Canada, number 33 in New Zealand, and number 54 in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Someday (Sugar Ray song)</span> 1999 single by Sugar Ray

"Someday" is a song by American rock band Sugar Ray. First serviced to American radio in June 1999, the song was released on September 7, 1999, as the second US single and third single overall from the band's third album, 14:59 (1999). The song reached number seven on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Modern Rock Tracks charts, number four on Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, and number 25 in New Zealand.

References

  1. Brian Galindo, Alex Naidus & Ryan Creed (November 5, 2023). "37 Alt Rock Songs You Haven't Thought About Since The Late '90s". BuzzFeed . Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  2. "Triple J Hottest 100 1998". Australian Broadcasting Company . Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  3. Bell, Carrie (October 10, 1998). "The Modern Age" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 110, no. 41. p. 81. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Cake Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Cake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Íslenski Listinn (27.11–4.11. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). November 27, 1998. p. 12. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  7. 1 2 Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 47.
  8. 1 2 "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6974." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  9. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  10. "Production Notes" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 110, no. 42. October 17, 1998. p. 96. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  11. Never There (US CD single liner notes). Cake. Capricorn Records. 1998. 566526-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. 1 2 Never There (European CD single liner notes). Cake. Capricorn Records. 1998. 566 526-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Never There (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Cake. Capricorn Records, Mercury Records. 1999. 870 810-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. Never There (UK CD1 liner notes). Cake. Capricorn Records, Mercury Records. 1999. 870 811-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. Never There (UK CD2 liner notes). Cake. Capricorn Records, Mercury Records. 1999. 870 813-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. 1 2 "Australian-charts.com – Cake – Never There". ARIA Top 50 Singles . Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  17. Prolonging the Magic (US CD album liner notes). Cake. Capricorn Records. 1998. 314 538 092-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 7037." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  19. "Cake Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  20. "Cake Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  21. "Most Played Modern Rock Songs of 1998". Airplay Monitor . Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 47.
  22. "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 54.
  23. "1999 The Year in Music: Hot Modern Rock Tracks" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-90. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  24. "American single certifications – Cake – Never There". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  25. "New Releases". Radio & Records . No. 1270. October 16, 1998. p. 76.
  26. "New Releases – For Week Starting 19 April, 1999: Singles". Music Week . April 17, 1999. p. 27.