No Souvenirs

Last updated
"No Souvenirs"
Etheridge no souvenirs.jpg
Single by Melissa Etheridge
from the album Brave and Crazy
B-side
  • "No Souvenirs" (live)
  • "Brave & Crazy" (live)
ReleasedAugust 14, 1989 (1989-08-14) [1]
Recorded A&M (Hollywood)
Genre Rock
Length4:33
Label Island
Songwriter(s) Melissa Etheridge
Producer(s)
Melissa Etheridge singles chronology
"Let Me Go"
(1989)
"No Souvenirs"
(1989)
"The Angels"
(1989)

"No Souvenirs" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, release as the second single from her second album, Brave and Crazy , in August 1989. Despite peaking at number 95 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the song experienced more success internationally, reaching number 30 in Australia and number four in Canada, where it became Etheridge's highest-charting single until "I Want to Come Over" reached number one in 1996.

Contents

Song information

"No Souvenirs" was actually written before the first album came out but Melissa Etheridge decided to keep it back until the second album since its original intro was too similar to the intro of "Bring Me Some Water". The song is about a love affair that goes by very fast and leaves "no souvenirs". The lyrics reflect a phone call the singer makes a while after the breakup reminding her lover that she can still get in touch with her but that she would also accept it if she destroys all the souvenirs of that relationship. On the bonus DVD of her greatest hits album, Etheridge states that this is the song she gets the most questions about since it names various words she has created and phrases that mean specific things to her ("Jackpot telephone", "Make the buffalo roam"...). [2]

Music video

The music video was shot in 1989 and shows the singer sitting at the dock of a bay playing the guitar with her band in the background. The video plays at night in a big city, most likely New York regarding the skyline in the background. The scene is interrupted by various short films showing her lover destroying the souvenirs of the very short love affair. To illustrate the anonymous character of that relationship, the head of the person is not visible. [3]

Track listings

All songs were written by Melissa Etheridge.

7-inch, cassette, and mini-CD single [4] [5] [6]

  1. "No Souvenirs" – 4:33
  2. "No Souvenirs" (live) – 4:43

US maxi-CD single [7]

  1. "No Souvenirs" – 4:33
  2. "No Souvenirs" (live) – 4:43
  3. "Like the Way I Do" (live) – 10:46

UK 12-inch and CD single [8] [9]

A1. "No Souvenirs" – 4:33
B1. "Brave and Crazy" (live) – 4:47
B2. "No Souvenirs" (live) – 4:43

Credits and personnel

Charts

Related Research Articles

<i>Yes I Am</i> (Melissa Etheridge album) Album by Melissa Etheridge

Yes I Am is the fourth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released by Island Records on September 21, 1993. The title is generally thought to refer to Etheridge's recent coming out as a lesbian, confirming long-standing rumors about her personal life. However, in 2018, Etheridge clarified that in fact the title for the track and album were not statements regarding her sexual identity. Yes I Am is the pivotal album that gave Etheridge national and international recognition. The rock ballad "Come to My Window" was the first single released from the album, which peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, and its video featured the actress Juliette Lewis having a nervous breakdown. This single was quickly followed by "I'm the Only One", which became a major hit in the US and reached No. 8 on the Hot 100, and "If I Wanted To", which reached No. 16.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come to My Window</span> 1993 single by Melissa Etheridge

"Come to My Window" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released in 1993 as the second single from her fourth studio album, Yes I Am (1993). This was the first song to become a hit after Etheridge publicly announced that she was a lesbian. With the driving force of gay rights, the song gained substantial airplay on radio stations, mostly through call-in requests. The song debuted on the Billboard charts after the first week of its release, reaching number 25 on the chart. The song also charted in Canada, reaching number 13 on the RPM Top Singles chart. It was the second song from Etheridge that earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. In 2019, Billboard included "Come to My Window" in its list of the "30 Lesbian Love Songs".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connection (Elastica song)</span> 1994 single by Elastica

"Connection" is a song by Britpop group Elastica. It was originally released on 10 October 1994 as a single and included on their self-titled debut album in 1995. The song debuted and peaked at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart and became one of the few Britpop songs to gain popularity in North America, reaching number 53 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number nine on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What I Am</span> 1988 single by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians

"What I Am" is a song written by Edie Brickell and Kenny Withrow and recorded by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians for their debut album, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars (1988). The song is highlighted by a guitar solo that notably features an envelope filter. It peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100, topped the Canadian RPM 100 Singles chart, and became a top-20 hit in Australia and New Zealand. "What I Am" was ranked number 23 on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 80s".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unskinny Bop</span> 1990 single by Poison

"Unskinny Bop" is a song by American glam metal band Poison, released as the first single from their third studio album, Flesh & Blood (1990), on June 18, 1990. The song peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, number five on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, and number three on the Canadian and New Zealand charts. It also entered the top 20 in Australia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cold Hearted</span> 1989 single by Paula Abdul

"Cold Hearted" is a song by American singer Paula Abdul, released in June 1989 as the fifth single from her debut album, Forever Your Girl (1988). It was written and co-produced by Elliot Wolff and reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the album's third song to top the US chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rooms on Fire</span> 1989 single by Stevie Nicks

"Rooms on Fire" is a song by American singer and songwriter Stevie Nicks from her fourth solo studio album The Other Side of the Mirror (1989). Written by Nicks and Rick Nowels, and produced by Rupert Hine, the song was released on April 24, 1989, by the Modern label, as the lead single from The Other Side of the Mirror. The 12-inch single was released in a limited-edition poster sleeve in certain territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Kiss (Faith Hill song)</span> 1998 song by Faith Hill

"This Kiss" is a song by American country music singer Faith Hill from her third studio album Faith. It was written by Beth Nielsen Chapman, Robin Lerner and Annie Roboff, and produced by Hill and Byron Gallimore. It was released on February 23, 1998, as the album's first single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Alive (Love and Rockets song)</span> 1989 single by Love and Rockets

"So Alive" is a song by British alternative rock band Love and Rockets, released in 1989 as the second single from their self-titled fourth album. The song reached No. 1 in Canada and charted within the top 30 in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. In the US, it topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for five weeks and was ranked No. 1 on that listing's year-end chart for 1989. The song's music video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh and produced by Pamela James.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sacrifice (Elton John song)</span> 1989 single by Elton John

"Sacrifice" is a song by English musician Elton John, written by John and Bernie Taupin, from John's 22nd studio album, Sleeping with the Past (1989). It was first released in October 1989 as the second single from the album. It achieved success in 1990, particularly in France and the United Kingdom, becoming John's first solo chart-topper in both nations. The song describes how hard it is to stay faithful and devoted in a marriage, challenging the mantra that a successful union requires sacrifice. Due to the song's success, John has played this song in various locations in the years since it was released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm the Only One</span> 1993 single by Melissa Etheridge

"I'm the Only One" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge from her fourth studio album, Yes I Am (1993). It was released as the first single in September 1993, reaching number 12 in Canada and number 26 in the Netherlands. In the United States, it was slow to gain momentum, but after the success of "Come to My Window", it was re-released, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in January 1995. It remains Etheridge's biggest hit on either chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roam</span> 1989 single by the B-52s

"Roam" is a song by American new wave band the B-52's released as the fourth single from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989). The vocals are sung by Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, making it the only vocal track on the album without any vocal involvement from Fred Schneider. It is also the only track from the album in which the B-52's worked with a co-writer, Robert Waldrop, who penned the lyrics. Released as a single in 1989, "Roam" peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and entered the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild, Wild West (The Escape Club song)</span> 1988 single by the Escape Club

"Wild, Wild West" is a song by British pop rock band the Escape Club from their debut studio album, Wild Wild West (1988). The single reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 the week of 12 November 1988, making the Escape Club the only British artist to have a No. 1 hit in the United States while never charting in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out of Tears</span> 1994 single by the Rolling Stones

"Out of Tears" is a song by English rock band the Rolling Stones featured on their 1994 album, Voodoo Lounge. It was released as the album's third single. The song was moderately successful, reaching the top 40 in several countries, but was a successful follow-up to "Love Is Strong" in Canada, peaking at No. 3 on the RPM Top Singles chart for six consecutive weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bring Me Some Water</span> 1988 single by Melissa Etheridge

"Bring Me Some Water" is the debut single of American singer Melissa Etheridge. It was released in 1988 and became a hit in several countries, reaching the top 20 in Australia, New Zealand, and on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angels Would Fall</span> 1999 single by Melissa Etheridge

"Angels Would Fall" is a song by American musician Melissa Etheridge, released as the first single from her sixth album, Breakdown (1999), in August 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free to Decide</span> 1996 single by the Cranberries

"Free to Decide" is a song by Irish rock band the Cranberries, released as the second single from their third studio album, To the Faithful Departed (1996), on 1 July 1996. The song achieved minor chart success in Europe but became a top-10 hit in Canada, peaking at number two on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. In the United States, it peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number eight on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. In 2017, the song was released as an acoustic version on the band's Something Else album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If I Wanted To</span> 1994 single by Melissa Etheridge

"If I Wanted To" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released in 1994 as the final single from her fourth studio album, Yes I Am (1993). The song entered the top 50 in Australia, Canada, Iceland, and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Your Little Secret (song)</span> 1994 single by Melissa Etheridge

"Your Little Secret" is the first single and title track from American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge's fifth studio album of the same name (1995). The song was released to US radio stations on October 9, 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want to Come Over</span> 1996 single by Melissa Etheridge

"I Want to Come Over" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge. It was released in late January 1996 as the second single from her fifth studio album, Your Little Secret (1995). The song was a commercial success, reaching number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 29 in both Australia and New Zealand. It also reached number one on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart in March 1996. At the end of the year, the song appeared on the American and Canadian year-end charts at numbers 79 and 11, respectively.

References

  1. "New Singles". Music Week . August 12, 1989. p. 33.Misprinted as August 17 on source. The New Albums section uses the correct date.
  2. Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled Bonus DVD at 28:01
  3. Melissa Etheridge – No Souvenirs on YouTube
  4. No Souvenirs (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1989. 7-99176.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. No Souvenirs (US cassette single sleeve). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1989. 4-99176.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. No Souvenirs (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Melissa Etheridge. Polydor Records. 1989. PO9D-31007.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. No Souvenirs (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1989. 2-99176.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. No Souvenirs (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1989. 12IS431.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. No Souvenirs (UK CD single liner notes). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1989. CID431.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. "Melissa Etheridge – No Souvenirs". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  11. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6617." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  12. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6610." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  13. "Melissa Etheridge – No Souvenirs" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  14. "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  15. "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  16. "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  17. "Top 100 Singles of '89". RPM . Library and Archives Canada . Retrieved October 14, 2019.