Pinch Me

Last updated
"Pinch Me"
PinchMe Single.jpg
Single by Barenaked Ladies
from the album Maroon
B-side
ReleasedAugust 7, 2000 (2000-08-07)
Length
  • 4:45 (album version)
  • 4:37 (radio edit w/o fade)
  • 3:49 (radio edit w/ fade)
Label Reprise
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Don Was
Barenaked Ladies singles chronology
"Alcohol"
(1999)		"Pinch Me"
(2000)		"Too Little Too Late"
(2001)
Music video
"Pinch Me" on YouTube

"Pinch Me" is a song by Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies. It was released as the first single from their fifth studio album, Maroon (2000), on August 7, 2000. The song became the band's last top-10 hit in Canada, peaking at number four on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. In the United States, the single reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 2000, becoming the band's final top-40 hit there. It also peaked at number two on Billboard's Triple-A and Adult Top 40 charts.

Contents

Background

The song was co-written by frontmen Steven Page and Ed Robertson, but the concept and base for the song came from Robertson. He wrote the song following the "roller-coaster" success of Stunt, and returning to Canada to find people less interested or aware of the success. "I was trying to get to the root of what I was feeling... 'this is all great, but not right here it's not – not where I live, and not in my heart'... It's this notion that you know things are good – they're just not quite good for you."[ citation needed ]

The fundamental guitar riff of the song (through the verses) was based on the song "Leaving Las Vegas" by Sheryl Crow. The recording (and most live performances) is based on a drum loop (along with which drummer Tyler Stewart plays). The loop was created by taking the best two bars of Stewart himself playing drums, and then looping them. The song was originally written with the chorus rap as the less prominent "underpinning" half of the vocal, with the melody being more prominent, but as the writing process went along, the rap became the foreground. Noting that the melody line was now the background, they took the lyric and also used it for the bridge of the song.

According to Ed Robertson, during the Austin, TX concert on July 21, 2012, "Pinch Me" has one of his favorite "fake lyrics". He explained, "Often when we're writing a song, we just put in fake lyrics for a while, just to fill the space, 'cause we know what we want the melody to be, but we haven't finished the lyrics." The original chorus of the song was this: "Doesn't anyone, make a Chelsea bun, like they used to back, in the day? Sticky-sweet, it's a special treat. If Chelsea Buns were men, I'd be gay." [1]

Critical reception

Chuck Taylor, of Billboard magazine, reviewed the song favorably, saying that "the production is tight, and the melody alternates between minimalist verses and Ed Robertson's trademark hyperkinetic delivery." He goes on to say that the "quirky lyric doesn't go for the wit as past hits have, but it still captures the band's friendly side, which had earned it a strong cult following long before it tore up the charts." [2]

Track listings

Personnel

Charts

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Pinch Me"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref(s).
United StatesAugust 7, 2000 Reprise [23] [24]
August 8, 2000
September 25, 2000 Adult contemporary radio [25]

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">With Arms Wide Open</span> 2000 single by Creed

"With Arms Wide Open" is a song by American rock band Creed. It was released on April 18, 2000, as the third single from their second studio album, Human Clay. The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in November 2000, becoming the band's first and only song to top the chart. The song also received honors at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2001, being nominated for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, as well as Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti winning the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song.

<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">Smooth (Santana song)</span> 1999 single by Santana

"Smooth" is a song performed by American rock band Santana and Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, who sings the lead vocals. It was released on June 15, 1999, as the lead single from Santana's 1999 studio album, Supernatural. It was written by Itaal Shur and Thomas, who re-wrote Shur's original melody and lyrics, and produced by Matt Serletic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bent (song)</span> 2000 single by Matchbox Twenty

"Bent" is a song by American alternative rock band Matchbox Twenty. The rock ballad was shipped to radio on April 17, 2000, as the lead single from their second album, Mad Season, and was given a commercial release in the United States on July 5, 2000. "Bent" became the band's first and only song to top the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number one on the chart dated July 22, 2000, and spending one week at the position. The song also topped the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart in Canada for five nonconsecutive weeks. "Bent" was nominated for Best Rock Song at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards and won the award for Most Performed Foreign Work at the APRA Music Awards of 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Wilson (song)</span> Barenaked Ladies song

"Brian Wilson" is a song by Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies from their 1992 album Gordon. The song was written by Steven Page as a tribute to the Beach Boys' co-founder Brian Wilson. It was released as a single and peaked at number 18 on the Canadian Singles Chart. In 1998, the song peaked at number 68 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Wilson himself covered the song on his live album Live at the Roxy Theatre (2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take a Picture (Filter song)</span> 1999 single by Filter

"Take a Picture" is a song by American rock band Filter, released to radio in September 1999 as the second single from their second studio album, Title of Record (1999). The song became a hit at the start of 2000 following its January 18 retail release, peaking at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three in Canada. It also became a top-10 hit in New Zealand, peaking at number eight on the RIANZ Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everyday Is a Winding Road</span> 1996 single by Sheryl Crow

"Everyday Is a Winding Road" is the second single from American singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow's 1996 eponymous album. Neil Finn, lead singer of Crowded House, provides backing vocals. Paul Hester, another member of Crowded House, was the inspiration for the song. The single was issued in the United Kingdom in November 1996 and was released in the United States the following year.

<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">Call and Answer</span> 1999 single by Barenaked Ladies

"Call and Answer" is a song by Canadian musical group Barenaked Ladies. It was the third single from their 1998 album Stunt. For its release, the song was both remixed and edited into a radio mix that cut from the second verse to the third chorus, skipping a chorus, an instrumental break and the third verse. The remix was a slight adjustment of EQ and levels; not a comprehensive remix involving adding or replacing musical elements. This version was also included on the soundtrack for the film EdTV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You're Gone (Matchbox Twenty song)</span> 2000 single by Matchbox Twenty

"If You're Gone" is a song by American rock band Matchbox Twenty. The song, written by the band's frontman Rob Thomas, was released on September 18, 2000, as the second single from their second album, Mad Season (2000). It reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the band's second best-ranking song on the chart, and also became a hit on adult contemporary radio, spending two weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart.

<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">Steal My Sunshine</span> 1999 single by Len

"Steal My Sunshine" is a song by Canadian alternative rock band Len from their third studio album, You Can't Stop the Bum Rush (1999). The song was initially released on the soundtrack to the 1999 crime comedy film Go, which resulted in the song receiving heavy airplay. It was later released to contemporary hit radio as the lead single from You Can't Stop the Bum Rush on June 22, 1999, by Work Group. Marc Costanzo and Gregg Diamond are credited as songwriters, while production was helmed by Costanzo under the stage name Mumble C. According to Costanzo, the song is about feelings of elation he experienced while attending an outdoor electronic music festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get in Line</span> 1999 single by Barenaked Ladies

"Get in Line" is a song by Canadian alternative rock group Barenaked Ladies. It was released in 1999 from the soundtrack of the TV series King of the Hill. The song was released on October 11, 1999, and later appeared on the band's compilation release, Disc One: All Their Greatest Hits (1991–2001). "Get in Line" reached number 18 in Canada and number 28 on the US Billboard Adult Top 40.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give Me One Reason</span> 1995 single by Tracy Chapman

"Give Me One Reason" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman. It was included on her fourth studio album, New Beginning (1995), and was released as a single in various territories between November 1995 and March 1997, her first since 1992's "Dreaming on a World". The song is Chapman's biggest US hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It is also her biggest hit in Australia, where it reached number three as well, and it topped the charts of Canada and Iceland. Elsewhere, the song reached number 16 in New Zealand, but it underperformed in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 95 in March 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadway (Goo Goo Dolls song)</span> 2000 single by Goo Goo Dolls

"Broadway" is a song recorded by the Goo Goo Dolls. The song was released in March 2000 as the last single from their sixth studio album, Dizzy Up the Girl (1998). Although not as popular as the albums previous singles "Iris" and "Slide", the song entered the top 30 in the United States, peaking at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and coming in at number 84 on the Billboard year-end Hot 100 singles of 2000. The single also peaked number seven on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart and number six on the Icelandic Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crash and Burn (Savage Garden song)</span> 2000 single by Savage Garden

"Crash and Burn" is a song by Australian pop group Savage Garden from their second album, Affirmation, released as the album's fourth single on 20 March 2000. It reached the top 20 in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, as well as number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming their last hit on the chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Could Only See</span> 1997 single by Tonic

"If You Could Only See" is a song by American rock band Tonic from their debut studio album Lemon Parade (1996). It was released to radio as the third and final single from the album on March 18, 1997, by Polydor Records. Frontman Emerson Hart is the sole writer of the song, whilst production on the song was helmed by Jack Joseph Puig. According to Hart, the song was written as a result of his family disowning him due to their disapproval of Hart's relationship with an older woman. The song is Tonic's most successful, becoming a hit in several countries, and has been described as "rock radio's most played song of 1997."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hardest Thing (98 Degrees song)</span> 1999 single by 98°

"The Hardest Thing" is the third single released from American boy band 98 Degrees's second studio album, 98 Degrees and Rising (1998). "The Hardest Thing" peaked at number five in the United States, number 10 in Canada, number 29 in the United Kingdom, and number 31 in Ireland. It also experienced moderate success in Oceania, peaking at number 24 in Australia and number five in New Zealand. The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of 500,000 units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Way You Love Me (Faith Hill song)</span> 2000 single by Faith Hill

"The Way You Love Me" is a song written by Keith Follesé and Michael Dulaney and recorded by American country music singer Faith Hill. It was released on February 14, 2000, as the second single from her fourth studio album, Breathe (1999), and was later released to pop radio on August 15, 2000, becoming Hill's third single serviced to the format. The track utilizes Auto-Tune for Hill's backup vocals.

References

  1. ↑ "SoundCloud - Hear the world's sounds". SoundCloud.com. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  2. ↑ Billboard , August 12, 2000 – Vol. 112, No. 33, Page 57.
  3. ↑ Pinch Me (US CD single liner notes). Barenaked Ladies. Reprise Records. 2000. 9 16827-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ↑ Pinch Me (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Barenaked Ladies. Reprise Records. 2000. 7-16827.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ↑ Pinch Me (European & Australian CD single liner notes). Barenaked Ladies. Reprise Records. 2000. 9362 44929-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ↑ "Imgur". Imgur. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7090." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7102." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 8648." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Barenaked Ladies – Pinch Me". Top 40 Singles.
  11. ↑ "Barenaked Ladies Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Barenaked Ladies Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Barenaked Ladies Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Barenaked Ladies Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Barenaked Ladies Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 2000". Airplay Monitor . Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 48.
  17. ↑ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2000". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 54.
  18. ↑ "Most Played Modern Rock Songs of 2000". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 38.
  19. ↑ "The Best of 2000: Most Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 44.
  20. ↑ "BDS CHART : Top 100 of 2001". Jam!. Archived from the original on July 26, 2002. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  21. ↑ "The Year in Music 2001: Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-82.
  22. ↑ "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2001". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. December 21, 2001. p. 60.
  23. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1362. August 4, 2000. pp. 95, 118. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Impact Dates". Gavin Report . No. 2316. August 4, 2000. pp. 10, 24.
  25. ↑ "Gavin AC/Hot AC: Impact Dates". Gavin Report. No. 2322. September 15, 2000. p. 33.
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.