Road Rage (song)

Last updated
"Road Rage"
Catatonia Road Road Single.jpg
UK single release
Single by Catatonia
from the album International Velvet
B-side
  • "I'm Cured"
  • "Blow the Millennium"
Released20 April 1998 (1998-04-20)
Genre Britpop [1]
Length
  • 5:09 (album version)
  • 4:02 (single edit)
Label Blanco y Negro
Songwriter(s) Mark Roberts
Producer(s) Catatonia
Catatonia singles chronology
"Mulder and Scully"
(1998)		"Road Rage"
(1998)		"Strange Glue"
(1998)
Official music video
"Road Rage" on YouTube

"Road Rage" is a song recorded by Welsh band Catatonia, taken from their second studio album, International Velvet (1998). It was written by band member Mark Roberts, with the production credit given generally to the band. "Road Rage" was released as the third single from the album on 20 April 1998 by Blanco y Negro, following their breakthrough success with the song "Mulder and Scully". The title "Road Rage" was based on the murder of Lee Harvey by his girlfriend Tracie Andrews in December 1996, something for which singer Cerys Matthews later apologised to Harvey's mother.

Contents

"Road Rage" was received positively by the press, with particular praise given to the way that Matthews rolled the r's in the chorus of the song. Commercially, the song peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart, eventually gaining a silver sales certification from the British Phonographic Industry. It also reached the top 30 in Ireland and the top 40 in Australia. It received nominations for best song at the Brit Awards, and the Ivor Novello Awards, winning at the Q Awards.

Recording and release

"Road Rage" was released as a follow-up to the success of their single "Mulder and Scully", [2] which became their break-out hit. [3] "Road Rage" was released as the third single from the album International Velvet on 20 April 1998. [4] [5]

"Road Rage" was also included on the American release of the album Equally Cursed and Blessed in March 2000. [6] It later appeared on the best of collection by their label Blanco y Negro Records, Catatonia Greatest Hits . [7]

Composition

The title of "Road Rage" was based on the murder of Lee Harvey by his girlfriend Tracie Andrews in December 1996. She stabbed him more than 30 times with a penknife, claiming originally that this had been committed by a stranger in a road rage-type attack. As a result of the song's release, Lee's mother Maureen said that "It is disgusting that people are trying to make money from such a tragedy. My son did not die in a road rage attack, he was killed by Tracie Andrews. We simply do not need songs like this". Catatonia's lead singer Cerys Matthews said that while the title of the song was based on the case, the lyrics were about advances in technology. [8] In her book Pure Evil, Maureen Harvey stated " . . . at least the group's singer Cerys Matthews had the decency to return my call and explain that she hadn't intended to cause any offence. She tried to convince me that the song showed how Tracie had gone crazy and that it didn't actually do her any favours." [9]

The song structure is based on 4/4 time, with a moderate tempo played at approximately 92 beats per minute. The song contains a total of eight distinct key changes throughout its duration.

Critical reception

Ian Hyland gave "Road Rage" a rating of nine out of ten in his review for the Sunday Mirror . He said that if "Matthews sounded any more Welsh she'd be a dragon but this is a very excellent tune in any language." [10] Richard Wallace called the single "magnificent" in an article for the Daily Mirror and praised the "seductive rolling Rs in the chorus". [11] A reviewer from Music Week asked, "Is there no stopping the new Queen of Pop Cerys Matthews?", and concluded that "this slightly mellower tune is a rough gem of a record that should find plenty of radio support." [12] Paul Cole, for the Sunday Mercury , described "Road Rage" in 2002 as the best of Catatonia's greatest hits and "the perfect pop song". [13]

In 2002, "Road Rage" was ranked as the third best song by a Welsh artist, behind "Delilah" by Tom Jones and "Sixty Eight Guns" by The Alarm, in a list compiled for the Guinness World Records British Hit Singles book. However, none of these songs featured in the overall top 20. [14]

"Road Rage" was nominated for several major music awards. It won the Best Single award at the Q Awards in 1998, with Matthews picking up the award on the night. [15] It was nominated for Best British Single at the 1999 Brit Awards, but lost out to "Angels" by Robbie Williams. [16] "Road Rage" was also nominated for Best Contemporary Song at the 1999 Ivor Novello Awards. After the award was given to Tin Tin Out instead, Matthews left the ceremony but later returned. [17]

Live performances

Catatonia played at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow, Scotland, shortly after the release of "Road Rage" as the support act for Travis. Neil Cooper at The Scotsman said that "the way [Matthews] rolls her R's" on "Road Rage", "you can forgive her anything." [18] A similar comment was received in the Birmingham Evening Mail for the performed at the Wellington Rooms, Liverpool, saying "the way she rasped and rolled her R's on Road Rage was delightful". [19]

Returning to the Barrowland Ballroom in March 1999, the audience joined in with the rendition of "Road Rage", causing the review in the Daily Record to describe the atmosphere as not "all that different to some huge, back-of-the-bus knees-up". [20] After the breakup of Catatonia, Matthews performed "Road Rage" solo at the Inspirations for Barretstown Camp concert on 30 March 2012.[ citation needed ]

Track listings

  1. "Road Rage" (radio edit) – 4:00
  2. "I'm Cured" – 2:51
  3. "Blow the Millennium" – 2:28
  4. "Road Rage (Ghia)" – 4:55
  1. "Road Rage" (radio edit) – 4:00
  2. "I'm Cured" – 2:51

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [33] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

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

Catatonia were an alternative rock band from Wales who gained popularity in the mid-to-late 1990s. The band formed in 1992 after Mark Roberts met Cerys Matthews and Kirsty Kennedy. The first major lineup featured Dafydd Ieuan of Super Furry Animals on drums, Paul Jones on bass, and Clancy Pegg on keyboards. With this line-up the band recorded two EPs, For Tinkerbell and Hooked.

<i>Paper Scissors Stone</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Catatonia

Paper Scissors Stone was the fourth and final album by Welsh band Catatonia. It was released on 6 August 2001 in the UK, and reached #6 on the UK album chart.

<i>Tin Planet</i> 1998 studio album by Space

Tin Planet is the second studio album by English band Space, released on 9 March 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cerys Matthews</span> Welsh singer-songwriter (born 1969)

Cerys Matthews is a Welsh singer, songwriter, author, and broadcaster. She was a founding member of Welsh rock band Catatonia and a leading figure in the "Cool Cymru" movement of the late 1990s.

<i>International Velvet</i> (album) 1998 studio album by Catatonia

International Velvet is the second album by Welsh band Catatonia. It was the band's breakthrough, reaching number 1 in the UK Albums Chart, spawning two Top 10 singles, "Mulder and Scully" and "Road Rage", three other Top 40 singles, "I Am the Mob", "Game On" and "Strange Glue", and catapulted the band and lead singer Cerys Matthews into the spotlight. Album sales reached 900,000, as it became one of the biggest selling albums of 1998 in the United Kingdom. The album was also nominated for the Mercury Music Prize.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mulder and Scully (song)</span> 1998 single by Catatonia

"Mulder and Scully" is a song by Welsh alternative rock band Catatonia, released as a single by Blanco y Negro Records from the band's second album, International Velvet (1998). The song makes direct reference to fictional FBI special agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, the two main characters of the popular American sci-fi TV series The X-Files who work on cases linked to the paranormal, called X-Files. In an interview Cerys Matthews, co-writer of the song, explained that while she was not a serious fan of the show, the basic premise of the series matched the concept of what she was trying to express.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver Shadow (song)</span>

"Silver Shadow" is a song by American R&B group Atlantic Starr, released as the third single from their successful 1985 album As the Band Turns. Lead vocals were performed by Barbara Weathers.

<i>Equally Cursed and Blessed</i> 1999 studio album by Catatonia

Equally Cursed and Blessed is the third studio album by Welsh band Catatonia, released in April 1999 via Blanco y Negro Records. It reached number one in the UK Album Chart, and three singles were released from it: "Dead from the Waist Down", "Londinium" and "Karaoke Queen".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strange Glue</span> 1998 single by Catatonia

"Strange Glue" is a song by Welsh rock group Catatonia. Written by guitarist Owen Powell, it was the band's fourth single to be released from International Velvet and charted at No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart. As a solo artist, lead singer Cerys Matthews later sang "Strange Glue" merged with the song "Galway Shawl" in concert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Ballad of Tom Jones</span> 1998 single by Space and Cerys Matthews

"The Ballad of Tom Jones" is a song by English band Space and Cerys Matthews, lead singer of Welsh band Catatonia. Lead singer Tommy Scott described Tom Jones as 'brilliant'. The song became a highly successful radio single, and resulted in Space performing with Jones in Jools Holland's' New Year's Eve television programme.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Catatonia album) 2002 greatest hits album by Catatonia

Greatest Hits is a compilation album of Welsh alternative rock band Catatonia's best known songs, mainly the singles, but also includes collaborations between Cerys Matthews with Space and with Tom Jones himself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darklands (song)</span> 1987 single by the Jesus and Mary Chain

"Darklands" is a song by Scottish rock band the Jesus & Mary Chain and the third single from their album of the same name. The single was released in October 1987 by Blanco y Negro Records on 7-inch vinyl, 10-inch vinyl, 12-inch vinyl and as a CD single. The 10-inch and the CD were entitled Darklands E.P.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidewalking</span> 1988 single by the Jesus and Mary Chain

"Sidewalking" is a song by Scottish alternative rock band the Jesus and Mary Chain. It was released as a standalone single in March 1988 and included in the compilation album Barbed Wire Kisses, released in April 1988. The single is also included on their 2002 compilation album. 21 Singles. The track reflected the band's interest in hip hop and samples the drumbeat from the 1984 single "Roxanne's Revenge" by Roxanne Shante as a loop. "Sidewalking" reached number 30 on the UK Singles Chart, number 20 in Ireland, and number 23 in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">April Skies</span> 1987 single by the Jesus and Mary Chain

"April Skies" is a song by Scottish alternative rock group the Jesus and Mary Chain and the first single from the group's second studio album, Darklands (1987). The song was released by Blanco y Negro Records in April 1987, reaching No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 6 in Ireland, and No. 16 in New Zealand, making it the band's highest-charting single in all three countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game On (song)</span> 1998 single by Catatonia

"Game On" is a song by Welsh alternative rock band Catatonia, released as the fifth and final single from their second studio album, International Velvet (1998), in October 1998. It was written by band members Cerys Matthews and Mark Roberts and produced by TommyD and the band. Commercially, the song charted on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 33.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dead from the Waist Down</span> 1999 single by Catatonia

"Dead from the Waist Down" is a song by Welsh rock band Catatonia, taken from their third studio album, Equally Cursed and Blessed. It was written by Mark Roberts with Catatonia and produced by the band and TommyD. Released on 29 March 1999, the song reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart and was the band's only song to chart in New Zealand, where it peaked at number 44.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Londinium (song)</span> 1999 single by Catatonia

"Londinium" is a song by Welsh band Catatonia from their third studio album, Equally Cursed and Blessed (1999). It was written by Mark Roberts with Catatonia and produced by TommyD and the band. Released on 12 July 1999, the song reached number 20 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Stone by Stone" is a song recorded by the Welsh band Catatonia, taken from their fourth studio album, Paper Scissors Stone. It was written by Mark Roberts and the band, and produced by TommyD. It was released as their only single from that album in 2001.

"Lost Cat" is a song recorded by the Welsh band Catatonia, taken from their first studio album, Way Beyond Blue. It was written by Cerys Matthews and Mark Roberts, and produced by Stephen Street.

"Sweet Catatonia" is a song recorded by the Welsh band Catatonia, taken from their first studio album, Way Beyond Blue. It was written by Cerys Matthews and Mark Roberts, and produced by Paul Sampson and Stephen Street. The title of the track was the original name for the band.

References

  1. ↑ John Everhart (23 April 2014). "Caught By The Buzz: A Look Back At Britpop's B-List". Stereogum . Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  2. ↑ Dixon, Katrina (10 July 1998). "Catatonia". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "Cerys Matthews: Rise of a Star" . Europe Intelligence Wire. 22 September 2002. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  4. ↑ Buckley, Peter (2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. London: Rough Guides. p.  179. ISBN   978-1-843-53105-0.
  5. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 18 April 1998. p. 27. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  6. ↑ Jenkins, Mark (29 March 2000). "Catatonia: Time to Wake America". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  7. ↑ "Parting is such Sweet Catatonia". South Wales Echo. 30 August 2002. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  8. ↑ "Lee's parents attack road rage song". The Birmingham Post. 6 April 1998. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  9. ↑ Harvey, Maureen (2007). Pure Evil – How Tracie Andrews Murdered My Son. London: John Blake. ISBN   978-1-843-58928-0.
  10. ↑ Hyland, Ian (19 April 1998). "World Cup Songs Will Turn Top Ten into Singalong XI". The Sunday Mirror. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  11. ↑ Wallace, Richard (1 May 1998). "Cerys takes us into the valley of cool". The Daily Mirror . Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  12. ↑ "Single reviews" (PDF). Music Week . 11 April 1998. p. 24. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  13. ↑ Cole, Paul (1 September 2002). "Living Play: CD Reviews". Sunday Mercury. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  14. ↑ "Just Look Who's Missing from List of Favourite Singles". Western Mail. 9 May 2002. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  15. ↑ Wright, Matthew (31 October 1998). "Matthew Wright's column: Wales – and moans". The Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  16. ↑ Wright, Matthew (17 February 1999). "Matthew Wright at the British Awards: The Winners". The Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  17. ↑ Wright, Matthew (28 May 1999). "Matthew Wright's Column: Ivor Novello Songwriting Awards: Moody Matty". The Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  18. ↑ Cooper, Neil (24 March 1998). "Travis/Catatonia/Idlewild Barrowland, Glasgow". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  19. ↑ "Space above and beyond Space, Wolverhampton Civic Hall". Birmingham Evening Mail. 27 March 1998. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  20. ↑ "Cerys Is Princess of Wails". Daily Record. 19 March 1999. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  21. ↑ Road Rage (UK CD single liner notes). Catatonia. Blanco y Negro Records. 1998. NEG112CD, 3984232312.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ↑ Road Rage (Australian CD single liner notes). Catatonia. Warner Music Australia. 1998. 398423232.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ Road Rage (German maxi-CD single liner notes). Catatonia. Blanco y Negro Records. 1998. 3984232312.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ↑ Road Rage (UK limited 7-inch single sleeve). Catatonia. Blanco y Negro Records. 1998. NEG 112.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ↑ Road Rage (UK cassette single sleeve). Catatonia. Blanco y Negro Records. 1998. NEG 112C.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ↑ "Catatonia – Road Rage". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  27. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 15, no. 19. 9 May 1998. p. 14. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  28. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (30.4. – 7.5. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 30 April 1998. p. 42. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  29. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Road Rage". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  30. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  31. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  32. ↑ "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1998 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  33. ↑ "British single certifications – Catatonia – Road Rage". British Phonographic Industry.
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.