She Don't Use Jelly

Last updated

"She Don't Use Jelly"
FLipsJellysinglecover.jpg
Single by the Flaming Lips
from the album Transmissions from the Satellite Heart
B-side
  • "Translucent Egg"
  • "Turn It On" (bluegrass version)
  • "★★★★★★★ (Plastic Jesus)" (porch version)
ReleasedOctober 1993
Genre Alternative rock
Length3:40
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • The Flaming Lips
  • Keith Cleversley
The Flaming Lips singles chronology
"Wastin' Pigs EP"
(1991)
"She Don't Use Jelly"
(1993)
"Turn It On"
(1995)
Music video
"She Don't Use Jelly" on YouTube

"She Don't Use Jelly" is a song by American rock band the Flaming Lips from their sixth studio album, Transmissions from the Satellite Heart (1993). It reached number 55 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became a top-30 hit in Australia.

Contents

Music and lyrics

Discussing the song, the band's website states, "With its chiming pedal steel chorus breaks and seemingly nonsensical lyrics, the song entered into the realms of novelty hit. It's a happy little ditty about strange people and their individual idiosyncrasies, with pretty melodies laced throughout and punctuated by trademark moments of crunching but still harmonious noise." [1]

The song describes a woman who "thinks of ghosts" and puts Vaseline on toast, a man who "goes to shows" and uses magazines to blow his nose, and another woman that "reminds [the narrator] of Cher" and uses tangerines to make her hair orange. Coyne has stated, "The song came to me very quickly, and I thought it was sort of funny." [2]

Reception and legacy

"She Don't Use Jelly" became popular after being featured on the MTV show Beavis and Butt-head , nearly a year after the album's release. It is still their highest charting single to date (and the only to chart on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100), even entering the top 10 of the Modern Rock Tracks chart, at number 9. The song's success additionally garnered the band a guest spot on the TV show Beverly Hills, 90210 , in which they played live at the show's hangout, The Peach Pit; afterwards, supporting character Steve Sanders (portrayed by actor Ian Ziering) remarks, "You know, I've never been a big fan of alternative music, but these guys rocked the house!" [3]

Even though the band often ignores playing their pre- Soft Bulletin material, "She Don't Use Jelly" has usually been the most notable exception and is still played live at most of their concerts to this day. It usually is preceded by a video of Jon Stewart introducing the song on The Jon Stewart Show . After the song, lead singer Wayne Coyne usually inflates an enormous balloon, filled with confetti or smaller balloons, until it bursts onto the crowd.[ citation needed ]

In pop culture, "She Don't Use Jelly" is played by the band Crucifictorius in season three, episode seven of Friday Night Lights. Ben Folds Five covered the song for the compilation album Lounge-A-Palooza in 1997. Their version was also included on a 2005 expanded reissue of their 1997 album Whatever and Ever Amen , as well as the 2018 box set "Brick" The Songs of Ben Folds 1994-2012.

Track listings

Charts

Chart (1994–1995)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [9] 25
UK Singles (OCC) [10] 94
US Billboard Hot 100 [11] 55
US Alternative Airplay ( Billboard ) [12] 9
US Cash Box Top 100 [13] 53

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesOctober 1993CD Warner Bros.
United KingdomAugust 23, 1994
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Flaming Lips</span> American rock band

The Flaming Lips are an American psychedelic rock band formed in 1983 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The band currently consists of Wayne Coyne, Steven Drozd, Derek Brown, Matt Duckworth Kirksey and Nicholas Ley. Following the departure of long-time bassist Michael Ivins in 2021, Coyne has remained the band's sole consistent member.

<i>Transmissions from the Satellite Heart</i> 1993 studio album by the Flaming Lips

Transmissions from the Satellite Heart is the sixth studio album by American rock band the Flaming Lips, released in 1993 by Warner Bros. Records. The album marked the departure of Jonathan Donahue and Nathan Roberts, and the addition of guitarist Ronald Jones and drummer Steven Drozd.

<i>Zaireeka</i> 1997 studio album by The Flaming Lips

Zaireeka is the eighth studio album by American rock band The Flaming Lips, released on October 28, 1997, by Warner Bros. Records. The album consists of four CDs designed so that when played simultaneously on four separate audio systems, they would produce a harmonic or juxtaposed sound; the discs could also be played in different combinations, omitting one, two or three discs. Each of its eight songs consists of four stereo tracks, one from each CD. The album's title is a portmanteau of two words: Zaire, chosen as a symbol of anarchy after Wayne Coyne heard a radio news story about the political instability of the African nation, and Eureka, an expression of joyous discovery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What's the Frequency, Kenneth?</span> 1994 single by R.E.M.

"What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M. from their ninth studio album, Monster (1994). The song's title refers to an incident in New York City in 1986, when two then-unknown assailants attacked journalist Dan Rather, while repeating "Kenneth, what is the frequency?"

<i>Clouds Taste Metallic</i> 1995 studio album by The Flaming Lips

Clouds Taste Metallic is the seventh studio album by American rock band The Flaming Lips, released on September 19, 1995, by Warner Bros. Records. It was the last album to feature guitarist Ronald Jones. The album's recording is heavily featured in the Fearless Freaks documentary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jetstream (song)</span> 2005 single by New Order

"Jetstream" is a song by English band New Order. Released through Warner Bros. Records on 16 May 2005, it is the second single to be taken from their eighth studio album, Waiting for the Sirens' Call (2005). The song features Scissor Sisters member Ana Matronic on additional vocals. "Jetstream" charted at number 20 in the United Kingdom and number 30 in Ireland. The music video for the song is the first to feature the band since 1993's "World ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crush with Eyeliner</span> 1995 single by R.E.M.

"Crush with Eyeliner" is a song by American rock band R.E.M., released as the fourth single from their ninth studio album, Monster (1994). Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore provides background vocals. Michael Stipe claims the song was inspired by the band New York Dolls, who, in his opinion, "knew how to exaggerate a song, to make it sound really sleazy and over the top." This was also one of the first songs that surfaced from Stipe after the writer's block that hounded him after the death of his friend, actor River Phoenix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bang and Blame</span> Song by R.E.M

"Bang and Blame" is a song by American alternative rock group R.E.M. It was released as the second single from their ninth studio album, Monster (1994), on October 31, 1994. The song was R.E.M.'s last to reach the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 19, and was also their last number-one single on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The single reached number one in Canada—R.E.M.'s only single to do so—and peaked inside the top 40 on the charts of Australia, Belgium, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strange Currencies</span> 1995 single by R.E.M.

"Strange Currencies" is a song by American rock band R.E.M. It was included on their ninth studio album, Monster (1994), and was released as the album's third single on April 18, 1995. The single reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 47 in the United States. Like "Everybody Hurts" on R.E.M.'s previous album, it has a time signature of 6
8
.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite</span> 1993 single by R.E.M.

"The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M. It was influenced by the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", both in the title of the song and through the song's opening refrain. The band used "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" as the B-side to this song. The song was released on R.E.M.'s 1992 album, Automatic for the People, and was later released as a single in February 1993, reaching number one in Iceland, number 13 in Ireland, number 17 in the United Kingdom, and number 29 in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imitation of Life (song)</span> 2001 single by R.E.M.

"Imitation of Life" is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M. It was written by band members Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe and produced by the band with Pat McCarthy for their 12th studio album, Reveal (2001). The track's title comes from Douglas Sirk's 1959 film of the same name and is used as a metaphor for adolescence and adulthood. One of R.E.M.'s most pop-influenced tracks, "Imitation of Life" has been described lyrically as "see[ing] through the puffed-up performance of a hopeful entertainer", as well as the enjoyment of love.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">E-Bow the Letter</span> 1996 single by R.E.M.

"E-Bow the Letter" is the first single from American rock band R.E.M.'s 10th studio album, New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996). It was released on August 19, 1996, several weeks before the album's release. During the same month, R.E.M. signed a then record-breaking five-album contract with Warner Bros. Records. The song features American singer-songwriter and "Godmother of Punk" Patti Smith performing backing vocals. Smith was cited as a major influence by band members Michael Stipe and Peter Buck, and she also provided backing vocals for "Blue", the closing track on the band's final studio album, Collapse into Now, in 2011.

<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">Grace Potter</span> American singer-songwriter and musician

Grace Evelyn Potter is an American singer-songwriter and musician who formed Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in 2002. Potter released her debut solo record Original Soul on 2004 via Grace Potter Music. Potter and her band parted ways in 2015, just before the release of her solo album, Midnight. Her latest album, Daylight, was released in 2019. In 2011, Potter and Higher Ground founded Grand Point North music festival in Burlington, Vermont. The music festival celebrates local acts, promotes area businesses and has attracted national performing artists, including Kenny Chesney, Jackson Browne, The Avett Brothers, Trey Anastasio, Nathaniel Rateliff, The Flaming Lips, Trampled By Turtles, Gov't Mule, and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Want to Wait</span> 1997 single by Paula Cole

"I Don't Want to Wait" is a song written, recorded, and produced by American singer-songwriter Paula Cole. Cole wrote the song in mid-1996 and released it as second single from her second studio album, This Fire (1996), on October 14, 1997. The single release was successful, reaching No. 11 in the United States and No. 5 in Canada. VH1 ranked "I Don't Want to Wait" as one of the 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s at No. 81. The song later served as the opening theme for the American teen drama television series Dawson's Creek, which ran from 1998 to 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Constant Craving</span> 1992 single by k.d. lang

"Constant Craving" is a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter k.d. lang and Ben Mink, performed by lang and included on her second solo album, Ingénue (1992). The song was released in the United Kingdom in April 1992 and won lang a Grammy Award in the category for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1993, as well as an MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Stop Lovin' You</span> 1995 single by Van Halen

"Can't Stop Lovin' You" is a song by American band Van Halen. It was released in 1995 as the third single from their tenth album Balance. The song emerged after producer Bruce Fairbairn asked for a more pop-oriented song. Instead of searching for his archives, Eddie Van Halen decided to write new music from scratch. The song was written by all members of Van Halen and pays homage to Ray Charles' song "I Can't Stop Loving You", particularly in the line where Sammy Hagar sings "Hey Ray, what you said is true..."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">As Long as You Follow</span> 1988 single by Fleetwood Mac

"As Long as You Follow" is a song by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac. Performed by Christine McVie and written alongside her then-husband, Eddy Quintela, the song was one of two new tracks on the band's 1988 greatest hits album, along with "No Questions Asked". Lead guitarist Rick Vito singled out the guitar solo as his best work with Fleetwood Mac.

<i>The Flaming Lips with Neon Indian</i> 2011 EP by The Flaming Lips and Neon Indian

The Flaming Lips with Neon Indian is an extended play by American rock band the Flaming Lips and American electronic music band Neon Indian. It was released on March 23, 2011 as part of The Flaming Lips 2011 series of monthly music releases. The 12-inch EP was a limited release pressed on special colored vinyl and distributed to select record stores in the United States. The song "Is David Bowie Dying?" was later included on the 2012 album The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends.

<i>American Head</i> 2020 studio album by the Flaming Lips

American Head is the sixteenth studio album by experimental rock band the Flaming Lips, released on September 11, 2020, on Warner Records in the US and Bella Union in the UK. Produced by Dave Fridmann and Scott Booker, alongside the band itself, the album represents a return to the band's American roots. It is the final studio album to feature founding bass guitarist Michael Ivins and keyboardist Jake Ingalls, who both departed from the band in 2021.

References

  1. Band's webpage about the song
  2. "The Wikipedia Files: The Flaming Lips on Chicago Public Radio Blog, July 21, 2009". Archived from the original on September 26, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
  3. Clip of performance on Beverly Hills, 90210 on YouTube
  4. She Don't Use Jelly (US CD single disc notes). The Flaming Lips. Warner Bros. Records. 1993. 9 41102-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. She Don't Use Jelly (US cassette single sleeve). The Flaming Lips. Warner Bros. Records. 1994. 9 18131 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. She Don't Use Jelly (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). The Flaming Lips. Warner Bros. Records. 1994. W0246.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. She Don't Use Jelly (UK CD1 & Australian CD single liner notes). The Flaming Lips. Warner Bros. Records. 1994. W0246CD, 9362-41759-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. She Don't Use Jelly (UK CD2 liner notes). The Flaming Lips. Warner Bros. Records. 1994. W0246CDX.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. "The Flaming Lips – She Don't Use Jelly". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  10. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  11. "The Flaming Lips Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  12. "The Flaming Lips Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  13. "U.S. Cash Box Charts" (PDF). popmusichistory. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  14. "Single Releases". Music Week . August 20, 1994. p. 27.