Supernova (Liz Phair song)

Last updated

"Supernova"
Supernova, Liz Phair.jpg
Single by Liz Phair
from the album Whip-Smart
B-side "Combo Platter"
ReleasedJuly 23, 1994
Recorded
  • August 1993
  • February 1994
Studio
Genre
Length2:48
Label Matador
Songwriter(s) Liz Phair
Producer(s)
Liz Phair singles chronology
"Stratford-on-Guy"
(1993)
"Supernova"
(1994)
"Whip-Smart"
(1994)
Music video
"Supernova" on YouTube

"Supernova" is a song by American singer-songwriter Liz Phair from her second album, Whip-Smart , released in 1994.

Contents

The song received heavy rotation on radio stations and its music video was frequently aired on MTV. The song went on to hit number 6 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1995, the song was nominated for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in the 37th Annual Grammy Awards. [1]

This song was used for the soundtrack of the film Love & Other Drugs . [2]

Background

Phair said, "I wanted to just kind of write about the joy of being in love and having sex be a part of that. ... I'm so awestruck by the fact that my body, which has evolved over millions of years, has these responses and it's all wrapped up with the emotions that I'm feeling. I wanted to describe every level of that in a song." [3]

Reception

In their review of the single, Billboard commented that "it's time for this alternative rock darling to make the transition into pop stardom. Fuzzy, guitar-rooted ditty bounces with a pure-pop hook, saucy lyrics, and layered vocals that sound like a cute girl group gone mad." [4]

Track listings and formats

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel adapted from Whip-Smart album liner notes. [11]

Charts

Chart (1994–1995)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [12] 43
Canada Top Singles (RPM) [13] 59
US Billboard Hot 100 [14] 78
US Alternative Airplay ( Billboard ) [15] 6
US Cash Box Top 100 [16] 81

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liz Phair</span> American singer-songwriter

Elizabeth Clark Phair is an American rock singer-songwriter and musician. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Phair was raised primarily in the Chicago area. After graduating from Oberlin College in 1990, she attempted to start a musical career in San Francisco, but returned to her home in Chicago, where she began self-releasing audio cassettes under the name Girly-Sound. The tapes led to a recording contract with the independent record label Matador Records.

<i>Because I Can</i> (Katy Rose album) 2004 studio album by Katy Rose

Because I Can is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Katy Rose. It was released on January 27, 2004, by V2 Records. Initially a creative outlet, Rose signed with the label in 2001 after several music executives took notice of her songwriting. Rose co-wrote the album with her father Kim Bullard, with additional songwriting from Stuart Mathis, Holly Mathis, and River Jones. A pop rock album, Because I Can focuses on themes of depression, rebellion, and innocence.

<i>Whip-Smart</i> 1994 studio album by Liz Phair

Whip-Smart is the second album by American singer-songwriter Liz Phair, released in 1994, the follow-up to Phair's critically well received debut, 1993's Exile in Guyville. Despite not being as critically well received as her previous record, Whip-Smart debuted at No. 27 on the Billboard 200 and ultimately achieved gold status. As of July 2010, it had sold 412,000 copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why Can't I?</span> 2003 single by Liz Phair

"Why Can't I?" is a song by American singer-songwriter Liz Phair. It was released on May 5, 2003, as the lead single from her self-titled fourth album. It reached number 32 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Phair's highest-charting single and only top-40 single. The song was certified gold in the US, having sold 500,000 copies there.

<i>Somebodys Miracle</i> 2005 studio album by Liz Phair

Somebody's Miracle is the fifth album by Liz Phair, released on October 4, 2005 on Capitol Records. From September 2004 through April 2005, she composed fourteen tracks spanning from lo-fi guitar-driven to high-gloss produced tracks. Much like her debut album, Exile in Guyville, Somebody's Miracle was originally modeled after another canonical album, Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder, though only elements of this exist in the final product. The first single, "Everything to Me" was released to radio on August 1, 2005. Somebody's Miracle debuted at number 46 on the Billboard 200, and has sold over 83,000 copies in the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legal Man</span> 2000 single by Belle and Sebastian

"Legal Man" is the debut single of Scottish indie pop band Belle and Sebastian. The track features Isobel Campbell, Sarah Martin, and Rozanne Suarez on vocals and Snow Patrol drummer Jonny Quinn on congas. The cover artwork—designed by Andrew Symington—features band members Stevie Jackson and Campbell along with Adrienne Payne and Suarez. Two B-sides were released with the single: "Judy Is a Dick Slap", an instrumental, and "Winter Wooskie", which was the last time bass player Stuart David sang lead vocals before departing the band in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Is How a Heart Breaks</span> 2005 single by Rob Thomas

"This Is How a Heart Breaks" is the second single from Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas's debut album, ...Something to Be (2005). Released in June 2005, the song was moderately successful on the charts, peaking at number 52 in the United States and number 13 in Australia. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 500,000 copies, and in 2006, it was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disease (song)</span> 2002 single by Matchbox Twenty

"Disease" is the first single released from American rock band Matchbox Twenty's third album, More Than You Think You Are. The track was co-written by Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. Released on September 30, 2002, the song peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100. "Disease" was one of two songs written by Thomas and presented to Jagger while he was producing his solo album Goddess in the Doorway, alongside "Visions of Paradise". Jagger returned "Disease" to Thomas, saying, "It sounds like you. It's your song."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interstate Love Song</span> 1994 single by Stone Temple Pilots

"Interstate Love Song" is a single by American rock band Stone Temple Pilots. Released in 1994, the song was released as the third single from the band's second studio album, Purple. One of the band's biggest hits, "Interstate Love Song" reached number one on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart on September 17, 1994, replacing the band's previous single "Vasoline". The song stayed at number one for 15 weeks, a record at the time, and gave the Stone Temple Pilots 17 consecutive weeks at number one. It also peaked at number two on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and in Iceland as well as number 20 in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Are You Ready (AC/DC song)</span> 1991 single by AC/DC

"Are You Ready" is a song by Australian rock band AC/DC. It is featured on the band's 1990 album The Razors Edge. A live version of the song recorded on the tour of the same name appeared on one of AC/DC's two live albums of 1992, Live: 2 CD Collector's Edition. The song peaked at number one in New Zealand, becoming the band's only number-one hit there, and has been certified gold for sales exceeding 5,000. The song also peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, number six in Ireland, number 14 in Finland, and number 18 in Australia. Music & Media magazine called the song "the best example of a rhetorical question". "Are You Ready" was used as the official theme for WWE SmackDown on Fox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Never Loved You Anyway</span> 1997 single by the Corrs

"I Never Loved You Anyway" is a song by Irish band the Corrs, released in December 1997 as the second single from their second album, Talk on Corners (1997). The music was written by the band with Carole Bayer Sager, who also wrote the lyrics alongside Andrea Corr. The song became a top-50 hit in Australia and the United Kingdom, as well as on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary chart. The track earned producer David Foster a nomination for Producer of the Year at the 1999 Juno Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">God (Tori Amos song)</span> 1994 single by Tori Amos

"God" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos, released as a single from her second studio album, Under the Pink (1994). It was issued as the album's lead single in the United States on February 3, 1994, as the second single in Australia on May 2, and as the fourth single in the United Kingdom on October 3. The song reached number 44 on the UK Singles Chart as well as number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It became Amos's first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 72.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Her Cry (song)</span> 1994 single by Hootie & the Blowfish

"Let Her Cry" is a song by American rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. It was released in December 1994 as the second single from their debut album, Cracked Rear View (1994), and became a top-10 hit in Australia, Canada, Iceland, and the United States. The song received the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cat Power discography</span>

The discography of American singer-songwriter Cat Power consists of eleven studio albums, one live album, four EPs, eleven commercial singles, twelve promotional singles, two singles as a featured artist, and numerous music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bawitdaba</span> Single by Kid Rock

"Bawitdaba" is a song by American singer Kid Rock from his fourth studio album, Devil Without a Cause (1998). Serviced to US rock radio in February 1999, "Bawitdaba" helped push the success of the album. It has since become one of Kid Rock's most popular songs, receiving critical praise and entering the top 10 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, as well as on the New Zealand Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caught a Lite Sneeze</span> 1996 single by Tori Amos

"Caught a Lite Sneeze" is a song by American singer-songwriter Tori Amos, released by Atlantic and EastWest as the first single from her third studio album, Boys for Pele (1996), on January 1, 1996. The song is about wanting to do anything to keep a relationship going, knowing that it is over. It references Nine Inch Nails's album Pretty Hate Machine in the lyrics "Caught a lite sneeze / Dreamed a little dream / Made my own pretty hate machine." On December 11, 1995, Atlantic made the song available for streaming on their website, one of the earliest examples of a major label implementing such a feature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Into Your Arms</span> 1993 single by the Lemonheads

"Into Your Arms" is a 1989 song by Australian duo Love Positions, consisting of Robyn St. Clare and Nic Dalton. In 1992, Dalton joined American alternative rock band the Lemonheads, who covered the song on their sixth studio album, Come on Feel the Lemonheads (1993). The song was released as the album's lead single in October 1993 by Atlantic Records and reached number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, remaining atop the chart for nine straight weeks, a record at the time that they shared with U2. The song also reached number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted in Australia, Canada, and the UK; in the latter country, it was a top-20 hit.

"Never Said" is a song by American singer-songwriter Liz Phair from her debut studio album Exile in Guyville (1993). It was released as the lead single from the album in 1993 by Matador Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Extraordinary (Liz Phair song)</span> 2004 single by Liz Phair

"Extraordinary" is a song by American singer-songwriter Liz Phair from her self-titled fourth studio album (2003). It was released to radio as the second single from the album on March 1, 2004, by Capitol Records. The song was written by Phair and the production team the Matrix, which consists of Lauren Christy, Scott Spock, and Graham Edwards. Production on the song was solely helmed by the Matrix. According to Phair, the song is about wanting others to see you for who you are.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caroline (Concrete Blonde song)</span> 1990 single by Concrete Blonde

"Caroline" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1990 as the third single from their third studio album Bloodletting. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Concrete Blonde and Chris Tsangarides. The song reached number 23 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

References

  1. "Rock on the Net: Grammy Awards: Best Rock Vocal Performance - Female".
  2. "Love & Other Drugs (2010) - IMDb". IMDb .
  3. Pike, Gemma (March 7, 2019). "'I did not enjoy my early career at all'. A frank discussion with Liz Phair". Double J . Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  4. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard Music Week. No. 29 October 1994. p. 75. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  5. Supernova (AUS Single liner notes). Liz Phair. Warner Music Australasia. 1994. 7567958312.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. Supernova (GER Single liner notes). Liz Phair. Matador Records. 1994. 7567-95831-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. Supernova (GER Cassette liner notes). Liz Phair. Matador Records. 1994. 7567-98224-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. Supernova (US 7" Vinyl liner notes). Liz Phair. Matador Records. 1994. OLE 103-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. Supernova (US Cassette liner notes). Liz Phair. Matador Records. 1994. OLE 103-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. Supernova (US Single liner notes). Liz Phair. Matador Records. 1994. OLE 103-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. Whip-Smart (Inlay cover). Liz Phair. Matador. 1994. 92429-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. "Liz Phair – Supernova". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  13. RPM Magazine: November 21, 1994 Worldradiohistory.com
  14. "Liz Phair Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  15. "Liz Phair Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  16. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending January 21, 1995" (PDF). Cash Box . p. 10. Retrieved July 23, 2024.