The Middle (Jimmy Eat World song)

Last updated

"The Middle"
Themiddlejew.jpg
Single by Jimmy Eat World
from the album Bleed American
B-side "A Praise Chorus" (Radio 1 Session)
ReleasedOctober 2001 (2001-10)
Genre
Length2:46
Label DreamWorks
Songwriter(s) Jimmy Eat World
Producer(s)
Jimmy Eat World singles chronology
"Bleed American"
(2001)		"The Middle"
(2001)		"Last Christmas"
(2001)

"The Middle" is a song by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. It was released in October 2001 as the second single of their fourth album, Bleed American (2001). It was a number-five hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2002 and reached the top 50 in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The song was a breakthrough hit for Jimmy Eat World, who had self-financed the recording of the Bleed American album after being dropped by Capitol Records in 1999. It is considered the band's signature song. [5] [6]

Contents

Background and composition

"The Middle" was written after Jimmy Eat World had been dropped from Capitol Records following the release of Clarity , their previous album. Their second album, Static Prevails, had sold just 10,000 copies in 1996 and Capitol Records decided to drop the band in 1999 due to a change in priorities. Singer and guitarist Jim Adkins explained to the Dallas Observer : "We were just about invisible there and it wasn't going to get any better." [7]

"The Middle" reflects these trying times for the band with lyrics about "Don't write yourself off yet" when feeling "left out or looked down on." [8] The band decided to finance the recording of the album and keep things simple on the new record rather than experiment, as they had done on previous records. "On our new stuff, rather than challenging ourselves [by] getting real experimental, we kind of went in the other direction, challenging ourselves by getting very simple." [7]

Release and reception

When "The Middle" was released, the success of the album and the band was dependent on the single breaking through. By early 2002, the song had reached the top of the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song then crossed over to top 40 radio, resulting in it reaching a peak of number five on the Billboard Hot 100. [9] Although they would have more Top 40 hits on the former chart, "The Middle" remains their only Top 40 hit on the Hot 100 to date. It was also the band's only appearance on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, peaking at number 39. The song also charted in the UK, reaching a peak of number 26 in 2002. [10] "The Middle" was the most commercially successful single released from Bleed American. [9] The band toured extensively behind the album, touring with Weezer, Tenacious D, Green Day, Blink-182, and the Vans Warped Tour as well as the band's own headlining tour.

"The Middle" was the most played song on radio in Canada in 2002. [11] Pitchfork Media named the track number 165 on its list of the top 500 tracks of the 2000s. Reviewer Mark Richardson wrote of the track: "And if your band delivers that message of hope with the kind of power-pop chorus hook that gives the best couple of Weezer songs a run for their money, you've accomplished something." [12]

In 2012, The A.V. Club published an article entitled, "How Jimmy Eat World's 'The Middle' Became the Best Song for a Bad Time", with Jason Heller noting, "'The Middle' wasn't a sellout. It was a return to form, one made by a band that had a lot more wisdom, scars, and songwriting talent than it did seven years prior—and a band that was in a position where do or die looked like the only options." [13]

Critics compared Kelly Clarkson's single "Heartbeat Song" (2015) to "The Middle" due to a notable similarity between the melodies of the songs' verses, as well as their choruses. [14] In his review for Idolator, Bradley Stern observed both songs' similitude. [15] Hunter Hauk of The Dallas Morning News also remarked of the two songs' similarities, but was ambivalent about "Heartbeat Song"'s lack of innovation as compared to Clarkson's previous lead singles. [16]

In July 2022, a bootleg recording of Prince covering the song at an after-party for the 2009 Oscars resurfaced online. Adkins and drummer Zach Lind played the cover during an interview with Rock Sound , with Adkins describing the cover as "such a trip". [17]

Dylan Strome chose "The Middle" as his goal song upon joining the Washington Capitals in 2022, being played when he scores at home games. [18]

Music video

The song's video (directed by Paul Fedor) featuring young people in underwear received plenty of play on MTV, especially on Total Request Live .

The music video features a fully clothed teenage boy (Josh Keleher) who attends a pool party at which Jimmy Eat World is playing, only to find everyone, except the band, in their underwear. Much of the crowd is making out, but the boy is excluded. Finally, out of frustration, he starts to strip to be like the others, only to bump into a teenage girl doing the same thing in the closet he is in. The kids keep their clothes on and leave the party, arms around each other, as the song concludes.

Track listings

Personnel

Personnel adapted from CD booklet [25]

Jimmy Eat World

Additional Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "The Middle"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Germany (BVMI) [47] Gold250,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [48] Gold30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [49] 2× Platinum1,200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "The Middle"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesOctober 2001 Alternative radio DreamWorks [50]
United KingdomJanuary 28, 2002
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [51]
AustraliaFebruary 11, 2002CD [52]
United StatesMarch 4, 2002 [53]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Eat World</span> American rock band

Jimmy Eat World is an American rock band formed in 1993 in Mesa, Arizona. The band is composed of lead vocalist and lead guitarist Jim Adkins, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch, and drummer Zach Lind. They have released ten studio albums, all but the first featuring the current line-up.

<i>Futures</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Jimmy Eat World

Futures is the fifth studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World, released on October 19, 2004, through Interscope Records. After touring in support of Bleed American (2001) for two years, the band returned home and began working on new material by mid-2003. Following fruitless sessions with producer Mark Trombino, the band re-grouped and recorded with Gil Norton. The sessions lasted from February to May 2004 and were held at various studios in California and Arizona. Described as encompassing several rock styles, Futures included more solos and complex guitar parts than past releases, intended to expand on the atmosphere of their third studio album Clarity (1999). The songs on the album were compared to the work of Jets to Brazil and Maritime, while some of the guitar parts echoed the sound of Fugazi and Hüsker Dü.

<i>Bleed American</i> 2001 studio album by Jimmy Eat World

Bleed American is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Jimmy Eat World, released on July 24, 2001, by DreamWorks Records. The album was re-released as Jimmy Eat World following the September 11 attacks; that name remained until 2008, when it was re-released with its original title returned.

<i>Static Prevails</i> 1996 studio album by Jimmy Eat World

Static Prevails is the second studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World, released on July 23, 1996, through Capitol Records. Following the release of the band's self-titled debut album (1994), they signed to Capitol in mid-1995 for further releases. Carrier member Rick Burch replaced bassist Mitchel Porter, who left to become a Mormon missionary. Recorded at Sound City in Los Angeles, California, and at Big Fish, in Encinitas, California, Wes Kidd, Mark Trombino, and Jimmy Eat World acted as producers for the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blurry</span> 2001 single by Puddle of Mudd

"Blurry" is a song by American rock band Puddle of Mudd. It was released on October 16, 2001, as the second single from the band's debut album Come Clean (2001). It was 2002's most successful rock song in the United States, topping the Billboard Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock Tracks charts as well as their year-end listings. "Blurry" also found success outside the US, reaching the top 20 in Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Low (Kelly Clarkson song)</span> 2003 single by Kelly Clarkson

"Low" is a song by American singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson from her debut album, Thankful (2003). The song was written by Jimmy Harry and produced by Clif Magness. It was released as the album's second official single, on August 3, 2003, while it was also released as a double A-side single with "The Trouble with Love Is" in the United Kingdom. This release reached only number 35, but "Low" was more successful in Australia and Canada, reaching numbers 11 and two, respectively, while also peaking at number 58 in the United States. The song received favorable reviews from music critics who complimented her vocals and the song's lyrics. On March 5, 2013, Billboard ranked the song at number 90 in its list of "Top 100 American Idol Hits of All Time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why Do You Love Me</span> 2005 single by Garbage

"Why Do You Love Me" is a song by alternative rock band Garbage, released as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Bleed Like Me (2005).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bleed American (song)</span> 2001 single by Jimmy Eat World

"Bleed American" is a song by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. It was released in June 2001 as the lead single from their fourth album Bleed American. The song was originally titled "Bleed American", but similar to the name change of the album after the September 11 attacks, the song was retitled "Salt Sweat Sugar" after the first line in the song's chorus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Last Resort (song)</span> 2000 single by Papa Roach

"Last Resort" is the debut single by American rock band Papa Roach. The song first appeared on the soundtrack to the 2000 film Ready to Rumble and appeared on Papa Roach's second studio album, Infest, shortly after. "Last Resort" was released as the album's lead single on March 7, 2000, and reached number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in December 2000. It also topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for seven weeks and became a top-10 hit in Austria, Germany, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Praise Chorus</span> 2002 promotional single by Jimmy Eat World

"A Praise Chorus" is a song by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. It was released in 2002 as the fourth single released from the band's fourth album Bleed American, later retitled Jimmy Eat World in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King of Wishful Thinking</span> 1990 single by Go West

"King of Wishful Thinking" is a song by British pop duo Go West, written by Peter Cox, Richard Drummie and Martin Page. It was featured in the film Pretty Woman and appeared on its soundtrack. It was later featured on Go West's third studio album, Indian Summer, in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweetness (Jimmy Eat World song)</span> 2002 single by Jimmy Eat World

"Sweetness" is a song by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. It was released in June 2002 as the third single from their 2001 album, Bleed American. It was originally written soon after the band finished recording Clarity but before the label had finally decided to release the album. However, "Lucky Denver Mint" became a surprise radio hit off of Clarity before the album was even released, driving the label to release Clarity before "Sweetness" could ever be added to its tracklisting. The band also played the song live many times during the Clarity tour, and a demo recording of it was included on the 2007 re-issue of Clarity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Movies (Alien Ant Farm song)</span> 2001 single by Alien Ant Farm

"Movies" is the debut single of American rock band Alien Ant Farm, released on January 16, 2001, from their second studio album, Anthology (2001). Originally released on their 1999 album Greatest Hits, it was re-recorded for Anthology. It was re-released after the success of their second single, "Smooth Criminal". "Movies" peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and became a top-5 hit in the United Kingdom and a top-20 hit in Ireland.

<i>Chase This Light</i> 2007 studio album by Jimmy Eat World

Chase This Light is the sixth studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. The band began working on the follow-up to Futures (2004) by late 2005, and had made demos by early 2006. They started recording their next album with engineer Chris Testa between Arizona and California. Butch Vig was enlisted as an executive producer, acting in a consultancy role, where he would provide feedback on the material. Sessions began in August 2006 and lasted until May 2007, with tours of the US and Europe in between. Described as a power pop, pop rock and pop-punk record, the guitars drew comparison to the Outfield and U2, while individual song comparisons were made to the likes of the Killers, the All-American Rejects and Shout Out Louds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Eat World discography</span>

The American rock band Jimmy Eat World has released ten studio albums, twenty-three singles, seven extended plays, three live albums, one compilation album, one video album, and one song on the "various artists" compilation What's Mine Is Yours.

<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.

<i>Invented</i> (album) 2010 studio album by Jimmy Eat World

Invented is the seventh studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. Following the release of Chase This Light (2007), frontman Jim Adkins began a writing exercise that involved writing about photographs, which would serve as the lyrical basis for their next album. Recorded primarily at the band's home-based studio, the sessions were co-produced by Mark Trombino. Described as a power pop album, it featured guest vocals from Courtney Marie Andrews and Rachel Haden. Several of the songs earned comparisons to Foo Fighters, the Offspring, and Rites of Spring, among others.

<i>Damage</i> (Jimmy Eat World album) 2013 studio album by Jimmy Eat World

Damage is the eighth studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. It was released on June 11, 2013, through RCA and Exotic Location Recordings. As touring in support of Invented (2010) was winding down by late 2011, the band started writing new material in early 2012. The band spent September and October 2012 at producer Alain Johannes' house in Los Angeles, California recording their next album with analog tape and Pro Tools. Described as an adult breakup album, Damage is a power pop and rock album.

<i>Integrity Blues</i> 2016 studio album by Jimmy Eat World

Integrity Blues is the ninth studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. It released on October 21, 2016, by RCA and Exotic Location Recordings. After touring in support of Damage (2013), the band members took a break. They reconvened and began writing with producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen, with recording beginning in late 2015. Sessions were held at Sunset Sound, Chez JMJ, and Unit 2. Described as an alternative rock, emo and pop rock album, Integrity Blues was compared to Silversun Pickups and late period Death Cab for Cutie.

<i>Surviving</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Jimmy Eat World

Surviving is the tenth studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. The album was released on October 18, 2019, through RCA and Exotic Location Recordings. After touring in support of Integrity Blues (2016) concluded in mid-2017, the band began writing new material. Following various tours throughout 2018 and early 2019, the band recorded their next album in their home studio in Arizona, with co-producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen. Described as an alternative rock, arena rock, emo, pop rock, and pop punk record, Surviving was compared to the band's earlier albums Chase This Light (2007) and Damage (2013).

References

  1. ↑ "Top 10 Albums & Singles of 2002 - Feature - Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. December 15, 2002. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Live Review: Jimmy Eat World + Panic! At The Disco + Alkaline Trio - The Hi-Fi, Sydney (24.02.14) - the AU review". the AU review. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Explore: Emo-Pop". AllMusic . Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
  4. ↑ "The 100 Best Singles of the Aughts - Feature - Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. January 25, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  5. ↑ "It just takes some time: Jimmy Eat World frontman reflects on 20 years of 'The Middle'". KUPD. July 22, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World: Clarity". Pitchfork . June 6, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  7. 1 2 Jim Adkins interview with Dallas Observer replayed in Contemporary Musicians 2002 Galenet
  8. ↑ Lyrics Archived October 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine at Jimmy Eat World's website
  9. 1 2 Bleed American - Jimmy Eat World. AllMusic. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  10. ↑ JIMMY EAT WORLD - THE OFFICIAL CHARTS COMPANY. theofficialcharts.com. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Top 100 top played radio tracks in Canada in 2002". Archived from the original on November 23, 2004. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  12. ↑ Pitchfork Staff. The Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s: 200-101 Archived July 24, 2012, at the Wayback Machine . Pitchfork Media. August 18, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  13. ↑ Heller, Jason. "How Jimmy Eat World's "The Middle" became the best song for a bad time". The A.V. Club . Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  14. ↑ Feeney, Nolan (February 5, 2015). "Watch Some Really, Really Sad People Find Love Again in Kelly Clarkson's New Music Video". Time. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  15. ↑ Stern, Bradley (January 12, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson Teases Comeback "Heartbeat Song," Due Out January 12". Idolator. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  16. ↑ Hauk, Hunter (January 15, 2015). "How does Kelly Clarkson's 'Heartbeat Song' compare to her other albums' lead singles?". Dallas Morning News . A. H. Belo Corporation. Archived from the original on January 18, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  17. ↑ Masley, Ed. "Watch what happens when Jimmy Eat World sees Prince cover their big hit 'The Middle'". AZ Central. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  18. ↑ https://twitter.com/sammisilber/status/1582175326813458433?lang=en [ bare URL ]
  19. ↑ The Middle (US CD single liner notes). Jimmy Eat World. DreamWorks Records. 2001. 450 848-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ↑ The Middle (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Jimmy Eat World. DreamWorks Records. 2002. 450 848-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ↑ The Middle (UK cassette single sleeve). Jimmy Eat World. DreamWorks Records. 2002. 450 848-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ↑ The Middle (UK CD single liner notes). Jimmy Eat World. DreamWorks Records. 2002. 450 876-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ The Middle (European CD single liner notes). Jimmy Eat World. DreamWorks Records. 2001. 450 875-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ↑ The Middle (Australian CD single liner notes). Jimmy Eat World. DreamWorks Records. 2002. 450 854-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ↑ Bleed American (CD booklet). Jimmy Eat World. DreamWorks/Geffen Records/UMe/Interscope. 2001.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World – The Middle". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  27. ↑ "Canadian Top 20 in 2002" (PDF). Cross Canada Countdown. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2005. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World – The Middle" (in French). Les classement single.
  29. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Jimmy Eat World". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World – The Middle" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  31. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World – The Middle". Top 40 Singles.
  32. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  38. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  40. ↑ "Top 100 top played radio tracks in Canada in 2002". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  41. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 2002". Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  42. ↑ "The Year in Music: Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 52. December 28, 2002. p. YE-97. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor . Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 12.
  44. ↑ "The Year in Music 2002: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 52. December 28, 2002. p. YE-87. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  45. ↑ "The 2002 Allstars: Most-Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 52.
  46. ↑ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Adult Top 40 Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 22.
  47. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Jimmy Eat World; 'The Middle')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  48. ↑ "Spanish single certifications – Jimmy Eat World – The Middle". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España . Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  49. ↑ "British single certifications – Jimmy Eat World – The Middle". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  50. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World – The Middle" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1423. October 12, 2001. p. 104. Retrieved April 26, 2021. Going for Adds This Week!
  51. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting January 28, 2002: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . January 26, 2002. p. 37. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  52. ↑ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 11th February 2002" (PDF). ARIA. February 11, 2002. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2002. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  53. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1442. March 1, 2001. p. 35. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
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.