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 [apitol 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 of "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

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "The Middle"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Germany (BVMI) [46] Gold250,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [47] 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 [48]
United KingdomJanuary 28, 2002
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [49]
AustraliaFebruary 11, 2002CD [50]
United StatesMarch 4, 2002 [51]

Related Research Articles

<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.

"1985" is a song that was written and recorded by American rock band SR-71 for their album Here We Go Again. Mitch Allan, SR-71's frontman, gave the song to American rock band Bowling for Soup, who recorded a cover version that reached number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was included on the band's album A Hangover You Don't Deserve.

<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.

<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.

<i>Clarity</i> (Jimmy Eat World album) 1999 studio album by Jimmy Eat World

Clarity is the third studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. It was released on February 23, 1999, through Capitol Records, with which Jimmy Eat World clashed several times while recording their second studio album Static Prevails (1996). The band recorded a follow-up with producer Mark Trombino in May and June 1998, and were free to make it however they wanted without interference from Capitol. The recording sessions began at Sound City in Van Nuys, California, before moving to Clear Lake Audio in North Hollywood, California. Clarity, which is described as an emo, pop punk, and punk rock release, marked the beginning of frontman Jim Adkins' tenure as the band's main vocalist, taking over from guitarist Tom Linton.

<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">The Tide Is High</span> 1967 single by the Paragons

"The Tide Is High" is a 1967 rocksteady song written by John Holt, originally produced by Duke Reid and performed by the Jamaican group the Paragons, with Holt as lead singer. The song gained international attention in 1980, when a cover version by the American band Blondie became a US and UK number one hit. The song topped the UK Singles Chart again in 2002 with a version by the British girl group Atomic Kitten, while Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall had a minor hit with his interpretation in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria (Blondie song)</span> 1999 song by Blondie

"Maria" is a song by American rock band Blondie. The song was written by Blondie keyboardist Jimmy Destri and produced by Craig Leon. Taken from their seventh album, No Exit (1999), it was Blondie's first new release since 1982. "Maria", issued as a single in Europe on January 11, 1999, reached number one in the United Kingdom; Blondie's sixth UK chart-topper. The song also topped the charts of Greece and Spain, becoming a top-20 hit across Europe and in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tha Crossroads</span> 1996 single by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

"Tha Crossroads" is a song written and performed by hip hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, released as a single in April 1996. The song is dedicated to the group's mentor, the late gangsta rap icon Eazy-E, and other family members. The song was the highest-debuting rap single when it debuted at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number one the following week and staying there for eight consecutive weeks. It also reached number one in New Zealand, where it was the most successful single of 1996. In 1997, the song won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly Clarkson discography</span>

American singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson has released ten studio albums, eight extended plays, one compilation album, one remix album, and 55 singles. In 2002, she won the inaugural season of the television competition American Idol and was immediately signed to a recording deal with 19 Recordings, and RCA Records. She made her chart debut in September 2002 with the double A-side single "Before Your Love"/"A Moment Like This", latter of which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and eventually became the year's best-selling single in the United States. Her debut album, Thankful, was released in April 2003 and entered the US Billboard 200 chart at number one. Thankful produced the hit lead single "Miss Independent" and was certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)</span> 2001 single by Train

"Drops of Jupiter", initially released as "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)", is a song written and recorded by American rock band Train. It was released on January 29, 2001, as the lead single from their second studio album, Drops of Jupiter (2001). The song entered the top five of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and also became an international hit, reaching the top 10 in seven other countries. The European single has tracks "It's Love", "This Is Not Your Life", and "Sharks" as its B-sides.

<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">Would You Be Happier?</span> 2001 single by the Corrs

"Would You Be Happier?" is a single by Irish band the Corrs, taken from their greatest hits album Best of The Corrs (2001). The song was first released in Australia on 1 October 2001 and was issued in Europe later the same month. The single reached number 10 in New Zealand and number 14 in the United Kingdom, becoming a top-40 hit in several other countries as well. In the United States, a live version of the track was released in March 2002 and charted within the Billboard Adult Contemporary top 40.

<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-20 hit in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbeat Song (Kelly Clarkson song)</span> 2015 single by Kelly Clarkson

"Heartbeat Song" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson from her seventh studio album, Piece by Piece (2015). Written by Mitch Allan, Audra Mae, Kara DioGuardi, and Jason Evigan, the song is an uptempo synth-pop track produced by Greg Kurstin. Lyrically, it sings of meeting a person who restores someone's faith in love. Inspired by 1980s synthpop music, "Heartbeat Song" was released by RCA Records as the album's lead single on January 12, 2015.

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". avclub.com. 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
  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. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World – The Middle". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  26. ↑ "Canadian Top 20 in 2002" (PDF). Cross Canada Countdown. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2005. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World – The Middle" (in French). Les classement single.
  28. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Jimmy Eat World". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World – The Middle" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  30. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World – The Middle". Top 40 Singles.
  31. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  38. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Top 100 top played radio tracks in Canada in 2002". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 2002". Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  41. ↑ "The Year in Music: Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 52. December 28, 2002. p. YE-97. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor . Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 12.
  43. ↑ "The Year in Music 2002: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 52. December 28, 2002. p. YE-87. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  44. ↑ "The 2002 Allstars: Most-Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 52.
  45. ↑ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Adult Top 40 Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 22.
  46. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Jimmy Eat World; 'The Middle')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  47. ↑ "British single certifications – Jimmy Eat World – The Middle". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  48. ↑ "Jimmy Eat World – The Middle" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1423. October 12, 2001. p. 104. Retrieved April 26, 2021. Going for Adds This Week!
  49. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting January 28, 2002: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . January 26, 2002. p. 37. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  50. ↑ "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.
  51. ↑ "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.