Walk Idiot Walk

"Walk Idiot Walk"
Single by the Hives
from the album Tyrannosaurus Hives
B-side	"Genepool Convulsions"
Released	14 June 2004 (2004-6-14)
Length	3:31
Label	Polydor
Songwriter(s)	Randy Fitzsimmons
Producer(s)	The Hives Pelle Gunnerfeldt
The Hives singles chronology
"Die, All Right! / Supply and Demand" (2002) "Walk Idiot Walk" (2004) "Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones" (2004)

"Walk Idiot Walk" is the first single released from Swedish band the Hives' third album, Tyrannosaurus Hives (2004). It was written by Randy Fitzsimmons and produced by the Hives with Pelle Gunnerfeldt. Upon its release in June 2004, the song reached number 13 in the United Kingdom, number 15 in Sweden, and number 18 in Norway. It also reached number 19 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. In Australia, the song was ranked number 55 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004. ^[1]

Music video

The video takes place in a white room with crossword puzzle designs on the wall. Before the music starts, there's a sign with a large "!", the Hives appear. In the middle of the music video, Pelle Almqvist begins to walk on the wall, as he steps on the crossword designs, letters appear soon after, reading "Walk Idiot Walk".

Track listings

European CD single and UK 7-inch single ^{[2] [3]}

1. "Walk Idiot Walk" – 3:30
2. "Genepool Convulsions" – 2:14

Standard maxi-CD single ^{[4] [5]}

1. "Walk Idiot Walk" – 3:30
2. "Genepool Convulsions" – 2:14
3. "Keel-Hauling Class of '89" – 2:42
4. "Walk Idiot Walk" (video) – 3:30

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2004) Peak position Australia (ARIA) [6] 75 Canada Rock Top 30 ( Radio & Records ) [7] 25 Germany (GfK) [8] 78 Ireland (IRMA) [9] 45 Norway (VG-lista) [10] 18 Scotland (OCC) [11] 13 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [12] 15 UK Singles (OCC) [13] 13 US Alternative Airplay ( Billboard ) [14] 19 US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [15] 36

Year-end charts Chart (2004) Position US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard) [16] 80

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref(s).
United States	14 June 2004	Active rock alternative radio	Interscope	[17]
United Kingdom	5 July 2004	CD	Polydor	[18] [19]

In popular culture

It was featured in a season 4 episode, "Jinx", of Smallville . It was used in the season two episode, "My Mother the Fiend" of Veronica Mars . It was used as the theme song for the 2004 WWE Raw Diva Search which later became the theme to former Diva Search winner and TNA Knockout, Christy Hemme. The main riff is similar to that of The Who's "I Can't Explain", and even more similar to Sonic 2's Metropolis Zone. The song also features in Guitar Rock Tour.

References

1. "Triple J Hottest 100 2004". Australian Broadcasting Company . Retrieved 2 January 2019.
2. Walk Idiot Walk (European CD single liner notes). The Hives. Polydor Records. 2004. 9867428.
3. Walk Idiot Walk (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). The Hives. Polydor Records. 2004. 9867039.
4. Walk Idiot Walk (UK & Australian CD single liner notes). The Hives. Polydor Records. 2004. 9867038.
5. Walk Idiot Walk (Canadian CD single liner notes). The Hives. Polydor Records. 2004. 0249867038.
6. "Issue 750" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
7. "R&R Canada Rock Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1569. 20 August 2004. p. 59. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
8. "The Hives – Walk Idiot Walk" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
9. "Irish-charts.com – Discography The Hives". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
10. "The Hives – Walk Idiot Walk". VG-lista. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
11. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
12. "The Hives – Walk Idiot Walk". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
13. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
14. "The Hives Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
15. "The Hives Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
16. "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Modern Rock Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor . Vol. 12, no. 51. 17 December 2004. p. 29.
17. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1559. 11 June 2004. p. 26. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
18. "The Hives – Walk Idiot Walk (Polydor)". Manchester Evening News . 15 February 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
19. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . 3 July 2004. p. 23.