What I Go to School For

Last updated

"What I Go to School For"
Whatigotoschoolfor.jpg
Single by Busted
from the album Busted
Released16 September 2002 (2002-09-16)
Length3:30
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Steve Robson
Busted singles chronology
"What I Go to School For"
(2002)
"Year 3000"
(2003)

"What I Go to School For" is the debut single of English pop rock band Busted. It was written by James Bourne, Charlie Simpson, Matt Willis, Steve Robson, and John McLaughlin and produced by Robson. The track was inspired by a teacher that Matt Willis had a crush on at school. Released on 16 September 2002, the song reached number three on the UK Singles Chart. A young Jade Ewen (who would later join girl group Sugababes) appears in the music video.

Contents

Background

Matt Willis told the Essex Chronicle that the song came about after a night out in TOTs 2000 (now known as Talk nightclub) in James Bourne's hometown of Southend-on-Sea. "We were too young, we got drunk and went to TOTs," Willis said. "Then we walked home and continued drinking on the way – it took us ages. When we got back to James' house, we went to his bedroom and just picked up the guitar and that's when we started writing What I Go to School For." [1] In 2003, the real-life inspiration for the song was revealed to be Willis' former teacher Michelle Blair, who made a surprise appearance on The Frank Skinner Show on ITV during an interview with Willis. Blair, who was 28 and had been married for three years at the time of her appearance on The Frank Skinner Show, was Willis' dance teacher at the Sylvia Young Theatre School when Willis was 15. Speaking about the surprise appearance with Willis on the show, Blair said: "It was hilarious – he looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up. I only found out the song was about me after it came out – it's really flattering." [2] [3] Blair said that at the time she was not aware of her pupil's crush on her, but that she did remember him from the dance classes: "He was quite cheeky and charming and always had something to say in class. He used to tell us he was in a band, but I never dreamed they were going to be this big and I certainly hadn't a clue I was going to feature in one of their songs!" [2]

Commenting on the veracity of these events as portrayed in the song, Blair said: "I think he's used a bit of artistic licence in the song. It was a dance class so we never used any pencils but I suppose he had ample opportunity to look at my bum. There was never any tree outside my bedroom window though – I think I might have noticed a Peeping Tom." [3] Reflecting on his time under the tutelage of Miss Blair, Willis said, "She was kind of nice and there was always something really sexy about her." [3] Being identified as the object of adolescent lust, and the subject of a pop song, hasn't caused any friction with her husband, according to Blair: "My husband thinks its (sic) hilarious and takes the mickey. I don't think he's really worried I'm going to run off with a pop star. I'm proud of them. Looking back it was obvious Matt had what it takes." [3]

On 29 October 2012, Michelle Blair appeared as the correct answer in the "line-up" section of BBC Two panel Never Mind the Buzzcocks . [4]

Musical

What I Go to School For became the title of a musical theatre production [5] produced by Youth Music Theatre UK following the story of Busted from their origins in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, through to their break-up in 2005. The musical was written by Elliot Davis with songs from Busted’s albums and new music by Bourne. It was directed by Steven Dexter and played at the Theatre Royal, Brighton in August 2016. [6]

Music video

The video for the song features model Lorna Roberts as Miss McKenzie, the object of the band's desire. [7] [8] Then 14-year-old Jade Ewen, who later joined the Sugababes, appears in the video as a schoolgirl. [9] [10] The filming of the "What I Go to School For" video was later parodied in the video for the 2019 Busted song "Nineties".

Track listings

Personnel

Personnel are taken from the Busted album booklet. [17]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [28] Gold400,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref(s).
United Kingdom16 September 2002
  • CD
  • cassette
[29] [30]
Australia13 January 2003CD [31]
Japan21 June 2003 Universal Music Japan [32]
United States23 August 2004 Contemporary hit radio Universal [33]

Cover versions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5 Colours in Her Hair</span> 2004 single by McFly

"5 Colours in Her Hair" is the debut single by English pop rock band McFly. It was also the band's first UK number one. It stayed at the top for two weeks. The song was written by Tom Fletcher, James Bourne, Danny Jones and Ben Sargeant. The track is especially well known for its "Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo!" lyrics, played at the beginning and at the ending of the song. The CD and 7-inch formats features a duet with Busted singing a cover of the Kinks song "Lola".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot in Herre</span> 2002 single by Nelly

"Hot in Herre" is a song by American rapper Nelly, released as the lead single from his second album Nellyville (2002). It was released on May 7, 2002, by Universal Records. It was written by Nelly, Charles Brown, and the producers the Neptunes. It features additional vocals by former labelmate Dani Stevenson and incorporates Chuck Brown's 1979 single "Bustin' Loose". "Hot in Herre" is widely considered to be Nelly's signature song along with the worldwide hit "Dilemma".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Be OK</span> 2005 single by McFly

"I'll Be OK" is a song by English pop rock band McFly. It was released on 15 August 2005 as the second single from their second studio album, Wonderland (2005). The single became the group's fourth number-one single on the UK Singles Chart. Despite its initial popularity, it plunged to number eight during its second week on the chart and spent only a month inside the UK top 40.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That Girl (McFly song)</span> 2004 single by McFly

"That Girl" is a song by English pop rock band McFly. It was written by frontman Tom Fletcher and Busted's James Bourne. The song was released on 6 September 2004 as the lead single from the band's debut studio album Room on the 3rd Floor (2004). It was their first single not to reach the top spot in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number three. In Ireland, it reached number 14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Move Your Feet</span> 2002 single by Junior Senior

"Move Your Feet" is a song by Danish pop duo Junior Senior from their debut studio album, D-D-Don't Don't Stop the Beat (2002). The song, originally released in June 2002 in the duo's native Denmark, was issued worldwide in 2003 and became Junior Senior's biggest hit, reaching No. 4 in Denmark, No. 3 in the United Kingdom, and No. 20 in Australia. A music video for the song, directed by British art collective Shynola, was created using low-resolution pixel art. The song was sampled in Nicki Minaj's 2023 song "Everybody".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crashed the Wedding</span> 2003 single by Busted

"Crashed the Wedding" is a song by English pop punk band Busted. It was written by James Bourne and McFly's Tom Fletcher and produced by Steve Power. It was released in Japan on 8 November 2003 and in the United Kingdom on 10 November as the lead single from Busted's second studio album, A Present for Everyone (2003).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Year 3000</span> Song by British band Busted

"Year 3000" is a song performed by British pop rock band Busted. It was released on 13 January 2003 as the second single from their debut studio album Busted (2002).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Hostess (song)</span> 2004 single by Busted

"Air Hostess" is a song by English pop punk band Busted. Composed by the band along with Tom Fletcher of McFly and Stewart Henderson, it was released on 26 April 2004 as the third single from their second studio album, A Present for Everyone (2003), and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thunderbirds / 3AM</span> 2004 single by Busted

"Thunderbirds / 3AM" is a double A-side single by English pop punk band Busted. It was released on 26 July 2004 as the fourth single from their second studio album, A Present for Everyone (2003). "Thunderbirds" was not originally included on the album, having been written specifically for the 2004 film Thunderbirds, although it later appeared on a re-issue of the album in Europe. "Thunderbirds" was not released on an album in the United Kingdom until the release of the group's live album A Ticket for Everyone: Busted Live in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who's David</span> 2004 single by Busted

"Who's David" is a song by British pop punk band Busted. It was released on 16 February 2004 as the second single from their second studio album, A Present for Everyone (2003). It was co-written by Tom Fletcher of McFly. The single features the live version of "Teenage Kicks", which the band performed at the 2004 Brit Awards ceremony. In response to being frequently asked "who is David?", Willis claimed that David is the name of his facial mole.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Said No</span> 2003 single by Busted

"You Said No" is a song by English pop punk band Busted. It was released on 21 April 2003 as the third single from their debut studio album, Busted (2002). The song was written by band members James Bourne, and Charlie Simpson, and was produced by Robson and Graham Stewart. "You Said No" became Busted's first song to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I'm Gone (3 Doors Down song)</span> 2002 single by 3 Doors Down

"When I'm Gone" is a song by American rock band 3 Doors Down. It was released on September 23, 2002, as the lead single from their second album, Away from the Sun. It peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April 2003. The song also spent seventeen weeks atop the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart from November 2002 through March 2003, becoming one of the longest-running number-one singles on that chart. The song also peaked at number two on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart almost reaching number one by one spot from Queens of the Stone Age's "No One Knows" on the issue dated February 15, 2003. It spent one week atop the Top 40 Mainstream chart for one week on May 3, 2003, and also peaked at number three on the Adult Top 40 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Welcome to Wherever You Are (song)</span> 2005 single by Bon Jovi

"Welcome to Wherever You Are" is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi from their ninth studio album, Have a Nice Day (2005). It was released in December 2005 as the album's second worldwide single, following "Have a Nice Day". Speaking about the song on Larry King Live, Jon Bon Jovi said "I thought for sure this was going to be a universal, timeless theme song of unity, diversity. Not a hit, not even close. Swing and a miss". The single reached the top 40 in several European countries, including the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">For What It's Worth (The Cardigans song)</span> 2003 single by the Cardigans

"For What It's Worth" is the first single from Swedish band the Cardigans's fifth studio album, Long Gone Before Daylight (2003). It was released on 5 March 2003, reaching number eight in the band's native Sweden, number 31 in the United Kingdom, number 37 in Ireland, and number 98 in the Netherlands. Nicky Wire, bassist of the Manic Street Preachers, thinks this song has the best lyrics. The music video was directed by Amir Chamdin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleeping with the Light On</span> 2003 single by Busted

"Sleeping with the Light On" is a song by English pop rock band Busted. It was the second song that band members James Bourne and Matt Willis wrote together. It was recorded in 2002 for their debut album, Busted, and later released on 11 August 2003 exclusively in the United Kingdom and Ireland as the album's fourth single. It reached number three on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Say Goodbye (Paulina Rubio song)</span> 2002 single by Paulina Rubio

"Don't Say Goodbye" is a song by Mexican singer Paulina Rubio, taken from her sixth studio album and crossover album, Border Girl (2002). It was written by Joshua "Gen" Rubin and Cheryl Yie and produced by Rubin. "Don't Say Goodbye" is a dance-pop song and talks about rejecting the idea of not saying goodbye to a lover. The song was released through Universal Records on 29 April 2002 as the lead single from the album. In Latin America and France, a Spanish version of the song titled "Si Tú Te Vas" was released, written by Luis Gómez Escolar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoot the Dog</span> 2002 single by George Michael

"Shoot the Dog" is a song by British singer-songwriter George Michael, released as the second single from his fifth and final studio album, Patience, though released a year and a half prior to the album. It was his last release for Polydor Records, after which he departed from that label and returned to Sony Music, on which the album Patience, including the song "Shoot the Dog", was released. The song is a protest song referring to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and American President George W. Bush. Released on 29 July 2002, it peaked at number one in Denmark and number 12 in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jam Side Down</span> 2002 single by Status Quo

"Jam Side Down" is a single released by the British rock band Status Quo in August 2002. It was included on the album Heavy Traffic. The song reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart and number 12 in Scotland. Status Quo made a video of this song together with the Royal Navy, on board the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal escorted by destroyers.

"Meet You There" is a song by English pop punk band Busted. It was written by James Bourne and Charlie Simpson and was originally recorded for, and included on, their second studio album A Present for Everyone (2003). It was a fan favourite, despite not being an official single.

<i>Night Driver</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Busted

Night Driver is the third studio album by English pop rock band Busted. It was released through East West Records on 25 November 2016, and is the band's first album of new material in thirteen years, following on from A Present for Everyone (2003). The album marked a notable shift in sound from their previous albums, incorporating synthpop and alternative pop elements. It received positive reviews from critics.

References

  1. Smolen, Bronya (10 May 2019). "How a Busted smash hit ACTUALLY started in this Essex nightclub". EssexLive. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Beds, Herts and Bucks Theatre - Miss McKenzie". BBC Three Counties. December 2003.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "BUSTED'S MATT LUSTED FOR ME; I'm so flattered says real-life sexy teacher". thefreelibrary.com.
  4. Blair, Michelle (29 October 2012). "@david_leighton hahahah DAVID!!!!!!! Omg.... It was hysterical!... I miss you too much :) xx". Twitter . Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  5. "What I Go To School For - the Busted musical | Youth Music Theatre UK". www.youthmusictheatreuk.org. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016.
  6. Youngs, Ian (18 August 2016). "Teenagers premiere Busted stage musical What I Go To School For". BBC Sport . Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  7. McGeorge, Alastair (6 January 2016). "Busted reunited with Miss McKenzie as the boys get back with their high school crush for new video". Daily Mirror . Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  8. "The Screening Room". judgmentofparis.com.
  9. Copsey, Rob (6 October 2015). "Are Busted reforming? Their Official Top 10 songs revealed". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  10. Limited, London Theatre Direct (11 May 2018). "Q&A with Aladdin star Jade Ewen". londontheatredirect.com. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  11. What I Go to School For (UK CD1 liner notes). Busted. Universal Records, Island Records. 2002. MCSTD 40294, 019 329-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. What I Go to School For (Australian CD single liner notes). Busted. Universal Records, Island Records. 2003. 019 329-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. What I Go to School For (UK CD2 liner notes). Busted. Universal Records, Island Records. 2002. MCSXD40294, 019 330-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. What I Go to School For (UK cassette single sleeve). Busted. Universal Records, Island Records. 2002. MCSC 40294, 019 331-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. What I Go to School For (US CD single liner notes). Busted. Universal Records. 2002. B0002603-32.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. What I Go to School For (Japanese CD single liner notes). Busted. Universal Music Japan. 2003. UICI-5011.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. Busted (UK CD album booklet). Busted. Universal Records, Island Records. 2002. MCD60085, 063400-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. "Busted – What I Go to School For". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  19. "Busted – What I Go to School For" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  20. "Hits of the World – Eurochart Hot 100". Billboard . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 5 October 2002. p. 63. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  21. "Busted – What I Go to School For" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  22. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – What I Go to School For". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  23. "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 50, saptamina 16.12–22.12, 2002" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 17 February 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  24. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  25. "Busted – What I Go to School For". Swiss Singles Chart.
  26. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  27. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  28. "British single certifications – Busted – What I Go to School For". British Phonographic Industry.
  29. "Busted Biography". poprockbands.com. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  30. "New Releases – For Week Starting 16 September 2002: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 14 September 2002. p. 23. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  31. "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 13th January 2003" (PDF). ARIA. 13 January 2003. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2003. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  32. "2003/6月新譜リリース表" [June 2003 New Release List] (in Japanese). Universal Music Japan. Archived from the original on 5 February 2004. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  33. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1569. 20 August 2004. p. 21. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  34. Ascap entry for song ASCAP, accessed 22 October 2010