MMMBop
| "MMMBop" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"MMMBop" is a song written and performed by the American band Hanson. It originally appeared on the album MMMBop (1996) as a ballad, but, with production by hit producers The Dust Brothers became the first hit single off of the band's debut album Middle of Nowhere (1997).
"MMMBop" was a number one hit worldwide. It was also one of the biggest debut singles of all time; for instance, in Australia it became only the second debut single to enter the ARIA charts at the number one position. It was voted the best single of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll, while also topping critics' polls from such publications and media outlets as Rolling Stone, Spin, and VH1. "MMMBop" was nominated for two Grammys in the 40th Annual Grammy Awards in February, 1998.
The song's lyrics talk about the transient and unpredictable nature of friendship, referring to how friendships come and go in an "MMMBop", meaning a short space of time. The song therefore urges listeners to "hang on to the ones who really care, in the end they'll be the only ones there".
Like many songs that achieved extreme popularity, this song has experienced somewhat of a backlash against its once ubiquitous airplay. Delone Catholic High School in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania, for example, had a fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina called "Stop the Bop." The school played the song before classes begin in the morning, and between each period over the school PA system. The playing of this song was only stopped when the school raised $3,000 for hurricane relief and the school thereby "stopped the bop." [1] After the fundraising had concluded, Hanson responded graciously by matching the students' donation as well as sending a copy of their 2004 album Underneath for every student in the school. [2]
It was also referred to by discjockey Howard Stern as 'Gay'