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Semi-Charmed Life

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"Semi-Charmed Life"
Single by Third Eye Blind
from the album Third Eye Blind
B-side"Tattoo of the Sun"
ReleasedMay 10, 1997 (1997-05-10)
Studio
  • Toast Studios (San Francisco)
  • Skywalker Ranch (San Francisco)
  • H.O.S. (San Francisco)
Genre
Length4:29
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Third Eye Blind singles chronology
"Semi-Charmed Life"
(1997) 		"Graduate"
(1997)
Music video
"Semi-Charmed Life" on YouTube

"Semi-Charmed Life" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind, written by lead vocalist and guitarist Stephan Jenkins. The song was released in May 1997, as the lead single from the band's self-titled debut album.[1][2][3] "Semi-Charmed Life" was a major hit, reaching number 4 on the US Hot 100,[4] number 1 on the Modern Rock Tracks in the US, number 2 in Canada, and making the Top 40 in the UK. VH1 named the song the 34th best of the 1990s.[5]

Writing and inspiration

"In terms of the dark lyrics and the catchy tune, I was just messing with whatever the paradigm was – I’ve always had a mischievous nature in that way. I’m not a formulaic writer – I don’t have some cookie cutter method. It’s whatever is provoking me at the moment."[6]

—Stephan Jenkins talking to Kerrang! about the writing process.

"Semi-Charmed Life" was written solely by frontman Stephan Jenkins. Jenkins intended to write a song that acted as a San Francisco response to Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side", with the "doo, doo, doot" chants present throughout the song being directly inspired by Reed's song.[7] In regards to the style of the song, Jenkins explained that it is meant to reflect changes that were occurring in the San Francisco music scene, particularly a growing interest in hip-hop. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Jenkins said that the concept of the song was developed through his observations of friends using crystal meth at a Primus concert.[8] The juxtaposition of the music and lyrical content were intentional, as Jenkins intended to illustrate the "bright, shiny feeling" one gets when using crystal meth.[9] However, Jenkins maintains that the meaning of the song more broadly relates to changing periods in one's life.[6] He further explained the meaning of the song:

It’s about living in the lower Haight [in San Francisco] and all the machinations that were going on at a time where my friend group was finally out of the [educational] institutions that we’d been in our whole lives – because we’d all been in school since kindergarten and everybody now was in their early 20s and out of college. And then probably underneath that, also the weight of coming to terms with the kind of agony that your life is always about to change and never be reliable.[6]

Jenkins was initially against the decision to release "Semi-Charmed Life" as the lead single from Third Eye Blind, as he did not believe that it was representative of the work as a whole.[10] Guitarist Kevin Cadogan was concerned with the explicit lyrical content of the song, as he had fears that radio stations would refuse to play the song.[11] Elektra Records suggested that the band release "Semi-Charmed Life" as their debut single as opposed to "Losing a Whole Year", then prompting the release of several radio edits of the song.[12] Upon the song's success, Jenkins explained that he felt most listeners misinterpreted the song to simply be a "happy summertime jam".[9]

Composition

"Semi-Charmed Life" is an alternative rock song,[13] composed with a rap-influenced singing style.[14] It incorporates "shoegazer and big guitar-chord soundscape musicality", as described by Gil Kaufman from Billboard.[12] Other musical instruments used are brushes and a drum machine.[12]

According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Publishing, the song is written in the key of G major and is set in time signature of common time with a tempo of 104 beats per minute.[15] Jenkin's vocal range spans three octaves, from G3 to C6.[15] The lyrics of "Semi-Charmed Life" carry a message of crystal meth addiction, inspired by the drug addictions that Jenkin's witnessed from several of his friends. Jenkins explained in Billboard magazine that the juxtaposition between the instrumental and lyrics were intentional, as it was meant to represent "the seductiveness of speed".[16] Regarding the title, Jenkins explained, "[it] refers to a life that's all propped up. You know, the beautiful people who lead bright and shiny lives that on the inside are all fucked up."[17]

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called "Semi-Charmed Life" evidence that Third Eye Blind can "craft a naggingly memorable hook".[18] David Grad of Entertainment Weekly praised the radio friendly sound of the song, calling it a "nice taste of Third Eye Blind's formula".[19]

At the 1997 Billboard Music Awards, "Semi-Charmed Life" garnered Third Eye Blind a win in the Modern Rock Track category.[20]

Music video

Background

The music video was directed by Jamie Morgan in San Francisco, California.[12] Morgan was recruited to direct the video after Third Eye Blind watched his work on Bush's "Swallowed" music video.[12] Regarding the idea behind the music video, the band strived to capture an idealistic visual of San Francisco. In an interview with Billboard, Morgan explained that the ending shot was a reference to the MTV moon man logo.[12] Morgan further expanded on the video's concepts stating,

I found the scooter kids [for the video] driving around San Fran, and the same with the studio shots. [The band] told me they had friends, but when I arrived from London they didn't really have any, so I had to find them from the streets of San Francisco. They loved my first video [for Bush's "Swallowed,"] so that was the starting point for the two-day shoot. They just wanted me to come and shoot the San Francisco vibe, so I just made it up as we went along, and responded to the cast I found on the streets.[12]

Synopsis

The video features many scenes with motor scooters and a 1960 Chevrolet Impala filmed around San Francisco.[21]

Live performances

The song was performed at the Billboard Music Awards on December 8, 1997.[22]

Other versions

"Semi-Charmed Life" had several radio edits released in order to censor explicit lyrical content. A "radio edit" and "clean radio edit" were released on the CD singles.[23][24] Both versions omit the majority of the song's bridge, although the latter also removes the lyrics "crystal meth will lift you up until you break" through backmasking.[25] The music video also omits a different portion of the bridge than the radio edits.

The song was remastered and reissued on Third Eye Blind's first greatest hits album A Collection.[26] On June 9, 2017, a new remastered version of "Semi-Charmed Life" was included on the 20th anniversary edition of Third Eye Blind in addition to the demo version of the song.[27] A live recording of the song was featured on the band's live album Summer Gods Tour Live 2017.[28]

Cultural impact

Usage in media

"Semi-Charmed Life" has been used in various media including film, television shows, and video games. The song was prominently featured in the films Contact (1997), Excess Baggage (1997), Wild Things (1998), Dirty Work (1998), American Pie (1999), Gigli (2003), A Lot Like Love (2005), Game Night (2018), and The Lovebirds (2020). The song is featured in the 2019 episode "Story Tank" of Henry Danger. In regards to video games, the song was featured in Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007) and as downloadable content in Rock Band (2009) and Rocksmith 2014 (2014).

Cover versions

Singers and bands of various genres have covered the song in their own style. American rock band Four Year Strong recorded a cover of the song for their cover album Explains It All (2009).[29] Panic! at the Disco performed a cover of "Semi-Charmed Life" at Waterloo Records in February 2014. In March 2017, American pop rock band Imagine Dragons performed a cover version of the song on a RTL2 broadcast. American pop-rap duo Timeflies heavily sampled "Semi-Charmed Life" in their song "Semi-Charmed", which was released in November 2017.[30] American rock band XEB, which consists of three of the founding members of Third Eye Blind, performed "Semi-Charmed Life" in January 2017. American rock band Dance Gavin Dance included a cover of "Semi-Charmed Life" on their compilation album Songs That Saved My Life (2018).[31] The same year, Tigers Jaw performed a cover of the song at Scranton Cultural Center.

American musical comedian "Weird Al" Yankovic included the song in the polka medley "Polka Power!" from his album Running with Scissors (1999).[32] In 2018, American singer-songwriter Cassadee Pope referenced "Semi-Charmed Life" in her song "How I Feel Right Now".[33] Pope sings: "I just wanna drive, and listen to that red album of Third Eye Blind, soak in the semi-charmed life".

Track listings and formats

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel adapted from Semi-Charmed Life CD single liner notes.[41]

Charts

Certifications and sales

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[62] Gold 35,000^
United States (RIAA)[64] Gold 600,000[63]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Browne, David (20 June 1997). "Grading the singles". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Semi Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind (1997-06-17) - Amazon.com Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
  3. ^ https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-06-20.pdf
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 6th ed, Billboard Publications, Inc. 1996. ISBN 0-8230-7632-6
  5. ^ "Top 100 Songs of the '90s". VH1. December 13, 2007. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c Pearlman, Mischa (October 18, 2020). "How I Wrote Semi-Charmed Life, By Third Eye Blind's Stephan Jenkins". Kerrang!. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  7. ^ Elfman, Doug (February 15, 2002). "Musical Diversity – Third Eye Blind's influences range from Lou Reed to Queen". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  8. ^ Bozza, Anthony (April 30, 1998). "Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Bambarger, Bradley (April 26, 1997). "The Modern Age". Billboard. p. 79. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  10. ^ Spanos, Brittany; Spanos, Brittany (2017-06-09). "Third Eye Blind Frontman on the 'Desperation' Behind Hit Debut". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2019-12-28.
  11. ^ Franco, Jose (February 13, 1998). "Semi-Charmed Life Third Eye Blind basking in glow of '97, looking to second good year". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g "'There Was No Overnight Success': An Oral History of Third Eye Blind's Self-Titled Debut". Billboard. April 6, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  13. ^ Richin, Leslie (January 12, 2017). "20 Alternative Rock Hits Turning 20 in 2017". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  14. ^ Joffe, Justin (April 7, 2017). "Stephan Jenkins on 'Third Eye Blind' 20 Years Later". Observer. Retrieved June 25, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  15. ^ a b Third Eye Blind (1997). "Third Eye Blind 'Semi-Charmed Life' Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  16. ^ Knopper, Steve. "Third Eye Blind Sees Promise In Elektra". Billboard. March 15, 1997. p. 24.
  17. ^ Bambarger, Bradley. "The Modern Age". Billboard. April 26, 1997. p. 79.
  18. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (April 8, 1997). "Third Eye Blind – Third Eye Blind". AllMusic. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  19. ^ Grad, David (April 25, 1997). "Music Review: Third Eye Blind (1997)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  20. ^ "1997 Billboard Music Awards". E! Online. May 19, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  21. ^ Semi-Charmed Life (music video). Elektra Entertainment. 1997. Archived from the original on 2012-09-27. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  22. ^ "Rimes, Third Eye Blind Sign On For Billboard Awards". Billboard. November 29, 1997. p. 88.
  23. ^ a b Semi-Charmed Life (AUS CD Single liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra Records. 1997. 7559641812.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ^ a b Semi-Charmed Life (US CD Single liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra Records. 1997. 64173-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ^ Weiss, Dan (June 16, 2017). "Sugar Ray & Third Eye Blind Ruled Summer '97 Beginning 20 Years Ago Today". Stereogum. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  26. ^ "A Collection (Remastered) by Third Eye Blind" – via music.apple.com.
  27. ^ "Third Eye Blind (20th Anniversary Edition) by Third Eye Blind" – via music.apple.com.
  28. ^ "Summer Gods Tour Live 2017 by Third Eye Blind" – via music.apple.com.
  29. ^ Paul, Aubin (2009). "Four Year Strong: "Semi-Charmed Life (Third Eye Blind)"". Punknews.org. Punknews.org. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  30. ^ Mastrogiannis, Nicole (2017). "EXCLUSIVE: Timeflies Talks 'Semi-Charmed' & All Their '90s Favorites". iHeartRadio. iHeartMedia, Inc. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  31. ^ Campbell, Rachel (November 2, 2018). "Dance Gavin Dance cover the song that saved their life - listen". Alternative Press. Alternative Press, Inc. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  32. ^ Locey, Bill (February 25, 2000). "Parody Perfected". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  33. ^ Freeman, Jon (February 5, 2019). "Cassadee Pope on New Album 'Stages,' Emo Country and Third Eye Blind". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  34. ^ Semi-Charmed Life (EU CD Single liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra Records. 1997. 7559-64181-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  35. ^ Semi-Charmed Life (GER CD Single liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra Records. 1997. 7559-64181-9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  36. ^ Semi-Charmed Life (UK 7" Vinyl liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra Records. 1997. E3907.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  37. ^ Semi-Charmed Life (JP Maxi Single liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra Records. 1997. AMCY-2162.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  38. ^ Semi-Charmed Life (UK Cassette liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra Records. 1997. E4181C.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  39. ^ Semi-Charmed Life (US Cassette liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra Records. 1997. 64173-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  40. ^ Semi-Charmed Life (EU CD 2 Single liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra Records. 1997. 7559-63907-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  41. ^ Semi-Charmed Life (Inlay cover). Third Eye Blind. Elektra. 1997. 64173-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  42. ^ "Third Eye Blind – Semi-Charmed Life". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  43. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3288." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  44. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3336." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  45. ^ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3251." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  46. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (24.7. '97 – 30.7. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). July 25, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  47. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  48. ^ "Third Eye Blind: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  49. ^ "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  50. ^ "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  51. ^ "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  52. ^ "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  53. ^ "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  54. ^ "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  55. ^ "ARIA End of Year Singles Chart – 1997". Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  56. ^ "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  57. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1997". Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  58. ^ "The Year in Music: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. 109 (52). Nielsen Business Media: 78. December 27, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
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  60. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1998". Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  61. ^ "Greatest of All Time Pop Songs: Page 1". Billboard. August 1, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  62. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  63. ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1997". Billboard. 110 (5). BPI Communications Inc.: 76 January 31, 1998. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  64. ^ "American single certifications – Third Eye Blind – Semi-Charmed Life". Recording Industry Association of America.
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