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I Don't Remember

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For the Peter Gabriel song with this title, see Peter Gabriel (1980 album).

"I Don't Remember"
Song

"I Don't Remember" is a song by Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger, from the album Dream Days at the Hotel Existence. It made its radio debut on 9 July 2007 on Australian radio stations,[1] and was subsequently released as a single and digital download on 4 August 2007 in Australia,[2] 3 September 2007 in New Zealand,[3] and 13 August 2007 in the United States.[4]

The song was written by Powderfinger lead singer Bernard Fanning, and influenced by bassist John Collins.[5] The riff was then developed by guitarist Ian Haug.[6] The song is about reconciling difficulties and arguments, rather than shifting the blame.[7]

"I Don't Remember" was lauded by some reviewers, who appreciated its energy, while other reviewers were more critical, dubbing it an "advertisement song". The music video also received critical acclaim, especially for the parodies it contained. Despite the reviews, the single charted poorly, reaching number 42 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[8]

Background, writing, and recording

The song was written by the band's lead singer, Bernard Fanning, following a night he spent drinking with bassist John Collins towards the end of the recording phase of Dream Days at the Hotel Existence.[5] The song was written by Fanning on guitar, but he later wrote the main riff on piano,[5] which was then converted into a lead guitar riff performed by Ian Haug.[6] The guitars for the song are all tuned down one step; while the guitar finger positioning is played as though in the key of C major, the detuning brings the key of the song down to Bb, with the song leading off with Bb's relative minor, G minor.[6] During the recording phase, Fanning suggested "softening" the main riff by returning it to the piano, and even recorded this concept; however this piano version did not end up in the final album mix, nor was it included as a B-side on the single.[9]

"I Don't Remember" was recorded in Los Angeles during pre-production for Dream Days at the Hotel Existence.[7] It contains a simple acoustic riff, similar to several songs on previous albums including Vulture Street.[10] While recording the song in January 2007, Fanning said in an interview that:

It's a song about making mistakes and trying to reconcile what they were — but then in the end, in the wash up — it doesn't really matter whose fault it was, as long as it gets reconciled.[7]

This meaning was also evident in the song's lyrics. In the second line, Fanning states that "I made a mistake that I'll never surpass", before explaining that it does not matter whose fault it is, in saying "I know you needed someone to take the fall/I know you needed someone to blame it on". In the second verse, Fanning again reiterates that he feels pain in the mistake that was made, when he says "I found my heart and it broke like glass/I made that mistake that I'll never surpass".[11]

John Collins said of the song:

I hope the song sounds exciting, without sounding ... big rock? Without sounding country, and sound interesting, 'cause I think that the basis of the song if you play it on the acoustic is there, and it's up to us [Powderfinger] to stuff it up now.[12]

When Powderfinger first played the song to Benmont Tench, who would feature in a piano role throughout the album, he remarked that it reminded him of Buffalo Springfield, who was an inspiration of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Fanning replied that "we were thinking more of the Heartbreakers", indicating the musical style intended in "I Don't Remember", but also paying homage to Tench, whom the band would work with extensively.[13] Tench performed with the band on the album version of the song.[11]

Music video

The music video for "I Don't Remember" was made by Fifty Fifty Films, who had previously collaborated with the band on the videos for "Like a Dog", "(Baby I've Got You) On My Mind", and "Lost and Running", all nominated for ARIA Awards.[1][14]

The music video starts on a school bus with children playing and throwing things, and features a young boy who then selects the track "I Don't Remember" on his iPod and closes his eyes. He then dreams about a school concert for a band called "Littlefinger", a parody of the band for which he is the lead singer "Bernie", a parody of Bernard Fanning. The band and audience are composed of primary school students. Children are seen offering a chocolate milk called smilo, a take on Milo, and a camera crew for "Channel [Z]" and reporter "Su-Mi". This is a parody of Yumi Stynes, a presenter from Australian music station Channel V. The end of the clip shows that it was a dream being had by the student who played the lead singer for "Littlefinger".[15]

Many elements of "I Don't Remember"'s video received positive critical response for the usage of children in it. Kathy McCabe of The Daily Telegraph summarised critical feelings towards the video, by suggesting in her review that "[maybe] bands should get kids to play them in videos forever".[16]

Parodies

Lead singer "Bernie" performing with fictional Powderfinger parody band Littlefinger at Little Day Out in the music video for "I Don't Remember".
  • Powderfinger portrayed as "Littlefinger".[17]
  • Yumi Stynes portrayed as "Su-Mi".
  • Channel V portrayed as "Channel Z".
  • News Ltd portrayed as "News Unlimited" on a T-shirt.
  • Big Day Out portrayed as "Little Day Out".
  • A sign posted says "Sshhh! Jackson sleeping", a parody of Australian band Sleepy Jackson.
  • Milo portrayed as "Smilo".
  • Silverchair portrayed as "Hi Chair" on a T-shirt.
  • Wolfmother portrayed as "Wolfmummy" on a T-shirt.
  • Tony Mott, an Australian concert photographer is portrayed as "Tony Mop" on a T-shirt with the actor also holding a SLR camera.
  • Cocaine and cigarettes portrayed as children's candies Wizz Fizz and Fadds.

Response

Powderfinger performing "I Don't Remember" on the Across the Great Divide tour.

In his review of Dream Days at the Hotel Existence, Herald Sun HiT journalist Cameron Adams claimed that "I Don't Remember" was more of an advertisement style song, similar to "Lost and Running", the first single released from the album. Adams stated that "'I Don't Remember' is not the next single without reason—it does everything you expect a Powderfinger single to, perhaps a more appropriate 'ad' for this album."[18] Sputnikmusic contributor James Bishop described "I Don't Remember" as unoriginal, but at the same time said that it proved Powderfinger "haven't forgotten how to write a good song".[19]

Allmusic reviewer Clayton Bolger, however, described it positively as a "stadium anthem" and stating that it was a good example of the "trademarks of classic Powderfinger" showcased on the album. The review labeled the song a "pick".[20] Web Wombat's review of the album also treated the song positively, dubbing it "classic Powderfinger."[7] Reviewer Andrew Tijs from CitySearch Brisbane stated that the song is "a smoothly emotive jangle-rock tune with a purposeful chorus and Fanning's inimitable vocal", though provides mixed reviews when compared with other songs by the group, noting that "It's no eerie ballad like 'The Day You Come', nor does it have 'Like a Dog''s snarl, nor 'On My Mind''s pub rock shudder."[21]

"I Don't Remember" was performed regularly on the Across the Great Divide Tour, generally with positive responses. FasterLouder reviewer gumbuoy stated that "The new songs are excellent live; I Don't Remember has more energy than its recorded counterpart (Lost and Running)", following by praising the album and performance as a whole.[22]

Chart history

"I Don't Remember" entered the Australian Singles Chart at #43, then slid to #47 in its second week, but then reached its pinnacle position of #42 in its third week. It then remained in the charts for the following three weeks in the upper forties, and then dropped off the chart.[23] It was released as a single in New Zealand and the United States also, but failed to chart,[24][25] despite moderate airplay in New Zealand.[26][27] "I Don't Remember" charted at #66 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2007.[28]

Track listings

"I Don't Remember"
A 20 second sample from "I Don't Remember", presenting the song's first chorus.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

CD single

  1. "I Don't Remember" – 3:41[2]
  2. "Who Really Cares (Featuring the Sound of Insanity)" – (live at Brisbane Powerhouse)
  3. "My Kind of Scene" – (live at Brisbane Powerhouse)

iTunes digital download

  1. "I Don't Remember" – 3:41[29]
  2. "Black Tears" (Live) – (early release exclusive)

Personnel

Release history

Country Release date
Australia 4 August 2007
United States 13 August 2007
New Zealand 3 September 2007

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Powderfinger go back to school". The Courier Mail. News.com.au. 8 July 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  2. ^ a b "I Don't Remember - Powderfinger". JB Hi Fi. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
  3. ^ "I Don't Remember". digirama.co.nz. 4 August 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  4. ^ "Powderfinger — I Don't Remember". VH1. Retrieved 18 September 2007.
  5. ^ a b c The making of 'I Don't Remember' part 1 (WMV). NineMSN. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
  6. ^ a b c The making of 'I Don't Remember' part 2 (WMV). NineMSN. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
  7. ^ a b c d "Powderfinger & Silverchair Tour News". Web Wombat. Retrieved 18 September 2007.
  8. ^ "Powderfinger I Don't Remember". Australian-charts.com. Retrieved 18 September 2007.
  9. ^ The making of 'I Don't Remember' part 3 (WMV). NineMSN. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
  10. ^ Kathy McCabe (31 May 2007). "Review - Dream Days At The Hotel Existence". news.com.au. Retrieved 5 October 2007.
  11. ^ a b Dream Days at the Hotel Existence (CD booklet). Powderfinger. Universal Music Australia. 2007. p. 1. 1735252. Archived from the original on 21 February 2008.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ The making of 'I Don't Remember' part 4 (WMV). NineMSN. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
  13. ^ Mengel, Noel (7 July 2007). "Powderfinger's distinctive sound given a sparkling setting". The Courier Mail, p. 52.
  14. ^ "History: Winners by Artist: Powderfinger". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 31 December 2007. Retrieved 16 January 2008.
  15. ^ "I Don't Remember (Powderfinger)". Herald Sun HiT. Archived from the original on 21 February 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2008.
  16. ^ McCabe, Kathy (2 August 2007). "Music reviews - I Don't Remember - Powderfinger". The Daily Telegraph, p. 50.
  17. ^ I Don't Remember video at Last.fm
  18. ^ Adams, Cameron. "Dream Days at the Hotel Existence (Standard edition)". Herald Sun HiT. Archived from the original on 15 January 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2008.
  19. ^ James Bishop (13 October 2007). "Powderfinger Dream Days At The Hotel Existence". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 10 December 2007.
  20. ^ Bolger, Clayton. "(Dream Days at the Hotel Existence > Overview)". Allmusic. Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  21. ^ Tijs, Andrew (11 August 2007). "Powderfinger: I Don't Remember". Music. Citysearch.com.au - Brisbane. Archived from the original on 2 March 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ gumbuoy. "Powderfinger, Silverchair, Blue King Brown @ Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 31/08/07". FasterLouder. Retrieved 18 September 2007.
  23. ^ "Powderfinger - I Don't Remember". Chart trajectory. australian-charts.com. Retrieved 16 January 2008.
  24. ^ "Powderfinger I Don't Remember". charts.org.nz. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
  25. ^ "Artist Chart History - Powderfinger". Billboard. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  26. ^ "Powderfinger - I Don't Remember". acharts.us. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  27. ^ "KixFM". kixfm.com.au. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  28. ^ "Triple J Hottest 100 2007". Triple J. abc.net.au. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
  29. ^ ""I Don't Remember" with bonus live track available now through iTunes!". Newsletter. Powderfinger. Archived from the original on 21 February 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2008.

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