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"My Obsession"
Song

"My Obsession" is a single by American rock band Cheap Trick, released as the second of three singles from their 2003 album Special One.

Background

Released as the follow-up to the promotional radio-hit single "Scent of a Woman" from Special One, "My Obsession" was also a promotional single aiming for radio station play only.

The song was written by Tom Petersson, Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander and Julian Raymond. Raymond had previously co-written with the band on the 1994 album track "Tell Me Everything", and later on the Rockford tracks "If It Takes a Lifetime" and "All Those Years" as well as eight tracks on the band's 2009 album The Latest.[1] It was produced by both the band and Chris Shaw. Including the rest of the Special One album, the song was mastered at Masterdisk.[2]

On May 24, 2004, the band performed at a live concert alongside Aerosmith, where Nielsen introduced the song by stating "This next one has been getting airplay all around the world, everywhere except here."[3][4]

Release

The single was released in America only as a promotional CD single, where it aimed solely at radio station play. Two different CD singles were released in total.[5] The main release was a 1-track CD-R acetate, which featured a custom printed disc and laminated promo picture title insert. It featured "My Obsession" as the sole track, and although it was the same duration as the album version, the song was slightly edited and was titled "My Obsession (Radio Edit)" on the single.[6]

A test press disc single was also released which was similar to the main release except for the addition of one bonus track titled "Come on Christmas (Bonus Track)". The release was sent out to radio station programmers only in very limited quantity. "Come on Christmas" was originally released in 1996 on the limited edition E.P. "Gift".[7] A seven-minute song also appeared on the 1996 four-disc box-set compilation Sex, America, Cheap Trick.[8]

Both releases featured the same artwork, using a picture of a man and woman in the sea wearing diving goggles, as they press their goggles against one another.[9]

Following the song's original release as a single and on the Special One album, the song was included on the January 2004 various artists compilation Radioactive: Mainstream Rock Series (January 2004). This compilation was released by X-Mix for professional DJs only as noted on the front cover.[10] A live version of the track was included on the 2004 live DVD/CD set From Tokyo to You: Live in Japan.[11] Although the song was not included on the 2005 extended play "Sessions@AOL", the band did perform the song during the sessions. For the previous single "Scent of a Woman", the single was released on CDr prior to the distribution of the main promotional CD. On this release, a live version of "My Obsession" was included as one of three extra bonus tracks.[12]

Promotion

No music video was created for the single, although the song became part of the band's live set before and after the album's release.

Since being uploaded unofficially on YouTube, the song has gained approximately 35,000 views since September 2008.[13]

On August 21, 2003, the band performed a set of songs for the session at AOL. The band performed various songs, with at least six songs from the Special One album, including "My Obsession".[14] On April 5, 2005, a five track extended play "Sessions@AOL" was released by the band, although the song wasn't included.[15]

Track listing

CDr Single (3K2210435874 - promo)
  1. "My Obsession (Radio Edit)" - 3:34
CDr Single (Bonus track promo)
  1. "My Obsession (Radio Edit)" - 3:34
  2. "Come on Christmas (Bonus Track)" - 2:21

Critical reception

In the official Billboard Magazine issue of July 19, 2003, a review of the Special One album highlighted the song, stating "Fans and rock programmers will find plenty to love in such tracks as "Scent of a Woman," "My Obsession" and "If I Could." Cheap Trick's reliable tunefulness is in full force here; its music continues to be an irresistible confection."[16] In a Billboard Magazine article based on the band's new album from around the time of its release, the article highlighted four songs from the album, including "My Obsession".[17]

In the August 29, 2003, issue of Washington Post, a review of the Special One album stated "Cheap Trick recalls John Lennon on "If I Could," Paul McCartney on "Pop Drone" and George Harrison on "My Obsession"."[18]

Sun Herald reviewed the album on January 1, 2004, stating "My favorite song right now is "My Obsession," with its Beatles-Who song construction that features many different sides of Zander."[19]

On August 1, 2003, author Wayne Parry reviewed the album for The State, and wrote "There's a lot fewer rockers here than Cheap Trick is usually known for, "Scent of a Woman" and "Sorry Boy" notwithstanding, but the Lennon-ish "Words" and the poppy "My Obsession" make for interesting listening."[20]

In the Buffalo News issue of July 18, 2003, pop music critic Jeff Miers described the song as "cunning power-pop".[21]

On December 23, 2004, Star-News released an article based on the band and highlighted the song, noting "the psychedelic rock of My Obsession".[22]

Las Cruces Sun-News reviewed the album in their issue of March 12, 2004, where the author wrote "On their newest release "Special One," Cheap Trick wears their influences on their sleeves, with the Alex Chilton-esque "Pop Drone" and "My Obsession."[23]

In a review of the album in Worcester Telegram Gazette on June 20, 2004, writer Scott McLennan stated "...How else can one explain having cutting-edge producers Chris Shaw, Steve Albini and Dan the Automator all on "Special One," yet every sound on the album is pure Cheap Trick, from the big-gun blast of "Scent of a Woman" to the scrappy street feel of "My Obsession" to the techno-throb "Hummer" built with samples of the band's own recycled drum tracks."[24]

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reviewed the album on October 24, 2003, where author Rob McCuen stated "Make no mistake, this is Robin's record, and the thin man flexes the velvet of his million dollar voice on each and every number. He's a street walking cheetah with a heart full o' napalm, hate and menace on "Sorry Boy." On the outstanding "Words," "My Obsession," "Pop Drone" and five other peerless instant classics, he is the perfect blend of Lennon, Bryan Ferry, Marc Bolan and Roy Orbison. "I Want You to Want Me" this ain't."[25] The review was also posted in the Vital Source Magazine issue of November 1, 2003.[26]

Concert Shots writer Chris McKay reviewed the album, stating "Sorry Boy" is a dark and delirious murder rock with enough sugar to make it truly devious. Droning and insistent, it pulses like "Helter Skelter" and threatens like dark clouds swirling in from the horizon. On the other hand is "My Obsession." Still, on The Beatles tip, but this time the melodic, minor key beauty of Revolver is conjured. Heart-wrenching harmonies make the song even more overwhelming."[27]

Knac.com writer Frank Meyer reviewed the album upon release, stating "Whoever decided to open this album with "Scent of a Woman" should be shot. Not only is the title borrowed from a horrible, schmaltzy romantic comedy, but it is the worst track on the album and one of the worst they have ever recorded. And this is coming from a diehard fan who likes most everything they've ever done. "Too Much," "My Obsession" and the title track prolong the boredom even further and find this once ferocious band sounding as tame and declawed as ever."[28] On MelodicRock.com, reviewer Andrew J McNeice reviewed Special One track by track, and wrote "My Obsession is another uptempo number that comes just in the nick of time. This is another sweet, feel good pop track and another that fits the Zander solo style. One of the album's most instant tracks."[29]

Reviewer George Starostin reviewed the album for his site, where he spoke of the song, stating "My Obsession is one of the few tunes that doesn't overwork the "rock it to death" formula and thus manages to put the melody before the arrangement, although, to tell the truth, the hooks there are not all that inspired."[30]

On June 21, 2004, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reviewed a concert of Aerosmith and Cheap Trick, where Ed Masley stated "Two new songs, "My Obsession" and "Scent of A Woman," held up surprisingly well, but they probably should have ended with "Surrender," not "Scent of A Woman" - unless, of course, they had another classic on reserve for the encore they clearly deserved but didn't get."[3] In another Aerosmith and Cheap Trick concert review by Newsday, Inc. on June 25, 2004, staff writer Rafer Guzmán wrote "If the new songs "My Obsession" and "Scent of a Woman," from the band's latest album, "Special One" (Big 3 Records) paled next to older tunes such as "Surrender" and "I Want You to Want Me," that's only because Cheap Trick is competing against its own classics."[3] An April 8, 2004 concert was reviewed by The State, where staff writer Otis R. Taylor Jr. wrote "Robin Zander still has his voice, making songs like "My Obsession," "Surrender" and "The Flame" sound brilliant."[3]

Personnel

  • Robin Zander - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, producer
  • Rick Nielsen - lead guitar, backing vocals, producer
  • Tom Petersson - bass guitar, backing vocals, producer
  • Bun E. Carlos - drums, percussion, producer

Additional personnel

  • Howie Weinberg - Mastering
  • Chris Shaw - Mixer, Producer
  • Writers of "My Obsession" - Tom Petersson, Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Julian Raymond
  • Writers of "Come on Christmas" - Rick Nielsen

References

  1. ^ The Latest. "The Latest: Cheap Trick: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  2. ^ "Cheap Trick - Special One (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  3. ^ a b c d "Lip Service". Angelfire.com. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  4. ^ "Review of Aerosmith at Amphitheater At Clark County on Sat May 22, 2004". ConcertFan.com. 2004-05-24. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  5. ^ "Cheap Trick - My Obsession at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  6. ^ "Cheap Trick - My Obsession (CDr) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  7. ^ Stone, Doug. "Gift - Cheap Trick : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  8. ^ Thomas, Stephen. "Sex, America, Cheap Trick - Cheap Trick : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  9. ^ "Images for Cheap Trick - My Obsession". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  10. ^ "Radioactive: Mainstream Rock Series (January 2004) - Various Artists : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  11. ^ Prato, Greg (2004-06-15). "From Tokyo to You: Live in Japan - Cheap Trick : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  12. ^ "Cheap Trick - Scent Of A Woman (CDr) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  13. ^ YouTube (2008-09-10). "Cheap Trick - My Obsession". YouTube. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  14. ^ "Cheap Trick-My Obsession(Sessions @ AOL)_ÔÚÏßÊÓƵ¹Û¿´_ÍÁ¶¹ÍøÊÓƵ cheap trick Sessions @ AOL". Tudou.com. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  15. ^ "iTunes - Music - Sessions@AOL - EP by Cheap Trick". Itunes.apple.com. 2005-04-05. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  16. ^ "Billboard - Google Books". Books.google.co.uk. 2003-07-19. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  17. ^ "Cheap Trick Offers Something 'Special'". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  18. ^ "CHEAP TRICK "Special One"". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 2003-08-29. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  19. ^ http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=BX&s_site=sunherald&p_multi=BX&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FFE981E4D61D0AF&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM
  20. ^ http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CS&s_site=thestate&p_multi=CS&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FCADA152144EE33&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM
  21. ^ "News Archives: The Buffalo News". Nl.newsbank.com. 2003-07-18. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  22. ^ https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0BJPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yR8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=2402,2099618&dq=cheap+trick+my+obsession&hl=en
  23. ^ "Newspaper Archive". Nl.newsbank.com. 2004-03-12. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  24. ^ David Niles. "Worcester Telegram & Gazette Archives". Nl.newsbank.com. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  25. ^ "JSOnline.com News Archives". Nl.newsbank.com. 2003-10-24. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  26. ^ "Cheap Trick". ThirdCoast Digest. 2003-11-01. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  27. ^ "CHEAP TRICK Special One CD review". Concertshots.com. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  28. ^ "Reviews - Cheap Trick Special One". Knac.Com. 2003-10-10. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  29. ^ "Interactive Melodic CD Reviews". MelodicRock.com. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
  30. ^ "Cheap Trick". Starling.rinet.ru. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
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