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There She Goes (The La's song)

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"There She Goes"
Artwork for 1990 reissue
Single by the La's
from the album The La's
B-side
  • "Come In, Come Out"
  • "Who Knows"
  • "Man I'm Only Human"
  • "All by Myself"
Released1988
Recorded1987–1988
StudioWoodcray (Wokingham, England)
Genre
Length
  • 2:42 (album version)
  • 2:31 (single version)
LabelGo! Discs
Songwriter(s)Lee Mavers
Producer(s)Bob Andrews
The La's singles chronology
"Way Out"
(1987) 		"There She Goes"
(1988) 		"Timeless Melody"
(1990)
"Timeless Melody"
(1990)
"There She Goes"
(1990)
"Feelin'"
(1991)
"There She Goes (2nd Re-issue)"
(1999)
"There She Goes (3rd Re-issue)"
(2008)
Audio
"There She Goes" on YouTube

"There She Goes" is a song by English rock band the La's, written by the band's frontman, Lee Mavers. First released in 1988, the song reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart when it was re-issued in 1990.

Predating Britpop by four years,[3] the band's self-titled album was named one of the 40 greatest one-album wonders by Rolling Stone, with the magazine stating, "Whether about heroin or just unrequited love, the La's single 'There She Goes' off their self-titled debut has endured as a founding piece of Britpop's foundation."[4] It was listed at number 22 on NME's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[5] In 2007, NME had placed the song at number 45 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever.[6]

Lyrics and meaning

[edit]

The song contains no verses, only a single chorus repeated four times and a bridge.

"There She Goes" has gained a reputation for being about the use of heroin, possibly as a result of the lines: "There she goes again... racing through my brain... pulsing through my vein... no one else can heal my pain".[7] Several newspapers ran articles about the La's and their apparent ode to heroin.[8] When asked about the rumour in 1995, the group's bassist John Power replied: "I don't know. Truth is, I don't wanna know."[9] However, in the book In Search of The La's: A Secret Liverpool (2003) by MW Macefield, ex-La's guitarist Paul Hemmings denied the rumour. In an interview with Les Inrockuptibles, Mavers admits to trying heroin in 1990. The song therefore predated his experience as it was originally released in 1988. Mavers himself has also emphatically denied that the song is about heroin.[10]

The band's guitarist John Byrne said of the song, "I thought it would be big, a lot bigger than it was, but then forgotten like a lot of pop songs. In retrospect, the opposite happened."[11]

Release and reception

[edit]

The first version of the song, produced by Bob Andrews, was released by the La's in 1988 and again on 2 January 1989. The 1989 release peaked at number 59 on the UK Singles Chart.[12] Andrews' production of the song was remixed by Steve Lillywhite in 1990 for inclusion on their debut album The La's.[13] This remixed version was issued as a single on 22 October 1990 and reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart.[14]

In May 2007, NME magazine placed "There She Goes" at number 45 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever.[6] In 2008, it was also re-released as a vinyl single for its 20th anniversary. A precursor to Britpop, the album was listed at number 13 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 40 greatest one-hit wonders.[4] It was listed at number 22 on NME's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[5]

On NPR's All Songs Considered, musician Ben Gibbard selected "There She Goes" as his pick for "perfect song."[15] Gibbard observed that the song "defines the perfectly written pop song: an instantaneously recognizable melody and lyric set to simple, economic musical structure. It is such a simple song that it boggles the mind that someone hadn't already written it."[15] Eric Clapton also praised the song.[11]

In December 2021, Oasis's Noel Gallagher said it was his favourite song from the 1990s;[16] despite being released in 1988, the song didn't achieve widespread fame and acclaim until 1990.

Music videos

[edit]

There are two music videos for this song: a UK version and an international version.

The first video, released in 1988 and directed by Jeff Baynes, was an amateur-style recorded on a camcorder, and was shot in the English countryside and in the band's hometown of Liverpool. It shows the band performing in an alleyway, a park, and on a hill, as well as footage from their concerts. The video ends with a shot of the drum logo.[17] This version was released exclusively for the UK, Irish, and Australian markets only but also aired in Canada for a brief period, and uses the UK-exclusive single version of the song. It is also incorrectly labeled as "US Version" on the band's YouTube channel.

To promote the album version of the song, which was released as a single worldwide, a second music video was released in 1990. Recorded on professional cameras and shot in Los Angeles, California, it was the band's first video to feature the new line-up, which consisted of lead guitarist Peter Camell and drummer Neil Mavers (Lee's younger brother). The second video shows them performing in the streets and neighboring towns of Los Angeles, as well as in front of the Los Angeles skyline, evidenced by the presence of the U.S. Bank Tower, while being interspliced with footage of a young woman, before ending with a shot of her face. This version, dubbed as "American version" and "International version", was released internationally and uses the Steve Lillywhite remix of the song.

Formats and track listings

[edit]

All songs were written by L.A. Mavers.

Other reissues

[edit]

Personnel

[edit]

The La's[18]

  • Lee Mavers – lead vocals and backing vocals, acoustic guitar
  • John Power – bass and backing vocals
  • John "Boo" Byrne – electric guitar
  • Chris Sharrock – drums and tambourine

Production[18]

  • Bob Andrews – producer
  • Dave Charles – engineer
  • Jeremy Allom – engineer, producer (on "All by Myself")
  • Mike Haas – engineer (on "All by Myself")
  • Steve Lillywhite – producer, mixing (on "Freedom Song"), remixing (on "There She Goes" 1990 version)
  • Mark Wallis – additional producer, engineer (on "Freedom Song")

Other personnel

  • Ryan Art – design

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[30] 2× Platinum 1,200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Sixpence None the Richer version

[edit]
"There She Goes"
Single by Sixpence None the Richer
from the album Sixpence None the Richer
B-side"Kiss Me" (acoustic)
Released12 July 1999 (1999-07-12)
Length2:43
Label
Songwriter(s)Lee Mavers
Producer(s)
Sixpence None the Richer singles chronology
"Kiss Me"
(1998) 		"There She Goes"
(1999) 		"I Can't Catch You"
(2000)
Music video
"There She Goes (Official)" on YouTube

American Christian alternative rock band Sixpence None the Richer released a cover version of the song in July 1999 as the second single from their third studio album, Sixpence None the Richer (1997). The band's rendition of the song reached number two in Iceland, number 12 in Canada, number 14 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 32 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Track listings

[edit]

UK CD and cassette single[31][32]

  1. "There She Goes" (LP version) – 2:42
  2. "There She Goes" (Ben Grosse mix) – 2:42
  3. "Kiss Me" (acoustic version) – 3:12

UK 7-inch single and European CD single[33][34]

A. "There She Goes" (LP version) – 2:42
B. "Kiss Me" (acoustic version) – 3:12

Australian CD single[35]

  1. "There She Goes" (album mix) – 2:42
  2. "There She Goes" (remix) – 2:42
  3. "Kiss Me" (live in Hollywood, 12 February 1998) – 3:28

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[58] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States 12 July 1999 Alternative radio
[59]
2 August 1999
[60][61]
3 August 1999 Contemporary hit radio [60]
United Kingdom 6 September 1999
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [62]

In media

[edit]

It has appeared on several film soundtracks, including The Parent Trap; Fever Pitch; Girl, Interrupted; Cold Case; The Adventures of Pete and Pete; Snow Day; and So I Married an Axe Murderer (where both the original and The Boo Radleys version appear). It also opens the "Pilot" episode of Gilmore Girls. Sixpence None the Richer's version of the song was used in Family Guy and the commercials for birth-control company Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo from 2004 to 2005.[63]

The song was also used for the opening montage of the first episode of Channel 4's drama series This Is England '90, which also featured outgoing Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's resignation speech.[64]

The song was used frequently for slow-motion scenes with Nori in the U.S. TV series Me, Myself & I.

The BBC comedy drama There She Goes was named after the song, as the show’s creator Shaun Pye listened to it whilst writing the first script.[65]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ LaBate, Steve (18 December 2009). "Jangle Bell Rock: A Chronological (Non-Holiday) Anthology... from The Beatles and Byrds to R.E.M. and Beyond". Paste. Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  2. ^ Gerard, Chris (7 April 2021). "The 100 Best Alternative Singles of the 1980s: 60 - 41". PopMatters. p. 3. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  3. ^ Phares, Heather (10 May 2018). "The La's There She Goes". AllMusic.
  4. ^ a b "40 Greatest One-Album Wonders: 13. The La's, 'The La's' (1990)". Rolling Stone. 4 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b Barker, Emily (31 January 2014). "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 100-1". NME. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  6. ^ a b "The Greatest Indie Anthems Ever – countdown continues". NME. 1 May 2007. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  7. ^ "The La's, "There She Goes" (1990). Your Love Is a Drug: 20 Great Narcotic Love Songs". Rolling Stone. 1 May 2018.
  8. ^ "The La's – 25 years on from one of the UK's greatest ever debut albums". Liverpool Echo. 1 May 2018.
  9. ^ Jelbert, Steve. "Pop: The One and Only", The Independent, London: 26 January 2001, p. 16.
  10. ^ "the-las.com • View topic - Les Inrockuptibles n°27 - January-February 1991". www.the-las.com.
  11. ^ a b Comaratta, Len (10 September 2011). "Dusting 'Em Off: The La's - The La's". Consequence. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  13. ^ "Tom Graves' Blog". Tomgraves.blogspot.gr.
  14. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  15. ^ a b "Perfect Song: Artist Picks". All Songs Considered. NPR. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Noel Gallagher's favourite song from the 1990s". 15 December 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  17. ^ "The La's". Strikingmedia.co.uk.
  18. ^ a b The La's: Deluxe Edition (booklet). The La's. UK: Polydor Records. 2008. 5306021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ "The La's – There She Goes" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  20. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 48. 1 December 1990. p. 13. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  21. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – There She Goes". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
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  23. ^ "The La's – There She Goes" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  24. ^ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. 31 August 1991. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  25. ^ "Alternative Airplay". Billboard. 11 May 1991. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  26. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  27. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  28. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  29. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  30. ^ "British single certifications – La's – There She Goes". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  31. ^ There She Goes (UK CD single liner notes). Sixpence None the Richer. Squint Entertainment, Elektra Records. 1999. E3728CD, 7559-63728-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  32. ^ There She Goes (UK cassette single sleeve). Sixpence None the Richer. Squint Entertainment, Elektra Records. 1999. E3728C, 7599-63728-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  33. ^ There She Goes (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Sixpence None the Richer. Squint Entertainment, Elektra Records. 1999. 7559-64026-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  34. ^ There She Goes (European CD single liner notes). Sixpence None the Richer. Squint Entertainment, Elektra Records. 1999. 7559-64026-9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  35. ^ There She Goes (Australian CD single liner notes). Sixpence None the Richer. Squint Entertainment, Mushroom Records. 1999. MUSH01887.2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  36. ^ "Sixpence None the Richer – There She Goes". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  37. ^ "Sixpence None the Richer – There She Goes" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  38. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8451." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  39. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7842." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  40. ^ "Canadian Top 20 in 1999" (PDF). Cross Canada Countdown. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 April 2005. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  41. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 39. 25 September 1999. p. 16. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  42. ^ "Sixpence None the Richer – There She Goes" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  43. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 20 (14.10 – 21.10 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 15 October 1999. p. 12. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  44. ^ "Sixpence None the Richer – There She Goes". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  45. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  46. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  47. ^ "Sixpence None the Richer Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  48. ^ "Sixpence None the Richer Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  49. ^ "Sixpence None the Richer Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  50. ^ "Sixpence None the Richer Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  51. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Retrieved 12 April 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  52. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Adult Contemporary". RPM. Retrieved 12 April 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  53. ^ "End of Year Charts 1999". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  54. ^ "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. 24 December 1999. p. 47.
  55. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. 24 December 1999. p. 54.
  56. ^ "The Best of 2000: Most Played Adult Contemporary Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. 22 December 2000. p. 50.
  57. ^ "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 2000". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. 22 December 2000. p. 48.
  58. ^ "American single certifications – Sixpence None the Richer – There She Goes". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  59. ^ "Sixpence: 'There She Goes'" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1307. 9 July 1999. p. 109. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  60. ^ a b "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1307. 30 July 1999. pp. 53, 89, 94. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  61. ^ "Gavin AC/Hot AC: Impact Dates". Gavin Report. No. 2266. 2 August 1999. p. 28.
  62. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 6 September, 1999: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 4 September 1999. p. 23. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  63. ^ "12 Things You Forgot About 'Gilmore Girls' Pilot, Like When Rory Didn't Want To Attend Chilton". Bustle.
  64. ^ Vine, Richard (28 August 2015). "Shane Meadows on This is England '90: 'They're very addictive, them lot'". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  65. ^ Pye, Shaun (9 October 2018). "There She Goes: 'The idea of a sitcom about a girl with a severe learning disability made me shudder. Then I thought – why not?'". i. Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
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