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What's Up? (4 Non Blondes song)

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"What's Up?"
Single by 4 Non Blondes
from the album Bigger, Better, Faster, More!
B-side"Piano version"
ReleasedJune 23, 1993
Recorded1992
Genre
Length
LabelInterscope
Songwriter(s)Linda Perry
Producer(s)David Tickle
4 Non Blondes singles chronology
"Dear Mr. President"
(1992) 		"What's Up?"
(1993) 		"Spaceman"
(1993)
Music video
"What's Up?" on YouTube

"What's Up?" is a song by American rock group 4 Non Blondes from their 1992 debut album, Bigger, Better, Faster, More! It was released as the album's second single in 1993. It was successful in the United States[1] and in several European countries, peaking at number one in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Background and writing

The title does not appear in the song's lyrics. However, the phrase "what's going on?" is prominently included in the chorus. The title was chosen to avoid confusion with Marvin Gaye's 1971 song "What's Going On".[2] Linda Perry talked to Rolling Stone and said that she heavily disliked the song's production.[3] Perry revealed on Behind the Music that she hated David Tickle's reworked version (with different lyrics) intended to be used for their album. She had told this to Jimmy Iovine, who agreed, preferring Perry's demo version over Tickle's. Tickle's instrumental (over the original vocals) could be heard on Perry's episode of Behind the Music; Tickle's version was never released. The final version was recorded in one day after Iovine allowed 4 Non Blondes to re-record Perry's demo version. The music video was directed by Morgan Lawley.[4]

Critical reception and chart performances

"What's Up?" ranks number 94 on VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders,[5] and ranks 86 on the MuchMore The Top 100 One Hit Wonders.[6]

The recording received considerable airplay success. It reached number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and went gold, but peaked higher in many other countries, reaching number one in Germany and Ireland, while reaching number two in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Track listings

7" single / CD single

  1. "What's Up?" – 4:16
  2. "What's Up?" (piano version) – 4:09

CD maxi

  1. "What's Up?" (edit) – 4:16
  2. "What's Up?" (remix) – 4:51
  3. "Train" – 3:47
  4. "What's Up?" (piano version) – 4:09

Cassette

  1. "What's Up?" (LP version)
  2. "Train" (LP version)
  3. "What's Up?" (LP version)
  4. "Train" (LP version)

Personnel

  • Written by L. Perry
  • Mastered by Stephen Marcussen
  • Recorded, mixed and produced by David Tickle
  • Engineer: Laurent Tardy

Charts and sales

DJ Miko version

"What's Up"
Single by DJ Miko
from the album The Last Millennium
Released1993
Recorded1993
GenreDance
Length
  • 3:45 (radio edit)
  • 4:35 (club edit)
LabelZYX
Songwriter(s)Linda Perry

Italian disc jockey DJ Miko covered the song as a dance track in 1993 (retitled without the question mark) with vocals provided by British singer Louise Gard. DJ Miko's version was a modest hit in Europe in late 1993 and early 1994, reaching number five in Italy and Spain and number 17 in Sweden. The song was then released worldwide in spring 1994, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart, number eight on the Irish Singles Chart, number 58 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number 19 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. In the Australasia region, "What's Up" was popular in New Zealand, reaching number 23 on the RIANZ Singles Chart, but it was a commercial failure in Australia, reaching only number 92 on the ARIA Singles Chart.

Although the song was released as a stand-alone single, it later appeared on DJ Miko's sole album, The Last Millennium, in 1999.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1993–1994) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[43] 92
Ireland (IRMA)[44] 8
Italy (Hit Parade Italia)[45] 5
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[46] 23
Scotland (OCC)[47] 2
Spain (AFYVE)[48] 5
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[49] 17
UK Singles (OCC)[50] 6
US Billboard Hot 100[51] 58
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[52] 19
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[53] 23

Year-end charts

Chart (1993) Position
Italy (Hit Parade Italia)[45] 40

Minnesota version

German eurodance group Minnesota covered the song as a dance version in late 1993. It reached number one on the dance chart in Canada and charted in Belgium and Switzerland.

Charts

Chart (1993–1994) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[54] 21
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[55] 1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[56] 22

In popular culture

The song has been used in numerous forms of media including films, television, video games and as a sample in other musical works.[57]

In 2005, a group of animators known as "Slackcircus" created a video called "Fabulous Secret Powers", featuring He-Man from Masters of the Universe singing their own cover of the song (and interpolating lyrics from Melissa Manchester's "Don't Cry Out Loud").[58][59] The video has since become an internet meme, with an edited version of the animation (HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA) garnering over 145 million views on YouTube as of December 2018.[60]

In the 2011, the song appeared in the film Young Adult, starring Charlize Theron[61] Also, in 2011, Ariana Grande sampled the song in her debut single, Put Your Hearts Up.

In 2015 it appeared in the fourth episode, "What's Going On?", of the Netflix Original series Sense8.[62] The song also appears in the 5th episode of the second season, "Fear Never Fixed Anything" as a remix performed by Riley. Since its feature on the show, the song has become an anthem for the fandom and is often sung by the fans to welcome the cast and crew of the show.

A master recording version of the song was used in Rock Band 4.[63] A version of the song, sung in Spanish, appeared in the final episode of season one of the television series Zoo.[64] In Brazil, the song was included in the international soundtrack of Olho no Olho telenovela (Rede Globo). Again it was part of a Rede Globo telenovela, titled A Lei do Amor (2016). In the Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode "Hostage Situation", Jake Peralta and Doug Judy (portrayed by Andy Samberg and Craig Robinson respectively) sing the song at a karaoke club.

References

  1. ^ "Linda Perry interview". Guitar Center. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ ""What's Up?" entry". Songfacts.com. October 17, 1989. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  3. ^ Greene, Andy (March 30, 2011). "Linda Perry Forms New Band, Admits She Never Liked 4 Non Blondes". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  4. ^ "Watch Music Videos, Artist Playlists | MTV Asia". Mtvmusic.my. January 12, 1993. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  5. ^ VH1's "100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders" Archived November 13, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "The Top 100 One Hit Wonders". MuchMore. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  7. ^ "What's Up? – 4 Non Blondes". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  8. ^ "What's Up? – 4 Non Blondes" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  9. ^ "What's Up? – 4 Non Blondes" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  10. ^ "Canadian peak". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  11. ^ "Top 10 Denmark" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  12. ^ Pennanen, Timo. Sisältää hitin: levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972. Otava Publishing Company Ltd, 2003. ISBN 951-1-21053-X
  13. ^ "What's Up? – 4 Non Blondes" (in French). Les classement single.
  14. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (05.08.1993 - 11.08.1993)" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  15. ^ Irish Singles Chart. Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved April 7, 2009. Chart can't be linked directly; you must search for What's Up? or 4 Non Blondes.
  16. ^ "Hit Parade Italia" (in Italian). Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  17. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – What's Up?" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  18. ^ "What's up ? in GfK Dutch Chart". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  19. ^ "What's Up? – 4 Non Blondes". Top 40 Singles.
  20. ^ "What's Up? – 4 Non Blondes". VG-lista.
  21. ^ "What's Up? – 4 Non Blondes". Singles Top 100.
  22. ^ "What's Up? – 4 Non Blondes". Swiss Singles Chart.
  23. ^ "4 Non Blondes: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  24. ^ "4 Non Blondes Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  25. ^ "4 Non Blondes Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  26. ^ "4 Non Blondes Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  27. ^ "4 Non Blondes Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  28. ^ "1993 Australian Singles Chart". aria. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
  29. ^ "1993 Austrian Singles Chart" (in German). Austriancharts. Archived from the original on September 24, 2010. Retrieved April 15, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "Single top 100 over 1993" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
  31. ^ "End of Year Charts 1993". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  32. ^ "1993 Swiss Singles Chart" (in German). Swisscharts. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
  33. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1993". Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved August 27, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 13 Feb 1994". ARIA. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  35. ^ Austrian certifications. ifpi.at Archived May 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 4, 2009. Chart can't be linked directly; you must search for What's Up or 4 Non Blondes.
  36. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('What's Up')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved April 4, 2009.
  37. ^ "Italian single certifications – 4 Non Blondes – What's Up?" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved June 25, 2018. Select "2018" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "What's Up?" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  38. ^ Dutch certifications. nvpi.nl. Retrieved April 4, 2009. Archived February 15, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  39. ^ Swedish certifications Archived May 21, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Ifpi.se. Retrieved April 4, 2009.
  40. ^ "British single certifications – 4 Non Blondes – What's Up?". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 1, 2012. Select singles in the Format field. Type What's Up? in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  41. ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1993". Billboard. 106 (3). BPI Communications: 73. January 15, 1994. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  42. ^ "American single certifications – 4 Non Blondes – What's Up". Recording Industry Association of America.
  43. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 10 Apr 1994". ARIA. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  44. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – What's Up". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  45. ^ a b "I singoli più venduti del 1993" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  46. ^ "DJ Miko – What's Up?". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  47. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  48. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  49. ^ "DJ Miko – What's Up?". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  50. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  51. ^ "DJ Miko Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  52. ^ "DJ Miko Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  53. ^ "DJ Miko Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  54. ^ "What's Up – Dance Version – Minnesota" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  55. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 2452." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  56. ^ "What's Up – Dance Version – Minnesota". Swiss Singles Chart.
  57. ^ https://www.whosampled.com/Ariana-Grande/Put-Your-Hearts-Up/
  58. ^ "Prince Adams' Fabulous Secret Journal". Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  59. ^ "Prince Adam in "Fabulous Secret Powers"". Archived from the original on September 18, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  60. ^ "HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA". Youtube.com. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  61. ^ "Young Adult (2011) : Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  62. ^ What to Stream Now. "Sense8 Episodes 4–6 Recap: Let's Have an Orgy!". Vulture. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  63. ^ "Rock Band 4 Setlist". RockBandAide. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  64. ^ "Zoo Music - S1E13: "That Great Big Hill…"". TuneFind. Retrieved September 12, 2016.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=What%27s_Up%3F_(4_Non_Blondes_song)&oldid=871569788"