"Jumper"
Single by Third Eye Blind
from the album Third Eye Blind
ReleasedAugust 4, 1998 (1998-08-04)
Studio
Toast Studios, Skywalker Ranch and H.O.S. (San Francisco)
Genre
Length
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)Stephan Jenkins
Producer(s)
Third Eye Blind singles chronology
"Losing a Whole Year"
(1997)		 "Jumper"
(1998)		 "Anything"
(1999)
Music video
"Jumper" on YouTube

"Jumper" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their eponymous debut studio album (1997). The song was written and produced by frontman Stephan Jenkins, with additional production by Eric Valentine. Elektra Records released it as the fifth and final single from the album on August 4, 1998. An alternative rock and acoustic power pop song, "Jumper"'s lyrics concern an act of suicide, as Jenkins urges for a greater amount of human compassion.

Music critics found the lyrics of "Jumper" to tread familiar territory, but some of them praised the track's overall composition. In the United States, the song peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in addition to peaking in the top ten for several genre-specific charts. It also reached the top ten in Canada. The song was recorded and mixed in and around San Francisco at Toast Studios, Skywalker Ranch, H.O.S., and The Site by Valentine. "Jumper" is a lament centrally inspired by the suicide of a bullied gay teenager. However, Jenkins also was inspired by his own dysfunctional experiences when growing up. The instrumentation used in the song includes guitars, keyboards, and a piano.

Writing and inspiration

"My parents divorced, and that hurt me. We were poor and I went to a rich high school. I was dyslexic and had attention deficit disorder, which I still have. So I carried all these things with me. One afternoon, I had this epiphany. I said 'You know what? I don't have it all together. I come from stuff that was really difficult, and that's me. That's who I am.' I embraced that. There's a line in the song that says, 'Everyone's got to face down the demons/Maybe today we can put the past away.' It's very much a song about putting the past away."[1]

—Stephan Jenkins talking to Teen People about the song's inspiration.

"Jumper" was written solely by frontman Stephan Jenkins. Jenkins intended to write a song about the perils of bullying, with the song's narrative focusing on a "friend who’s gay jumping off a bridge and killing themselves."[2] This narrative was inspired by a friend of band manager Eric Godtland who committed suicide in high school due to bullying he endured for his sexuality.[3] In an interview with SongFacts, Jenkins said that the concept of the song was further developed through his own alienating childhood experiences.[4] Despite being written as a lament, Jenkins expressed that a broader message of "Jumper" is to have an understanding and compassion for one another.[5] He further explained the meaning of the song:

"Jumper" is about a guy who jumped off the Coronado Bridge and killed himself. It's kind of a noir-inspired story, and the point was if we have more understanding for each other, then we might give each other credit. And if you don’t want to see me again, I'd understand. Sometimes when you really help people and you make yourself vulnerable and they can’t really see you [afterwards]. I had a friend who was raped and she needed money for medical care. and she was ashamed and couldn’t talk to her parents about it... basically, after I helped her she didn’t want to see me. She gave a bit too much of herself. I understood that.[5]

Since the release of "Jumper," Jenkins has identified that the meaning of the song has changed for many listeners. He felt that the song's meaning was not entirely understood upon release, although "[n]ow it has this real levity. It's this huge moment of release for the audience."[4] Lyndsey Parker from Yahoo! Entertainment designated the song as an "anti-bullying anthem," which prompted Jenkins to acknowledge that he believes "Jumper" has resonated among many LGBT listeners.[6]

Recording and mixing

Speaking on the recording of "Jumper", Jenkins commented: "I was looking for a real thud in the drums… I wanted a thickness in midrange, so we put the drums in a smaller room and opened the doors so it had a sense of breathing. For 'Jumper,' I gave Brad — who uses these big sticks — I gave him some small sticks, and put the riser in the middle of the room and did it with no reverb, like a Beatles thing."[5] Eric Valentine was responsible for the mixing of the track, which was made at The Site, H.O.S, and Toast Studios.[7] Ted Jensen mastered the track at Sterling Sound Studios in New York City.[7]

Composition

"Jumper" is an alternative rock[8] and acoustic power pop song.[9] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Publishing, the song is written in the key of C major[10] and is set in time signature of common time with a tempo of 88 beats per minute.[11] Jenkin's vocal range spans one octave, from C4 to A5.[11]

Critical reception

Justin Joffe of Observer referred to the song as a "catchy acoustic jangle" that addresses suicide.[12] Mark Jenkins of The Washington Post believed the song's lyrical content of "potential suicide" treaded familiar territory.[13]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Jumper" debuted at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the issue dated December 5, 1998.[14] The song spent a total of 20 weeks on the chart, peaking at number five for the issue dated January 30, 1999.[14]

Music video

Background

The music video was directed by Yariv Gaber.[15] As a friend of drummer Brad Hargreaves, American model Anna Nicole Smith visited the set on the day of shooting, which led to her making an appearance in the video.[16]

Synopsis

The video primarily takes place in a crowded club and focuses on a young man who wanders in and around the surrounding area of the city; interacting with various people. Stephan Jenkins primarily sings while Kevin Cadogan is seen making out with various women, some of whom are implied to be escorts. A pregnant street walker, a promiscuous and flirtatious hustler, and a free spirited partier are those shown frequently throughout the video. Eventually, Jenkins sings directly to the young man who seems empowered by the message. As the video ends, Jenkins briefly transforms into a little boy playing a snare drum to match with the ending of the song.

Live performances

In September 2015, Jenkins joined Demi Lovato on their iHeartRadio Music Festival set for a performance of "Jumper".[17] The song was performed at a charity concert at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to a crowd of 2016 Republican National Convention attendees.[18] The band performed "Jumper" and "Non-Dairy Creamer" in protest of the Republican Party's party platform, with Jenkins speaking out in support of LGBT rights and science.[19]

Track listings and formats

  • CD, cassette, and 7-inch[20]
  1. "Jumper" (radio edit) – 4:06
  2. "Graduate" (remix) – 3:26

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel are adapted from the Third Eye Blind album liner notes.[7]

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[35] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for "Jumper"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States August 4, 1998 Contemporary hit radio Elektra [36]
January 12, 1999
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [37]

Appearances in other media

The song was featured in the 2002 HBO documentary Middle School Confessions, hosted by Samuel Jackson.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Third Eye Blind make a lyrical leap of faith", Teen People, February 1999
  2. ↑ Graham, Mark (August 25, 2009). "Third Eye Blind's Stephan Jenkins on the Band's Recent Resurgence and the Wonders of Herman Melville". Vulture. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  3. ↑ Third Eye Blind Finds Another Audience Connection With Latest Crossover Cut. Billboard. January 31, 1998.
  4. 1 2 Antonelli, Laura. "Songwriter interviews: Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind". Songfacts. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 "'There Was No Overnight Success': An Oral History of Third Eye Blind's Self-Titled Debut". Billboard. April 6, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  6. ↑ Parker, Lyndsay (October 27, 2018). "Why Third Eye Blind's anti-bullying anthem 'Jumper' still matters, 20 years later". Yahoo!. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 Third Eye Blind (Liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra. 1997. 62012-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ "88 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1998". Spin. October 25, 2018. p. 10. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  9. ↑ "The 98 Greatest Songs of 1998: Critics' Picks". Billboard. May 29, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  10. ↑ Stephan, Jenkins; Blind, Third Eye (May 4, 2009). "Jumper". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  11. 1 2 Third Eye Blind (1997). "Third Eye Blind 'Jumper' Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  12. ↑ Joffe, Justin (April 7, 2017). "Stephan Jenkins on 'Third Eye Blind' 20 Years Later". Observer. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  13. ↑ Jenkins, Mark (June 6, 1997). "Third Eye Blind "Third Eye Blind" Elektra". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  14. 1 2 "The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. January 30, 1999. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Jumper | Third Eye Blind | Music Video". MTV. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Third Eye Blind discusses Anna Nicole Smith, Heads into Studio in January". MTV. October 30, 1998. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  17. ↑ Lindner, Emilee (September 19, 2015). "Whoa! Demi Lovato Had A Major '90s Throwback Onstage". MTV. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  18. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (July 20, 2016). "Watch Third Eye Blind Troll Republicans at Cleveland Fundraiser". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  19. ↑ Zaru, Deena (August 16, 2017). "Third Eye Blind taunts GOP during convention, gets booed". CNN. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  20. ↑ Jumper (US CD Single liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra Records. 1998. 64058-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7010." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 1998". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 55.
  28. ↑ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1998". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 45.
  29. ↑ "The Year in Music 1998: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. December 26, 1998. p. YE-84.
  30. ↑ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  32. ↑ "1999 The Year in Music: Hot Adul Top 40 Tracks" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-100. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 54.
  34. ↑ "Most Played Modern Rock Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 36.
  35. ↑ "American single certifications – Third Eye Blind – Jumper". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  36. ↑ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1259. July 31, 1998. p. 37.
  37. ↑ Sandiford-Waller, Theda (January 23, 1999). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 4. p. 100. The retail single for 'Jumper' arrived in stores Jan. 12...
  38. ↑ "Road Rules: The Blind Leading the Blessed". TV.com.
  39. ↑ "BFFs Justin Timberlake And Jimmy Fallon Just Went All '90s At Camp". Huffington Post. December 17, 2014.
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