"Obvious Song"
Single by Joe Jackson
from the album Laughter & Lust
Released1991
GenreRock[1]
Length3:40
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)Joe Jackson
Producer(s)Joe Jackson
Ed Roynesdal
Joe Jackson singles chronology
"Stranger than Fiction"
(1991)		 "Obvious Song"
(1991)		 "Oh Well"
(1991)

"Obvious Song" is a song by British singer-songwriter and musician Joe Jackson, which was released in 1991 as the second single from his ninth studio album Laughter & Lust. The song was written by Jackson, and produced by Jackson and Ed Roynesdal.[2] The song's music video was directed by Marcus Nispel and produced by Marc Rosenberg.[3]

Background

As Jackson's US debut single for Virgin, "Obvious Song" was selected by the label as a track they believed would generate play on album, alternative and college radio. Diana Fried, product manager for Virgin, told Billboard of the label's decision to release it: "They felt Joe had had a long, illustrious career, but without a whole lot of radio successes in his recent past. To come out with a more pop single right off the bat might not be the best way to let the fans know he's got a new album out, and also might limit where we go with it."[4] The song reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and No. 28 on Billboard Album Rock Tracks charts.[5][6]

Critical reception

On its release, Billboard described the song as "rebellious social commentary that gains credibility from the singer's distinctive phrasing." They added: "A ringing '60s style guitar arrangement combined with horns and piano lines make this rhythmically dynamic tune a must for modern and album rock formats."[7] In a review of Laughter & Lust, John Everson of the Southtown Star wrote: "Kicking off with the wryly labeled "Obvious Song," Jackson spits out observations that are obvious, but seldom acted on."[8]

Mark Lepage of The Gazette wrote: "When Laughter & Lust works, it is as brisk, invigorating, tuneful and concise as "Obvious Song"."[9] Roger Catlin of the Hartford Courant commented: "The punchy "Obvious Song" and "It's All Too Much" are worthy rockers with pithy jabs."[10] Parry Gettelman of the Orlando Sentinel considered the song to "perform the difficult task of combining social commentary and pop craftsmanship without sounding preachy or pretentious".[11]

Elysa Gardner of Rolling Stone described the song as a "straight-ahead rocker" which "takes aim at an American rock star who drives around in a gasguzzling limo while preaching to a foreigner who makes his living by cutting down trees".[12] People was more critical of the song, describing it as "preachy", with Jackson "com[ing] across as a swollen, whiny Billy Joel".[13]

Track listing

CD single (US promo)
  1. "Obvious Song" (Edit) - 3:47
  2. "Obvious Song" - 4:11

Personnel

  • Joe Jackson - vocals, keyboards
  • Tom Teeley - guitar, backing vocals
  • Joy Askew - keyboards, backing vocals
  • Graham Maby - bass
  • Dan Hickey - drums
  • Sue Hadjopoulos - drums, percussion

Production

  • Joe Jackson - producer
  • Ed Roynesdal - producer
  • Dan Hersch - editor on "Edit" version
  • Larry Alexander - engineer
  • Bob Ludwig - mastering

Charts

Chart (1991) Peak
position
Canadian (RPM) 100 Singles Chart[14] 68
US Billboard Album Rock Tracks[6] 28
US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks[5] 4

References

  1. ↑ Molanphy, Chris (November 19, 2022). "Angry Young Men Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  2. ↑ Jason Damas (1991-04-30). "Laughter & Lust - Joe Jackson | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  3. ↑ "Music Video: Video Track". Billboard. 25 May 1991.
  4. ↑ Bessman, Jim (4 May 1991). "Artist developments: A jolt for Jackson". Billboard.
  5. 1 2 Billboard. "Joe Jackson Obvious Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  6. 1 2 Billboard. "Joe Jackson Obvious Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  7. ↑ "Single Reviews". Billboard. 4 May 1991.
  8. ↑ Everson, John (6 June 1991). "Joe Jackson's 'Laughter' bubbles with angry wit". Southtown Star.
  9. ↑ Lepage, Mark (4 May 1991). "Joe Jackson finds old edge in catchy, cutting melodies". The Gazette.
  10. ↑ Catlin, Roger (14 July 1991). "Joe Jackson's repertoire suitably classy for Bushnell". Hartford Courant.
  11. ↑ Gettelman, Parry (14 June 1991). "Records". Orlando Sentinel.
  12. ↑ Elysa Gardner (1991-05-30). "Joe Jackson: Laughter & Lust : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Archived from the original on 2008-06-02. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  13. ↑ "Picks and Pans Review: Laughter and Lust". People. 1991-05-20. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  14. ↑ "Item: 1220 - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
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