Charlie Big Potato Explained

Charlie Big Potato
Cover:Skunk_anansie_charlie.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Skunk Anansie
Album:Post Orgasmic Chill
Released:[1]
Length:4:45
Label:Virgin
Producer:Skunk Anansie, Clif Norrell
Prev Title:Brazen (Weep)
Prev Year:1997
Next Title:Secretly
Next Year:1999

"Charlie Big Potato" is the first single taken from British rock band Skunk Anansie's third studio album, Post Orgasmic Chill (1999). The single came after the band switched record labels moving away from the independent label One Little Indian onto Virgin Records. It was released on 1 March 1999, almost two years after their previous single. The reached number 17 on the UK singles chart and number three in Iceland.

CD1 came with an interactive element featuring the video and CD 2 came with three specially produced polaroid photographs of the band. The song was a favourite at festivals and Skin often performs a slower version of the song at her solo gigs. It was also featured in the 2000 movie Hollow Man.

Music video

The bizarre, emotionally intense video, directed by Giuseppe Capotondi and storyboarded by Concept Developer Andrew Trovaioli, shows the band appearing in different locations, with Skin waking up in a toilet, followed by a boy beginning to realise that his nightmares have become real.

Track listings

CD single – CD1

TitleLength
1. "Charlie Big Potato" 4:45
2. "Feel" 5:28
3. "80s Mellow Drone" 3:50
4. Interactive Section n/a

CD single – CD2

TitleLength
1. "Charlie Big Potato" 4:45
2. "Sane" 5:11
3. "Jack Knife Ginal" 4:17

Charts

Chart performance for "Charlie Big Potato"!Chart (1999)!Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[2] 72
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[3] 68
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[4] 3

Notes and References

  1. New Releases – For Week Starting 1 March, 1999. Music Week. 25. 27 February 1999. 16 July 2021.
  2. 255.
  3. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 16. 12. 8. 20 March 1999. 2 July 2021.
  4. News: Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (26.3–2.4. 1999). Dagblaðið Vísir. is. 10. 26 March 1999. 2 July 2021.