My Sharona Explained

My Sharona
Cover:MySharonaCover.jpg
Caption:US variant of the standard artwork
Type:single
Artist:the Knack
Album:Get the Knack
B-Side:"Let Me Out"
Released:June 18, 1979[1]
Recorded:April 1979
Genre:
Length:3:58 (single edit)
4:52 (album version)
Label:Capitol
Producer:Mike Chapman
Next Title:Good Girls Don't
Next Year:1979

"My Sharona" is the debut single by the Knack. The song was written by Berton Averre and Doug Fieger, and it was released in 1979 from their debut album, Get the Knack. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, where it remained for six weeks, and was number one on Billboards 1979 Top Pop Singles year-end chart.

It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, representing 1,000,000 copies sold,[5] and was Capitol Records' fastest gold status debut single since the Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in 1964.[6] It has since gone on to sell more than 10 million copies as of 2010.[7] [8]

Inspiration

When Doug Fieger was 25 years old, he met 17-year-old Sharona Alperin,[9] who inspired a two-month-long run of songwriting, as well as eventually becoming his girlfriend for the next four years. Fieger recounted that "It was like getting hit in the head with a baseball bat; I fell in love with her instantly. And when that happened, it sparked something and I started writing a lot of songs feverishly in a short amount of time." Fieger and Averre worked out the structure and melody of the song. Averre was originally averse to using Alperin's name in the song, but Fieger wanted it to be a direct expression of his feelings; Averre ultimately relented.[10] Fieger claimed that "My Sharona" was written in 15 minutes;[11] moreover, it was purportedly mixed in an additional 15 minutes after the recording of the song was made in a single take (not including background vocals).[12]

Fieger and Alperin were engaged at one point but never married.[9] In a 2005 interview, Fieger said that they remained "great friends";[9] additionally, she would visit him frequently as Fieger was dying of cancer. Alperin went on to have a successful career as a realtor in Los Angeles.[13] [14]

Music and lyrics

The music of the song echoes many elements of songs from the 1960s. According to a Trouser Press reviewer, the song's main melodic hook is "an inversion of the signature riff" from "Gimme Some Lovin'", a 1966 song by the Spencer Davis Group.[15] Fieger acknowledged that the song's tom-tom drum rhythm is "just a rewrite" of "Going to a Go-Go", a song from Smokey Robinson and the Miracles from 1965.[15] Drummer Bruce Gary has stated that although he did not particularly like the song when Fieger introduced it to the band, he came up with the stuttering beat for the song similar to a surf stomp, with just tom-tom and snare. He also decided to incorporate a flam, in which two drum strokes are staggered, creating a fuller sound, which Gary considered to be crucial to the song's success.[16]

In an interview with The Washington Post, Fieger claimed that the song was written from the perspective of a 14-year-old boy.[9]

The song's stuttering vocal effect of the repeated "muh muh muh my Sharona" phrase is reminiscent of Roger Daltrey's vocals in the 1965 song "My Generation" by the Who.[15]

Music video

The music video features the band performing the song in a white room. Another music video features clips from the film Reality Bites, concert footage and Another Lousy Day in Paradise music video.

Artwork

In addition to being the inspiration for the song, Sharona Alperin posed for the single's picture sleeve holding a copy of the Knack's debut studio album Get the Knack.[13]

Reception

Produced by Mike Chapman, the song's clean sound was reminiscent of the sound of the 1960s British Invasion.[15] Billboard Magazine described "My Sharona" as "an energetic raker with a subtle melody."[17] Dick Nusser of Billboard remarked on the song's "catchy, deliberately awkward, stop-go drum and guitar breaks", its "quirky lyrics" and "suggestive tone", and that the song will "make you ready, willing and able to hum the refrain at the right moment." Cash Box said it begins with "slamming drums and rock steady, building guitar work."[18] In the Pazz & Jop 1979 Critic's Poll, "My Sharona" and Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk" were tied for sixth place in the list of top singles of the year.[19]

Chris Woodstra of AllMusic has subsequently referred to the song as an "unforgettable hit."[20] The New Rolling Stone Album Guide claimed that the song "was a hit for a good reason. The beat is urgent, the chorus calls out for drunken shouting along and the guitar solo is a firecracker flash."[21]

Legacy

"My Sharona" has retrospectively been viewed as a symbol for the fall of the 1970s' disco and the rise of the 1980s' new wave.[22] The New York Times called the song "an emblem of the new wave era in rock and a prime example of the brevity of pop fame."[11]

During the making of Michael Jackson's 1982 Thriller album, producer Quincy Jones aspired to include a rock-and-roll-inspired song in the vein of "My Sharona". Jackson subsequently wrote "Beat It".[23]

In 2008, "My Sharona" was ranked in two Billboard 50th anniversary charts. It ranked 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs[24] and 16 on the Top Billboard Hot 100 Rock Songs.[25] [26]

In 1994, "My Sharona" re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at number 91, when it was released as part of the Reality Bites soundtrack album.[27] [28] In the film itself, the characters dance to the song at a convenience store.[29] This version was remixed by Dave Jerden and features, among other changes, a much more prominent drum sound.[30]

In 2005, the song gained some attention when it appeared on the playlist of U.S. President George W. Bush's iPod.[31]

"Girl U Want" by Devo, from the album Freedom of Choice, was allegedly inspired by "My Sharona", although Devo's Gerald Casale has denied this.[32]

In 2023, Berton Averre calculated to receive between $100,000 and $300,000 annually from his royalties for the song.[33]

Personnel

Taken from the Get The Knack liner notes

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1979–1980)Peak
position
Argentina[34] 8
Australia (Kent Music Report)[35] 1
Canada (RPM 100 Singles)[36] 1
France (SNEP)[37] 3
Ireland (IRMA)[38] 14
US Billboard Hot 100[39] 1
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles1
Chart (1994)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[40] 72
US Billboard Hot 10091

Year-end charts

Chart (1979)Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[41] [42] 11
Canada (RPM)[43] 3
New Zealand[44] 24
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[45] 1

All-time charts

Covers, parodies, and samples

Notable covers

Parodies

Audio samples

"Let Me Out"

The B-side of the "My Sharona" single was "Let Me Out". It was written by Fieger and Averre to fill the band's need for a strong opening track for concerts and later for their Get the Knack album.[60] Averre has stated that the song is "absurdly fast."[60] Drummer Bruce Gary felt that the words of "Let Me Out" helped make the song a perfect opener since the band wanted to "let out", and bassist Prescott Niles noted that, with the song, the band was all of a sudden "out of the box."[60] Gary has also claimed that the song was "me trying to be Buddy Rich in a rock 'n' roll band. It was just full on."[60]

Billboard described "Let Me Out" as "a teen anthem delivered at full throttle" and praised the song's "delightful" harmonies, "slapping" guitars and "perfectly tuned" drumming.[61] Superchunk and The Mountain Goats drummer Jon Wurster commented on the "full force" of Gary's drumming on "Let Me Out."[62] Ira Robbins and Michael Sandlin of Trouser Press described the song as "tight guitar pop."[63] Author John Borack described the song as "a damn fine pop tune."[64] Audio magazine called it a "basher" with "plenty of style."[65] AllMusic critic Mark Deming stated that the live version of "Let Me Out" has "a joyous force nearly any act would envy." Dave Swanson of Ultimate Classic Rock called it "one of the most powerful album openers ever."[66] Classic Rock History critic Skip Anderson called it a "smoking track" and rated it as the Knack's 10th best song.[67]

A 1979 live performance of "Let Me Out" from Carnegie Hall was included on the laser disc of Live at Carnegie Hall.[68] The song was included on their compilation album, Premium Gold Collection.[69] A 2012 vinyl EP for Record Store Day includes 1978 live performances of "Let Me Out" and "My Sharona" from Los Angeles and two other songs. The two performances are also included on the live CD of the entire 1978 Los Angeles concert Havin' a Rave-Up.[70] [71]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: "My Sharona" - the Knack .
    • Book: Bonomo, Joe . Joe Bonomo . 978-0-8264-2846-2 . 153 . Sweat: The Story of the Fleshtones, America's Garage Band . . Wexler's goal seemed to be replicating the Knack's "My Sharona," the cleanly recorded power-pop classic . 2007.
    • Pierre . Perrone . Doug Fieger: Leader of The Knack who co-wrote the worldwide hit 'My Sharona' . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/doug-fieger-leader-of-the-knack-who-cowrote-the-worldwide-hit-my-sharona-1916404.html . June 18, 2022 . subscription . live . . March 5, 2010 . April 9, 2014.
  3. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/16/arts/music/16fieger.html Nytimes.com
  4. Web site: Tom . Breihan . The Number Ones: M's "Pop Muzik". . February 26, 2020 . ...and “My Sharona” is retro-minded garage rock, British Invasion pastiche.. July 13, 2023.
  5. Web site: My Sharona Gold Certifiction. RIAA. 21 May 2020.
  6. Atkinson . Terry . The Knack: yesterday ... and today . . October 18, 1979 . 32.
  7. News: 2010-02-17 . Who was My Sharona? . en-GB . 2022-07-12.
  8. Web site: 2010-02-18 . A one-hit wonder but it was hardly for want of trying . 2022-07-12 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en.
  9. News: Richard . Lieby . 'My Sharona,' Revealing a Knack for Current Affairs? . . April 17, 2005 . D3.
  10. Liner notes, 2002 "Get the Knack" digitally remastered re-issue.
  11. News: Doug Fieger Dies at 57, Singer of 'My Sharona' . Ben . Sisario . New York Times . February 15, 2010 . February 16, 2010 . A25 . New York .
  12. Web site: A. O. L. Staff . 'My Sharona' co-writer shares on his rock star riches . 2022-07-12 . www.aol.com . en-US.
  13. Web site: In 1979 a Hit Song Made This Future L.A. Real Estate Agent a Pop Culture Icon . Campos, Susan . June 11, 2019 . . June 13, 2019 .
  14. Web site: Alejandro . Lazo . M-m-m-my career in real estate: Sharona Alperin, who at 17 was the real-life inspiration for the 1979 Knack megahit, now sells high-end homes to celebrities . Los Angeles Times . February 18, 2010.
  15. Book: Cateforis, Theodore . Are We Not New Wave? : Modern Pop at the Turn of the 1980s . 123–127 . 2011 . University of Michigan Press . 978-0-472-03470-3.
  16. News: Knack Drummer's Beat Burrows into the Brain. Kelly . J. . D3, D7. August 26, 2006. Toledo Blade.
  17. News: Top Single Picks. Billboard Magazine. 2020-07-10. 69. June 23, 1979.
  18. News: CashBox Singles Reviews. June 23, 1979. 18. Cash Box. 2022-01-01.
  19. Web site: Pazz & Jop 1979: Critics Poll . Robert Christgau . 1980-01-28 . 2016-10-15.
  20. Web site: Get the Knack review at Allmusic . Chris . Woodstra . . . July 27, 2013.
  21. Book: The New Rolling Stone Album Guide . Nathan Brackett, Christian David Hoard . 462 . 2004 . 4th . Simon & Schuster . 978-0-7432-0169-8 . registration .
  22. Web site: Dantona . Savannah . 2023-08-21 . The Scandalous Meaning Behind "My Sharona" by The Knack . 2024-08-02 . . en-US.
  23. Web site: Quincy Jones Blogs About Working With Michael Jackson. https://web.archive.org/web/20170401083729/http://www.mtv.com/news/1614986/quincy-jones-blogs-about-working-with-michael-jackson/. dead. April 1, 2017. Eric. Ditzian. MTV News.
  24. Billboard Hot 100 Chart 50th Anniversary . https://web.archive.org/web/20080913210022/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-80.shtml . dead . September 13, 2008 . . February 15, 2010.
  25. It's Only Rock & Roll: Top Billboard Hot 100 Rock Songs . . August 11, 2011.
  26. Billboard Hot 100 Songs of the Year . . August 11, 2011.
  27. Book: Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll: Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. 8 November 2001. Touchstone. 978-0-7432-0120-9. 536. In 1994 the Knack began touring again after "My Sharona" found a new audience through its inclusion in the Reality Bites soundtrack..
  28. Talk About Coming From Nowhere. Electronic Gaming Monthly. 59. EGM Media, LLC. June 1994. 212.
  29. Web site: Kelly . Woo . Scenes We Love: Reality Bites – The Moviefone Blog . News.moviefone.com . June 25, 2010 . September 20, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055435/http://news.moviefone.com/2010/06/25/scenes-we-love-reality-bites/ . September 21, 2013 . dead .
  30. Web site: Reality Bites: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack . . February 25, 2017.
  31. News: Bush bares soul with 'iPod One' . Peter . Wilkinson . April 13, 2005 . CNN.com . Cable News Network LP, LLLP. . December 21, 2008 . December 17, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081217040846/http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/04/12/bush.ipod/ . dead . mdy-all .
  32. Web site: Interview with Gerald Casale of DEVO (6-12-05) . Earcandymag.com . July 2005 . DJ . Ivan.
  33. Web site: Crockett . Zachary . The Economics of Everyday Things: "My Sharona" . Freakonomics . 6 February 2023 . en . February 5, 2023.
  34. Web site: Cash Box - International Best Sellers. worldradiohistory.com. Cash Box. 2 February 1980. p. 37..
  35. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970 - 1992. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 169. 0-646-11917-6.
  36. Web site: Top Singles – Volume 31, No. 24, September 08 1979 . July 17, 2013 . Library and Archives Canada . July 27, 2013.
  37. Web site: InfoDisc : Tous les Titres par Artiste . Dominic DURAND / InfoDisc . InfoDisc.fr . fr . July 27, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130921025419/http://infodisc.fr/Bilan_K.php . September 21, 2013 . mdy-all . – Use the index at the top of the page and search "Knack"
  38. Web site: The Irish Charts – All there is to know . . July 27, 2013. – Search for "My Sharona" and pick the one result
  39. Web site: The Knack awards on Allmusic . . . July 27, 2013.
  40. Web site: The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 04 Sep 1994. ARIA. March 14, 2016.
  41. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970 - 1992. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 431. 0-646-11917-6.
  42. Web site: Kent Music Report No 288 – 31 December 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1979. Kent Music Report. Imgur.com. 10 January 2023.
  43. Top 100 Singles (1979). . 2017-07-29.
  44. Web site: End of Year Charts 1979 . . July 30, 2017 .
  45. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 –
  46. Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart. Billboard. 10 December 2018.
  47. Web site: Childers. Chad. September 26, 2017. Royal Blood Rock 'My Sharona'. 2021-08-18. Loudwire. en.
  48. Book: Ellis, Iain . Rebels Wit Attitude: Subversive Rock Humorists . 205 . 2008 . Counterpoint Press . 978-1-59376-206-3.
  49. Web site: a.m. stir: The many faces of 'My Sharona' . Jacksonville.com . February 12, 2012 . Tom . Szaroleta.
  50. http://www.oldiesloon.com/il/wls020980.htm WLS Musicradio Survey, February 9, 1980
  51. Web site: details for 9 Coronas – John Mammoser . Dmdb.org . January 10, 2013 . Jeff . Morris .
  52. Web site: Israel and Jewish Videos – My Menorah Spoof Animation . WeJew.com . January 11, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120325174107/http://www.wejew.com/media/3190/My_Menorah_Spoof_Animation/ . March 25, 2012 .
  53. Web site: ACN: My Menorah. Americancomedynetwork.com. November 13, 2006. January 11, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20101121072630/http://americancomedynetwork.com/animation.html?bit_id=14718. November 21, 2010. dead.
  54. Web site: Adam . Schrader . 'Weird Al' Yankovic won't make coronavirus parody of 'My Sharona' . . March 3, 2020 . 12 March 2020.
  55. Kaufman . Gil . These 10 Coronavirus Songs Bring Some Levity to the Global Panic . . March 12, 2020.
  56. News: Hebrew 'My Corona' spoof of The Knacks classic proves catching. Steinberg. Jessica. The Times of Israel. March 10, 2020. March 24, 2020.
  57. News: Curto . Justin . The Knack Finally Does the 'My Sharona' Parody You've Been Waiting For . 23 April 2020 . Vulture.com . March 26, 2020.
  58. Web site: Steve . Bryant . 'My Sharona' Creators Sue Yahoo, Apple, Amazon and Run DMC for Copyright Infringement . October 4, 2006 . eWeek.com . QuinStreet Inc. . September 9, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080623074744/http://googlewatch.eweek.com/content/archive/my_sharona_creators_sue_yahoo_apple_amazon_and_run_dmc_for_copyright_infringement.html . June 23, 2008 . dead .
  59. News: Who was My Sharona? . Alan . Connor . News.bbc.co.uk . BBC News . February 17, 2010 .
  60. Getting the Knack . M. McLaughlin, K. Sharp . Passport Productions . 2004.
  61. Closeup: Get The Knack . Dick. Nusser . Billboard Magazine . July 28, 1979 . 52, 66 . July 14, 2011.
  62. News: Bruce Gary: Controlled Bombast with the Knack . . September 1, 2011.
  63. The Knack . . Ira Robbins & Michael Sandlin . April 14, 2012.
  64. Book: Borack, John M. . Shake some action: the ultimate power pop guide . 23, 60 . 2007 . . 978-0-9797714-0-8.
  65. News: Get the Knack: The Knack . Audio . 104 . CBS Magazines . 1979.
  66. Web site: The History of 'My Sharona' – How One Song Doomed the Knack . Swanson, D.. 2015-03-24. June 11, 2014.
  67. Web site: Top 10 songs from the Knack. Classic Rock History. Anderson, Skip. August 14, 2021 . 2023-01-24.
  68. Web site: Live at Carnegie Hall . . . April 14, 2012.
  69. Web site: Premium Gold Collection . . . April 14, 2012.
  70. Web site: Havin' a Rave-Up! Live In Los Angeles, 1978 . Mark . Deming . . . April 24, 2012.
  71. Web site: The Knack Takes You Back ... to 1978 . The Knack . March 10, 2012 . April 14, 2012.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "My Sharona".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.