| Obvious Song | |
| Cover: | Joe Jackson Obvious Song 1991 single cover.jpg |
| Border: | yes |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Joe Jackson |
| Album: | Laughter & Lust |
| Released: | 1991 |
| Genre: | Rock[1] |
| Length: | 3:40 |
| Label: | Virgin |
| Producer: | Joe Jackson Ed Roynesdal |
| Prev Title: | Stranger than Fiction |
| Prev Year: | 1991 |
| Next Title: | Oh Well |
| Next Year: | 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]
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]
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]
Production
| Chart (1991) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian (RPM) 100 Singles Chart[14] | 68 | |
| US Billboard Album Rock Tracks | 28 | |
| US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 4 |