"Stutter"is the debut single by theBritpopgroupElasticaand was written by lead singerJustine Frischmann.It was originally released as a single in the UK in November 1993 and in the US in September 1994.[3]The song was later included on the band's 1995self-titled debut album.The single, which received positive reviews from critics, charted in the US and Canada.
| "Stutter" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| SinglebyElastica | ||||
| from the albumElastica | ||||
| B-side | "Pussycat" | |||
| Released | November 1, 1993(UK) September 20, 1994(US) | |||
| Recorded | June 1993 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:21 | |||
| Label | Deceptive | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Elastica | |||
| Elasticasingles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio sample | ||||
Background
edit"Stutter" was written by Elastica's lead singer, Justine Frischmann.[4]The song is a little over two minutes long and contains just two verses and two choruses because Frischmann thought that any more would be unnecessary.[5]The lyrics are about "the occasional problem of drunken male impotence."[6]
Release
edit"Stutter" was first released in November 1993 for the independentDeceptivelabel. It was released initially as a 7 "only and sold out within one day.[7]Although it was a limited edition of only 1,500 pressings, the single generated enormous media exposure for the band: based solely on the strength of it, Elastica was voted Best New Band in the year's-end Readers Poll inMelody Maker.[8]To avoid overexposure, the song was deliberately not worked into North American radio until later in 1995, after which it charted in both the US and Canada.[4][9][10]
"Stutter" was included as the 14th track on Elastica's 1995 self-titled debut album, and it was also included on the 2002 20th Century Masters collection,Best of Brit Pop.[11][5]
Critical reception
editThe song received positive reviews from music critics.[12]Spinwrote that "[The single]Stutterdelivers four brilliant pop songs ".[13]In a review of the band’s self-titled album,Douglas WolkofCMJ New Music Monthlywrote: "Elastica's best moments are all on its own, especially the astonishing single 'Stutter'".[14]
Writing forBillboard,Larry Flickincluded "Stutter" in his Critic's Choice list, writing: "It may be a stretch, but this indie quartet is best described as a better-naturedHole.Both acts feature sassy fronting females, impatient melodies, and gritty guitar riffs. The energetic tone here, however, is uplifting-not brooding. Equally interesting is the flip side, 'Pussycat'. "[15]In 2012,NMEranked the song at number 53 in its list of the "100 Best Tracks of the Nineties".[16]
Chart performance
editThe single peaked at No. 80 in the UK in November 1993.[17]In the US, "Stutter" stayed on theBillboardHot 100chart for nine weeks, peaking at No. 67 on August 26, 1995. It also went to No. 10 on theBillboardAlternative Songschart on August 12.[4]In Canada, the song peaked at No. 4 on theAlternative charton August 14.[10]
Music video
editThe song's music video, which was directed by David Mould, was filmed inSan Francisco, Californiaand aired regularly onMTVin 1995.[5][18]It features the band members playfully meandering fromGrant AvenueinChinatownto theBroadwaystretch of strip clubs and other adult businesses.
Track list
editUK 7 "
- "Stutter"
- "Pussycat"
US CD single[19]
- "Stutter"
- "Rockunroll" (Peel Session)
- "2:1" (Evening Session)
- "Annie" (Peel Session)
Charts
edit| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart[17] | 80 |
| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
| Australian Singles Chart[20] | 125 |
| Canadian Alternative Rock[10] | 4 |
| USBillboardHot 100[4] | 67 |
| USAlternative Airplay(Billboard)[21] | 10 |
References
edit- ^abStiernberg, Bonnie (11 June 2014)."The 50 Best Britpop Songs".Paste.Retrieved7 June2021.
- ^Erlewine, Stephen Thomas."Elastica | Biography & History".AllMusic.Retrieved17 August2021.
- ^Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1995-05-20).Billboard.Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
{{cite book}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^abcd"Stutter - Elastica".billboard.com. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
- ^abcBennett, Andy and Stratton, Jon.Britpop and the English Music Tradition(Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2010), pp. 60-61.
- ^Harris, John (2004).Britpop!: Cool Britannia and the Spectacular Demise of English Rock.Cambridge, Massachusetts:Da Capo Press.p. 95.ISBN978-0306813672.
- ^Buckley, Peter, ed. (2003).The Rough Guide to Rock.London, England:Rough Guides.p. 332.ISBN978-1843531050.
- ^True, Everett(8 October 1994)."Elastica: From Hype To Eternity".Melody Maker.Retrieved17 March2019– viaRock's Backpages.
- ^Borzillo, Carrie (20 May 1995)."Elastica's DGC Set Connects With Fans".Billboard.Los Angeles, California:Eldridge Industries.p. 42.
- ^abc"Results".collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
- ^"20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: Best of Brit Pop - Various Artists".Allmusic.Los Angeles, California:Rovi Corporation.Retrieved7 June2011.
- ^Strong, Martin Charles (2003).The Great Indie Discography.New York City:Grove Atlantic.ISBN978-1841953359.
- ^"Picks".Spin.San Francisco, California:SpinMedia.April 1995. p. 146.
- ^Malk, Douglas (April 1995)."Best New Music".CMJ New Music Monthly.New York City: CMJ Holdings Corp. p. 13.
- ^Flick, Larry (24 September 1994)."Single Reviews"(PDF).Billboard.Los Angeles, California:Eldridge Industries.Retrieved28 December2016.
- ^Breihan, Tom (16 May 2012)."NME's 100 Best Tracks of the Nineties".NME.London, England:TI Media.Retrieved31 December2016.
- ^ab"13 November 1993 (from ukmix.org The 76-100 pos. UK-Charts-Thread, page 9)".Imgur.com.Retrieved30 May2017.
- ^Walters, Barry (24 August 1995)."Elastica is Bent on U.S. Success".Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.Milwaukee, Wisconsin:Gannett Company.Retrieved18 September2018.
- ^"Stutter/Rockunroll - Elastica".allmusic.com. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
- ^"Elastica ARIA chart history, received from ARIA on 8 March 2024".Imgur.com.Retrieved5 June2024.N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column indicates the title's peak on the national chart.
- ^"Elastica Chart History (Alternative Airplay)".Billboard.Retrieved 7 August 2017.
