Feel Good Hit of the Summer
Encyclopedia
"Feel Good Hit of the Summer" is a song by American rock
band Queens of the Stone Age
and written by band members Josh Homme and Nick Oliveri
. It is the opening track of their second album, Rated R
and in 2000 became the second single to be released from it. The song also accompanied the UK release of the album on a separate CD entitled Rated U. Upon the album's release, "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" had particular attention drawn to it due to the song's focus on drugs. Despite this, critical reception to the song was generally positive.
, valium, vicodin
, marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol
, with cocaine
mentioned throughout the chorus. Homme has hinted that the song is a direct reference to the band's stoner rock
label:
On multiple occasions, Homme has also referred to the song as a "social experiment" in regards to how the public would approach it. He has also stated that despite the heavy drugs content in the track, the band's stance was left ambiguous, stating that "there's no endorsement" and that "[the song] doesn't say yes or no". Chris Goss
, who co-produced Rated R with Homme under the pseudonym The 5:15ers
, later stated that the track was intended to be a "joke" and a "funny song". He also commented that it was originally recorded as a chant at the end of the album, but its effectiveness resulted in its expansion into a full song and usage as the opener.
Though it was Josh Homme who provided lead vocals, there are several other vocalists present on the track. Judas Priest
lead singer Rob Halford
was in a neighbouring studio when this song was first recorded and ended up singing backing vocals at the band's request, calling the lyrics a "rock and roll cocktail". Halford's performance was only used in the final chorus of the track, though this was enough to have him credited alongside Nick Oliveri, Wendy Ray Moan and Nick Eldorado as providing backing vocals. The song features again on Rated R as a reprise
after the eighth track "In the Fade".
initially refused to sell Rated R unless the song was removed from the album or a warning label placed upon it, though the band successfully argued that the cover and name of the album was warning in itself.
Critically, the song fared well and was chosen as a highlight of Rated R by The Guardian
, Robert Christgau
, and numerous others. In reference to the song, NME
said in their review of the album that "Among modern American rock moments, it stands alongside "Smells Like Teen Spirit
" or RATM
's "Killing in the Name
", such is its irresistible, instant impact", also labelling it an "anthem". Rolling Stone
similarly likened the track to "unreleased Nirvana
". Steve Huey of Allmusic wasn't so taken with the song, branding it "tiresome" and chastising its usage for a reprisal.
"Feel Good Hit of the Summer" was featured in a number of prominent end-of-year lists for best song, including Robert Christgau's Pazz & Jop critics poll
where it charted at number 26. It also reached number six on NME's list, two places below fellow Rated R single "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret
". The song was also included on the CD release of the Triple J Hottest 100
for 2000, despite not featuring on the actual list. In October 2011, NME
placed it at number 82 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".
, following the song "A Song for the Deaf". Though the music sounds similar, the lyrics are replaced by rhythmic laughing. Queens of the Stone Age have frequently performed "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" live since the release of Rated R and whilst touring subsequent albums. On the band's most recent tour for their 2007 album Era Vulgaris
, the song has been extended with numerous jams
and new segments frequently taking it past the six-minute mark. It was whilst on this tour that the band used the track as the opener in, what was intended to be, a six-song gig at an undisclosed Los Angeles
rehab clinic
. Due to the song's lyrics, the set was subsequently cut short and the band were removed from the premises. "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" is used in videos by the Colorado Police Department to demonstrate the dangers of drunk driving, one of two Queens of the Stone Age tracks to be used in such a way (the other being "Better Living Through Chemistry" which is used in a similar way by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department
).
"Feel Good Hit of the Summer" was used in the 2000 film Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2
, with the track also being included on its soundtrack release. Alternative rock
band Yourcodenameis:milo
performed a version of the track on the covers album Higher Voltage, given away free with issue 1164 of Kerrang!
magazine. The song's also been covered live by both Placebo
and Machine Head
. Rap duo Atmosphere
entitled a drug themed song off their 2009 EP Leak at Will
, "Feel Good Hit of the Summer Part 2" in reference to this track. Atmosphere member Slug
had previously stated his appreciation of Queens of the Stone Age. The song has also been covered live by the Dubstep-rock band Subsource at Guilfest (rocksound) 2010.
's rating system targeted specifically. Continuing as such, the album's liner notes have each song contain several worded warnings, akin to parents guides most commonly seen on the covers for DVD
s. Those listed for "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" include 'Adult Situations, 'Consumption' and 'Illegal Substances', referencing the drug-related content of the song. All of this would seem portentous considering the controversy the track subsequently caused.
The video also puts significant focus on the subject of the song. Created as an animation, it has a loose plot following a man driving under what appears to be the influence of some form of hallucinogenic drug. This is demonstrated by colour becoming more varied and vibrant in the song's chorus, with numerous literal representations of drugs featured throughout. The band are also shown performing the song through the technique of rotoscoping, which they would again use in the video for their 2003 single "Go With the Flow
". The video culminates in the man's vehicle driving off into the distance and exploding into a mushroom cloud upon reaching the horizon.
and Nick Oliveri
, except where noted.
As part of Record Store Day 2010
, the band allowed the single to be released on vinyl
for the first time. The record is a 10" picture disc and contains all the songs available on the European and Australian release.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
and written by band members Josh Homme and Nick Oliveri
Nick Oliveri
Nick Steven Oliveri is an American musician from Palm Desert, California. He plays bass guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and is a vocalist...
. It is the opening track of their second album, Rated R
Rated R (Queens of the Stone Age album)
Rated R is the second studio album by American rock band Queens of the Stone Age. It was released on June 6, 2000 through Interscope Records. Rated R was a critical and commercial success and became the band's breakthrough album. It peaked at number 16 on the Top Heatseekers and reached high...
and in 2000 became the second single to be released from it. The song also accompanied the UK release of the album on a separate CD entitled Rated U. Upon the album's release, "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" had particular attention drawn to it due to the song's focus on drugs. Despite this, critical reception to the song was generally positive.
Background and writing
Josh Homme claimed the song was conceived after his three-day Millennium party. The song's lyrics are merely a list of drugs repeated throughout. Drugs listed in the verses include nicotineNicotine
Nicotine is an alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants that constitutes approximately 0.6–3.0% of the dry weight of tobacco, with biosynthesis taking place in the roots and accumulation occurring in the leaves...
, valium, vicodin
Vicodin
Hydrocodone/paracetamol is a combination of two analgesic products hydrocodone and paracetamol used to relieve moderate to severe pain...
, marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
, with cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
mentioned throughout the chorus. Homme has hinted that the song is a direct reference to the band's stoner rock
Stoner rock
Stoner rock or stoner metal is a subgenre of heavy metal, combining elements of psychedelic rock, blues rock, traditional heavy metal and doom metal. Stoner rock is typically slow-to-mid tempo and features a bass-heavy sound, melodic vocals, and 'retro' production...
label:
["Feel Good Hit of the Summer"] might be like a knife in the neck of stoner rock. It's hard to tell, and I think that's the good part about it. Look, you're always going to get labeled with something. Stoner rock is kind of a dumbing-down label, and that's why I don't gravitate toward it.
On multiple occasions, Homme has also referred to the song as a "social experiment" in regards to how the public would approach it. He has also stated that despite the heavy drugs content in the track, the band's stance was left ambiguous, stating that "there's no endorsement" and that "[the song] doesn't say yes or no". Chris Goss
Chris Goss
Christopher Ryan Goss, born August 17, 1958, is an American record producer and musician.-Selected discography:Throughout his career Goss has worked with a wide range of musicians in various genres.* 1988 - Masters of Reality by Masters of Reality...
, who co-produced Rated R with Homme under the pseudonym The 5:15ers
Fififf Teeners
Fififf Teeners is the name given to the side project of musicians Josh Homme and Chris Goss.The alias of the duo was first used when they co-produced Queens of the Stone Age's Rated R, and again for the band's fifth studio album, Era Vulgaris...
, later stated that the track was intended to be a "joke" and a "funny song". He also commented that it was originally recorded as a chant at the end of the album, but its effectiveness resulted in its expansion into a full song and usage as the opener.
Though it was Josh Homme who provided lead vocals, there are several other vocalists present on the track. Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
lead singer Rob Halford
Rob Halford
Robert John Arthur "Rob" Halford is an English singer-songwriter, who is best known as the lead vocalist for the Grammy Award-winning heavy metal band Judas Priest. He is nicknamed the "Metal God" as a tribute to his influence on metal, and after the Judas Priest song of the same name from 1980's...
was in a neighbouring studio when this song was first recorded and ended up singing backing vocals at the band's request, calling the lyrics a "rock and roll cocktail". Halford's performance was only used in the final chorus of the track, though this was enough to have him credited alongside Nick Oliveri, Wendy Ray Moan and Nick Eldorado as providing backing vocals. The song features again on Rated R as a reprise
Reprise
Reprise is a fundamental device in the history of art. In literature, a reprise consists of the rewriting of another work; in music, a reprise is the repetition or reiteration of the opening material later in a composition as occurs in the recapitulation of sonata form, though—originally in the...
after the eighth track "In the Fade".
Reception
Due to the frequency and blatant nature of the drug references in "Feel Good Hit of the Summer", a number of radio stations refused to play it. Wal-MartWal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
initially refused to sell Rated R unless the song was removed from the album or a warning label placed upon it, though the band successfully argued that the cover and name of the album was warning in itself.
Critically, the song fared well and was chosen as a highlight of Rated R by The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau is an American essayist, music journalist, and self-proclaimed "Dean of American Rock Critics".One of the earliest professional rock critics, Christgau is known for his terse capsule reviews, published since 1969 in his Consumer Guide columns...
, and numerous others. In reference to the song, NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
said in their review of the album that "Among modern American rock moments, it stands alongside "Smells Like Teen Spirit
Smells Like Teen Spirit
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind , released on DGC Records...
" or RATM
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
's "Killing in the Name
Killing in the Name
"Killing in the Name" is a song by American rap metal band Rage Against the Machine, featured on their self-titled debut album, and was released as the lead single from the album in November 1992...
", such is its irresistible, instant impact", also labelling it an "anthem". Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
similarly likened the track to "unreleased Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
". Steve Huey of Allmusic wasn't so taken with the song, branding it "tiresome" and chastising its usage for a reprisal.
"Feel Good Hit of the Summer" was featured in a number of prominent end-of-year lists for best song, including Robert Christgau's Pazz & Jop critics poll
Pazz & Jop
The Pazz & Jop critics' poll is a poll of music critics run by The Village Voice newspaper. It is compiled every year from the top ten lists of hundreds of music critics...
where it charted at number 26. It also reached number six on NME's list, two places below fellow Rated R single "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret
The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret
"The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret" is the first single from Queens of the Stone Age's second album, Rated R. It was released in the summer of 2000 through Interscope Records, in Europe as a standard single, in the US instead only as a promotional one. The track became arguably the band's most...
". The song was also included on the CD release of the Triple J Hottest 100
Triple J Hottest 100
The Triple J Hottest 100 is an annual music poll, based on the votes of national Australian radio station Triple J listeners, in order to determine their favourite song of the year. Voting is conducted by the internet and begins roughly two weeks prior to the new year for the previous year's songs...
for 2000, despite not featuring on the actual list. In October 2011, NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
placed it at number 82 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".
Legacy
The band reprise the track on their follow-up to Rated R, Songs for the DeafSongs for the Deaf
-Production and release:In September 2002, Josh Homme explained the band's goals with the release of the album:In the same month, Nick Oliveri explained the band's aims in an interview with retail company HMV:...
, following the song "A Song for the Deaf". Though the music sounds similar, the lyrics are replaced by rhythmic laughing. Queens of the Stone Age have frequently performed "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" live since the release of Rated R and whilst touring subsequent albums. On the band's most recent tour for their 2007 album Era Vulgaris
Era Vulgaris (album)
Era Vulgaris is the fifth full length studio album by American hard rock band Queens of the Stone Age. The album was completed in early April 2007 and released on June 8, 2007 in some countries, June 11, 2007 in the United Kingdom and June 12, 2007 in the United States...
, the song has been extended with numerous jams
Jam session
Jam sessions are often used by musicians to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one...
and new segments frequently taking it past the six-minute mark. It was whilst on this tour that the band used the track as the opener in, what was intended to be, a six-song gig at an undisclosed Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
rehab clinic
Drug rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation is a term for the processes of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment, for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and so-called street drugs such as cocaine, heroin or amphetamines...
. Due to the song's lyrics, the set was subsequently cut short and the band were removed from the premises. "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" is used in videos by the Colorado Police Department to demonstrate the dangers of drunk driving, one of two Queens of the Stone Age tracks to be used in such a way (the other being "Better Living Through Chemistry" which is used in a similar way by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department
San Diego County Sheriff's Department
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department, commonly known as the SDSO, is the primary and largest law enforcement agency in San Diego County, California. It is composed of approximately 4,000 sworn deputies and civilian support personnel...
).
"Feel Good Hit of the Summer" was used in the 2000 film Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2
Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2
Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 is the 2000 American horror film and the sequel to the film The Blair Witch Project, directed by Joe Berlinger...
, with the track also being included on its soundtrack release. Alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Yourcodenameis:milo
Yourcodenameis:milo
-External links:**...
performed a version of the track on the covers album Higher Voltage, given away free with issue 1164 of Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
magazine. The song's also been covered live by both Placebo
Placebo (band)
Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
and Machine Head
Machine Head (band)
Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. Formed on October 12, 1991, the group was founded by Robb Flynn and Adam Duce. There have been 4 member changes since their inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn , Duce , ex-Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel ,...
. Rap duo Atmosphere
Atmosphere (music group)
Atmosphere is an American hip hop group from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The group is composed of rapper Slug and DJ/Producer Ant...
entitled a drug themed song off their 2009 EP Leak at Will
Leak at Will
Leak At Will is a digital EP released by Minneapolis hip hop group Atmosphere. It was released on July 4, 2009 on Rhymesayers Entertainment for free to celebrate the launch of Fifth Element's turn to digital music. It is the first digital release for the store. According to Atmosphere, this...
, "Feel Good Hit of the Summer Part 2" in reference to this track. Atmosphere member Slug
Slug (rapper)
Sean Michael Daley, better known by his stage name Slug or "'Sep Seven'", is an American rapper. He is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Slug is best known as one fourth of the hip hop group Atmosphere, which he founded with Derek Turner...
had previously stated his appreciation of Queens of the Stone Age. The song has also been covered live by the Dubstep-rock band Subsource at Guilfest (rocksound) 2010.
Artwork and music video
The single's cover art features the title spelled out with various drugs, many of which are mentioned within the song. The song also heavily influenced the choices made for the title, cover and accompanying booklet of Rated R. Themes included drugs and censorship, with the MPAAMotion Picture Association of America
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. , originally the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America , was founded in 1922 and is designed to advance the business interests of its members...
's rating system targeted specifically. Continuing as such, the album's liner notes have each song contain several worded warnings, akin to parents guides most commonly seen on the covers for DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
s. Those listed for "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" include 'Adult Situations, 'Consumption' and 'Illegal Substances', referencing the drug-related content of the song. All of this would seem portentous considering the controversy the track subsequently caused.
The video also puts significant focus on the subject of the song. Created as an animation, it has a loose plot following a man driving under what appears to be the influence of some form of hallucinogenic drug. This is demonstrated by colour becoming more varied and vibrant in the song's chorus, with numerous literal representations of drugs featured throughout. The band are also shown performing the song through the technique of rotoscoping, which they would again use in the video for their 2003 single "Go With the Flow
Go with the Flow
"Go with the Flow" is a song by Queens of the Stone Age from the album Songs for the Deaf, released as a single in 2003. At the 46th Grammy Awards, the song was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance.-Music video:...
". The video culminates in the man's vehicle driving off into the distance and exploding into a mushroom cloud upon reaching the horizon.
Track listing
All tracks by Joshua HommeJoshua Homme
Joshua Michael Homme is an American rock musician, and record producer. He was the guitarist and a founding member of the stoner metal band Kyuss, as well as the founding and only continuous member of the hard rock band Queens of the Stone Age , in which he sings, plays guitar, and serves as the...
and Nick Oliveri
Nick Oliveri
Nick Steven Oliveri is an American musician from Palm Desert, California. He plays bass guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and is a vocalist...
, except where noted.
As part of Record Store Day 2010
Record Store Day
Record Store Day is an internationally celebrated day observed the third Saturday of April each year. Its purpose, as conceived by independent record store employee Chris Brown, is to celebrate the art of music...
, the band allowed the single to be released on vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
for the first time. The record is a 10" picture disc and contains all the songs available on the European and Australian release.