Sullivan (song)
Encyclopedia
"Sullivan" is a song by Caroline's Spine
and the debut single
from their major label debut album, Monsoon. It was previously included on their independently
released albums, Ignore the Ants
and Huge
, in 1995 and '96. The song was later included on the 2006 compilation
, The Collection. It quickly became the band's most popular song, and despite only reaching #23 on Billboard
's Mainstream Rock Tracks, "Sullivan" maintains strong popularity for both its accessible melody and compelling subject matter.
from Waterloo, Iowa
, who died aboard the USS Juneau
in World War II
. Lyrically, it focuses on Mrs. Sullivan's communication both with her sons and the military. Caroline's Spine singer and main songwriter Jimmy Newquist
wrote the song after reading the war documentary Hollywood Goes to War. Regarding his inspiration, he remarked:
Newquist later noted, "The song was an act of love. . . I sleep well at night knowing that I brought attention to something that shouldn't be forgotten." He has also regarded it among his top favorite Caroline's Spine songs.
Musically, "Sullivan" opens with a galloping bass
line before kicking into a full instrumental intro complete with a somber, three-note lead guitar
. The verse
s maintain a quick tempo
and detail the Sullivans' boarding a train and writing to their mother about the war. The first two choruses feature messages from the military to Mrs. Sullivan regarding the enlistment and status of her sons; the last line of each encourages Mrs. Sullivan to "keep her Blue Star
in the window." A gentle melody and slowing in pace mark the bridge
before declaring the Sullivan boys' tragic demise. As the intensity returns, a third chorus informs Mrs. Sullivan of their death in the same fashion as those prior, suggesting that she "change her Blue Star to Gold
."
"Sullivan" was originally written as a stripped down acoustic
song in contrast to the full-fledged electric
ensemble recorded for the album. Such an acoustic version was also recorded, however, and has received occasional radio play since the success of the original single.
in 1998.
On November 16, 2008, the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum opened to the public in Waterloo, Iowa, and at the event, Jimmy Newquist performed an acoustic rendition of the song. This special performance was added at the last minute as Caroline's Spine coincidentally played at Spicoli's Grill in town two nights earlier. Kelly Sullivan Loughren, granddaughter of Albert Sullivan, spoke at the event and later praised the performance, saying "That was really special to hear that song. . . He just brought me to tears."
figure is downright beautiful. If the band deserves to be remembered for anything, it's this great radio-ready history lesson that connects rather than patronizes."
debuted in late 1997. It features black & white footage of the band performing and the 1944 biographical
war film
The Fighting Sullivans
.
Caroline's Spine
Caroline's Spine is an alternative rock band based in Phoenix, Arizona. The group's touring schedule in the mid 1990s landed them a record deal with Hollywood Records. They have released several studio albums and shared billings with such bands as Aerosmith, Kiss, and Queensrÿche...
and the debut single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from their major label debut album, Monsoon. It was previously included on their independently
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
released albums, Ignore the Ants
Ignore the Ants (album)
Ignore the Ants is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Caroline's Spine. This was the first album to feature their future hit, "Sullivan." It also featured several other tracks which would be re-recorded for future albums....
and Huge
Huge (album)
Huge is the fourth studio album by American alternative rock band Caroline's Spine. Most of the tracks on the album were re-recorded when the band was signed with Hollywood Records for the their fifth album, Monsoon. The B-side featured several acoustic tracks, which were a significant departure...
, in 1995 and '96. The song was later included on the 2006 compilation
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, The Collection. It quickly became the band's most popular song, and despite only reaching #23 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
's Mainstream Rock Tracks, "Sullivan" maintains strong popularity for both its accessible melody and compelling subject matter.
Overview
The song tells the true story of five siblings, the Sullivan brothersSullivan brothers
The Sullivan brothers were five siblings who were all killed in action during or shortly after the sinking of the light cruiser USS Juneau , the vessel on which they all served, on November 13, 1942, in World War II....
from Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census the population decreased by 0.5% to 68,406. Waterloo is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the more populous of the two...
, who died aboard the USS Juneau
USS Juneau (CL-52)
The first USS Juneau was a United States Navy Atlanta-class light cruiser sunk at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942. In total 687 men, including the five Sullivan brothers, were killed in action as a result of its sinking....
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Lyrically, it focuses on Mrs. Sullivan's communication both with her sons and the military. Caroline's Spine singer and main songwriter Jimmy Newquist
Jimmy Newquist
James P. "Jimmy" Newquist is the American primary song writer, guitarist, and lead singer for the alternative rock band Caroline's Spine. Born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, he is one of eight children. Newquist started song writing at an early age and moved to Los...
wrote the song after reading the war documentary Hollywood Goes to War. Regarding his inspiration, he remarked:
- "Coming from a big family, the story of five brothers really struck home with me. . . I saw a news clipping with a photo of Mrs. Sullivan holding a banner with five gold starsGold Star Mothers ClubShortly after World War I the American Gold Star Mothers Inc. was formed in the United States to provide support for mothers who lost sons or daughters in the war. The name came from the custom of families of servicemen hanging a banner called a Service Flag in the window of their homes. The...
- one for each of her dead sons. It's a really sad story with incredible loyalty and courage."
Newquist later noted, "The song was an act of love. . . I sleep well at night knowing that I brought attention to something that shouldn't be forgotten." He has also regarded it among his top favorite Caroline's Spine songs.
Musically, "Sullivan" opens with a galloping bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
line before kicking into a full instrumental intro complete with a somber, three-note lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
. The verse
Verse-chorus form
Verse-chorus form is a musical form common in popular music and predominant in rock since the 1960s. In contrast to AABA form, which is focused on the verse , in verse-chorus form the chorus is highlighted...
s maintain a quick tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
and detail the Sullivans' boarding a train and writing to their mother about the war. The first two choruses feature messages from the military to Mrs. Sullivan regarding the enlistment and status of her sons; the last line of each encourages Mrs. Sullivan to "keep her Blue Star
Service flag
A service flag or service banner in the United States is an official banner that family members of service members in harm's way can display. The flag or banner is defined as a white field with a red border, with a blue star for each family member on active duty. A gold star represents a family...
in the window." A gentle melody and slowing in pace mark the bridge
Bridge (music)
In music, especially western popular music, a bridge is a contrasting section which also prepares for the return of the original material section...
before declaring the Sullivan boys' tragic demise. As the intensity returns, a third chorus informs Mrs. Sullivan of their death in the same fashion as those prior, suggesting that she "change her Blue Star to Gold
Gold Star Mothers Club
Shortly after World War I the American Gold Star Mothers Inc. was formed in the United States to provide support for mothers who lost sons or daughters in the war. The name came from the custom of families of servicemen hanging a banner called a Service Flag in the window of their homes. The...
."
"Sullivan" was originally written as a stripped down acoustic
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
song in contrast to the full-fledged electric
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
ensemble recorded for the album. Such an acoustic version was also recorded, however, and has received occasional radio play since the success of the original single.
Live performances
As one of their most famous songs, "Sullivan" is a Caroline's Spine concert staple. The popularity and patriotism of the song also earned the band a gig on the USS EnterpriseUSS Enterprise (CVN-65)
USS Enterprise , formerly CVA-65, is the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the eighth US naval vessel to bear the name. Like her predecessor of World War II fame, she is nicknamed the "Big E". At , she is the longest naval vessel in the world...
in 1998.
On November 16, 2008, the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum opened to the public in Waterloo, Iowa, and at the event, Jimmy Newquist performed an acoustic rendition of the song. This special performance was added at the last minute as Caroline's Spine coincidentally played at Spicoli's Grill in town two nights earlier. Kelly Sullivan Loughren, granddaughter of Albert Sullivan, spoke at the event and later praised the performance, saying "That was really special to hear that song. . . He just brought me to tears."
Reception
Ned Raggett of Allmusic declared "Sullivan" the greatest track on Monsoon. He praised it as "a surprisingly affecting reworking of the story," adding "Newquist's voice is both affecting and yearning, and the abrupt lead guitarLead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
figure is downright beautiful. If the band deserves to be remembered for anything, it's this great radio-ready history lesson that connects rather than patronizes."
Music video
The "Sullivan" videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
debuted in late 1997. It features black & white footage of the band performing and the 1944 biographical
Biographical film
A biographical film, or biopic , is a film that dramatizes the life of an actual person or people. They differ from films “based on a true story” or “historical films” in that they attempt to comprehensively tell a person’s life story or at least the most historically important years of their...
war film
War film
War films are a film genre concerned with warfare, usually about naval, air or land battles, sometimes focusing instead on prisoners of war, covert operations, military training or other related subjects. At times war films focus on daily military or civilian life in wartime without depicting battles...
The Fighting Sullivans
The Fighting Sullivans
The Fighting Sullivans, originally released as The Sullivans, is a 1944 American biographical war film directed by Lloyd Bacon and written by Edward Doherty, Mary C. McCall Jr. and Jules Schermer...
.
Chart positions
| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Active Rock | 18 |
| Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
23 |
External links
- "Sullivan" Music Video at Yahoo! MusicYahoo! MusicYahoo! Music, owned by Yahoo!, is the provider of a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming...