The Chemicals Between Us
Encyclopedia
"The Chemicals Between Us" is a song by alternative
band Bush
from their third album The Science of Things
.
stated that the song was about:
The song is unique among most other singles by the band due to its numerous electronic
elements as well as an almost dancey
percussion. However, it also bears a prominent rock
guitar riff throughout.
), which was filmed in late August of 1999 in Los Angeles, was played predominantly on the music channels, MTV
, MTV2
, and VH1
.
Gavin Rossdale on the video:
at number 67 on December 4, 1999. The song closed out the entire alternative rock panel in one week, an unprecedented feat. Many saw this as proof of Bush's importance to the alternative
radio format. It would eventually become Bush's last major worldwide hit before their 2002 breakup. Songs like "Warm Machine
," "Letting the Cables Sleep
," "The People That We Love
" and "Inflatable
" would become minor hits, but after "The Chemicals Between Us," Bush would not score another number one hit until 12 years later with "The Sound of Winter
" (2011).
UK CD Single 4972232
AUS CD Single 4972132
AUS Promo CD Single 4971442 (Custom Made Printed Plastic Sleeve)
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 Bush
Bush (band)
Bush are an alternative rock band formed in London in 1992 shortly after vocalist/guitarist Gavin Rossdale and guitarist Nigel Pulsford met in a London nightclub. Realising they shared a love for such diverse artists as the Pixies, Bob Marley, The Jesus Lizard, MC5, Nirvana, Hüsker Dü, and Big...
from their third album The Science of Things
The Science of Things
The Science Of Things is the third studio album by British post-grunge band Bush. Released in 1999, it was the last Bush album under Trauma Records...
.
Lyrics and style
Gavin RossdaleGavin Rossdale
Gavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
stated that the song was about:
"It’s all about the differences and distances between people"
The song is unique among most other singles by the band due to its numerous electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
elements as well as an almost dancey
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
percussion. However, it also bears a prominent rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
guitar riff throughout.
Music video
The song's music video (directed by Stéphane SednaouiStéphane Sednaoui
Stéphane Sednaoui is a French-American photographer, director and producer whose work includes music videos, art projects, photographic essays, portrait photography, fashion photography and photojournalism....
), which was filmed in late August of 1999 in Los Angeles, was played predominantly on the music channels, MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
, and VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
.
Gavin Rossdale on the video:
"Thinking about it, the most extravagant thing was my lst video ('The Chemicals Between Us')- that was fucking extravagant. I think the next video I do I'm just going to get a pile of money and burn it, KLF style. I might as well just cut to the chase."
Commercial performance
It spent five non-consecutive weeks at number one on the U.S. Alternative Songs chart and peaked on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at number 67 on December 4, 1999. The song closed out the entire alternative rock panel in one week, an unprecedented feat. Many saw this as proof of Bush's importance to the alternative
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...
radio format. It would eventually become Bush's last major worldwide hit before their 2002 breakup. Songs like "Warm Machine
Warm Machine
"Warm Machine" is the second single from British grunge band Bush's third album The Science of Things. The song was followed by "Letting the Cables Sleep", which proved to be a bigger hit than "Warm Machine."-Music video:...
," "Letting the Cables Sleep
Letting the Cables Sleep
"Letting the Cables Sleep" is the third and final single from British post grunge band Bush's third studio album The Science of Things, which was released in 1999. The song became a minor hit, and pushed the album to platinum status...
," "The People That We Love
The People That We Love
"The People That We Love" is a song by post-grunge band Bush and the lead single from their fourth album Golden State. "The People That We Love" could not be included on future compilations such as The Best Of: 1994–1999 due to lack of licensing rights....
" and "Inflatable
Inflatable (song)
"Inflatable" is a song by alternative rock band Bush and the final single from their fourth album Golden State. Inflatable could not be included on future compilations such as The Best Of: 1994–1999 due to lack of licensing rights....
" would become minor hits, but after "The Chemicals Between Us," Bush would not score another number one hit until 12 years later with "The Sound of Winter
The Sound of Winter
"The Sound of Winter" is a song by British post-grunge band Bush. The song is the second single released from the band's fifth studio album The Sea of Memories.-Music video:...
" (2011).
Track listing
UK Enhanced CD Single 4972222- "The Chemicals Between Us" (Radio Edit) – 3:10
- "The Chemicals Between Us" (Super Collider Vapour Version) – 10:02
- "The Chemicals Between Us" (CD-ROM Video) – 3:38
UK CD Single 4972232
- "The Chemicals Between Us" – 3:37
- "Homebody" – 4:22
- "Letting The Cables Sleep (Original Demo)" – 4:36
AUS CD Single 4972132
- "The Chemicals Between Us" – 3:37
- "Homebody" – 4:22
- "The Chemicals Between Us" [Super Collider Vapour Version] – 10:02
- "The Chemicals Between Us" [CD-Rom Video] – 3:37
AUS Promo CD Single 4971442 (Custom Made Printed Plastic Sleeve)
- "The Chemicals Between Us [Radio Edit]" – 3:06
Charts
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 46 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 67 |
| U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 1 |
| Canadian Rock/Alternative chart Canadian rock/alternative chart The Canadian rock/alternative chart was first published on June 11, 1995 by RPM magazine under the name Alternative 30. The song which held the number-one spot on this first chart was "More Human than Human" by White Zombie... |
5 |
| ARIA Charts ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
93 |