Weird (Hanson song)
Encyclopedia
"Weird" is a song
written and performed by the American
pop rock band Hanson
. It was the fourth hit single from the band's third album Middle of Nowhere
(1997). It was also featured in the 1997 film The Borrowers
, playing during the end credits.
, Taylor Hanson
, and Zac Hanson
. Additional writers are noted below.
for "Weird" was directed by Gus Van Sant
. The shots in the white room were filmed in a giant round Victorian room with a floor of lights that rolled on its side and was twenty feet tall. The room rotated and was built by Tom Foden who has also designed and built the spaceship for Michael Jackson
and Janet Jackson
's "Scream
" video. The painting on the wall of the white room was The Judgment of Solomon by eighteenth century Italian painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
and was a smooth, enlarged color print, so Hanson could slide across it as the room revolved. Another tricky part of the video shoot was having Hanson swim underwater and lip sync to the song at the same time. The guys had to wear weights so they wouldn't float out of shot. They also had to hold their breath for a whole verse while they swam towards the camera.
The video also shows Hanson in Times Square
and on the New York City Subway
.
The version of the track used in the video differed slightly from the album cut. The video version contained extra backing vocals from Isaac and Zac Hanson and contained a different intro.
, becoming their
fourth Top 20 hit there. It also did well on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart
, charting at #12. In Sweden the song peaked at #21.
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
written and performed by the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pop rock band Hanson
Hanson (band)
Hanson are an American pop rock band formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by brothers Isaac , Taylor , and Zac Hanson . They are best known for the 1997 hit song "MMMBop" from their major label debut album Middle of Nowhere, which earned three Grammy nominations...
. It was the fourth hit single from the band's third album Middle of Nowhere
Middle of Nowhere (Hanson album)
Middle of Nowhere is the third album by American pop rock group Hanson, and the first to be released on a major label, which was Polygram Records and Mercury Records. Released in 1997, it features slicker studio production compared to their previous indie efforts Boomerang and MMMBop...
(1997). It was also featured in the 1997 film The Borrowers
The Borrowers (1997 film)
The Borrowers is a 1997 film based on the children's novel of the same name by author Mary Norton. In 1998 it was nominated for the title of Best British Film in the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards, but lost to Gary Oldman's Nil by Mouth...
, playing during the end credits.
Track listing
All songs written by Isaac HansonIsaac Hanson
Isaac Hanson is an American musician best known as a member of the pop rock trio Hanson, which includes his two younger brothers Taylor and Zac...
, Taylor Hanson
Taylor Hanson
Taylor Hanson is an American musician best known as a member of the pop rock band Hanson. He sings both lead and back-up vocals, and plays keyboard, percussion , guitar, harmonica, and piano...
, and Zac Hanson
Zac Hanson
Zachary Walker "Zac" Hanson is an American musician, best known as a member of the pop band Hanson. He plays drums, percussion, piano, guitar and also sings back-up and lead vocals...
. Additional writers are noted below.
- "Weird" [Album Version] (Desmond ChildDesmond ChildDesmond Child is an American musician, songwriter, and producer. He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.-Career:...
) - "I Will Come to YouI Will Come to You"I Will Come to You" is a song written and performed by the American pop-rock band Hanson. It was the third single from the band's third album Middle of Nowhere . "I Will Come to You" reached number five in the UK Singles Chart and number nine on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.-Track...
" [Tee's Radio] (Barry MannBarry MannBarry Mann is an American songwriter, and part of a successful songwriting partnership with his wife, Cynthia Weil.-Career:...
, Cynthia WeilCynthia WeilCynthia Weil is a prominent American songwriter. She is famous for having written many songs together with her husband Barry Mann....
) - "Speechless" (Cliff Magness)
- "I Will Come to YouI Will Come to You"I Will Come to You" is a song written and performed by the American pop-rock band Hanson. It was the third single from the band's third album Middle of Nowhere . "I Will Come to You" reached number five in the UK Singles Chart and number nine on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.-Track...
" [Tee's Frozen Club Mix] (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil)
Music video
The music 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...
for "Weird" was directed by Gus Van Sant
Gus Van Sant
Gus Green Van Sant, Jr. is an American director, screenwriter, painter, photographer, musician, and author. He is a two time nominee of the Academy Award for Best Director for his 1997 film Good Will Hunting and his 2008 film Milk, both of which were also nominated for Best Picture, and won the...
. The shots in the white room were filmed in a giant round Victorian room with a floor of lights that rolled on its side and was twenty feet tall. The room rotated and was built by Tom Foden who has also designed and built the spaceship for Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
and Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
's "Scream
Scream/Childhood
"Scream"/"Childhood" is the lead single from Michael Jackson's ninth studio album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I where "Scream" is the first song and "Childhood" is the tenth song on the second disc of the album HIStory Continues. The A-side, "Scream", is a duet with his younger sister...
" video. The painting on the wall of the white room was The Judgment of Solomon by eighteenth century Italian painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo , also known as Gianbattista or Giambattista Tiepolo, was an Italian painter and printmaker from the Republic of Venice...
and was a smooth, enlarged color print, so Hanson could slide across it as the room revolved. Another tricky part of the video shoot was having Hanson swim underwater and lip sync to the song at the same time. The guys had to wear weights so they wouldn't float out of shot. They also had to hold their breath for a whole verse while they swam towards the camera.
The video also shows Hanson in Times Square
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
and on the New York City Subway
New York City Subway
The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, a subsidiary agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and also known as MTA New York City Transit...
.
The version of the track used in the video differed slightly from the album cut. The video version contained extra backing vocals from Isaac and Zac Hanson and contained a different intro.
Chart performance
"Weird" did well in the UK, peaking at #19 on the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, becoming their
fourth Top 20 hit there. It also did well on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart
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...
, charting at #12. In Sweden the song peaked at #21.