You Get What You Give
Encyclopedia
"You Get What You Give" is a song by the New Radicals
. It was an international hit, the first and most successful single from their album Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too
. It reached No. 30 on Billboard Hot 100 Airplay in January 1999, No. 36 on the overall Hot 100 and No. 8 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart. It reached #5 in the United Kingdom
and #1 in Canada
and New Zealand
. It has been played over one million times on U.S. radio.
The B-side was "To Think I Thought".
, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
, A Walk to Remember, Surf's Up
, and Click. It also has been featured in trailers for the films Big Daddy
, The Muppets
and Bubble Boy
. Notably, the song was the theme for an advertising campaign used in Australia and New Zealand for Mitsubishi Motors
, leading to a repressing of Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too with the sticker "Featuring the song from the Mitsubishi ad." It is also the theme song used by Dr. Dean Edell and Dennis Miller
on their radio shows, and has been used in promotional spots for PBS. Movistar
used the song in the Latin American media in its advertising campaigns as a jingle.
lead guitarist The Edge
is quoted saying "You Get What You Give" is the song he is most "jealous of." "I really would love to have written that," he stated.
The song was listed #440 on Blender
s list of The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born.
The song is an unofficial Newcastle United anthem and is regularly played at their home ground St James' Park
. The song was used by local radio station Metro Radio during Newcastle's FA cup-run of 1998-99, with Mick Lowes' commentary of Newcastle's cup goals mixed over the song.
In the liner notes to her 2004 compilation Artist's Choice, Joni Mitchell
praises "You Get What You Give" for "rising from the swamp of 'McMusic' like a flower of hope." Michelle Branch
, Lulu
, The Okay Feeling, and Martin Fry
have covered this song live in concert. It was also performed by the Final 13 of Australian Idol
2005 & 2006. Both times the controversial "Health insurance..." section was omitted.
LMC released a remix of this song sampling the original Alexander vocals as "LMC vs. New Radicals" in 2005, under the title "Don't Let Go". Another remix entitled "You Get What You Give" was released in 2006, this time with a re-recorded vocal performance by Rachel McFarlane
. "You Get What You Give" charted at #30 in the United Kingdom.
In 2006, Ice-T
was asked on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
about what he has heard, besides rap music, of late in the last few years that really grabbed him and his only reply was "You Get What You Give."
In 2010, Stephen Strasburg
was quoted as saying this song really inspired him to become the pitcher he has become. The simplicity of the thought, "You Get What You Give," is easy to grasp and use in your day to day life.
According to Alexander, he had written this section for the song as a test; to see whether the media would focus on the important political issues of the first few lines, or the petty celebrity-dissing. As suspected, a considerable amount of press begin to appear about the name-dropping, but the other political issues were largely ignored.
Marilyn Manson commented that he was "not mad he said he'd kick my ass, I just don't want to be used in the same sentence as Courtney Love.... I'll crack his [Alexander's] skull open if I see him." Beck reported that Alexander personally apologized for the line when they met each other by chance in a supermarket, claiming that it was never meant to be personal. Alexander collaborated with Hanson
, whose drummer, Zac Hanson
, called him "a bit of a character, but a cool guy."
voted it as the 64th greatest one-hit wonder in 2002.
In 2007, the song was voted #90 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s", and in 2010 it was number 106 on Pitchfork Media's
Top 200 Tracks of the 90s. In 2011, VH1 ranked it as 11th on "40 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 90s"
, New York
and directed by Evan Bernard
. New Radicals' front man Gregg Alexander said he chose this setting because he sees the shopping mall as a metaphor for society—a fake, controlled environment engineered to encourage spending. The video showed a group of teenagers led by Alexander, going through the mall wreaking havoc—tossing nets on security guards, placing businessmen in animal cages, knocking over merchandise, hijacking Lambrettas, and moshing
in the foodcourt
.
Also there are three MP3's circulating:
New Radicals
New Radicals were an American pop rock band active in the late 1990s, centered on frontman Gregg Alexander, who wrote and produced all of their songs and was the sole constant member...
. It was an international hit, the first and most successful single from their album Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too
Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too
Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too is the only album by the New Radicals, released in late 1998 by MCA Records. Two singles were released off it in 1998 and 1999, "You Get What You Give" and "Someday We'll Know"....
. It reached No. 30 on Billboard Hot 100 Airplay in January 1999, No. 36 on the overall Hot 100 and No. 8 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart. It reached #5 in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and #1 in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It has been played over one million times on U.S. radio.
The B-side was "To Think I Thought".
In popular culture
The song has been featured in the films The Flintstones in Viva Rock VegasThe Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas
The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas is a 2000 comedy film and prequel to 1994's The Flintstones based on the hit cartoon series of the same name, produced by Amblin Entertainment and Hanna-Barbera and distributed by Universal Studios...
, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed is a 2004 film, and sequel to 2002's Scooby-Doo based on the Hanna-Barbera series classic, Scooby-Doo. It is the second installment in the Scooby-Doo Live-Action film series. It was directed by Raja Gosnell, who also directed the first film, and was written by James...
, A Walk to Remember, Surf's Up
Surf's Up
Surf's Up is the seventeenth studio album by The Beach Boys, released in 1971. The album was released that August to more public anticipation than the Beach Boys had had for several years. It outperformed Sunflower commercially, reaching #29 in the US and #15 in the UK...
, and Click. It also has been featured in trailers for the films Big Daddy
Big Daddy
- Politicians :* Idi Amin , President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979* Robert Byrd , American senator * Jesse Unruh , American Speaker of the California State Assembly- Sportsmen :...
, The Muppets
The Muppets (film)
The Muppets is a 2011 American musical and comedy film, and the first Muppets theatrical release in 12 years, as well as the first Disney-produced Muppets film since 1996's Muppet Treasure Island...
and Bubble Boy
Bubble Boy
Bubble Boy is a 2001 comedy film directed by Blair Hayes and stars Jake Gyllenhaal in the title role.-Plot:Jimmy Livingston was born without an immune system and is forced to live in a sterilized dome in his bedroom, earning him the title "Bubble Boy" by his neighbors...
. Notably, the song was the theme for an advertising campaign used in Australia and New Zealand for Mitsubishi Motors
Mitsubishi Motors
is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...
, leading to a repressing of Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too with the sticker "Featuring the song from the Mitsubishi ad." It is also the theme song used by Dr. Dean Edell and Dennis Miller
Dennis Miller
Dennis Miller is an American stand-up comedian, political commentator, actor, sports commentator, and television and radio personality. He is known for his critical assessments laced with pop culture references...
on their radio shows, and has been used in promotional spots for PBS. Movistar
Movistar
Movistar is a major Spanish mobile phone operator owned by Telefónica Móviles. It operates in Spain and in many Latin American countries. It is the largest carrier in Spain with 22 million customers and 41.58% of market share. Its principal competitor in Latin America is America Movil...
used the song in the Latin American media in its advertising campaigns as a jingle.
Critical reception
In a Time Magazine interview, U2U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
lead guitarist The Edge
The Edge
David Howell Evans , more widely known by his stage name The Edge , is a musician best known as the guitarist, backing vocalist, and keyboardist of the Irish rock band U2. A member of the group since its inception, he has recorded 12 studio albums with the band and has released one solo record...
is quoted saying "You Get What You Give" is the song he is most "jealous of." "I really would love to have written that," he stated.
The song was listed #440 on Blender
Blender (magazine)
Blender was an American music magazine that billed itself as "the ultimate guide to music and more". It was also known for sometimes steamy pictorials of celebrities....
s list of The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born.
The song is an unofficial Newcastle United anthem and is regularly played at their home ground St James' Park
St James' Park
St James' Park, known for sponsorship reasons as the Sports Direct Arena, is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club and is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of between 52,387 and 52,409.St James'...
. The song was used by local radio station Metro Radio during Newcastle's FA cup-run of 1998-99, with Mick Lowes' commentary of Newcastle's cup goals mixed over the song.
In the liner notes to her 2004 compilation Artist's Choice, Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell, CC is a Canadian musician, singer songwriter, and painter. Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in her native Saskatchewan and Western Canada and then busking in the streets and dives of Toronto...
praises "You Get What You Give" for "rising from the swamp of 'McMusic' like a flower of hope." Michelle Branch
Michelle Branch
Michelle Jacquet DeSevren Branch is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist and actress. During the early 2000s, she released two top-selling albums, The Spirit Room and Hotel Paper, and was subsequently nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2003...
, Lulu
Lulu (singer)
Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day...
, The Okay Feeling, and Martin Fry
Martin Fry
Martin Fry is lead singer of the band, ABC.-Biography:He grew up in Bramhall, Stockport, alongside his younger brother Jamie .-ABC:...
have covered this song live in concert. It was also performed by the Final 13 of Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
2005 & 2006. Both times the controversial "Health insurance..." section was omitted.
LMC released a remix of this song sampling the original Alexander vocals as "LMC vs. New Radicals" in 2005, under the title "Don't Let Go". Another remix entitled "You Get What You Give" was released in 2006, this time with a re-recorded vocal performance by Rachel McFarlane
Rachel McFarlane
Rachel McFarlane is a British singer who was born in Manchester in 1971. She began singing at the age of twelve years old as a gospel singer....
. "You Get What You Give" charted at #30 in the United Kingdom.
In 2006, Ice-T
ICE-T
* Ice-T, an American rapper and actor* ICE T , a tilting model of the German InterCityExpress series of high-speed trains...
was asked on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
about what he has heard, besides rap music, of late in the last few years that really grabbed him and his only reply was "You Get What You Give."
In 2010, Stephen Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg
Stephen James Strasburg is a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals, who selected him with the first pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft...
was quoted as saying this song really inspired him to become the pitcher he has become. The simplicity of the thought, "You Get What You Give," is easy to grasp and use in your day to day life.
Controversy
Much of the media attention "You Get What You Give" received centered on the closing lyrics:- "Health insurance, rip-off lying
- FDAFood and Drug AdministrationThe Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
, big bankers buying - Fake computer crashes dining
- Cloning while they're multiplying
- Fashion shoots with BeckBeckBeck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
and HansonHanson (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...
, - Courtney LoveCourtney LoveCourtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
and Marilyn MansonMarilyn MansonMarilyn Manson may refer to:* Marilyn Manson , an American rock musician* Marilyn Manson , the American rock band led by the singer of the same name... - You're all fakes, run to your mansions
- Come around, we'll kick your ass in."
According to Alexander, he had written this section for the song as a test; to see whether the media would focus on the important political issues of the first few lines, or the petty celebrity-dissing. As suspected, a considerable amount of press begin to appear about the name-dropping, but the other political issues were largely ignored.
Marilyn Manson commented that he was "not mad he said he'd kick my ass, I just don't want to be used in the same sentence as Courtney Love.... I'll crack his [Alexander's] skull open if I see him." Beck reported that Alexander personally apologized for the line when they met each other by chance in a supermarket, claiming that it was never meant to be personal. Alexander collaborated with 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...
, whose drummer, 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...
, called him "a bit of a character, but a cool guy."
Single track listing
- "You Get What You Give" (Edit) – 4:42
- "To Think I Thought" – 2:47
- "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too" – 5:21
- "You Get What You Give" (Album) – 5:02 (Not on some copies)
Personnel
- Gregg AlexanderGregg AlexanderGregg Alexander is an American singer/songwriter and producer, best known as the frontman of the New Radicals, who scored the international hit "You Get What You Give" in late 1998. Earlier in life he recorded two solo albums, Michigan Rain and Intoxifornication...
- lead vocals - Brad FernquistBrad FernquistBrad Fernquist is a professional touring and studio guitarist based out of Los Angeles, California. Fernquist is primarily known for his work with Buffalo, New York based rock band the Goo Goo Dolls. At 17 years old Fernquist began touring with regional cover bands where he was able to develop his...
- lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure... - Sasha KrivtsovSasha KrivtsovSasha Krivtsov, born June 6, 1967 in St. Petersburg, Russia, is probably best known as the bass player for the House Band on the TV reality shows Rock Star: INXS and Rock Star: Supernova. He has played with platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated, singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Jim McGormanJim McGormanJim McGorman, a native of Philadelphia, is an American musician, songwriter/producer and multi- instrumentalist: guitarist, keyboardist, drummer and vocalist. Best known for his work with the House Band on the CBS television shows Rockstar: INXS and Rockstar: Supernova, he has been musical director...
- keyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Stuart Johnson - drumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s, backing vocals
Legacy
VH1VH1
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...
voted it as the 64th greatest one-hit wonder in 2002.
In 2007, the song was voted #90 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s", and in 2010 it was number 106 on Pitchfork Media's
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
Top 200 Tracks of the 90s. In 2011, VH1 ranked it as 11th on "40 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 90s"
Music video
The music video for "You Get What You Give" was filmed in the Staten Island MallStaten Island Mall
Staten Island Mall is a shopping mall in the Staten Island borough of New York City, United States. It is the only indoor shopping mall in the borough. It is the largest retail center on the island and is the site of the island's second largest public transit hub after the St...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and directed by Evan Bernard
Evan Bernard
Evan Bernard is an American director of commercials and music videos who has directed videos for artists such as Moby, the Beastie Boys, Green Day, Lit, Cibo Matto and many others.After studying advertising design at Syracuse University and St...
. New Radicals' front man Gregg Alexander said he chose this setting because he sees the shopping mall as a metaphor for society—a fake, controlled environment engineered to encourage spending. The video showed a group of teenagers led by Alexander, going through the mall wreaking havoc—tossing nets on security guards, placing businessmen in animal cages, knocking over merchandise, hijacking Lambrettas, and moshing
Moshing
Moshing is a dance in which participants push or slam into each other. They also flail their limbs to breakdowns of hardcore punk and its sub-genres. It is most associated with aggressive music genres, such as hardcore punk and heavy metal...
in the foodcourt
Food court
A food court is generally an indoor plaza or common area within a facility that is contiguous with the counters of multiple food vendors and provides a common area for self-serve dining. Food courts may be found in shopping malls and airports, and in various regions may be a standalone development...
.
Live versions
Two live recordings of "You Get What You Give" were officially released:- "You Get What You Give" (Live at WXPNWXPNWXPN is a non-commercial, public radio station operated by the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia that broadcasts a music radio format called adult album alternative , along with many other format shows supported all with an indie slant...
's World CafeWorld CafeWorld Cafe is a two-hour long, nationally syndicated music radio program that originates from WXPN, a non-commercial station licensed to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The program began in 1991 and was originally distributed by Public Radio...
) on Live at the World Cafe - Volume 8 (1999) - "You Get What You Give" (Live at KBCOKBCOKBCO is a AAA radio station licensed to Boulder, Colorado, United States, that serves the Denver-Boulder area. The station's format, dubbed "World Class Rock," is an eclectic variety of pop, rock, blues, reggae and folk, from the late-1960s to the present.The Clear Channel Communications outlet...
, September 13, 1998) on KBCO Studio C - Volume 11 (1999)
Also there are three MP3's circulating:
- "You Get What You Give" (Live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno) (1998)
- "You Get What You Give" (Live On Top Of The PopsTop of the PopsTop of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
) (1999) - "You Get What You Give" (Live On TFI FridayTFI FridayTFI Friday is an entertainment show broadcast on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom from 1996 to 2000. The show produced by Ginger Productions, written by Danny Baker and hosted by Chris Evans, for the first 5 series. The final series was hosted by a number of Guest Presenters. It was broadcast on...
) (1998)
Chart performance
| Chart (1998-1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 13 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 33 |
| Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders) | 42 |
| Belgian Singles Chart (Wallonia) | 36 |
| Canadian RPM Singles Chart | 1 |
| France Singles Chart | 57 |
| Netherlands Singles Chart | 22 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 1 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 15 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 27 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 18 |
| UK Singles Chart | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Alternative Songs | 8 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 36 |
| U.S. Billboard Pop Songs | 14 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Pop Songs | 11 |
Release history
| Format | Release Date |
|---|---|
| United States | November 10, 1998 |
| United Kingdom | March 22, 1999 |
External links
- NewRadicals.Us. The unofficial NR forum covering New Radicals, Gregg Alexander and Danielle Brisebois.