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Amnesia (Chumbawamba song)

December 18, 2023

"Amnesia" is the second single from English rock band Chumbawamba's eighth studio album, Tubthumper (1997). The song's lyrics address the sense of betrayal that English leftists felt during the rise of New Labour. Released on 19 January 1998 by EMI, the song was met with favorable reception from critics, who regarded the song as a highlight from Tubthumper.

"Amnesia"
Single by Chumbawamba
from the album Tubthumper
Released19 January 1998 (1998-01-19)
StudioWoodlands (Castleford, UK)
Length4:08
LabelEMI
Songwriter(s)Chumbawamba
Producer(s)
  • Chumbawamba
  • Neil Ferguson
Chumbawamba singles chronology
"Tubthumping"
(1997) 		"Amnesia"
(1998) 		"Drip, Drip, Drip"
(1998)

The song was a top-10 hit in Canada and the United Kingdom, giving the group their final top-20 entries in both countries. The song also reached number one on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100, becoming the group's final US chart entry. An accompanying music video was also released.

Background and writing edit

"Amnesia" lyrically explores the dishonesty of politicians and the ignorance of voters who continue to vote them into office. Chumbawamba's Alice Nutter told MTV that the group "wrote "Amnesia' before the general election in England, and we basically wrote it about Blair's new labor [sic]," adding that the song has a universal message, noting that "people forget that what Bill Clinton says before he gets elected is not what Bill Clinton will do when he's in office, and that's not about Bill Clinton, that's about all politicians."[1] At the end of the album version of the song, there is an interlude that samples a UK public service announcement on mad cow disease.[2]

Release edit

The song was released as a CD single in the UK.[3] A 12-inch single of the song was later released in the US, featuring "Tubthumping" as its B-side.[4] A full-page ad featured in Spin magazine, for the song's parent album mentioned the inclusion of "Amnesia" on the album, was accompanied by partial lyrics.[5]

Reception edit

Critical edit

The song was well-received by music critics, many of whom felt the song was one of the better tracks on Tubthumper. Both music critic Robert Christgau[6] and AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine[7] noted "Amnesia", as well as "Tubthumping", as a highlight of Tubthumper. Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Can this group pull off a second hit? It may be a bit tricky duplicating the sales and radio heat of "Thubthumper", but Chumbawamba makes a respectable effort with this booming follow-up. The song lacks some of the magical immediacy of its predecessor, but it wears extremely well with repeated spins. In fact, by the second go round, you'll be bobbin' your head to the track's feel-good disco-fortified beat and chanting along with the song's oddly catchy "Do you suffer from long-term memory loss?" Ultimately, this is quirky good fun that deserves a fair shake."[8] A reviewer from Music Week gave the single three out of five, adding, "The long-awaited follow-up to "Tubthumping" is marked by a flat verse which is made up for by a catchy radio-friendly singalong chorus."[9]

Commercial edit

The song was a successful follow-up to "Tubthumping", reaching the top 10 in the United Kingdom and Canada. In Canada, "Amnesia" debuted on the RPM Top Singles chart on the issue dated 2 February 1998.[10] It reached its number-seven peak on the chart dated 27 April.[11] The song spent a total of 27 weeks in the Canadian Top 100.[12] In the UK, the song was similarly successful, debuting and peaking at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart dated 31 January 1998.[13]

In the United states, the song was somewhat successful, although it was far less so than "Tubthumping".[14] Though the song failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100, it reached number one on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart (the equivalent of number 101 on the Hot 100), spending two weeks overall on the chart.[15] It also peaked at number 19 on the Mainstream Top 40[16] and number 38 on the Adult Top 40.[17] The song was released to modern rock radio stations, on which "Tubthumping" had received much play; however, "Amnesia" was unsuccessful on that format.[14]

Music video edit

A music video for the song, featuring the members of the group performing in a theatre, with the audience dancing. As the video progresses, the audience members leave until a janitor is the only one still watching.[18] The video was put into rotation on MTV Europe[19] and MuchMusic.[20][21]

Track listings edit

Charts edit

Release history edit

Release dates and formats for "Amnesia"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom 19 January 1998
  • CD
  • cassette
 EMI [39]
United States 26 January 1998 Alternative radio
[40]
Japan 6 February 1998 CD EMI [41]
United States 21 April 1998 12-inch vinyl
  • Universal
  • Republic
 [4]

Media usage edit

The radio edit of the song was included on the original TV soundtrack for Sabrina the Teenage Witch.[42]

References edit

  1. ^ "Chumbawamba Talks About Political "Amnesia"". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  2. ^ . Archived from the original on 2 December 1998. Retrieved 23 February 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ ""Amnesia" at AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  4. ^ a b Sandiford-Waller, Theda (4 April 1998). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 14. p. 81.
  5. ^ "SPIN Mar 1998 (page 24)". Google Books. Spin Media. March 1998. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  6. ^ Christgau, Robert (15 October 2000). Chumbawamba: Tubthumper (revised ed.). London: Macmillan. p. 56. ISBN 0312245602. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  7. ^ Thomas Erlewine, Thomas. "Review: Tubthumper - Chumbawamba". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  8. ^ Flick, Larry (31 January 1998). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 26. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 25. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  10. ^ "RPM Singles: 2 Feb 1998". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2017 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  11. ^ a b "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3529." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  12. ^ "RPM Singles: 3 August 1998". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2017 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  13. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  14. ^ a b Carter, Kevin; Coveney, Janine; Ross, Sean (April 18, 1998). "Radio, Labels Debate 'Ownership'". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 16. pp. 70–71. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  15. ^ a b "Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. 9 May 1998. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Pop Airplay". Billboard. 18 April 1998. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Adult Pop Airplay". Billboard. 18 April 1998. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  18. ^ "Official Music Video". YouTube. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  19. ^ "Billboard Video Monitor (Feb 21, 1998)". Billboard. 21 February 1998. Retrieved 28 February 2017 – via Google Books.
  20. ^ "Billboard Video Monitor (Mar 28, 1998)". Billboard. 28 March 1998. Retrieved 28 February 2017 – via Google Books.
  21. ^ "Billboard Video Monitor (Mar 21, 1998)". Billboard. 21 March 1998. Retrieved 28 February 2017 – via Google Books.
  22. ^ ""Amnesia" product overview". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  23. ^ ""Chumbawamba - Amnesia - CD (not vinyl)" product overview". Amazon. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  24. ^ ""CD Single" Amnesia overview". 45 Worlds. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  25. ^ Amnesia (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Chumbawamba. Republic Records. 1998. U12-56181.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ^ "Amnesia [Japan] track list". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  27. ^ "Amnesia" Japan mini-album liner notes
  28. ^ "Chumbawamba – Amnesia". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  29. ^ "Chumbawamba – Amnesia" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  30. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3506." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  31. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 7. 14 February 1998. p. 10. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  32. ^ "Chumbawamba – Amnesia" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  33. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (15.1 – 22.1. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 16 January 1998. p. 22. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  34. ^ "Hits of the World – Italy" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 7. 14 February 1998. p. 60. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  35. ^ "Chumbawamba – Amnesia" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  36. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  37. ^ "Hot 100 Airplay". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 15. 11 April 1998. p. 103.
  38. ^ "RPM's Top 100 Hits of '98" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 68, no. 12. 14 December 1998. p. 20. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  39. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 35. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  40. ^ "Don't Forget 'Amnesia'". Radio & Records. No. 1230. 9 January 1998. p. 92.
  41. ^ "記憶喪失～ジャパン・オンリー・ミニ・アルバム | チャンバワンバ" [Amnesia ~ Japan Only Mini Album | Chumbawamba] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  42. ^ "Sabrina the Teenage Witch [Original TV Soundtrack] track listing". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 February 2017.

External links edit

  • Music video

December 18, 2023
amnesia, chumbawamba, song, amnesia, second, single, from, english, rock, band, chumbawamba, eighth, studio, album, tubthumper, 1997, song, lyrics, address, sense, betrayal, that, english, leftists, felt, during, rise, labour, released, january, 1998, song, wi. Amnesia is the second single from English rock band Chumbawamba s eighth studio album Tubthumper 1997 The song s lyrics address the sense of betrayal that English leftists felt during the rise of New Labour Released on 19 January 1998 by EMI the song was met with favorable reception from critics who regarded the song as a highlight from Tubthumper Amnesia Single by Chumbawambafrom the album TubthumperReleased19 January 1998 1998 01 19 StudioWoodlands Castleford UK Length4 08LabelEMISongwriter s ChumbawambaProducer s Chumbawamba Neil FergusonChumbawamba singles chronology Tubthumping 1997 Amnesia 1998 Drip Drip Drip 1998 The song was a top 10 hit in Canada and the United Kingdom giving the group their final top 20 entries in both countries The song also reached number one on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 becoming the group s final US chart entry An accompanying music video was also released Contents 1 Background and writing 2 Release 3 Reception 3 1 Critical 3 2 Commercial 4 Music video 5 Track listings 6 Charts 6 1 Weekly charts 6 2 Year end charts 7 Release history 8 Media usage 9 References 10 External linksBackground and writing edit Amnesia lyrically explores the dishonesty of politicians and the ignorance of voters who continue to vote them into office Chumbawamba s Alice Nutter told MTV that the group wrote Amnesia before the general election in England and we basically wrote it about Blair s new labor sic adding that the song has a universal message noting that people forget that what Bill Clinton says before he gets elected is not what Bill Clinton will do when he s in office and that s not about Bill Clinton that s about all politicians 1 At the end of the album version of the song there is an interlude that samples a UK public service announcement on mad cow disease 2 Release editThe song was released as a CD single in the UK 3 A 12 inch single of the song was later released in the US featuring Tubthumping as its B side 4 A full page ad featured in Spin magazine for the song s parent album mentioned the inclusion of Amnesia on the album was accompanied by partial lyrics 5 Reception editCritical edit The song was well received by music critics many of whom felt the song was one of the better tracks on Tubthumper Both music critic Robert Christgau 6 and AllMusic s Stephen Thomas Erlewine 7 noted Amnesia as well as Tubthumping as a highlight of Tubthumper Larry Flick from Billboard wrote Can this group pull off a second hit It may be a bit tricky duplicating the sales and radio heat of Thubthumper but Chumbawamba makes a respectable effort with this booming follow up The song lacks some of the magical immediacy of its predecessor but it wears extremely well with repeated spins In fact by the second go round you ll be bobbin your head to the track s feel good disco fortified beat and chanting along with the song s oddly catchy Do you suffer from long term memory loss Ultimately this is quirky good fun that deserves a fair shake 8 A reviewer from Music Week gave the single three out of five adding The long awaited follow up to Tubthumping is marked by a flat verse which is made up for by a catchy radio friendly singalong chorus 9 Commercial edit The song was a successful follow up to Tubthumping reaching the top 10 in the United Kingdom and Canada In Canada Amnesia debuted on the RPM Top Singles chart on the issue dated 2 February 1998 10 It reached its number seven peak on the chart dated 27 April 11 The song spent a total of 27 weeks in the Canadian Top 100 12 In the UK the song was similarly successful debuting and peaking at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart dated 31 January 1998 13 In the United states the song was somewhat successful although it was far less so than Tubthumping 14 Though the song failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100 it reached number one on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart the equivalent of number 101 on the Hot 100 spending two weeks overall on the chart 15 It also peaked at number 19 on the Mainstream Top 40 16 and number 38 on the Adult Top 40 17 The song was released to modern rock radio stations on which Tubthumping had received much play however Amnesia was unsuccessful on that format 14 Music video editA music video for the song featuring the members of the group performing in a theatre with the audience dancing As the video progresses the audience members leave until a janitor is the only one still watching 18 The video was put into rotation on MTV Europe 19 and MuchMusic 20 21 Track listings editEuropean single 22 Amnesia single mix 2 55 minus other single mixes lounge intro Amnesia album version 3 45 according to notes 4 08 on disc album version includes album interstitial material but fades out at end Amnesia acoustic version 3 02 Amnesia Done Lying Down version 3 40 performed by Done Lying Down Amnesia Jimmy Echo version 2 45 vocals by Jimmy Echo UK CD1 single 23 Amnesia single mix 3 14 Amnesia Done Lying Down version 3 40 performed by Done Lying Down Amnesia Jimmy Echo version 2 45 vocals by Jimmy Echo Amnesia Zion Train 359 Amhurst Road mix 7 42 remix by Zion Train Amnesia Decontrol remix 5 52 remix by Decontrol UK CD2 single 24 Amnesia single mix 3 14 Tubthumping single mix 3 34 Tubthumping Escape from New York mix 6 24 Tubthumping Tin Tin Out mix 4 53 US 12 inch single 25 A1 Amnesia radio remix 3 10 A2 Amnesia Zion Train 359 Amhurst Road mix 7 42 remix by Zion Train B1 Amnesia Decontrol remix 5 52 remix by Decontrol B2 Tubthumping Escape from New York s Full English Breakfast mix 6 23 Japanese mini album 26 27 Amnesia single mix 3 14 Tubthumping country amp western version 3 38 Mouthful of Shit country amp western version 2 56 One By One acoustic version 3 12 Drip Drip Drip country amp western version 3 53 The Big Issue acoustic version 3 39 Stitch That country amp western version 2 41 Amnesia acoustic version 3 01 Amnesia Done Lying Down version performed by Done Lying Down 3 39 Amnesia Jimmy Echo version vocals by Jimmy Echo 2 45 Charts editWeekly charts edit Weekly chart performance for Amnesia Chart 1998 PeakpositionAustralia ARIA 28 34Belgium Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders 29 15Canada Top Singles RPM 11 7Canada Adult Contemporary RPM 30 39Europe Eurochart Hot 100 31 27Germany Official German Charts 32 83Iceland Islenski Listinn Topp 40 33 31Italy Musica e dischi 34 12Netherlands Single Top 100 35 96Scotland OCC 36 12UK Singles OCC 13 10US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Billboard 15 1US Adult Top 40 Billboard 17 38US Hot 100 Airplay Billboard 37 60US Mainstream Top 40 Billboard 16 19 Year end charts edit Year end chart performance for Amnesia Chart 1998 PositionCanada Top Singles RPM 38 69Release history editRelease dates and formats for Amnesia Region Date Format s Label s Ref United Kingdom 19 January 1998 CDcassette EMI 39 United States 26 January 1998 Alternative radio UniversalRepublic 40 Japan 6 February 1998 CD EMI 41 United States 21 April 1998 12 inch vinyl UniversalRepublic 4 Media usage editThe radio edit of the song was included on the original TV soundtrack for Sabrina the Teenage Witch 42 References edit Chumbawamba Talks About Political Amnesia MTV Viacom Retrieved 23 February 2017 Chumbawamba FAQ s Sort of Thing Archived from the original on 2 December 1998 Retrieved 23 February 2017 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link Amnesia at AllMusic AllMusic Retrieved 6 April 2017 a b Sandiford Waller Theda 4 April 1998 Hot 100 Singles Spotlight Billboard Vol 110 no 14 p 81 SPIN Mar 1998 page 24 Google Books Spin Media March 1998 Retrieved 28 February 2017 Christgau Robert 15 October 2000 Chumbawamba Tubthumper revised ed London Macmillan p 56 ISBN 0312245602 Retrieved 19 June 2017 Thomas Erlewine Thomas Review Tubthumper Chumbawamba AllMusic Retrieved 19 June 2017 Flick Larry 31 January 1998 Reviews amp Previews Singles PDF Billboard p 26 Retrieved 6 December 2020 Reviews Singles PDF Music Week 17 January 1998 p 25 Retrieved 31 August 2023 RPM Singles 2 Feb 1998 RPM 17 July 2013 Retrieved 23 February 2017 via Library and Archives Canada a b Top RPM Singles Issue 3529 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved 28 August 2019 RPM Singles 3 August 1998 RPM 17 July 2013 Retrieved 23 February 2017 via Library and Archives Canada a b Official Singles Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved 28 August 2019 a b Carter Kevin Coveney Janine Ross Sean April 18 1998 Radio Labels Debate Ownership Billboard Vol 110 no 16 pp 70 71 Retrieved 11 May 2017 a b Bubbling Under Hot 100 Billboard 9 May 1998 Retrieved 1 August 2023 a b Pop Airplay Billboard 18 April 1998 Retrieved 1 August 2023 a b Adult Pop Airplay Billboard 18 April 1998 Retrieved 1 August 2023 Official Music Video YouTube Retrieved 23 February 2017 Billboard Video Monitor Feb 21 1998 Billboard 21 February 1998 Retrieved 28 February 2017 via Google Books Billboard Video Monitor Mar 28 1998 Billboard 28 March 1998 Retrieved 28 February 2017 via Google Books Billboard Video Monitor Mar 21 1998 Billboard 21 March 1998 Retrieved 28 February 2017 via Google Books Amnesia product overview AllMusic Retrieved 6 April 2017 Chumbawamba Amnesia CD not vinyl product overview Amazon Retrieved 6 April 2017 CD Single Amnesia overview 45 Worlds Retrieved 6 April 2017 Amnesia US 12 inch single vinyl disc Chumbawamba Republic Records 1998 U12 56181 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Amnesia Japan track list AllMusic Retrieved 24 February 2017 Amnesia Japan mini album liner notes Chumbawamba Amnesia ARIA Top 50 Singles Chumbawamba Amnesia in Dutch Ultratip Top RPM Adult Contemporary Issue 3506 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved 28 August 2019 Eurochart Hot 100 Singles PDF Music amp Media Vol 15 no 7 14 February 1998 p 10 Retrieved 6 February 2020 Chumbawamba Amnesia in German GfK Entertainment charts Islenski Listinn Topp 40 15 1 22 1 1998 Dagbladid Visir in Icelandic 16 January 1998 p 22 Retrieved 3 October 2019 Hits of the World Italy PDF Billboard Vol 110 no 7 14 February 1998 p 60 Retrieved 4 June 2020 Chumbawamba Amnesia in Dutch Single Top 100 Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved 28 August 2019 Hot 100 Airplay Billboard Vol 110 no 15 11 April 1998 p 103 RPM s Top 100 Hits of 98 PDF RPM Vol 68 no 12 14 December 1998 p 20 Retrieved 28 August 2019 New Releases Singles PDF Music Week 17 January 1998 p 35 Retrieved 15 August 2021 Don t Forget Amnesia Radio amp Records No 1230 9 January 1998 p 92 記憶喪失 ジャパン オンリー ミニ アルバム チャンバワンバ Amnesia Japan Only Mini Album Chumbawamba in Japanese Oricon Retrieved 4 October 2023 Sabrina the Teenage Witch Original TV Soundtrack track listing AllMusic Retrieved 24 February 2017 External links editMusic video Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Amnesia Chumbawamba song amp oldid 1189948939, 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