Lump (song) explained

Lump
Cover:PotUSA - Lump.jpg
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:the Presidents of the United States of America
Album:The Presidents of the United States of America
Studio:Egg (Brooklyn)
Genre:
Label:Columbia
Producer:
Prev Title:Kitty
Prev Year:1995
Next Title:Peaches
Next Year:1996

"Lump" is a song by alternative rock band the Presidents of the United States of America. It was released in August 1995 by Columbia Records and included on their self-titled debut album (1995). The song reached number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart same year. Composer Chris Ballew said that the lyrics combined his own history of having a benign tumor in the head with a vision he had of a woman in a swamp, while employing the word "lump" because Ballew was fond of it.[1] The musical part was described by Ballew as him "trying to write a Buzzcocks song". Ballew considers it his favorite composition.[2] The music video for the song was directed by Roman Coppola. "Lump" has been covered or remade by several artists, including the Johnstones and "Weird Al" Yankovic.

Musical style

Musically, Lump is a grunge,[3] [4] pop-punk,[5] [6] alternative rock,[7] post-grunge, and pop rock[8] song.

Critical reception

Andrew Mueller from Melody Maker said, "'Lump' is a frantically grinning, gurning, hyperactive lurch that evokes nothing more than visions of retribution involving a plank with a nail through one end."[9] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "Taken from the band's debut album, 'Lump' clocks in at just over two minutes. And it's so cool you could play it twice in place of those dismal four-minute rock operas churned out by other US-rockers. Full points to Chris Ballew's tongue-in cheek vocals–one of the best things to happen to alternative rock this year."[10] Mark Beaumont from NME remarked "the hook-smattered stoopidity" of tunes like 'Lump'.[11] He also named it Single of the Week, praising it as "pure, perfect, dumbass hedonistic pop."[12] David Sinclair from The Times commented, "An intriguing amalgamation of Nirvana-influenced riffs and Weezer-ish harmony vocals, it is a post-grunge formula served up with lashings of oddball humour in place of the usual angst: Lump sat alone in a boggy marsh/Totally motionless except for her heart/Mud flowed up into Lump's pyjamas/She totally confused all the passing piranhas."[13]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Lump", directed by American filmmaker Roman Coppola, takes place in a "boggy marsh" (as the lyrics state). The video shows the band singing in a swamp as well as on the stern of a large barge in Elliott Bay interspersed with a silhouette scene of the band performing.

Another video was also made for the song. This version, commonly referred to as "Lump 2", was considered too disturbing and dark to be aired on MTV (reflecting the band's grunge and post-grunge origins). It features the band performing on a dark stage while various people lip sync the lines "She's lump!" during the chorus. This version can be found on "Ten Year Super Bonus Special Anniversary Edition" of the Presidents of the United States of America's debut album, and on their YouTube channel.

In 2023, both versions were re-uploaded to YouTube in high-definition, as well as the other videos from the debut album.

Track listings and formats

  1. "Lump"  – 2:12
  2. "Carolyn's Bootie"  – 2:15
  3. "Candy Cigarette"  – 2:00
  1. "Lump"  – 2:12
  2. "Carolyn's Bootie"  – 2:15
  3. "Candy Cigarette"  – 2:00
  4. "Twig in the Wind"  – 2:54
  1. "Lump"  – 2:12
  2. "Wake Up"  – 2:37
  1. "Lump"  – 2:12
  2. "Carolyn's Bootie"  – 2:15

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel are adapted from the "Lump" US promo CD liner notes.[20]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1995–1996)Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[21] 13
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[22] 19
Netherlands (Single Top 100 Tipparade)[23] 10
US Hot 100 Airplay (Billboard)[24] 21
US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)[25] 7
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[26] 1
US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard)[27] 26

Year-end charts

Chart (1996)Position
Australia (ARIA)[29] 86
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[30] 38
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[31] 99

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
AustraliaAugust 8, 1995CDColumbia
United KingdomDecember 25, 1995[32]

Parodies and covers

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BROOKS WHITNEY . May 10, 1996 . Weird Lyrics Come Naturally To The Presidents . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140811073135/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-05-10/entertainment/9605080567_1_dune-buggy-spiders-string . August 11, 2014 . Chicago Tribune.
  2. Web site: Interview with Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091203/http://blog.noisetrade.com/2013/04/interview-with-chris-ballew-of-the-presidents-of-the-united-states-of-america/ . April 2, 2015 . August 6, 2014.
  3. Web site: Loftus . Johnny . The Presidents of the United States of America - The Presidents of the United States of America Songs, Reviews, Credits . May 14, 2021 . AllMusic.
  4. Web site: Childers . Chad . 50 ESSENTIAL GRUNGE ERA VIDEOS . Loudwire . January 23, 2022.
  5. Web site: Sendra . Tim . Non Stop '90s Rock . January 22, 2022 . AllMusic.
  6. Web site: Elbel . Jeff . The Presidents of the United States of America: Dischord (Issue 12) . January 22, 2022 . Paste. June 30, 2008 .
  7. Web site: August 6, 2015 . The 95 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1995 . May 14, 2021 . . 2.
  8. Web site: Danny . West. 75 Best One Hit Wonders Ever. Music Industry How To. March 16, 2023 . May 31, 2023.
  9. Andrew. Mueller. Singles. Melody Maker. January 13, 1996. 28. May 9, 2024. Andrew Mueller.
  10. October 14, 1995 . New Releases: Singles . . 12 . 41 . 12 . May 19, 2021.
  11. Mark. Beaumont. Long Play. NME. November 4, 1995. 48. March 17, 2024. Mark Beaumont (journalist).
  12. Mark. Beaumont. Singles. NME. December 16, 1995. 34. May 9, 2024. Mark Beaumont (journalist).
  13. Sinclair, David (December 30, 1995). "Pop Single; Recordings". The Times.
  14. Lump . The Presidents of the United States of America . 1995 . European maxi-single liner notes . Columbia Records . 662496 2.
  15. Lump . The Presidents of the United States of America . 1995 . Australian CD single liner notes . Columbia Records . 662481 2.
  16. Lump . The Presidents of the United States of America . 1995 . UK 7-inch vinyl liner notes . Columbia Records . 662496 7.
  17. Lump . The Presidents of the United States of America . 1995 . UK cassette liner notes . Columbia Records . 662496 4.
  18. Lump . The Presidents of the United States of America . 1995 . European CD single liner notes . Columbia Records . 662496 1.
  19. Lump . The Presidents of the United States of America . 1995 . Dutch 12-inch vinyl liner notes . Columbia Records . 662496 6.
  20. Lump . The Presidents of the United States of America . 1995 . US promo CD liner notes . Columbia Records . CSK 7225.
  21. January 20, 1996 . Eurochart Hot 100 Singles . . 13 . 3 . 13 . August 9, 2020.
  22. Web site: The Presidents of the United States of America – Lump . July 18, 2021 . . nl.
  23. Web site: The Presidents of the United States of America – Lump . July 18, 2021 . . nl.
  24. Hot 100 Airplay - October 28, 1995 . May 15, 2021 . . Nielsen Business Media, Inc..
  25. Album Rock Tracks . May 15, 2021 . . November 4, 1995.
  26. Modern Rock Tracks . May 15, 2021 . . October 21, 1995.
  27. The Presidents of the United States of America Chart History (Pop Songs) . . https://web.archive.org/web/20190812195848/https://www.billboard.com/music/The-Presidents-of-the-United-States-of-America/chart-history/pop-songs . August 12, 2019 . May 16, 2021.
  28. Web site: Tops de L'année Top Singles 1995 . August 9, 2020 . . fr.
  29. Web site: The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1996 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151102010347/http://i.imgur.com/t1PYbhG.jpg . November 2, 2015 . August 12, 2019 . . Imgur.
  30. Web site: End of Year Charts 1996 . August 12, 2019 . Recorded Music NZ.
  31. Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Modern Rock Tracks. Airplay Monitor. 4. 53. 24. December 27, 1996. December 25, 2023.
  32. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 32. December 23, 1995.