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Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)

{{short description|2001 single by Train}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Drops of Jupiter

| cover = Train Drops of Jupiter single.jpg{{!}}border

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Train

| album = Drops of Jupiter

| B-side =

  • "It's Love"
  • "This Is Not Your Life"
  • "Sharks"

| released = {{start date|2001|1|29}}

| recorded =

| studio = Southern Tracks Recording (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

| genre = Rock{{cite magazine |last=Lynch |first=Joe |title=Train's 'Drops of Jupiter' at 20: Pat Monahan Shares Surprising Stories Behind the Smash |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/train-drops-of-jupiter-pat-monahan-interview-9546382/ |magazine=Billboard |date=March 26, 2021 |access-date=April 30, 2023}}

| length = 4:20

| label = Columbia

| writer = Train

| producer = Brendan O'Brien

| prev_title = Ramble On

| prev_year = 2001

| next_title = Something More

| next_year = 2001

| misc = {{Audio sample

| type = single

| file = Train Drops of Jupiter Sample.ogg

}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|7Xf-Lesrkuc|"Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)"}}}}

}}

"Drops of Jupiter", initially released and sometimes still listed as "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)", is a song written and recorded by American rock band Train. It was released on January 29, 2001, as the lead single from their second studio album, Drops of Jupiter (2001). The song entered the top five of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and also became an international hit, reaching the top 10 in seven other countries. The European single has tracks "It's Love", "This Is Not Your Life", and "Sharks" as its B-sides.

The recording features the signature strings of arranger Paul Buckmaster, who won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for "Drops of Jupiter".

Background and composition

Lead singer Pat Monahan stated that the song was inspired by his late mother, who had died after a struggle with cancer, and that the opening lines "came to [him] in a dream". He told VH1's Behind the Music: "The process of creation wasn't easy. I just couldn't figure out what to write, but then I woke up from a dream about a year after my mother passed away with the words 'back in the atmosphere'...It was just her way of saying what it was like – she was swimming through the planets and came to me with drops of Jupiter in her hair."{{cite episode|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pO_HdcBVBk|series=Behind the Music|title=Train|network=Vh1|number=1|season=15|airdate=September 16, 2012}}Billboard, February 3, 2001 – Vol. 113, No. 5, Page 38.

The song is written in the key of C major and plays at a moderate tempo in cut time.{{cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0046022|title=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|website=Musicnotes.com|date=January 22, 2004 |id=MN0046022|access-date=June 3, 2021}}

Critical reception

Chuck Taylor of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that it "demonstrates a truly artistic lyrical bent that merits instant acceptance of this credible rock-edged song". He sums up the review saying "add piano, a splendid orchestral backdrop, and a vocal shimmering with passion and personality, and this is a runaway track for Train".

Chart performance

"Drops of Jupiter" peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 in June 2001. On the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, the song ascended to the top 10 during its 49th week, marking the longest climb to the top 10 on that tally by any act, and spent 54 weeks on the ranking.[http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1392 Drops of Jupiter Songfacts] The song has sold and streamed over 9,000,000 units since its digital release in 2003, earning a nine-times platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

On the UK Singles Chart, "Drops of Jupiter" debuted and peaked at number 10 on August 5, 2001. The track re-entered the UK Singles Chart for the week ending on April 7, 2012, at number 53 following a performance from contestant Phil Poole on The Voice UK. On the week ending April 28, 2012, "Drops of Jupiter" climbed to number 34. The song has received a triple platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales and streams exceeding 1,800,000 units.

Music video

There are two music videos for this song. The first one shows the band performing it on a stage, with a large banner reading "TRAIN" in the green-lit background. Clips of a woman performing various actions in various backgrounds related to the lyrics (e.g., Jupiter, holding her hands out in the rain) are inserted into various parts of the song.

The second, more famous video shows the band performing the song on a stage backed by a string ensemble. As the video progresses, people come in to watch the song being performed. The video was shot at Union Station in Los Angeles, and was directed by Nigel Dick with production design by Andrew Elias.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12783866/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm |title=Train: Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) – Full Cast and Crew |website=IMDb}}{{unreliable source?|sure=y|date=June 2023}} It was released in July.{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1445446/train-readying-second-video-for-drops-of-jupiter/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814120604/http://www.mtv.com/news/1445446/train-readying-second-video-for-drops-of-jupiter/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |title=Train Readying Second Video for 'Drops of Jupiter' (MTV News) |website=MTV}} The first version of this particular video also featured the story of a girl who ran away from home and, upon arriving at the station where the band was playing, was so moved that she decided to return home. However, this storyline was dropped during the editing process.

Awards

The song was nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, winning two, for Best Rock Song and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s).

Track listings

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

US 7-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|others=Train|year=2001|type=US 7-inch single sleeve|publisher=Columbia Records|id=38-79565}}

:A. "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" – 4:20

:B. "Meet Virginia" – 4:00

UK CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|others=Train|year=2001|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records|id=671447 2}}

  1. "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" – 4:20
  2. "It's Love" – 4:22
  3. "This Is Not Your Life" – 5:02
  4. "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" (video version)

UK cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|others=Train|year=2001|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Columbia Records|id=671447 4}}

  1. "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" – 4:20
  2. "This Is Not Your Life" – 5:02

{{col-2}}

European CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|others=Train|year=2001|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records|id=COL 671197 1}}

  1. "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" – 4:20
  2. "It's Love" – 4:22

Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|others=Train|year=2001|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records|id=670914.2}}

  1. "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" – 4:20
  2. "It's Love" – 4:22
  3. "This Is Not Your Life" – 5:02
  4. "Sharks" – 3:29

{{col-end}}

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the Drops of Jupiter album booklet.{{cite AV media notes|title=Drops of Jupiter|title-link=Drops of Jupiter|others=Train|year=2001|type=US CD album booklet|publisher=Columbia Records, Aware Records|id=CK 69888}}

Studios

  • Recorded and mixed at Southern Tracks Recording (Atlanta, Georgia, US)
  • Strings recorded at Capitol Studios (Hollywood, California)
  • Mastered at Gateway Mastering & DVD (Portland, Maine, US)

Personnel

{{div col}}

  • Train – writing
  • Charlie Colin – background vocals, guitars, bass
  • Rob Hotchkiss – background vocals, guitars, bass
  • Pat Monahan – vocals, percussion
  • Jimmy Stafford – background vocals, guitars
  • Scott Underwood – keyboards, drums, percussion, programming
  • Chuck Leavell – piano
  • Brendan O'Brien – keyboards, production, mixing
  • Mike Markman – principal violin
  • Evan Wilson – principal viola
  • Dan Smith – principal cello
  • Suzie Katayama – cello, orchestral contracting
  • Paul Buckmaster – orchestral arrangement and conducting
  • Steve Churchyard – orchestral engineering
  • Steve Genewick – orchestral engineering assistance
  • Nick DiDia – recording
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering

{{div col end}}

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Weekly chart performance for "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)"

!scope="col"|Chart (2001–2002)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|5|artist=Train|song=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Austria|38|artist=Train|song=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Flanders|5|artist=Train|song=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Wallonia Tip|9|artist=Train|song=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"|Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS){{cite web|url=http://www.crosscanadacountdown.com/pdfs/2001.pdf|title=Canadian Top 20 in 2001|website=Cross Canada Countdown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050407223203/http://www.crosscanadacountdown.com/pdfs/2001.pdf|archive-date=7 April 2005|access-date=April 11, 2024}}

|1

{{single chart|Denmark Airplay|8|artist=Train|song=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|rowheader=true|week=40|year=2001}}
scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2001/MM-2001-08-18.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=19|issue=34|page=15|date=August 18, 2001|access-date=March 6, 2020}}

|36

{{single chart|France|73|artist=Train|song=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Germany|73|artist=Train|song=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|songid=4844|rowheader=true|access-date=December 1, 2018}}
{{single chart|Ireland3|33|artist=Train|rowheader=true|access-date=January 16, 2020}}
{{single chart|Italy|7|artist=Train|song=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Dutch40|3|year=2001|week=38|rowheader=true|access-date=December 1, 2018}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|5|artist=Train|song=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|rowheader=true|access-date=December 1, 2018}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|5|artist=Train|song=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Scotland|6|date=20010806|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Sweden|45|artist=Train|song=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|30|artist=Train|song=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|UK|10|date=20010811|rowheader=true|refname="uk"}}
{{single chart|UKrock|1|date=20010811|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|5|artist=Train|rowheader=true|refname="hot100"}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultalternativesongs|1|artist=Train|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|8|artist=Train|rowheader=true|refname="usac"}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|1|artist=Train|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|11|artist=Train|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|19|artist=Train|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|4|artist=Train|rowheader=true}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (2010)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/train/chart-history/cns/|title=Train Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 1, 2018}}

|69

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (2012)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

{{single chart|Scotland|28|artist=Train|song=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|date=20120421|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|UK|34|date=20120428|rowheader=true|refname="uk2"}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Year-end chart performance for "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)"

!scope="col"|Chart (2001)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2001/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2001|publisher=ARIA|access-date=March 16, 2021}}

|23

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2001|title=Jaaroverzichten 2001|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=December 1, 2018}}

|43

scope="row"|Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS){{cite web|url=http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100page2_2001.html|title=BDS CHART : Top 100 of 2001|publisher=Jam!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020701174353/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_2001.html|archive-date=July 1, 2002|access-date=March 26, 2022}}

|2

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2001|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2001|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=February 7, 2020}}

|4

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2001&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 2001|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=December 1, 2018}}

|33

scope="row"|New Zealand (RIANZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/2001-12-31|title=End of Year Charts 2001|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=March 6, 2020}}

|5

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2001.pdf|title=The Official UK Singles Chart 2001|work=UKChartsPlus|access-date=December 1, 2018}}

|128

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://billboardtop100of.com/2001-2/|title=Billboard Top 100 – 2001|website=Billboardtop100of.com|access-date=March 16, 2021}}

|4

scope="row"|US Adult Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music 2001: Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks|magazine=Billboard|volume=113|issue=52|page=YE-82|date=December 29, 2001}}

|4

scope="row"|US Adult Contemporary (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=America's Best: 2001 – Most-Played Adult Contemporary Songs|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=9|issue=51|page=55|date=December 21, 2001}}

|33

scope="row"|US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music 2001: Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|magazine=Billboard|volume=113|issue=52|page=YE-70|date=December 29, 2001}}

|31

scope="row"|US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2001|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=9|issue=51|page=60|date=December 21, 2001}}

|8

scope="row"|US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music 2001: Hot Modern Rock Tracks|magazine=Billboard|volume=113|issue=52|page=YE-72|date=December 29, 2001}}

|28

scope="row"|US Triple-A (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=America's Best: 2001 – Most-Played Triple-A Songs|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=9|issue=51|page=45|date=December 21, 2001}}

|1

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (2002)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS){{cite web|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_2002.html|title=Top 100 top played radio tracks in Canada in 2002|publisher=Jam!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040812022009/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_2002.html|archive-date=August 12, 2004|access-date=March 23, 2022}}

|29

scope="row"|US Adult Contemporary (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RA0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA39-IA34|title=The Year in Music: Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks|magazine=Billboard|volume=114|issue=52|page=YE-96|date=December 28, 2002|access-date=December 17, 2023}}

|13

scope="row"|US Adult Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RA0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA39-IA35|title=The Year in Music 2002: Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks|magazine=Billboard|volume=114|issue=52|page=YE-97|date=December 28, 2002|access-date=December 17, 2023}}

|9

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|relyear=2001|certyear=2024|type=single|award=Platinum|number=13|access-date=December 24, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|relyear=2001|certyear=2022|id=11558|type=single|award=Platinum|access-date=August 10, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|relyear=2001|certyear=2024|artist=Train|title=Drops of Jupiter|type=single|award=Gold|access-date=May 10, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|relyear=2001|certyear=2019|artist=Train|title=Drops of Jupiter|type=single|award=Platinum|id=6431}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|relyear=2001|certyear=2025|artist=Train|title=Drops of Jupiter|type=single|award=Gold|access-date=February 14, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2001|certyear=2025|artist=Train|title=Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|id=10103-207-1|access-date=March 21, 2025|refname="bpi"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=2001|certyear=2025|artist=Train|title=Drops of Jupiter|type=single|award=Platinum|number=9|access-date=March 13, 2025|refname="riaa"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+Release dates and formats for "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row" rowspan="3"|United States

|January 29, 2001

|Hot adult contemporary radio

|rowspan="7"|Columbia

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2001/RR-2001-01-26.pdf|title=Hot AC: Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1386|page=89|date=January 26, 2001|access-date=April 20, 2021}}

January 30, 2001

|{{hlist|Mainstream rock|active rock|alternative radio}}

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2001/RR-2001-01-26.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1386|pages=100, 105, 115|date=January 26, 2001|access-date=April 20, 2021}}

February 27, 2001

|Contemporary hit radio

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2001/RR-2001-02-23.pdf|title=CHR/Pop: Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1390|page=46|date=February 23, 2001|access-date=April 20, 2021}}

scope="row"|Australia

|May 21, 2001

|CD

|{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue586.PDF|title=The ARIA Report: ARIA New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 21st May 2001|publisher=ARIA|page=24|date=May 21, 2001|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020220130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/issue586.PDF|archive-date=February 20, 2002|access-date=April 20, 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

scope="row"|United Kingdom

|July 30, 2001

|{{hlist|CD|cassette}}

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2001/Music-Week-2001-07-28.pdf|title=New Releases – For Week Starting July 30, 2001: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=33|date=July 28, 2001|access-date=August 14, 2021}}

scope="row"|New Zealand

|August 6, 2001

|CD

|{{cite web|url=http://netcd.co.nz/NewReleases.html|title=New Releases|website=netcd.co.nz|date=August 6, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010813203818/http://netcd.co.nz/NewReleases.html|archive-date=August 13, 2001|access-date=November 8, 2023}}

scope="row"|United States

|April 1, 2003

|Digital download

|

See also

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20121211085648/http://taylorswift.com/releases#release-2842 Lyrics of Taylor Swift cover] from Speak Now: World Tour Live

{{Train}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Rock Song}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me)}}

Category:2001 songs

Category:2001 singles

Category:Columbia Records singles

Category:Fiction set on Jupiter

Category:Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals

Category:Grammy Award for Best Rock Song

Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Brendan O'Brien (record producer)

Category:Commemoration songs

Category:Songs written by Pat Monahan

Category:Songs inspired by deaths

Category:Songs about outer space

Category:Train (band) songs