My Obsession (Cheap Trick song)
{{Infobox song
| name = My Obsession
| cover = Cheap Trick My Obsession Single Cover 2003.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Cheap Trick
| album = Special One
| released = 2003
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| length = 3:34
| label = Big3 Records
Cheap Trick Unlimited
| writer = Tom Petersson, Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Julian Raymond
| producer = Chris Shaw, Cheap Trick
| prev_title = Scent of a Woman
| prev_year = 2003
| next_title = Too Much
| next_year = 2003
}}
"My Obsession" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, released in 2003 as the second single from their fourteenth studio album Special One. It was written by Tom Petersson, Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander and Julian Raymond, and produced by Chris Shaw and Cheap Trick.{{cite web |title=Cheap Trick - Special One (CD, Album) |url=http://www.discogs.com/Cheap-Trick-Special-One/release/3852278 |access-date=2013-03-02 |website=Discogs}}
Background
Following the radio-hit "Scent of a Woman", "My Obsession" was released as the second promotional single from Special One, aiming at generating airplay. During one of the band's 2004 live concerts in the United States, Nielsen introduced the song by stating "This next one has been getting airplay all around the world, everywhere except here."{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/rock3/lipservice/tourreviews.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223162504/http://www.angelfire.com/rock3/lipservice/tourreviews.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 23, 2014 |title=Lip Service |publisher=Angelfire.com |access-date=2013-03-02}}{{cite web |url=http://www.concertfan.com/gr/188_Aerosmith_concert_review_Ridgefield_WA |title=Review of Aerosmith at Amphitheater At Clark County on Sat May 22, 2004 |publisher=ConcertFan.com |date=2004-05-24 |access-date=2013-03-02 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130407234248/http://www.concertfan.com/gr/188_Aerosmith_concert_review_Ridgefield_WA |archive-date=April 7, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
Release
The single was released in United States only as a promotional CD single, where it aimed to generate radio play. Two different CD singles were released in total.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Cheap-Trick-My-Obsession/master/496290 |title=Cheap Trick - My Obsession at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=2013-03-02}} The main release was a 1-track CD-R acetate, which featured a "Radio Edit" version of the song on a custom printed disc, with a laminated promo picture title insert.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Cheap-Trick-My-Obsession/release/4070466 |title=Cheap Trick - My Obsession (CDr) at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |access-date=2013-03-02}} A test press disc single was also issued to radio programmers in limited quantity, which included a bonus track, "Come on Christmas", taken from the band's 1996 EP Gift.{{cite web|last=Stone |first=Doug |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/gift-mw0001175881 |title=Gift - Cheap Trick : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=2013-03-02}}
On August 21, 2003, the band performed a set of songs for an AOL session, which included "My Obsession".{{cite web |date=2008-10-16 |title=Cheap Trick-My Obsession(Sessions @ AOL) |url=http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/ynDikR3epHo/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629234041/http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/ynDikR3epHo/ |archive-date=2015-06-29 |website=Tudou.com}}
Critical reception
Upon release, Billboard commented: "Fans and rock programmers will find plenty to love in such tracks as "Scent of a Woman," "My Obsession" and "If I Could." Cheap Trick's reliable tunefulness is in full force here; its music continues to be an irresistible confection."{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WhEEAAAAMBAJ&q=cheap+trick+scent+of+a+woman&pg=PA32 |title=Billboard - Google Books |date=2003-07-19 |access-date=2013-03-02}} Sun Herald said: "My favorite song right now is "My Obsession," with its Beatles-Who song construction that features many different sides of Zander."{{Cite news |last=Flake |first=Ricky |date=2004-01-01 |title=Enjoying Great Tunes From Cheap Trick, Ryan Adams |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-herald-enjoying-great-tunes-from-che/171309727/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |work=Sun Herald |location=Biloxi, Mississippi |page=78 |via=Newspapers.com}} Las Cruces Sun-News commented: "On their newest release Special One, Cheap Trick wears their influences on their sleeves, with the Alex Chilton-esque "Pop Drone" and "My Obsession."{{cite web |date=2004-03-12 |title=30 years and still up to tricks |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LCSB&s_site=lcsun-news&f_site=lcsun-news&f_sitename=Las+Cruces+Sun-News+%28NM%29&p_multi=LCSB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=103B6446F838DA40&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510163616/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LCSB&s_site=lcsun-news&f_site=lcsun-news&f_sitename=Las+Cruces+Sun-News+(NM)&p_multi=LCSB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=103B6446F838DA40&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=2017-05-10 |website=Las Cruces Sun-News}}
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel stated: "Make no mistake, this is Robin's record, and the thin man flexes the velvet of his million dollar voice on each and every number. On the outstanding "Words," "My Obsession," "Pop Drone" and five other peerless instant classics, he is the perfect blend of Lennon, Bryan Ferry, Marc Bolan and Roy Orbison."{{Cite news |last=McCuen |first=Rob |date=2003-10-24 |title=CD Reviews |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/rbekcpkauxgijbjehibqhawswffbtcjc_ip-10-166-46-187_1745887855109 |access-date=2025-04-29 |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |page=68 |via=GenealogyBank.com}} Concert Shots felt "My Obsession" recalled the Beatles, adding: "this time the melodic, minor key beauty of Revolver is conjured. Heart-wrenching harmonies make the song even more overwhelming."{{cite web|url=http://www.concertshots.com/cheap_trick_special_one_cd_revie.htm |title=CHEAP TRICK Special One CD review |publisher=Concertshots.com |access-date=2013-03-02}} The State noted: "There's a lot fewer rockers here than Cheap Trick is usually known for, but the Lennon-ish "Words" and the poppy "My Obsession" make for interesting listening."{{Cite news |last=Parry |first=Wayne |date=2003-08-01 |title=Cheap Trick hums along on 'Special One' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-cheap-trick-hums-along-on-spe/171309796/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |work=The State |location=Columbia, South Carolina |page=E10 |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Associated Press}} MelodicRock.com said of the song: ""My Obsession" is another uptempo number that comes just in the nick of time. This is another sweet, feel good pop track and another that fits the Zander solo style. One of the album's most instant tracks."{{cite web |url=http://www.melodicrock.com/reviews/cheaptrick-specialone.p3 |title=Interactive Melodic CD Reviews |publisher=MelodicRock.com |access-date=2013-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313013054/http://melodicrock.com/reviews/cheaptrick-specialone.p3 |archive-date=2013-03-13 |url-status=dead }}
Washington Post felt that Cheap Trick "recalls George Harrison" on the song.{{cite web |date=2003-08-29 |title=Cheap Trick "Special One" |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2003/08/29/cheap-trick-special-one/49293492-e8cb-4fdd-a8a6-e1df616a39b2/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Washington Post}} Buffalo News described the song as "cunning power-pop".{{Cite news |last=Miers |first=Jefe |date=2003-07-18 |title=Postcard from the edge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news-postcard-from-the-edge/171310821/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |work=The Buffalo News |page=64 |via=Newspapers.com}} Star-News described the song as "psychedelic rock".{{Cite news |last=Singer |first=Kristi |date=2004-12-23 |title=On The Cheap: Classic Rockers Ready For Comeback |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0BJPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yR8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=2402,2099618&dq=cheap+trick+my+obsession&hl=en |access-date=2025-04-29 |work=Star-News |pages=10 |via=Google News Archive}} Worcester Telegram Gazette described the album as being "pure Cheap Trick", adding that "My Obession" had a "scrappy street feel".{{cite web |author=Niles |first=David |date=2004-06-20 |title=Cheap Trick - Some bands just never go out of style |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=news/1035BF269E064F36&f=basic |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250429010222/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=news/1035BF269E064F36&f=basic |archive-date=2025-04-29 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Worcester Telegram & Gazette |page=G1 |via=NewsBank}} KNAC writer Frank Meyer was critical of the album and song, stating: "..."Too Much," "My Obsession" and the title track prolong the boredom even further and find this once ferocious band sounding as tame and declawed as ever."{{Cite web |title=Reviews - Cheap Trick Special One |url=https://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=2509 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=www.knac.com}}
Track listing
;CDr Single (3K2210435874 - promo)
- "My Obsession (Radio Edit)" - 3:34
;CDr Single (Bonus track promo)
- "My Obsession (Radio Edit)" - 3:34
- "Come on Christmas (Bonus Track)" - 2:21
Personnel
;Cheap Trick
- Robin Zander - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, producer
- Rick Nielsen - lead guitar, backing vocals, producer
- Tom Petersson - bass guitar, backing vocals, producer
- Bun E. Carlos - drums, percussion, producer
;Additional personnel
- Chris Shaw - producer, mixing
- Howie Weinberg - mastering
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Chart (2003)
!Peak |
|---|
| US Billboard Heritage Rock{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/cheap-trick/chart-history/hrt/ |title=Cheap Trick |publisher=Billboard |access-date=2020-05-23}}
| style="text-align:center;"|27 |