My Sharona#Inspiration
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{short description|1979 single by the Knack}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox song
| name = My Sharona
| cover = MySharonaCover.jpg
| alt =
| caption = US variant of the standard artwork
| type = single
| artist = the Knack
| album = Get the Knack
| B-side = "Let Me Out"
| released = June 18, 1979{{cite web | url=https://www.superseventies.com/1979_1singles.html | title="My Sharona" - the Knack }}
| recorded = April 1979
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = *Power pop
- {{cite book|first= Joe |last= Bonomo |author-link= Joe Bonomo |isbn= 978-0-8264-2846-2 |page= 153 |title= Sweat: The Story of the Fleshtones, America's Garage Band |publisher= Continuum |quote= Wexler's goal seemed to be replicating the Knack's "My Sharona," the cleanly recorded power-pop classic |year= 2007}}
- {{cite journal|first= Pierre |last= Perrone |title= Doug Fieger: Leader of The Knack who co-wrote the worldwide hit 'My Sharona' |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/doug-fieger-leader-of-the-knack-who-cowrote-the-worldwide-hit-my-sharona-1916404.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/doug-fieger-leader-of-the-knack-who-cowrote-the-worldwide-hit-my-sharona-1916404.html |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |journal= The Independent |date= March 5, 2010 |access-date= April 9, 2014}}
- new wave[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/16/arts/music/16fieger.html Nytimes.com] "'My Sharona' has become an emblem of the new wave era in rock"
- garage rock{{cite web|first= Tom |last= Breihan |title= The Number Ones: M's "Pop Muzik"|website= Stereogum |date= February 26, 2020 |url= https://www.stereogum.com/2074485/the-number-ones-ms-pop-muzik/columns/the-number-ones/|quote= ...and “My Sharona” is retro-minded garage rock, British Invasion pastiche.|accessdate= July 13, 2023}}
| length = 3:58 (single edit)
4:52 (album version)
| label = Capitol
| writer = * Doug Fieger
| producer = Mike Chapman
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Good Girls Don't
| next_year = 1979
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|bbr60I0u2Ng|The Knack – "My Sharona"}}}}
}}
"My Sharona" ({{IPAc-en|ʃ|ə|ˈ|r|oʊ|n|ə}}) is the debut single by American power pop band the Knack. The song was written by Berton Averre and Doug Fieger, and it was released in 1979 from their debut album, Get the Knack. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, where it remained for six weeks, and was number one on Billboard{{'}}s 1979 Top Pop Singles year-end chart.
It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, representing 1,000,000 copies sold,{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=my+sharona#search_section|title=My Sharona Gold Certifiction|work=RIAA|access-date=May 21, 2020}} and was Capitol Records' fastest gold status debut single since the Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in 1964.{{cite journal | last = Atkinson | first = Terry | title = The Knack: yesterday ... and today | journal = Rolling Stone | date = October 18, 1979 | page = 32}} It has since gone on to sell more than 10 million copies as of 2010.{{Cite news |date=February 17, 2010 |title=Who was My Sharona? |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8518794.stm |access-date=July 12, 2022}}{{Cite web |date=February 18, 2010 |title=A one-hit wonder but it was hardly for want of trying |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/a-onehit-wonder-but-it-was-hardly-for-want-of-trying-20100218-oiqm.html |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}
Inspiration
When Doug Fieger was 25 years old, he met 17-year-old Sharona Alperin,{{cite news|first= Richard | last = Lieby |title= 'My Sharona,' Revealing a Knack for Current Affairs? |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59569-2005Apr16.html |newspaper= The Washington Post |date= April 17, 2005 |page= D3}} who inspired a two-month-long run of songwriting, as well as eventually becoming his girlfriend for the next four years. Fieger recounted that "It was like getting hit in the head with a baseball bat; I fell in love with her instantly. And when that happened, it sparked something and I started writing a lot of songs feverishly in a short amount of time." Fieger and Averre worked out the structure and melody of the song. Averre was originally averse to using Alperin's name in the song, but Fieger wanted it to be a direct expression of his feelings; Averre ultimately relented.Liner notes, 2002 "Get the Knack" digitally remastered re-issue. Fieger claimed that "My Sharona" was written in 15 minutes;{{cite news|title= Doug Fieger Dies at 57, Singer of 'My Sharona' |first= Ben | last = Sisario |newspaper= New York Times | date= February 15, 2010 | publication-date = February 16, 2010 | page = A25 | location = New York |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/16/arts/music/16fieger.html}} moreover, it was purportedly mixed in an additional 15 minutes after the recording of the song was made in a single take (not including background vocals).{{Cite web |author=A. O. L. Staff |title='My Sharona' co-writer shares on his rock star riches |url=https://www.aol.com/2009/10/15/my-sharona-co-writer-shares-on-his-rock-star-riches/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=www.aol.com |date=July 15, 2016 |language=en-US}}
Fieger and Alperin were engaged at one point but never married. In a 2005 interview, Fieger said that they remained "great friends"; additionally, she would visit him frequently as Fieger was dying of cancer. Alperin went on to have a successful career as a realtor in Los Angeles.{{Cite web |url=https://www.lamag.com/culturefiles/my-sharona-40/ |title=In 1979 a Hit Song Made This Future L.A. Real Estate Agent a Pop Culture Icon |author=Campos, Susan |date=June 11, 2019 |website=LAmag.com |access-date=June 13, 2019 }}{{cite web|first= Alejandro |last = Lazo |url= http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sharona18-2010feb18,0,7513553.story |title= M-m-m-my career in real estate: Sharona Alperin, who at 17 was the real-life inspiration for the 1979 Knack megahit, now sells high-end homes to celebrities |work= Los Angeles Times |date= February 18, 2010}}
Music and lyrics
The music of the song echoes many elements of songs from the 1960s. According to a Trouser Press reviewer, the song's main melodic hook is "an inversion of the signature riff" from "Gimme Some Lovin'", a 1966 song by the Spencer Davis Group.{{cite book|title= Are We Not New Wave? : Modern Pop at the Turn of the 1980s |first= Theodore | last = Cateforis |pages= 123–127 |year= 2011 |publisher= University of Michigan Press |isbn= 978-0-472-03470-3}} Fieger acknowledged that the song's tom-tom drum rhythm is "just a rewrite" of "Going to a Go-Go", a song from Smokey Robinson and the Miracles from 1965. Drummer Bruce Gary has stated that although he did not particularly like the song when Fieger introduced it to the band, he came up with the stuttering beat for the song similar to a surf stomp, with just tom-tom and snare. He also decided to incorporate a flam, in which two drum strokes are staggered, creating a fuller sound, which Gary considered to be crucial to the song's success.{{cite news|title=Knack Drummer's Beat Burrows into the Brain|last=Kelly | first = J. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nVhPAAAAIBAJ&pg=3218,3410577&dq=let+me+out+knack&hl=en|pages=D3, D7|date=August 26, 2006|newspaper=Toledo Blade}}
In an interview with The Washington Post, Fieger claimed that the song was written from the perspective of a 14-year-old boy.
The song's stuttering vocal effect of the repeated "muh muh muh my Sharona" phrase is reminiscent of Roger Daltrey's vocals in the 1965 song "My Generation" by the Who.
Music video
The music video features the band performing the song in a white room.{{Citation|title=The Knack - My Sharona (Official Video)| date=March 11, 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbr60I0u2Ng|language=en|access-date=June 3, 2020}} Another music video features clips from the film Reality Bites, concert footage and Another Lousy Day in Paradise music video.
Artwork
Reception
Produced by Mike Chapman, the song's clean sound was reminiscent of the sound of the 1960s British Invasion. Billboard Magazine described "My Sharona" as "an energetic rocker with a subtle melody line."{{cite news|title=Top Single Picks|newspaper=Billboard Magazine|access-date=July 10, 2020|page=69|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1979/Billboard%201979-06-23.pdf|date=June 23, 1979}} Dick Nusser of Billboard remarked on the song's "catchy, deliberately awkward, stop-go drum and guitar breaks", its "quirky lyrics" and "suggestive tone", and that the song will "make you ready, willing and able to hum the refrain at the right moment." Cash Box said it begins with "slamming drums and rock steady, building guitar work."{{cite news|title=CashBox Singles Reviews|date=June 23, 1979|page=18|newspaper=Cash Box|accessdate=January 1, 2022|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1979/CB-1979-06-23.pdf}} In the Pazz & Jop 1979 Critic's Poll, "My Sharona" and Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk" were tied for sixth place in the list of top singles of the year.{{cite web|url=http://robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres79.php |title=Pazz & Jop 1979: Critics Poll |publisher=Robert Christgau |date=January 28, 1980 |access-date=October 15, 2016}}
Chris Woodstra of AllMusic has subsequently referred to the song as an "unforgettable hit."{{cite web|title= Get the Knack review at Allmusic |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/get-the-knack-mw0000203259 |first= Chris | last = Woodstra |work= AllMusic |publisher= Rovi Corporation |access-date= July 27, 2013}} The New Rolling Stone Album Guide claimed that the song "was a hit for a good reason. The beat is urgent, the chorus calls out for drunken shouting along and the guitar solo is a firecracker flash."{{cite book |title= The New Rolling Stone Album Guide |editor= Nathan Brackett, Christian David Hoard |page= [https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/462 462] |year= 2004 |edition= 4th |publisher= Simon & Schuster |isbn= 978-0-7432-0169-8 |url-access= registration |url= https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/462 }}
Legacy
"My Sharona" has retrospectively been viewed as a symbol for the fall of the 1970s' disco and the rise of the 1980s' new wave.{{Cite web |last=Dantona |first=Savannah |date=August 21, 2023 |title=The Scandalous Meaning Behind "My Sharona" by The Knack |url=https://americansongwriter.com/the-scandalous-meaning-behind-my-sharona-by-the-knack/ |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US}} The New York Times called the song "an emblem of the new wave era in rock and a prime example of the brevity of pop fame."
During the making of Michael Jackson's 1982 Thriller album, producer Quincy Jones aspired to include a rock-and-roll-inspired song in the vein of "My Sharona". Jackson subsequently wrote "Beat It".{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1614986/quincy-jones-blogs-about-working-with-michael-jackson/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401083729/http://www.mtv.com/news/1614986/quincy-jones-blogs-about-working-with-michael-jackson/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 1, 2017|title=Quincy Jones Blogs About Working With Michael Jackson|first=Eric|last=Ditzian|website=MTV News}}
In 2008, "My Sharona" was ranked in two Billboard 50th anniversary charts. It ranked 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs{{cite magazine|url= http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-80.shtml |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080913210022/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-80.shtml |url-status= dead |archive-date= September 13, 2008 |title= Billboard Hot 100 Chart 50th Anniversary |magazine= Billboard |access-date= February 15, 2010}} and 16 on the Top Billboard Hot 100 Rock Songs.{{cite magazine|title= It's Only Rock & Roll: Top Billboard Hot 100 Rock Songs |url= http://www.billboard.com/specials/hot100/charts/top-rock.shtml |magazine= Billboard Magazine |access-date= August 11, 2011}}{{cite magazine|title= Billboard Hot 100 Songs of the Year |url= http://www.billboard.com/specials/hot100/charts/top50-no1s-60s.shtml |magazine= Billboard Magazine |access-date= August 11, 2011}}
In 1994, "My Sharona" re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at number 91, when it was released as part of the Reality Bites soundtrack album.{{cite book|title=Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll: Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uU9AAQA6kAMC&q=In+1994+the+Knack+began+touring+again+after+%22My+Sharona%22+found+a+new+audience+through+its+inclusion+in+the+Reality+Bites+soundtrack.|date=November 8, 2001|publisher=Touchstone|isbn=978-0-7432-0120-9|page=536|quote=In 1994 the Knack began touring again after "My Sharona" found a new audience through its inclusion in the Reality Bites soundtrack.}}{{cite magazine |title=Talk About Coming From Nowhere|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=59|publisher=EGM Media, LLC|date=June 1994|page=212}} In the film itself, the characters dance to the song at a convenience store.{{cite web |first= Kelly |last= Woo |url= http://news.moviefone.com/2010/06/25/scenes-we-love-reality-bites/ |title= Scenes We Love: Reality Bites – The Moviefone Blog |work= News.moviefone.com |date= June 25, 2010 |access-date= September 20, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055435/http://news.moviefone.com/2010/06/25/scenes-we-love-reality-bites/ |archive-date= September 21, 2013 |url-status= dead }} This version was remixed by Dave Jerden and features, among other changes, a much more prominent drum sound.{{cite web|title= Reality Bites: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack |website= Discogs |url= https://www.discogs.com/Various-Reality-Bites-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/release/1912100 |access-date= February 25, 2017}} Director Quentin Tarantino wanted to use this song in the 1994 film Pulp Fiction during the film’s rape scene, but the idea was ultimately discounted due to its use in Reality Bites'', which had been released that same year.{{cite magazine|last=Edwards |first=Gavin |date=May 21, 2014 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/get-the-gimp-breaking-down-pulp-fictions-most-notorious-scene-20140521 |title='Get the Gimp': Breaking Down 'Pulp Fiction's Most Notorious Scene |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917193424/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/get-the-gimp-breaking-down-pulp-fictions-most-notorious-scene-20140521 |archive-date=September 17, 2017 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=March 15, 2017 |url-status=live}}
In 2005, the song gained some attention when it appeared on the playlist of U.S. President George W. Bush's iPod.{{cite news |url= http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/04/12/bush.ipod/ |title= Bush bares soul with 'iPod One' |first= Peter |last= Wilkinson |date= April 13, 2005 |work= CNN.com |publisher= Cable News Network LP, LLLP. |access-date= December 21, 2008 |archive-date= December 17, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081217040846/http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/04/12/bush.ipod/ |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}
"Girl U Want" by Devo, from the album Freedom of Choice, was allegedly inspired by "My Sharona", although Devo's Gerald Casale has denied this.{{cite web|title= Interview with Gerald Casale of DEVO (6-12-05) |website=Earcandymag.com |url= https://www.earcandymag.com/devo-2005.htm |date=July 2005 |first= DJ | last = Ivan}}
In 2023, Berton Averre calculated to receive between $100,000 and $300,000 annually from his royalties for the song.{{cite web |last1=Crockett |first1=Zachary |title=The Economics of Everyday Things: "My Sharona" |url=https://freakonomics.com/podcast/the-economics-of-everyday-things-my-sharona/ |website=Freakonomics |access-date=February 6, 2023 |language=en |date=February 5, 2023}}
Sotheby's Sharona Alperin & Associates uses the tune on their opening page of their Web site, mysharona.com. [http://www.mysharona.com Sharona Alperin & Associates.]
The song featured in an episode of the 90s TV show Eerie, Indiana; the lyrics were repeated over and over by a (seemingly) crazy homeless person and was a major part of the plot.
Personnel
Taken from the Get The Knack liner notes{{Citation |title=The Knack - Get The Knack |date=1979 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/27626130-The-Knack-Get-The-Knack |access-date=November 26, 2023 |language=en}}
- Doug Fieger – rhythm guitar, lead and backing vocals
- Berton Averre – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Bruce Gary – drums
- Prescott Niles – bass guitar
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
class="wikitable" |
Chart (1994)
!Peak |
---|
Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://i.imgur.com/g0lUHrY.jpg|title=The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 04 Sep 1994|publisher=ARIA|access-date=March 14, 2016}}
| style="text-align:center;"|72 |
US Billboard Hot 100
| style="text-align:center;"|91 |
{{col-2}}
= Year-end charts =
=All-time charts=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
Chart (1958–2018)
! Position |
---|
US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100-60th-anniversary|title=Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 10, 2018}}
| style="text-align:center;"|95 |
{{col-end}}
Sales and certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|title=My Sharona|artist=The Knack|award=Platinum|certyear=1980|relyear=1979|access-date=July 10, 2012}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|title=My Sharona|artist=The Knack|award=Gold|certyear=2019|relyear=1979|access-date=October 7, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|title=My Sharona|artist=Knack|award=Gold|certyear=2022|relyear=2008|id=14943-4666-1|access-date=February 18, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|title=My Sharona|artist=The Knack|award=Gold|certyear=1979|relyear=1979|access-date=July 10, 2012}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
Covers, parodies, and samples
=Royal Blood version=
- The song was covered by British rock duo Royal Blood on the BBC Live Lounge.{{Cite web|last=Childers|first=Chad|date=September 26, 2017|title=Royal Blood Rock 'My Sharona'|url=https://loudwire.com/royal-blood-my-sharona-nikki-sixx-winds-of-plague-more/|access-date=August 18, 2021|website=Loudwire|language=en}}
=Parodies=
- "My Bologna" by "Weird Al" Yankovic – The 1979 song kickstarted Yankovic's career in song parody.{{cite book|title= Rebels Wit Attitude: Subversive Rock Humorists |first= Iain | last = Ellis |page= 205 |year= 2008 |publisher= Counterpoint Press |isbn= 978-1-59376-206-3}} The Knack approved of the parody and even had Yankovic inked to a one-off deal with their label, Capitol Records. A re-recorded version appeared on his eponymous début album.
- "Ayatollah" by Chicago radio personality Steve Dahl – The song covered current events related to the Iranian Revolution of 1979.{{cite web|title= a.m. stir: The many faces of 'My Sharona' |work= Jacksonville.com |url= http://jacksonville.com/lifestyles/2010-02-21/story/am_stir_the_many_faces_of_my_sharona |date= February 12, 2012 |first= Tom | last = Szaroleta}} It reached No. 12 on the weekly Musicradio survey of Chicago superstation WLS on February 9, 1980.http://www.oldiesloon.com/il/wls020980.htm WLS Musicradio Survey, February 9, 1980
- "My Scrotum" by Cheech Marin – The song was featured in the 1980 film Cheech & Chong's Next Movie.
- "Nine Coronas" by John Mammoser – Originally recorded in 1987 with release in 1995, and with two follow-up versions ("10 Coronas" in 1996, and "9 Coronas ('99 version')" in 1999) that were showcased on the Dr. Demento radio programs.{{cite web|title= details for 9 Coronas – John Mammoser |url= http://dmdb.org/cgi-bin/plinfo_view.pl?SYN033301 |work= Dmdb.org |access-date= January 10, 2013 |first = Jeff | last = Morris }}
- "My Menorah" by American Comedy Network – a Flash parody in 2004 with singing candles.{{cite web|url=http://www.wejew.com/media/3190/My_Menorah_Spoof_Animation |title=Israel and Jewish Videos – My Menorah Spoof Animation |publisher=WeJew.com |access-date=January 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325174107/http://www.wejew.com/media/3190/My_Menorah_Spoof_Animation/ |archive-date=March 25, 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://americancomedynetwork.com/animation.html?bit_id=14718|title=ACN: My Menorah|publisher=Americancomedynetwork.com|date=November 13, 2006|access-date=January 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121072630/http://americancomedynetwork.com/animation.html?bit_id=14718|archive-date=November 21, 2010|url-status=dead}}
- In 2020, multiple parodies were performed called "My Corona", referencing the coronavirus outbreak. These included YouTube medical personality Dr. Zubin Damania,{{cite web |last1=Adam |first1=Schrader |title='Weird Al' Yankovic won't make coronavirus parody of 'My Sharona' |url=https://nypost.com/2020/03/03/weird-al-yankovic-wont-make-coronavirus-parody-of-my-sharona/ |website=New York Post |date=March 3, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2020}}{{cite magazine |last1=Kaufman |first1=Gil |title=These 10 Coronavirus Songs Bring Some Levity to the Global Panic |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9330920/coronavirus-parody-songs |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 12, 2020}} and Inbar and Gilor Levi.{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/hebrew-my-corona-spoof-of-the-knacks-classic-proves-catching/|title=Hebrew 'My Corona' spoof of The Knacks classic proves catching|last=Steinberg|first=Jessica|work=The Times of Israel|date=March 10, 2020|access-date=March 24, 2020}}
- The Knack band members Berton Averre and Prescott Niles released a video of their own parody, titled "Bye, Corona!"{{cite news |last1=Curto |first1=Justin |title=The Knack Finally Does the 'My Sharona' Parody You've Been Waiting For |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/03/my-sharona-the-knack-song-bye-corona.html |access-date=April 23, 2020 |publisher=Vulture.com |date=March 26, 2020}}
=Audio samples=
- Run–D.M.C. used an unauthorized audio sample from the song in their 1986 hit "It's Tricky". In 2006, Berton Averre and Doug Fieger filed suit against Apple, Run DMC and others for electronically redistributing the work. The case was settled in 2009.{{cite web |first= Steve |last= Bryant |title= 'My Sharona' Creators Sue Yahoo, Apple, Amazon and Run DMC for Copyright Infringement |date= October 4, 2006 |work= eWeek.com |publisher= QuinStreet Inc. |url= http://googlewatch.eweek.com/content/archive/my_sharona_creators_sue_yahoo_apple_amazon_and_run_dmc_for_copyright_infringement.html |access-date= September 9, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080623074744/http://googlewatch.eweek.com/content/archive/my_sharona_creators_sue_yahoo_apple_amazon_and_run_dmc_for_copyright_infringement.html |archive-date= June 23, 2008 |url-status= dead }}
- British girl group Girls Aloud incorporated parts of the song for the track "No Good Advice".{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8518794.stm |title= Who was My Sharona? |first= Alan |last=Connor |work= News.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC News |date= February 17, 2010 }}
"Let Me Out"
{{Infobox song
| name = Let Me Out
| cover =
| alt =
| caption =
| type = song
| artist = the Knack
| album = Get the Knack
| B-side = "My Sharona"{{Broken anchor|date=2024-10-09|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=#"My Sharona"|reason= }}"
| released = June 11, 1979{{cite web | url=https://www.superseventies.com/1979_1singles.html | title="My Sharona" - the Knack }}
| recorded = April 1979
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = *Power pop
| length = 3:58 (single edit)
4:52 (album version)
| label = Capitol
| writer = * Doug Fieger
| producer = Mike Chapman
}}
{{About||the 2013 Korean film|Let Me Out (film)}}
The B-side of the "My Sharona" single was "Let Me Out". It was written by Fieger and Averre to fill the band's need for a strong opening track for concerts and later for their Get the Knack album.{{cite video|title= Getting the Knack |people= M. McLaughlin, K. Sharp |publisher= Passport Productions |date= 2004}} Averre has stated that the song is "absurdly fast." Drummer Bruce Gary felt that the words of "Let Me Out" helped make the song a perfect opener since the band wanted to "let out", and bassist Prescott Niles noted that, with the song, the band was all of a sudden "out of the box." Gary has also claimed that the song was "me trying to be Buddy Rich in a rock 'n' roll band. It was just full on."
Billboard described "Let Me Out" as "a teen anthem delivered at full throttle" and praised the song's "delightful" harmonies, "slapping" guitars and "perfectly tuned" drumming.{{cite journal|title= Closeup: Get The Knack |first= Dick|last= Nusser |journal= Billboard Magazine |date= July 28, 1979 |pages= 52, 66 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=nCQEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22maybe+tonight%22+knack&pg=PT107 |access-date= July 14, 2011}} Superchunk and The Mountain Goats drummer Jon Wurster commented on the "full force" of Gary's drumming on "Let Me Out."{{cite news|title= Bruce Gary: Controlled Bombast with the Knack |url= http://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2011/09/bruce-gary-controlled-bombast-with-the-knack/#.T6P5jrNSR7t |work= Modern Drummer |date= September 1, 2011}} Ira Robbins and Michael Sandlin of Trouser Press described the song as "tight guitar pop."{{cite magazine|title= The Knack |url= http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=knack |magazine= Trouser Press |author= Ira Robbins & Michael Sandlin |access-date= April 14, 2012}} Author John Borack described the song as "a damn fine pop tune."{{cite book|title= Shake some action: the ultimate power pop guide |first= John M. | last = Borack |pages= 23, 60 |year= 2007 |publisher= Not Lame Recordings |isbn= 978-0-9797714-0-8}} Audio magazine called it a "basher" with "plenty of style."{{cite news|title= Get the Knack: The Knack |newspaper= Audio |page= 104 |publisher= CBS Magazines |year= 1979}} AllMusic critic Mark Deming stated that the live version of "Let Me Out" has "a joyous force nearly any act would envy." Dave Swanson of Ultimate Classic Rock called it "one of the most powerful album openers ever."{{cite web|title=The History of 'My Sharona' – How One Song Doomed the Knack | url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/the-knack-get-the-knack/?trackback=tsmclip|author=Swanson, D.|access-date=March 24, 2015|date=June 11, 2014}} Classic Rock History critic Skip Anderson called it a "smoking track" and rated it as the Knack's 10th best song.{{cite web|title=Top 10 songs from the Knack|publisher=Classic Rock History|author=Anderson, Skip|date=August 14, 2021 |accessdate=January 24, 2023|url=https://www.classicrockhistory.com/top-10-songs-from-the-knack/}}
A 1979 live performance of "Let Me Out" from Carnegie Hall was included on the laser disc of Live at Carnegie Hall.{{cite web|title= Live at Carnegie Hall |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-carnegie-hall-mw0001078348 |work= AllMusic |publisher= Rovi Corporation |access-date= April 14, 2012}} The song was included on their compilation album, Premium Gold Collection.{{cite web|title= Premium Gold Collection |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/premium-gold-collection-mw0000974265 |work= AllMusic |publisher= Rovi Corporation |access-date= April 14, 2012}} A 2012 vinyl EP for Record Store Day includes 1978 live performances of "Let Me Out" and "My Sharona" from Los Angeles and two other songs. The two performances are also included on the live CD of the entire 1978 Los Angeles concert Havin' a Rave-Up.{{cite web|title= Havin' a Rave-Up! Live In Los Angeles, 1978 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/havin-a-rave-up%21-live-in-los-angeles-1978-mw0002355243 |first= Mark |last=Deming |work= Allmusic |publisher= Rovi Corporation |access-date= April 24, 2012}}{{cite web|title= The Knack Takes You Back ... to 1978 |url= http://www.theknack.com/2012/03/10/the-knack-takes-you-back%E2%80%A6-to-1978/ |publisher= The Knack |date = March 10, 2012 | access-date= April 14, 2012}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8518794.stm BBC News: Who was My Sharona?]
- [http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug06/articles/classictracks_0806.htm Classic Tracks: The Knack 'My Sharona']
- [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124397021&sc=fb&cc=fp NPR: The Woman Behind 'My Sharona']
- [http://www.Mysharona.com Sharona Alperin & Associates]
{{Billboard Year-End number one singles 1960–1979}}
{{The Knack}}
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Category:American garage rock songs
Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Capitol Records singles
Category:Cashbox number-one singles
Category:Number-one singles in Australia
Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles
Category:Sabrina Salerno songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Chapman