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Walk Idiot Walk

{{Short description|2004 single by the Hives}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Walk Idiot Walk

| cover = WalkIdiotWalk.JPG

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = the Hives

| album = Tyrannosaurus Hives

| B-side = Genepool Convulsions

| released = {{start date|2004|6|14|df=y}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length = 3:31

| label = Polydor

| writer = Randy Fitzsimmons

| producer =

  • The Hives
  • Pelle Gunnerfeldt

| prev_title = Die, All Right! / Supply and Demand

| prev_year = 2002

| next_title = Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones

| next_year = 2004

}}

"Walk Idiot Walk" is the first single released from Swedish band the Hives' third album, Tyrannosaurus Hives (2004). It was written by Randy Fitzsimmons and produced by the Hives with Pelle Gunnerfeldt. Upon its release in June 2004, the song reached number 13 in the United Kingdom, number 15 in Sweden, and number 18 in Norway. It also reached number 19 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. In Australia, the song was ranked number 55 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100_08/history/2004.htm|title=Triple J Hottest 100 2004|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Company|access-date=2 January 2019}}

Music video

The video takes place in a white room with crossword puzzle designs on the wall. Before the music starts, there's a sign with a large "!", the Hives appear. In the middle of the music video, Pelle Almqvist begins to walk on the wall, as he steps on the crossword designs, letters appear soon after, reading "Walk Idiot Walk".

Track listings

European CD single and UK 7-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Walk Idiot Walk|others=The Hives|year=2004|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Polydor Records|id=9867428}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Walk Idiot Walk|others=The Hives|year=2004|type=UK 7-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Polydor Records|id=9867039}}

  1. "Walk Idiot Walk" – 3:30
  2. "Genepool Convulsions" – 2:14

Standard maxi-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Walk Idiot Walk|others=The Hives|year=2004|type=UK & Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Polydor Records|id=9867038}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Walk Idiot Walk|others=The Hives|year=2004|type=Canadian CD single liner notes|publisher=Polydor Records|id=0249867038}}

  1. "Walk Idiot Walk" – 3:30
  2. "Genepool Convulsions" – 2:14
  3. "Keel-Hauling Class of '89" – 2:42
  4. "Walk Idiot Walk" (video) – 3:30

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

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

!scope="col"|Chart (2004)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

{{single chart|Australiapandora|75|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20040807-0000/issue750.pdf|urltitle=Issue 750|rowheader=true|access-date=24 September 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
scope="row"|Canada Rock Top 30 (Radio & Records){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-08-20.pdf|title=R&R Canada Rock Top 30|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1569|page=59|date=20 August 2004|accessdate=7 October 2019}}

|25

{{single chart|Germany|78|artist=The Hives|song=Walk Idiot Walk|songid=42292|rowheader=true|access-date=2 January 2019}}
{{single chart|Ireland3|45|artist=The Hives|rowheader=true|access-date=19 January 2020}}
{{single chart|Norway|18|artist=The Hives|song=Walk Idiot Walk|rowheader=true|access-date=2 January 2019}}
{{single chart|Scotland|13|date=20040717|rowheader=true|access-date=2 January 2019}}
{{single chart|Sweden|15|artist=The Hives|song=Walk Idiot Walk|rowheader=true|access-date=2 January 2019}}
{{single chart|UK|13|date=20040717|rowheader=true|access-date=2 January 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|19|artist=The Hives|rowheader=true|access-date=2 January 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|36|artist=The Hives|rowheader=true|access-date=2 January 2019}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

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

!scope="col"|Chart (2004)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Modern Rock Songs|magazine=Billboard Radio Monitor|volume=12|issue=51|page=29|date=December 17, 2004}}

|80

{{col-end}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

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

scope="row"|United States

|14 June 2004

|{{hlist|Active rock|alternative radio}}

|Interscope

|align="center"|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-06-11.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1559|page=26|date=11 June 2004|access-date=17 June 2021}}

scope="row"|United Kingdom

|5 July 2004

|CD

|Polydor

|align="center"|{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music/the-hives--walk-idiot-walk-1113458|title=The Hives – Walk Idiot Walk (Polydor)|website=Manchester Evening News|date=15 February 2007|access-date=17 June 2021}}{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=23|date=3 July 2004}}

In popular culture

{{Uncited section|date=January 2019}}

It was featured in a season 4 episode, "Jinx", of Smallville. It was used in the season two episode, "My Mother the Fiend" of Veronica Mars. It was used as the theme song for the 2004 WWE Raw Diva Search which later became the theme to former Diva Search winner and TNA Knockout, Christy Hemme. The main riff is similar to that of The Who's "I Can't Explain", and even more similar to Sonic 2's Metropolis Zone. The song also features in Guitar Rock Tour.

References

{{Reflist}}

{{The Hives}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2004 singles

Category:2004 songs

Category:The Hives songs

Category:Interscope Records singles

Category:Polydor Records singles

Category:Theme music