Format CD, 7" Genre Post-grunge | Recorded January 1994 | |
Released 14 November 1995 (1995-11-14) Length 4:26
4:18 (U.S. Radio Edit) Label Trauma
Interscope
Atlantic | ||
"Glycerine" is a song by English band Bush. It was released in November 1995 as the fourth single from their debut album, Sixteen Stone.
Contents
Composition
The song is in the key of F major. The chord progression is F5, C5, D5, and B♭5 throughout the whole song with various ornamental embellishments.
"Glycerine" was recorded on 7 November 1995 at River Studios, London. Engineered by Joel Monger.
Music video
The music video for "Glycerine" was notable for being shot in a very short time period when the band was on tour in the United States. The video was shot so quickly because the band's visas had expired. Though simple and unadorned, the video was highly acclaimed and won several awards, including the MTV Video Music Award - Viewer's Choice as well nominated for Best Alternative Video at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards. The music video was directed by Kevin Kerslake and shot in Atlanta, Georgia on 2 October 1995.
Track listing
- "Glycerine"
- "Solomon's Bones"
- "Alien" [LP Version]
Commercial performance
Following the album's third single, "Comedown", "Glycerine" shared equal success. Like "Comedown", it reached number one on the Modern Rock Tracks chart for two weeks, in December 1995. It is also the band's biggest pop hit to date, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 on 24 February 1996. The song won the Viewer's Choice Award at the 1996 MTV Music Video Awards. The song was voted number 5 on the Australian annual music poll Triple J Hottest 100 in 1996.
Live version
Bush performed a new version of "Glycerine" at KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas on December 8, 2012 which featured a surprise appearance from American singer and songwriter, and Gavin Rossdale's then-wife Gwen Stefani. The single was never released on an album, as both Stefani and Bush were not working on any new material.
Chart performance
After its release, the live version received moderate success in the United States. On the Billboard Alternative Digital Singles chart, "Glycerine" peaked at number 16, whereas on the Billboard Rock Digital Singles, it peaked at number 22.