Head On (song)

Background

In the UK, it was released in seven different formats, including four 7" singles. One 7" single was released per week, and one of them included a cardboard box to house the full set.

Although the single only peaked at #57 in the UK, it peaked at #2 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in the US. In Australia, the single peaked at #102 on the ARIA singles chart.

The song has been covered by several other groups, most notably the American alternative rock band Pixies on their fourth studio album, Trompe Le Monde.

Musical style

Denise Sullivan of Allmusic described the song as a "blueprint post-punk in the tradition of Joy Division/New Order." The song relies on a synth bass and a drum machine, latter of which provides a pop-influenced new wave beat. While the song lacks the layers of guitar feedback of the band's previous works, it features a "1950s-style riff," provided by William Reid. The song's style was also compared to the sound of Beach Boys.

Track listing

All tracks written by Jim Reid and William Reid, except where noted.

1. "Head On" - 4:11
2. "In The Black" - 2:59

1. "Head On" - 4:11
2. "Terminal Beach" - 2:25

1. "Head On" - 4:11
2. "Deviant Slice" - 3:00

1. "Head On" - 4:11
2. "I'm Glad I Never" (Lee Hazlewood) - 1:31

1. "Head On" - 4:11
2. "In The Black" - 2:59
3. "Terminal Beach" - 2:25

1. "Head On" - 4:11
2. "In The Black" - 2:59
3. "Drop (Acoustic Remix)" - 1:52
4. "Break Me Down" - 2:29

1. "Head On" - 4:11
2. "In The Black" - 2:59

The Jesus and Mary Chain

Additional personnel

Pixies cover

"Head On" was covered by the American alternative rock band Pixies for their 1991 album Trompe le Monde. The Pixies' version was released as a single in 1991.

Video

By 1991, the Pixies refused to film music videos for their singles. After a long debate with their record company in the United States — Elektra Records — the band relented and agreed to film a video, as long as the song was done completely live. Peter Lubin, the A&R representative of Elektra at the time, later explained the situation:

Lubin then came up with the idea for the video. Twelve cameras would be placed, "dividing" each band member into three blocks. Frontman Black Francis was happy with this idea, so Scott Litt was then hired to produce the video. After the video had been filmed, Elektra invited the "whole decision-making team from MTV" to view it. "Head On"'s video was then added onto MTV's rotation, with the video later receiving the "Breakthrough Video" award.

Pixies' track listing

All songs written by Black Francis, except where noted

1. "Head On" (Single Mix) (Jim Reid and William Reid) – 2:20
2. "Planet of Sound" (Live at Brixton Academy, 26 July 1991) – 2:26
3. "Tame" (Live at Brixton Academy, 26 July 1991) – 2:27
4. "Debaser" (Live in Chicago, 9 August 1989) – 2:41