Released 27 April 1998 Recorded 1997 Length 5:31 | Format CD
12"
cassette Genre Trip hop Label Virgin | |
"Teardrop" is a song by Massive Attack that was released as a single on 27 April 1998. It is the second single from their third album, Mezzanine, and features lead vocals and lyrics from Elizabeth Fraser, the lead singer for the dream pop band Cocteau Twins. The song became another UK hit for the group, peaking at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart.
Contents
- Development
- Music video
- Track listing
- Newton Faulkner
- OHooley Tidow
- Elbow
- Jos Gonzlez
- Simple Minds
- The Collective
- Brad Mehldau
- References
The song, especially the instrumental portions at the beginning and the end, has been used in numerous TV programmes and movies. The bass drum beat, reminiscent of a heartbeat, samples the Les McCann song "Sometimes I Cry". From 2004 to 2012, it was used as the opening theme of the US medical television series House, M.D. It is also featured as incident music in a 2001 episode of Coronation Street when Sarah Platt is chased. An instrumental version of the tune is also used in Episode 20 of first season of Prison Break.
Development
"Teardrop" was first developed from a simple harpsichord riff picked out in the studio in April 1997. Vowles sent the demo to Madonna as he wanted her to record the vocals for the song (the band had previously worked with her on their 1995 reworking of the song "I Want You"). The two other band members Robert Del Naja and Grantley Marshall wanted Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins to record the vocals, feeling her ethereal style suited the mournful melody and feel of the piece. Madonna was very keen to record the vocals, and was disappointed when the two-to-one vote went in Fraser's favour.
Fraser wrote the song's lyrics. While recording the song on 29 May 1997, she found out that her once-close friend, Jeff Buckley, had drowned. "That was so weird ... I'd got letters out and I was thinking about him. That song's kind of about him – that's how it feels to me anyway."
The single peaked at number 16 in Australia. It placed number 22 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of All Time in 2009. It reached the top 10 in the UK and is the only Massive Attack track to do so. It was certified Silver by the BPI on 22 July 2013.
Music video
The song's music video featured a plastic fetus in the womb, singing the song. It was directed by Walter Stern.
Track listing
The 12" release contains the same songs but in a different order. The cassette release contains an edited version of the original song, as well as the Scream Team remix and the B-side "Euro Zero Zero", but is missing the remix by Mad Professor.
Newton Faulkner
Newton Faulkner covered the song on his album Hand Built by Robots, which was produced by Mike Spencer. On downloads alone, Faulkner's version reached #60 in the UK Singles Chart in August 2007. It was released as an official single on 10 December 2007, and reached number 57 on the chart the following week. The version of the album available from the Australian iTunes Music Store also incorporates an acoustic version.
O'Hooley & Tidow
O'Hooley & Tidow covered the song on their album The Fragile. The Guardian described their version of "Teardrop" as "an exquisite reworking" and it was voted by Guardian music critic Jude Rogers as one of the best tracks of 2012.
Elbow
The band Elbow covered the song on the bootleg album B-Sides and Remixes in 2006.
José González
José González covered "Teardrop" for his second album In Our Nature. The single was released across Europe on 12 November 2007. The single features the non-album instrumental B-side "Four Forks Ache." This version was also featured in the medical drama House M.D. in the episode "Wilson's Heart".
Simple Minds
The song was also covered by Scottish rock band Simple Minds and is found on their cover album Searching For The Lost Boy (2009).
The Collective
The song was covered by English singer Gary Barlow's assembled group named The Collective and released as the official single for Children in Need 2011. Produced by Labrinth, the performers, consist of: Chipmunk, Dot Rotten, Ed Sheeran, Ms. Dynamite, Mz. Bratt, Tulisa, Rizzle Kicks, Tinchy Stryder and Wretch 32.
The song was released in the United Kingdom on 13 November 2011 and entered the charts at number 24.
Brad Mehldau
The song is covered as a piano version "Teardrop" – Live 14:14 on the album Brad Mehldau's 10 Years Solo Live.