More Than Words
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| "More than Words" | ||
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| Song by Extreme | ||
| from the album Extreme II: Pornograffiti | ||
| Released | August 7, 1990 | |
| Recorded | Early 1990 | |
| Length | 5:33 | |
| Label | A&M Records | |
| Producer(s) | Michael Wagener | |
"More Than Words" is a song originally performed by the rock band Extreme. A song built around intricate acoustic guitar work by Nuno Bettencourt and the vocals of Gary Cherone (with harmony vocals from Bettencourt), it was released in 1990 on the album Extreme II: Pornograffiti. The song was a departure from the funk metal that had permeated the band's style previous to its release. On March 23, 1991, "More Than Words" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 81 and soon after reached the number one. Though they had made a few European charts before, this brought the band to their first mainstream success in the United States. Extreme followed "More Than Words" with another power ballad, "Hole-Hearted," which was slightly faster paced than "More Than Words," but nevertheless topped at number 4 in the United States.
Even years after its release, "More Than Words" has retained popularity as a romantic ballad. Cover versions of "More Than Words" include:
- BBMak in 1999-2000, on their first debut album, released in Asia in 1999, and as a b-side in 1999 from United Kingdom 'Back here' single.
- Westlife in 1999, on their first album, Westlife
- Walters & Kazha in 2005, as a live performance
- Frankie J in 2005, as a single
The song itself asks the person to whom it is addressed to show love through "more than words." Given its context as a song on Pornograffitti, a concept album about a decadent and corrupt society, it could be interpreted as a cynical plea for sex, though most listeners interpret it as being about emotional intimacy.
The video for "More Than Words" was parodied by Weird Al Yankovic for his original song, "You Don't Love Me Anymore." Also Amateur Transplants wrote a comedic song to the same tune as "More Than Words" entitled "Northern Birds" which may be found on their 2006 album "We Are So Bad"
| Preceded by "I Don't Wanna Cry" by Mariah Carey |
Billboard Hot 100 number one single June 8, 1991 |
Succeeded by "Rush Rush" by Paula Abdul |
