Loser (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Loser" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by Beck | ||
| from the album Mellow Gold | ||
| Released | 1993 | |
| Format | 12", 2 CDs | |
| Recorded | 1992 | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 3:55 | |
| Label | DGC/Bong Load | |
| Producer(s) | Beck, Carl Stephenson, Tom Rothrock | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| Beck singles chronology | ||
| "MTV Makes Me Wanna Smoke Crack (1993) | "Loser" (1993) |
"Pay No Mind (Snoozer)" (1994) |
"Loser" is the name of a song by Beck and Carl Stephenson, taken from his first major album, Mellow Gold. It is widely considered Beck's breakout hit. Upon release, it reached #10 in the U.S. Chart and #15 in the UK, and also occupies position #200 on the List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, which contains no other Beck songs and only four songs from the 1990s ranked higher than that.
Contents |
[edit] The song
One can consider "Loser" to be a fluke hit. Beck has claimed that it was 'a personal joke, [which] wasn't originally intended to be released.' Beck and co-producer and friend, Carl Stephenson, wrote the song while hanging out together eating pizza. While they joked about the song, it was never expected to be a huge success. The song "Loser" is still considerably popular today, and is played at most Beck concerts.
Loser was one of the first songs recorded for Mellow Gold, and was a collaboration between him and Carl Stephenson. Its conception began when producer Tom Rothrock, co-owner of Bong Load Custom Records introduced Beck to fledgling hip-hop producer Stephenson after Beck mentioned his interest in rapping. They were introduced at Stephenson's apartment, and recorded the song that day.
In an early interview, Beck confessed that this song was written on the spur of the moment: after trying, and failing, to rap in the style of Public Enemy's Chuck D, Beck remarked "Man, I’m the worst rapper in the world—I’m just a loser." So I started singing, "I’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me." The rest of the song was largely freestyled around the premise of being an outcast from society. "Loser" was one of the first experiments that Beck made with the fusion of genres; the song combines delta blues, about which he was passionate, and rap.
Beck has stated that he enjoyed producing "Loser", but that he experienced some consternation at the song's being taken out of context. Many music critics and fans alike consider it to be the anthem of the slacker generation, but, interestingly, Beck was working long shifts for $4 per hour when he recorded the song.
The song is built around a sample from a cover of the Dr. John song "I Walk on Gilded Splinters" by Johnny Jenkins from his album Ton-Ton Macoute!. The sample features Allman Brothers Band members Duane Allman on dobro, Jaimoe on timbales and Butch Trucks on drums. The Spanish lyric in the song's chorus, "Soy un perdedor," means "I am a loser".
The video itself was also recognized as the cheapest music video played on MTV, costing less than $200 US.
[edit] Track listings
[edit] UK #1
- "Loser" - 3:55
- "Corvette Bummer" - 4:57
- "Alcohol" - 3:51
- "Soul Suckin' Jerk (Reject)" - 6:10
- "Fume" - 4:29
[edit] UK #2
- "Loser" - 3:55
- "Totally Confused" - 3:29
- "Corvette Bummer" - 4:57
- "MTV Makes Me Wanna Smoke Crack" - 3:40
[edit] 12"
- "Loser" - 3:55
[edit] Samples
- "Loser" (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- "Loser" by Beck
- Problems playing the files? See media help.
[edit] External links
| Beck |
| Discography |
|---|
| Major label albums: Mellow Gold | Odelay | Mutations | Midnite Vultures | Sea Change | Guero | The Information |
| Remix albums: Guerolito |
| Independent releases: Stereopathetic Soulmanure | One Foot in the Grave |
| Unofficial releases: Golden Feelings | A Western Harvest Field by Moonlight Singles: Loser | Pay No Mind (Snoozer) | Beercan | It's All In Your Mind | Where It's At | Devils Haircut The New Pollution | Sissyneck | Jack-Ass | Deadweight | Tropicalia | Cold Brains Nobody's Fault But My Own | Sexx Laws | Mixed Bizness | Nicotine & Gravy | Lost Cause E-Pro | Girl | Hell Yes | Nausea |
| Related articles |
| Nigel Godrich | Dust Brothers | Bendin' in the Wind |
