90s Jams #49: Gin Blossoms "Hey Jealousy" (1992)

The Replacements are probably the second most important reason why this was included here, as their influence on "Hey Jealousy" cannot be underestimated. As great as "The 'Mats" were, this was the one big Top 40 rock single throughout the 90's whose quality matched (and arguably surpassed) its most obvious influence. On the surface, it's definitely a hooky, catchy radio hit which fits nicely for summertime driving. But there's a bit more to the story... Six months after the song was released to radio, its songwriter Doug Hopkins was fired from his band due to alcoholism. He smashed his "Hey Jealousy" gold record, and eventually committed suicide. The magnitude of such a dramatic end often causes listeners to take a look back and view from a different perspective.. There's some serious darkness and desperation in this song, not the least of which is one of the song's final lyrics, "Hey jealousy, she took my heart.." partially driven even further by that particular lyric's vocal inflection. Most of the song's lyrics continue along these low depths: "If I hadn't blown the whole thing years ago," "Anyway I've got no place to go," "You were the best I ever had..." This stuff goes for the gut.

And hey, there's an Allmusic review for this song also: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:dvfixxykldae