| "Obvious Song" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| SinglebyJoe Jackson | ||||
| from the album Laughter & Lust | ||||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Genre | Rock[1] | |||
| Length | 3:40 | |||
| Label | Virgin | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Joe Jackson | |||
| Producer(s) | Joe Jackson Ed Roynesdal | |||
| Joe Jackson singles chronology | ||||
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"Obvious Song" is a song by British singer-songwriter and musician Joe Jackson, which was released in 1991 as the second single from his ninth studio album Laughter & Lust. The song was written by Jackson, and produced by Jackson and Ed Roynesdal.[2] The song's music video was directed by Marcus Nispel and produced by Marc Rosenberg.[3]
As Jackson's US debut single for Virgin, "Obvious Song" was selected by the label as a track they believed would generate play on album, alternative and college radio. Diana Fried, product manager for Virgin, told Billboard of the label's decision to release it: "They felt Joe had had a long, illustrious career, but without a whole lot of radio successes in his recent past. To come out with a more pop single right off the bat might not be the best way to let the fans know he's got a new album out, and also might limit where we go with it."[4] The song reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and No. 28 on Billboard Album Rock Tracks charts.[5][6]
On its release, Billboard described the song as "rebellious social commentary that gains credibility from the singer's distinctive phrasing." They added: "A ringing '60s style guitar arrangement combined with horns and piano lines make this rhythmically dynamic tune a must for modern and album rock formats."[7] In a review of Laughter & Lust, John Everson of the Southtown Star wrote: "Kicking off with the wryly labeled "Obvious Song," Jackson spits out observations that are obvious, but seldom acted on."[8]
Mark Lepage of The Gazette wrote: "When Laughter & Lust works, it is as brisk, invigorating, tuneful and concise as "Obvious Song"."[9] Roger Catlin of the Hartford Courant commented: "The punchy "Obvious Song" and "It's All Too Much" are worthy rockers with pithy jabs."[10] Parry Gettelman of the Orlando Sentinel considered the song to "perform the difficult task of combining social commentary and pop craftsmanship without sounding preachy or pretentious".[11]
Elysa Gardner of Rolling Stone described the song as a "straight-ahead rocker" which "takes aim at an American rock star who drives around in a gasguzzling limo while preaching to a foreigner who makes his living by cutting down trees".[12] People was more critical of the song, describing it as "preachy", with Jackson "com[ing] across as a swollen, whiny Billy Joel".[13]
Production
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian (RPM) 100 Singles Chart[14] | 68 |
| USBillboard Album Rock Tracks[6] | 28 |
| USBillboard Modern Rock Tracks[5] | 4 |
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