"Emotion Sickness" is a song by the Australian alternative rock band Silverchair. It was released as the first song on their 1999 album Neon Ballroom. At 6 minutes long, it is the band's third-longest song. Australian pianist David Helfgott makes a guest appearance on the song,[1] along with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.[2] In a 1999 interview with Metal Hammer, Daniel Johns said that "Emotion Sickness" is his favorite Silverchair song.[3]
| "Emotion Sickness" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Silverchair | |
| from the album Neon Ballroom | |
| Released | 8 March 1999 |
| Genre | Alternative rock |
| Length | 6:01 |
| Label | Murmur, Epic |
| Songwriter(s) | Daniel Johns |
| Producer(s) | Nick Launay |
Although the song is not typical of Silverchair's work, "Emotion Sickness" is a fan favorite.[4]
Background
editFor "Emotion Sickness", the band's frontman, Daniel Johns, wanted "a really manic and broken piano part to break up the album".[5] The band's management had the idea to call Australian pianist David Helfgott, who also shared the same lawyer with Silverchair, and the band agreed without hesitation. "Daniel wanted a manic piano part. It suited the song. He wanted it so it wasn't typical - didn't want something that was nice and kinda polished. He wanted something that was manic and off-chords. David Helfgott was the perfect man for the job", bassist Chris Joannou said.[2] The Sydney Symphony Orchestra is also featured in the song.[2]
Daniel Johns said about the song:
It's about fighting against the need to get some kind of medication and trying to pretend that you've got a normal state of mind when you know for a fact that you haven't."[6]
Music video
editThe music video was directed by Cate Anderson, who also directed the video for "Ana's Song".[7] It features Australian actor Dai Paterson.
Reception
editNeva Chonin of Rolling Stone called the song "mopey" and said that when the song's last words are "lessons learned," "it’s hard to suppress a sigh at the overt lyrical reference to Kurt Cobain's 'Dumb'". Chonin also called the orchestration lavish.[8]
Covers
editThe song was covered by the rock band Storm the Sky (also from Australia) on the 2017 Silverchair cover album Spawn (Again).[9][10][11][12]
Personnel
edit- Daniel Johns – vocals, guitar
- Ben Gillies – drums
- Chris Joannou – bass
- Additional personnel
- David Helfgott – piano
- Larry Muhoberac – piano arrangement
- Sydney Symphony Orchestra – strings
References
edit- ^ McFarlane, 'silverchair' entry. Archived from the original on 19 April 2004. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ^ a b c Grant, Eric (April 1999). "The Ballistic Rebirth of Silverchair". Watch Magazine.
- ^ "20 Questions with Silverchair". Metal Hammer. May 1999.
- ^ Songfacts. "Emotion Sickness by Silverchair - Songfacts". www.songfacts.com.
- ^ "Silverchair Interview with K-ROCK New York". April 1999.
- ^ "Silverchair - Press - "Emotion Sickness" - Silverchair's Daniel Johns Delves Deep into his Heart of Darkness and Returns with "Neon Ballroom"". www.chairpage.com.
- ^ "Ana's Song by Silverchair". Song Facts. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ Chonin, Neva (18 March 1999). "[Neon Ballroom review]". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
- ^ Newstead, Al (13 November 2017). "First Spin: The Amity Affliction cover Silverchair's 'Tomorrow'". triple j.
- ^ "Northlane, The Amity Affliction & More Unite For Silverchair Tribute Album". Music Feeds. 12 October 2017.
- ^ "UNFD Presents Spawn (Again): A Tribute To Silverchair Feat. The Amity Affliction, Northlane + More". 12 October 2017. Archived from the original on 20 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ^ "The Amity Affliction, Tonight Alive, more to appear on Silverchair tribute album". Alternative Press. 12 October 2017.
