Feel Good Inc.

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"Feel Good Inc."
"Feel Good Inc." cover
UK (CD, DVD), Japanese, European, Mexican and Australian cover
Single by Gorillaz (featuring De La Soul)
from the album Demon Days
B-side(s) "Spitting Out the Demons", "Bill Murray"
Released May 9, 2005
Format gramophone record
Genre Alternative
Length mm:ss
Label 3:41
Writer(s) Gorillaz, D. Jolicoeur
Producer(s) Gorillaz, Danger Mouse
Chart positions
Gorillaz singles chronology
"Lil' Dub Chefin'"
(2002)		 "Feel Good Inc."
(2005)		 "DARE"
(2005)
De La Soul singles chronology
"Rock Co.Kane Flow"
(2004)		 "Feel Good Inc."
(2005)


Alternate covers
UK (7" picture disc)
UK (7" picture disc)
US (iTunes)
US (iTunes)

"Feel Good Inc." is a song by Gorillaz, featuring De La Soul and is featured on the album Demon Days. The song was released as the lead single from that album on May 9, 2005 in the United Kingdom (see 2005 in British music). At the same time it was also released in various other countries, excluding the United States where it was a radio-only single. "Feel Good Inc." peaked at #2 in the UK Singles Chart and #14 in the U.S., at the time the band's highest positions. It is arguably the single which thrust the British virtual band onto the American pop music scene, achieving what "Clint Eastwood" couldn't four years prior.

Contents

[edit] Track listings

[edit] Japanese version

  1. "Feel Good Inc." (Single Version)
  2. "Spitting Out the Demons"
  3. "Bill Murray"
  4. "Murdoc Is God"
    • This track was released in the UK on the "Dirty Harry" single in November 2005.
  5. "Feel Good Inc." (video)

[edit] British versions

  1. "Feel Good Inc."
  2. "68 State"
  • CD CDR6663
  1. "Feel Good Inc."
  2. "Spitting Out the Demons"
  • DVD DVDR6663
  1. "Feel Good Inc." (video)
  2. "Spitting Out the Demons"
  3. "Bill Murray"

[edit] European and Australian versions

  • EU Cardsleeve CD / Australian & Mexican 2-track CD 8695452
  1. "Feel Good Inc."
  2. "Spitting Out the Demons"
  • EU Maxi-CD
  1. "Feel Good Inc."
  2. "Spitting Out the Demons"
  3. "Bill Murray"
  4. "Feel Good Inc." (video)

[edit] US iTunes EP

  1. "Feel Good Inc." (animatic)
  2. "Feel Good Inc." (Live in Harlem - video)
  3. "Feel Good Inc." (Noodle's demo)
    • A completely new and unreleased track, the first completely unreleased and new song to be released on the U.S. iTunes EP singles.
  4. "68 State"

[edit] Music video

The surreal music video for the song features 2D, Russel and a shirtless Murdoc playing the song while trapped in a towering brothel (labeled "Feel Good Inc." on a large poster; all Gorillaz music videos feature the name of the song in the beginning), which looms over a run-down dystopian landscape. Noodle, playing an acoustic guitar, flies outside on the small floating island which is apparently kept aloft by a windmill.

2-D and De La Soul in the "Feel Good Inc." music video
2-D and De La Soul in the "Feel Good Inc." music video

Two of the main themes of the video are mental freedom and the “dumbing down” of mass culture by the media. [1] There are also the themes of escape versus imprisonment and the personal power to choose between the two and being trapped by the things you make. [2] The themes in the single, like those of the entire album, are based on Albarn's observations on the state of the world[1].

2-D is depicted surrounded by many sinful distractions, but as he gazes out the dusty, barred windows, all he appears to want is to be free and join Noodle on her floating island. The tower represents the mental prison that the people are in. Those lying on the floor represent those who have already been “dumbed down," while 2-D, Murdoc, and Russel are the ones who have awakened. 2-D is trying to wake all the people from their half-dead state by yelling at them through his megaphone, like an activist.

“ I think Gorillaz built a tower around themselves that they couldn't get out of; of excess and debauchery. The video is based on this feeling. For a while it was great to be on the inside, but the party got out of hand. It's become like the 'Last days of Pompeii'...a...er...Sodding Gomorrah [ Sodom and Gomorrah ]. The Feel Good Tower represents this. The palace we built has become a prison. In the video I'm just waking up from this year-long hedonist's dream, and I realise that maybe...the fruits of success have turned sour.
—2D on the Feel Good Inc. video [3]		 ”

According to Noodle, in the band's audio commentary of the video in the Demon Days Limited Edition Album DVD, the island represents mental freedom and escape. She also commented that the floating island was "inspired by a lot of Japanese animation with the colors, the textures, and the tones". (Jamie Hewlett admitted in an interview that the inspiration for scenes from the video came from Hayao Miyazaki; specifically, the windmill-powered landmass, which has been compared to that of Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky.) The island represents a place in a person's mind where one could go to if it were not for the fear instilled into them by the constant and unrelenting bleakness of events in the world. [4] In addition, it also represents a note of optimism and a memory of a simpler time, as if it were an image of an older and more innocent world;[5] In fact, according to the commentary, they wanted to "make the island seem as if it sprung from the mind of a child." The floating island is chased by ominous helicopters as it drifts through the clouds. The helicopters chasing after the floating island are monitoring the behavior inside and ensuring that no one escapes.[6] It is unclear whether they are preventing Noodle's escape or are chasing her away.[7]

Noodle playing guitar next to a windmill in the music video
Noodle playing guitar next to a windmill in the music video

Back in the tower, De La Soul appear as ghastly, larger-than life, seemingly omnipotent images on surrounding television screens, laughing at the lonesome 2-D, the content Murdoc, and the seemingly ambivalent Russel. Through their singing, they taunt 2-D about how he is not strong enough to fight them; that his attempts to wake everyone up and to escape the prison are futile; that he should not resist them; and that they are the ones in control ("With your sound you're in the blink/ Going to bite the dust/ Can't fight with us/ With your sound you kill the inc/ So don't stop get it, get it/ Until your Cheddar's heavy/ And watch the way I navigate"). They represent both the voices of the “corporation” — the media, which can brainwash people into believing certain things and convince people to follow the mainstream — and the “false icons” of the media, a reference to how some people seem to idolize and over-emphasize celebrities. This can be seen most especially in the fact that they claim 'Your sound' (individualistic thoughts) will 'Kill the Inc' (destroying the tower).

“ Many people in life seem drawn to the more insane figures, who throw their weight around, seemingly oblivious to the effect that they have on people's feelings. Maybe they see this attribute as a sign of strength. However, I believe it's a downward spiral in which everyone gradually has their soul eroded.
—Noodle on the Feel Good Inc. video [8]		 ”

This is part of the band's Reject False Icons campaign [2].

At the end of the video, 2-D appears emotionally beaten by his surroundings, and returns to the state he was in when the video began, repeating "Feel Good" until the video finally ends (in an exact reversal of the intro, apart from the movement of 2-D's mouth). The repetition of "Feel Good" represents that 2-D is convincing himself that everything is OK (as if he is brainwashing himself to believe it), instead of facing the harsh truth of the situation. [9]

The music video for the Gorillaz song El Mañana bears a connection to this video, depicting two helicopter gunships catching up to Noodle's floating windmill island and attacking it, although nothing is seen of the tower nor the other three band members. The impression is that Noodle's island is under observation while orbiting the floating brothel in Feel Good Inc. and then attacked when it breaks free in El Mañana.

This video was something of a departure from those previously done by Gorillaz. The coloring was rather dark and layered, as opposed to flat and minimally-shaded as it had been in earlier videos. Moreover, the integration of computer-generated imagery and two-dimensional animation was much more seamless than it had been previously. Sweeping "camera movements" and usage of the multiplane effect were also featured. The video was produced by Passion Pictures, responsible for most past Gorillaz videos and GorillaBitez. In commentary for the video, Russel admits that '...they must be real good, cos I can't tell which bits are animation and which bits are real.'

[edit] Trivia

  • In April 2005, the song was released in a very limited run of 300 copies on 7", the same week that UK Singles Chart regulations were changed to include download sales only if a physical equivalent is also available. Thus "Feel Good Inc." charted at #22 weeks before the CD single went on sale, as it had been available for download from as early as March. This sparked some controversy over the "flaws" of the new chart.
  • "Feel Good Inc." was also featured in the iPod commercial, Rollerskating; and is also used as an example song title along with the artist and album on simulated iPod interfaces.
  • In the first episode of House's third season titled "Meaning" the song is heard as the title character jogs.
  • The song was performed as a Medley with Madonna's "Hung Up", as the opening number for the 2006 Grammy awards. The band appeared as computer-generated images projected onto translucent films to give the illusion of the fictional band members performing on stage, while De La Soul and Madonna appeared live.
  • The beginning of the video has a sound clip from the Gorillaz dub CD Laika Come Home from the track, "A Fistful Of Peanuts", a reworking of the song "Clint Eastwood."
  • A single edit instrumental version was made for the song and the Gorillaz website claims it was exclusively for Napster. However, you can buy it on the Gorillaz website, as well as in the iTunes Music Store and the 3 music store for mobiles in Australia. An instrumental version also exists on a rare 13 track Demon Days instrumental album issued in the UK by EMI Music Publishing.
  • The song was also used in the movie Stormbreaker.
  • Ray Davies of The Kinks, a heavy influence on Gorillaz creator Damon Albarn since his Blur days, is somewhat bitter about the song. The first couple of lines of the chorus, musically at least, sound more than a little bit similar to the verse of Davies' "Sunny Afternoon" hit from the 60s. "I get fed up of these 'affectionate nods' " he told Word magazine "I'd rather they just paid up"[citation needed]
  • This song has been covered by the British indie band Editors, as a slower acoustic version. Instead of including the verses rapped by De La Soul, the lines "I'm so glad I found this/I'm so glad I did" are sung. These are also the opening lines to their song, "Munich".
  • The song has also been covered by English band Los Skeletos (a tribute band for English alternative band Reuben, with the same members). It is available for download on their Myspace page.
  • The song is featured in Weird Al Yankovic's polka medley titled "Polkarama" on Al's new album, Straight Outta Lynwood.
  • Strangely, the photo of an iPod playing "Feel Good Inc." that is used on many iPod products shows that "Feel Good Inc." is 5:01 long when "Feel Good Inc." is actually 3:41 long. This may suggest that a demo version of "Feel Good Inc." was 5:01 long. The 5:01 version was thought to maybe be Feel Good Inc (Noodle's Demo) on the iTunes Feel Good Inc. EP, but Noodle's Demo is 2:56 and definitely not the mystery track.
  • A brief section of the music video can be found in the introduction to the show VSpot Top 20 Countdown. You can see the part of the video where Noodle is playing her acoustic guitar on the floating island. However, the song itself does not play.
  • When 2-D is using the megaphone to sing in the beginning of the video a duck head can be seen on the inside of the megaphone. This mystery symbol is seen in nearly every Gorillaz video.
“ What's with the 'duck head' symbol in every video? It's in this one, inside your megaphone when you're singing.

Dunno. Damn, it's just a sticker that I like.
— Murdoc Niccals and 2D in Rise of the Ogre on the Feel Good Inc. video [10]

 ”
  • In the second repetition of the chorus in the music video, Noodle mouths 2-D's words, suggesting that she knows very well what is going on inside, or can at least hear 2-D.

[edit] Awards and nominations

[edit] Awards

[edit] Nominations


[edit] References

  1. ^ Gorillaz-Unofficial album webpage. Retrieved on November 5, 2006.
  2. ^ Browne, Cass. "Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre", Riverhead Books Inc., 2006, p. 213.
  3. ^ Browne, Cass. "Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre", Riverhead Books Inc., 2006, p. 214.
  4. ^ Browne, Cass. "Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre", Riverhead Books Inc., 2006, p. 276.
  5. ^ Browne, Cass. "Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre", Riverhead Books Inc., 2006, p. 195.
  6. ^ Browne, Cass. "Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre", Riverhead Books Inc., 2006, p. 215.
  7. ^ Browne, Cass. "Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre", Riverhead Books Inc., 2006, p. 212.
  8. ^ Browne, Cass. "Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre", Riverhead Books Inc., 2006, p. 217.
  9. ^ Browne, Cass. "Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre", Riverhead Books Inc., 2006, p. 216.
  10. ^ Browne, Cass. "Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre", Riverhead Books Inc., 2006, p. 214-215.

[edit] External links

Preceded by
"Best of You" by Foo Fighters		 Billboard Modern Rock Tracks number-one single
August 27, 2005		 Succeeded by
"Only" by Nine Inch Nails
Gorillaz
2D | Murdoc Niccals | Noodle | Russel Hobbs
Gorillaz discography
Albums and EPs: Tomorrow Comes Today | Gorillaz | G-Sides | Laika Come Home | Demon Days
DVDs: Phase One: Celebrity Take Down | Demon Days Live | Phase Two: Slowboat to Hades
Singles: "Clint Eastwood" | "19-2000" | "Rock the House" | "911" | "Tomorrow Comes Today" | "Lil' Dub Chefin'" | "Feel Good Inc." | "DARE" | "Dirty Harry" | "Kids With Guns" / "El Mañana"
Related articles
Britpop | Blur | The Good, the Bad and the Queen | Damon Albarn | Jamie Hewlett | Dan the Automator | Danger Mouse | Del tha Funkee Homosapien | Nelson De Freitas | Phil Cornwell | Haruka Kuroda | Remi Kabaka | Zombie Flesh Eaters | Passion Pictures | Gorillaz movie | Rise of the Ogre
This box: view • talk • edit
De La Soul
Posdnuos | Dave | Maseo
Studio albums
3 Feet High and Rising (1989) | De La Soul Is Dead (1991) | Buhloone Mindstate (1993) | Clear Lake Audiotorium (EP) (1994) | Stakes Is High (1996) | Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump (2000) | AOI: Bionix (2001) | Live at Tramps, NYC, 1996 (2004) | The Grind Date (2004) | The Impossible: Mission TV Series - Pt. 1 (2006) 
Singles
Potholes in My Lawn| Plug Tunin'| Buddy| Eye Know| Me Myself And I| Say No Go| The Magic Number| Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)| A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays"| Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa / Keepin' The Faith| Breakadawn| Ego Trippin' (Part Two)| Fallin'| Stakes Is High| Itzsoweezee (HOT)| 4 More| Oooh.| All Good?| Thru Ya City| Baby Phat| Shoomp| Shopping Bags (She Got From You)| Rock Co.Kane Flow|Feel Good Inc.
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Native Tongues | Prince Paul | Spitkicker
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