6th Avenue Heartache

"6th Avenue Heartache" is a song by the band The Wallflowers, and was the first single from their 1996 album Bringing Down the Horse. The single was released in summer 1996, and became their first hit, peaking at #8 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, #10 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and #33 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart. Though the song was a hit on rock radio, it was overshadowed by its follow-up single, "One Headlight."

Jakob Dylan, the band's lead singer, wrote the song when he was eighteen years old, and considered it the first real song he had written. It was meant to go on their self-titled first album, but the record company would not allow it. The lyrics are based on Dylan's own experiences while living in New York, in particular the story of a homeless man who would sit outside his window and play the same songs every day. One day the man was gone, but his things were still there, until gradually people started taking them.

Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers played the slide guitar on the song, though he recorded the track in his own studio, and never even met the band members. Adam Duritz from Counting Crows contributed backing vocals. The video, shot in New York, was directed by movie director David Fincher, known for such films as Se7en and Fight Club.

Track listing

1. "6th Avenue Heartache" (Edit) - 4:22
2. "Used to Be Lucky" - 6:35
3. "Angel on My Bike" - 4:22
4. "6th Avenue Heartache" (LP Version) - 5:37

Charts

External links

• Information on Songfacts