Santa Monica (song)

"Santa Monica" is a rock song by the band Everclear, from their 1995 album Sparkle and Fade. The song was written by the band's lead singer, Art Alexakis. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the song was placed on the list of post-9/11 inappropriate titles distributed by Clear Channel.

Though not officially released as a single, American radio stations played "Santa Monica" enough for the song to reach #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart in 1996.^[1] The song also spent three weeks atop the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart,^[1] and reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. Alvin and the Chipmunks covered the song for their 2007 video game Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Background and content

When Alexakis was a teenager, his girlfriend committed suicide; shortly thereafter, Alexakis attempted the same by jumping off the Santa Monica Pier in southern California.^[2] One theory as to the meaning of this song is that Alexakis was drawing on this experience from earlier in his life.

Tracklisting

CD single

1. "Santa Monica" (album version)
2. "Heroin Girl" (acoustic)
3. "Don't Change" (INXS cover)
4. "Sin City" (AC/DC cover)

Watch the World Die CD Part 1

1. "Santa Monica"
2. "Heroin Girl" (KDGE version)
3. "Summerland" (KDGE version)
4. "Sin City" (AC/DC cover)

Watch the World Die CDS Part 2

1. "Santa Monica"
2. "Strawberry" (KDGE version)
3. "Fire Maple Song" (KDGE version)
4. "American Girl" (Tom Petty cover, KDGE version)

References