Hey Jealousy

"Hey Jealousy" is a song by the American rock band the Gin Blossoms. The song was included in the group's debut album Dusted (1989), and then was re-recorded on their breakthrough 1992 album New Miserable Experience. It was written by lead guitarist Doug Hopkins, who was fired from the band shortly after the recording of the second album. It became their first top-forty single on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1993, reaching number 25, and it also peaked at number 20 in Iceland, number 24 in the United Kingdom, number 28 in Australia and number 39 in Canada.

"Hey Jealousy"
Song by Gin Blossoms
from the album Dusted
ReleasedMay 13, 1989 (1989-05-13) (album)
RecordedMay 1989
StudioWhipping Post (Tucson, Arizona)
GenreRock
Length3:30
LabelSan Jacinto
Songwriter(s)Doug Hopkins
Producer(s)Rich Hopkins
"Hey Jealousy"
Single by Gin Blossoms
from the album New Miserable Experience
B-side
  • "Cajun Song"
  • "Just South of Nowhere"
  • "Angels Tonight"
ReleasedJune 1993 (1993-06)
Recorded1992
Genre
Length3:56
Label
Songwriter(s)Doug Hopkins
Producer(s)
  • Gin Blossoms
  • John Hampton
Gin Blossoms singles chronology
"Mrs. Rita"
(1993)		 "Hey Jealousy"
(1993)		 "Until I Fall Away"
(1993)
Audio sample
The chiming guitars and dour lyrics of "Hey Jealousy" are emblematic of Doug Hopkins' songwriting
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Lyrical content

As one critic notes, the lyrics of the song reflect Hopkins' "constantly self-medicating in the face of depression." However, even though the lyrics' "hopefulness shriveled into empty promise," the performance of the song "is emotionally detached from Hopkins' afflictions" and presents a "sunny soundtrack" for his depression.[2]

The lyrics originally contained the line "you can trust me not to drink", referring to Hopkins' addiction, but this was changed by the band.[3]

Critical reception

Initially largely unnoticed due to its placement on the unsuccessful Dusted, "Hey Jealousy" enjoyed success upon the release of New Miserable Experience. A review by Rolling Stone called the song "manna for radio", highlighting "the ease with which this quintet casts hooks".[4] Allmusic staff writer Rick Anderson stated that "'Hey Jealousy' and 'Until I Fall Away' are the two songs that leave the deepest impression".[5]

Track listing
  1. "Hey Jealousy" (Doug Hopkins) – 3:56
  2. "Cajun Song" (Jesse Valenzuela) – 2:56
  3. "Just South of Nowhere" (Valenzuela) – 3:26
  4. "Angels Tonight" (Hopkins) – 3:34

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (1993–1994) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[6] 28
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7] 39
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[8] 66
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[9] 20
Scotland (OCC)[10] 40
UK Singles (OCC)[11] 24
US Billboard Hot 100[12] 25
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[13] 4
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[14] 20

Year-end charts
Chart (1993) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 95

Cover versions

The Ergs! recorded a cover of the song for their 2007 split 7" with Lemuria. It was later included on the compilation "Hindsight is 20/20, My Friend."

Bowling for Soup recorded a cover of "Hey Jealousy" on their 2016 album Drunk Dynasty.

Australian band Kisschasy recorded a cover of "Hey Jealousy" as a B-Side to their 2005 single Do-Do's & Whoa-Oh's.

Hit the Lights recorded a cover of "Hey Jealousy" on the album Punk Goes 90's.

References
  1. Wood, James (January 8, 2013). "Interview: Gin Blossoms' Jesse Valenzuela Discusses the Band's Plans for 2013". Guitar World. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  2. Wasoba, Ryan (October 13, 2009). "Gin Blossoms "Hey Jealousy"". Crawdaddy!. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
  3. Geffen, Sasha (April 28, 2016). "13 Sunny '90s Hits with Surprisingly Dark Backstories". MTV.
  4. "Gin Blossoms: New Miserable Experience". Rolling Stone. July 17, 1997. Archived from the original on December 30, 2007. Retrieved April 16, 2010.
  5. Anderson, Rick. "allmusic ((( New Miserable Experience - Review )))". Allmusic. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
  6. "Australian-charts.com – Gin Blossoms – Hey Jealousy". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  7. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2277." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  8. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 9. February 26, 1994. p. 14. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  9. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (11.–17. nóv.)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). November 11, 1993. p. 20. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  10. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  11. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  12. "Gin Blossoms Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  13. "Gin Blossoms Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  14. "Gin Blossoms Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  15. "Billboard Top 100 – 1993". Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
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