Metropolis (The Church song)

"Metropolis" is a song by Australian alternative rock band The Church. It was released as the lead single on their 1990 album, Gold Afternoon Fix, and the songwriting credits were given to all four members of the band. The song topped the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and reached number 19 in Australia. A music video directed by David Hogan and produced by Chris O'Brien was made for the song.[2]

"Metropolis"
Single by The Church
from the album Gold Afternoon Fix
B-side
  • "Much Too Much"
  • "Monday Morning"
Released26 February 1990 (1990-02-26)[1]
GenreAlternative rock
Length4:47
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
The Church singles chronology
"Destination"
(1988)		 "Metropolis"
(1990)		 "Russian Autumn Heart"
(1990)

Background and composition

Marty Willson-Piper, Peter Koppes, Richard Ploog, and Steve Kilbey were all credited with writing the song. The lead guitar produced a quickly falling then softly ascending melody, with slight commercial influence. A complicated web of guitar overdubs appears later in the song, and a soft, mandolin-sounding melody was added as an additional hook.[3]

Release and reception

"Metropolis" peaked at number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 11 on the Album Rock Tracks chart in 1990.[4][5] In addition, it peaked at number 19 in Australia and number 41 in New Zealand.[6][7] The song was well received by critics upon its release. Ned Raggett of Allmusic praised "the almost desperate edge in Steve Kilbey's vocals" as a testament to the song's quality. Raggett added that the Church's "ear for a triumphant yet somehow downbeat ending [makes] this an underrated gem in the band's body of work."[3]

Track listings

Personnel

Credits are lifted from the Australian 7-inch single liner notes.[8]

Charts
Chart (1990) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[6] 19
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[7] 41
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[4] 1
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[5] 11

Acoustic versions

The band performed the song, as well as "Under the Milky Way", for MTV Unplugged on 30 January 1990 at the National Video Center in New York City. The episode aired 18 March 1990.[13] An acoustic version was included on the 2004 album El Momento Descuidado.

References
  1. Christman, Ed (3 March 1990). "CD-5 Picks Up Steam as Labels Boost Commitment" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 102 no. 8. p. 84. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  2. "Video Track" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 102 no. 8. 24 February 1990. p. 48. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  3. Raggett, Ned. "Metropolis Review". AllMusic. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  4. "The Church Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  5. "The Church Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  6. "Australian-charts.com – The Church – Metropolis". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  7. "Charts.nz – The Church – Metropolis". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  8. Metropolis (Australian 7-inch single sleeve). The Church. Mushroom Records. 1990. K 1070.CS1 maint: others (link)
  9. Metropolis (US 7-inch single sleeve). The Church. Arista Records. 1990. AS 2027.CS1 maint: others (link)
  10. Metropolis (Australian maxi-single liner notes). The Church. Mushroom Records. 1990. D1070.CS1 maint: others (link)
  11. Metropolis (UK 7-inch single sleeve). The Church. Arista Records. 1990. 113 086.CS1 maint: others (link)
  12. Metropolis (UK & European maxi-single liner notes). The Church. Arista Records. 1990. 663 086.CS1 maint: others (link)
  13. "Sinead O'Connor with The Church". tv.com. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
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