Sk8er Boi

"Sk8er Boi" (pronounced "skater boy") is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne, released as the second single from her debut album, Let Go (2002). It was written by Lavigne and The Matrix (Scott Spock, Lauren Christy, and Graham Edwards), and produced by The Matrix. The song is a power pop and pop punk track, which lyrically tells a story told from the singer's viewpoint about her rocker boyfriend and a girl he knew in high school who rejected him because he was a skateboarder and she was a snob.

"Sk8er Boi"
Official American CD artwork
Single by Avril Lavigne
from the album Let Go
B-side"Get Over It"
Released27 August 2002 (2002-08-27)
Genre
Length3:24
LabelArista
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)The Matrix
Avril Lavigne singles chronology
"Complicated"
(2002)		 "Sk8er Boi"
(2002)		 "I'm with You"
(2002)
Alternative cover
European CD artwork
Music video
"Sk8er Boi" on YouTube

The song was well-received by critics, with most commending its hook, calling the song "funny" and "clever". It also received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the 2003 edition. Commercially, "Sk8er Boi" was a success, reaching the top-ten in more than ten countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States (becoming Lavigne's second top ten single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart) and sold over 1.8 million copies worldwide. According to Spin, "Sk8er Boi" has the 5th best pop-punk chorus of the 21st century.[3]

The music video for the song, directed by Francis Lawrence, features a concert on a city street with Lavigne singing on the hood of a car with a crowd rocking out around her. It was a success on TRL and was voted one of the best music videos of the decade by BT TV. The song was featured in all of the concerts and tours held by Lavigne, since her first, Try to Shut Me Up Tour (2002-2003) until her latest, the Head Above Water Tour (2019-2020).

Background and release

After being signed to Arista Records in November 2000 upon the authorization of the label's CEO, Antonio "L.A." Reid, Lavigne moved to New York with the assistance of Reid. There, she began working on her debut album, Let Go, collaborating with a host of prime songwriters and producers.[4] While being on the verge of getting dropped off Arista, after an unsuccessful year of writing, Lavigne came to the attention of the three-piece production team The Matrix,[5] who later discovered that she wanted songs with punk rock inclinations.[6] After writing "Complicated" together, L.A. Reid agreed with the musical direction Lavigne and The Matrix were taking, and sent Lavigne back to The Matrix to work with them on more songs.[7]

During the sessions, they wrote 10 songs, with "Sk8er Boi" being one of the six songs on the album's final track list. After the huge success of "Complicated", "Sk8er Boi" was selected as the album's second single, being the more controversial choice, according to L.A. Reid: "Some people just really didn't get that. And with the first video, there was some concern that maybe because it's so young and so playful, it might alienate more serious music lovers."[8]

Composition and lyrics

"Sk8er Boi" was written by Lavigne, while the production team The Matrix (consisting of Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards and Scott Spock) co-wrote, arranged and produced the track.[9] "Sk8er Boi" is a punk rock,[10] pop punk[11] and power pop song[12] about a snobby girl who rejects a skateboarder who has a crush on her despite secretly returning his feelings, letting her friends' prejudices sway her decision-making.[13] Later on, he becomes a superstar musician (even playing guitar on MTV) and has moved on with another woman (who narrates the song) while she ultimately ends up as a young single mother.[14]

Reception

"Sk8er Boi" received critical acclaim for its production. In a review for the album Let Go, Christina Saraceno of Allmusic called "Sk8er Boi" a "terrific power pop bounce", highlighting the song as a "track pick".[2] Brendan Schroer of Sputnikmusic praised the track, writing that Lavigne "brings another injection of infectious vocal work, peppy but not overbearing."[11] Nick Reynolds of BBC Music called it "brilliant", considering the song "a classic high energy pop song with crunchy guitars and a great hook." He also praised its tale, calling it "as slick and clever as an episode of Buffy. It bowls you over with its energy and sticks in your mind."[14] Pat Blashill of Rolling Stone agreed, calling it "seventeen-year-old Lavigne's signature moment," further adding: "Over a rush of nouveau-punk guitar chords, she narrates a funny story line, but none of it would matter if Lavigne didn't have a voice, equal parts baby girl and husky siren, that seems capable of setting off car alarms several city blocks away."[15] Christina Saraceno of Allmusic wrote of Lavigne that in "Sk8er Boi" "she shows her lyrical shortcomings."[2]

Commercial performance

The song followed the success of Lavigne's debut single, "Complicated", which topped many charts worldwide and reached the top-ten in others. In Australia, "Sk8er Boi" debuted at its peak position, number three, and remained a further week there.[16] In New Zealand, the song managed to spend 9 weeks until it reached the peak position, number two, on 8 December 2002.[17] In Brazil, the song managed to reach the top position, becoming her second consecutive number-one single.[18][19]

In the United States, "Sk8er Boi" debuted at number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 issue date 14 September 2002,[20] while on the issue date 2 November 2002, the song peaked at number 10.[21] It became Lavigne's second consecutive top-ten hit.[12] The song also topped Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream airplay chart.[22] As of July 2013, Sk8er Boi had sold 755,000 digital copies in the US.[23] In the United Kingdom, the song was also a success, reaching number eight on the UK Singles Chart on 28 December 2002.[24]

Awards and nominations

"Sk8er Boi" was nominated and won many awards. In the 2003 Grammy Awards edition, Lavigne received 5 nominations, including Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for "Sk8er Boi", but lost it to Sheryl Crow's "Steve McQueen". The song won "Favorite Song" at the 2003 Kids' Choice Awards, "Choice Music Single" at the 2003 Teen Choice Awards and "Best Pop Song" at "Socan Awards.[25]

Key
Indicates non-competitive categories
Award/Publisher Year Category Result Ref.
Grammy Awards 2003 Best Female Rock Vocal Performance Nominated [26]
MTV Video Music Awards 2003 Best Pop Video Nominated [27]
MuchMusic Video Awards 2003 Best International Video By A Canadian Won [28]
People's Choice Favourite Canadian Artist Won
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2003 Favorite Song Won [29]
Radio Disney Music Awards 2003 Best Song to Air Guitar Won [30]
Best Video That Rocks Nominated
SOCAN Awards 2003 Pop/Rock Music Award Won [25]
Spin 2017 The 21 Best Pop-Punk Choruses of the 21st Century 5th place [3]
Teen Choice Awards 2003 Choice Music: Single Won [31]

Retrospective

In a 2011 AOL Radio listener's poll, "Sk8er Boi" was voted Lavigne's fourth best song.[25] Robert Copsey of Digital Spy listed Lavigne's 7 best singles of all time, placing "Sk8er Boi" at number 4, saying: "Lavigne proved she was more than a one-hit wonder with her second single 'Sk8er Boi'. Despite the rebellious spelling of the title it turned out to be another solid effort, telling the tale of a girl who rejects a baggy-clothed boy who eventually goes on to be world-famous."[32] Bill Lamb of About.com placed the song at number 2, writing: "It has been derided in the past as being too naive lyrically. However, with the benefit of hindsight, it seems perfectly pitched to her audience and the point in her career. The power pop hook of the song sticks strongly in your head. Later perky pop excursions still pale next to this one."[33]

Music video
Lavigne, wearing her famous tie, sings on top of a car on the street.

The music video was directed by Francis Lawrence and premiered on 22 August 2002 on TRL.[34] The video shot to number-one on TRL on its second day of the countdown.[35] The video was considered the third 'Best music video of the decade' in the UK by BT Vision,[36] while ET Canada ranked the video at number 2 on her "Top 10 Best Music Videos".[37]

Synopsis

The video centers around an impromptu concert held by Lavigne in a Los Angeles street intersection. It begins by showing multiple people of Lavigne's band promoting the concert in advance via graffiti, flyers, email and posters. Lavigne and her band arrive at the location and begin performing on the roof of their cars; a crowd quickly gathers. Towards the end of the song, police cars and a helicopter arrive to disperse the crowd, while Lavigne uses her guitar to break the car windshield. Lavigne then throws the guitar onto the road and looks up at the helicopter, where a shot was taken for the single's artwork.[38]

The impromptu concert was filmed in the intersection of 7th St & S Spring St in Los Angeles.

Cover versions and appearances in other media

In 2003, Paramount Pictures optioned the song for adaptation into a feature film, hiring writer/producer David Zabel to adapt its words. The film would focus on the two teens from different backgrounds and the social constraints in which they find themselves. [22] However, as of April 2008, the film has apparently been abandoned or is in development hell.[39] Eurodance group Cascada recorded a dance cover of the song for the European and Japanese editions of their 2007 album Perfect Day.[40] The song was featured on the Australian compilation album Hits For Kids 5 (2004).[41]

A cover version of the song by Angela Michael appears in the video game Elite Beat Agents for the Nintendo DS.[42] The song is also included in SingStar Pop, a PlayStation 2 game[43] and another cover version is featured in Rock Revolution by Konami.[44] The song was also used in a montage of funny rollerskates and skateboard clips in an edition of America's Funniest Home Videos. "Sk8er Boi" was featured in the television series Cold Case (Season 3, "The Promise", 2 October 2005).[45] In 2008, HBO included the song in the episode "Get Some" of the miniseries Generation Kill. The song is sung by Cpl. Josh Ray Person as he is urinating in the desert.[46] Filipino rock singer Kean Cipriano covered the song for his performance in the second season of Your Face Sounds Familiar, in which he impersonates Lavigne. Filipino pop singer Justin Alva covered the song for his performance in the third season of Your Face Sounds Familiar, in which he impersonates Lavigne.

Track listing
Australia CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Sk8er Boi"3:23
2."Get Over It"3:27
3."Nobody's Fool" (live in Vancouver for Z95)3:58
United Kingdom and Mexico CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Sk8er Boi"3:23
2."Get Over It"3:27
3."Nobody's Fool" (live in Vancouver for Z95)3:58
4."Sk8er Boi" (music video)3:38
France CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Sk8er Boi"3:23
2."Get Over It"3:27
Australia, United Kingdom and United States CD promo
No.TitleLength
1."Sk8er Boi"3:23
Japan CD promo
No.TitleLength
1."Sk8er Boi" (live from Buffalo)4:10
United States vinyl promo
No.TitleLength
1."Sk8er Boi" (side A)3:23
2."I'm with You" (side B)3:44

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Digital Single
Australia (ARIA)[80] Platinum 70,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[81] Platinum 100,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[82] Platinum 10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[83] Gold 503,000[84]
United States (RIAA)[85] Gold 755,000*
Video Single
United States (RIAA)[86] Platinum 100,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

(*) Note: The Platinum-award in the US are for the songs "I'm with You" and "Sk8er Boi" combined in a video single format.

Release history
Region Date Label Format
United States 27 August 2002 (2002-08-27) Arista Records CD, digital download
Australia 28 October 2002 (2002-10-28) Bertelsmann Music Group, RCA Records
Europe 6 December 2002 (2002-12-06)

References
  1. http://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/heaven-is-a-half-pipe-the-joys-of-skate-punk "French-Canadian singer Avril Lavigne acknowledged the genre 'skatepunk' with her internationally popular hit ‘Sk8er Boi’
  2. Christina Saraceno (4 June 2002). "Let Go - Avril Lavigne | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  3. The 21 Best Pop-Punk Choruses of the 21st Century. "The 21 Best Pop-Punk Choruses of the 21st Century". SPIN. Retrieved 30 April 2017. 5. Avril Lavigne – “Sk8er Boi” The choruses in “Sk8er Boi” are all different, but they all start the same way: “He was a sk8er boi / She said see you later boi,” two lines that won’t stop being funny until animals stop riding skateboards. Which chorus is best? It might be the first one (“He wasn’t good enough for her”), but actually it’s the second, the one where Avril might as well say “plot twist” first: “Now he’s a superstar / Slammin’ on his guitar.” — AG
  4. Pak, SuChin; D'Angelo, Joe. "Avril Lavigne: The Real Deal". MTV. Archived from the original on 12 March 2009. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  5. Corey, Moss (13 May 2003). "Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne Fall into The Matrix". MTV. Archived from the original on 2 May 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  6. Willman, Chris (1 November 2002). "Avril Lavigne The Anti-Britney". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  7. Buskin, Richard (April 2006). "The Matrix: Writing & Producing in LA". SOS. Retrieved 18 March 2009.
  8. Willman, Chris (5 November 2002). "'Boi,' Oh Boy". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
  9. "Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi CD at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  10. "Let Go".
  11. "Review: Avril Lavigne - Let Go". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  12. "Avril Lavigne - Awards - Allmusic". Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  13. "Avril Lavigne | Let Go | Plugged In". Plugged In. Focus on the Family. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  14. Reynolds, Nick (2003). "BBC - Music - Review of Avril Lavigne - Let Go". BBC. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  15. Blashill, Pat (2 July 2002). "Let Go | Album Reviews | Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  16. "Australian-charts.com – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  17. "Charts.nz – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  18. "Brazil Top 20 - Top 40 Charts". Top 40 Charts. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  19. "Hot 100 Brasil - List" (PDF). Hot 100 Brasil. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  20. "Billboard 14 September 2002". Billboard Magazine. 14 September 2002. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  21. "Billboard 2 November 2002". Billboard Magazine. Internet Archive. p. 83. Retrieved 4 May 2014. avril lavigne sk8er boi billboard hot 100.
  22. "Lavigne's 'Sk8ter Boi' Is Big Screen Bound". Billboard.com. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
  23. "Sales updates on Avril Lavigne". Billboard. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  24. "Avril Lavigne - Artist - Official Charts Company". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  25. Cheung, Nadine. "Top 10 Avril Lavigne Songs". AOL Radio. Archived from the original on 18 January 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  26. "List of major Grammy nominees". CNN. A Time Warner Company. 4 December 2003. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  27. "MTV Video Music Awards 2003" (To see the nominations, click on the "winners" parameter). MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  28. "Home » News » Awards » 2003 MuchMusic Video Awards". MetroLyrics. metrolyrics.com. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  29. "ADAM SANDLER, MIKE MYERS, AMANDA BYNES, FRANKIE MUNIZ, JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT, JACKIE CHAN, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, TONY HAWK, MICHELLE KWAN, B2K, LOS ANGELES LAKERS AND MORE SCORE AT NICKELODEON'S 16TH ANNUAL KIDS' CHOICE AWARDS". 12 April 2003. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  30. "Winners in 2003" (PDF). Radio Disney Official Website. 23 August 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  31. "2003 Teen Choice Awards Nominees". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 18 June 2003. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  32. Copsey, Robert (13 April 2013). "Avril Lavigne's 7 best singles of all time". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  33. Lamb, Bill. "Avril Lavigne Songs". About.com. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  34. "A Tale Of Two Avrils On TRL Thursday". Pop Dirt. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  35. Avril Lavigne: Celebrity with Heart. Jeff Burlingame. Internet Archive. p. 38. Retrieved 4 May 2014. avril lavigne sk8er boi music video.
  36. "It's the Best Of The Decade – as voted for by you!". BT Vision. Archived from the original on 9 November 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  37. MacRae, Dan. "Top 10 Avril Lavigne Songs". ET Canada. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  38. "CMJ New Music Report 9 September 2002". CMJ. 9 September 2002. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  39. "Yahoo! Movies". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
  40. "Cascada Perfect Day - UK 13 Tracks: Allmusic". Allmusic. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  41. "Kidz Bop Kids Kidz Bop, Vol. 4: Allmusic". Allmusic. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  42. "Elite Beat Agents (2006 Video Game)". IMDb. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  43. "SingStar - The Dome: PlayStation 2". Amazon.com. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  44. "Amazon.com: Rock Revolution - Xbox 360 (Game)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  45. "Cold Case (TV Series) The Promise (2005)". IMDb. Amazon.com. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  46. "Generation Kill (TV Mini-Series) Get Some (2008)". IMDb. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  47. "Austriancharts.at – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  48. "Ultratop.be – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  49. "Ultratop.be – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  50. "Oficiální Česká Hitparáda - Pro týden 4/2003" (in Czech). IFPI ČR. Archived from the original on 1 February 2003. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  51. "Danishcharts.com – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi". Tracklisten. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  52. "Europe Official Top 100 - Top 40 Charts". Top 40 Charts. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  53. "Lescharts.com – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  54. "Offiziellecharts.de – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  55. "Top 50 Singles Εβδομάδα 29/03 – 04/04" (in Greek). IFPI. Archived from the original on 14 April 2003. Retrieved 29 June 2020. See Best column.
  56. "GFK Chart - Week Ending 2 January 2003". Irish Singles Chart. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  57. "Italiancharts.com – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  58. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Avril Lavigne" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  59. "Dutchcharts.nl – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  60. "Norwegiancharts.com – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi". VG-lista. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  61. "Polish Singles Chart". Archived from the original on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  62. "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 11, saptamina 24.03-30.03, 2003". Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 14 May 2005. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  63. "Official Scottish Singles Chart Top 100 - Official Charts Company".
  64. "Swedishcharts.com – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  65. "Swisscharts.com – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  66. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  67. "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2002". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  68. "Japan Hot 100 Annual 2002". Oricon. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  69. "2002 UK Official Singles Chart" (PDF). Charts Plus. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  70. "Top 100 Songs of 2002 - Billboard Year End Charts". Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  71. "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2003". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  72. "Austrian Annual Charts 2003". AustrianCharts.at. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  73. "Jaaroverzichten 2003". Ultratop. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  74. "Rapports Annuels 2003". Ultratop. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  75. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2003". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  76. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2003" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  77. "Romanian Top 100 – Top of the Year 2003". Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 22 January 2005. Retrieved 22 January 2005.
  78. "Årslista Singlar – År 2003" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  79. "2003 UK Official Singles Chart" (PDF). Charts Plus. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  80. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2002 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020.
  81. "Brazilian single certifications – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
  82. "New Zealand single certifications – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi". Recorded Music NZ.
  83. "British single certifications – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Sk8er Boi in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  84. Myers, Justin (16 July 2019). "Avril Lavigne's Official Top 10 biggest songs of all time". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  85. "American single certifications – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  86. "American video certifications – Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi/I'm With You". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Video Longform, then click SEARCH. 
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.