4 Non Blondes “What’s Up?” charted

What’s Up? 4 Non Blondes

Writer(s): Linda Perry (see lyrics here) Released: March 11, 1993 First Charted: March 13, 1993 Peak: 14 BB, 13 CB, 7 GR, 15 RR, 16 AR, 29 MR, 2 UK, 33 CN, 2 AU, 8 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 0.7 US, 0.6 UK, 2.72 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 1867.00 video, 1038.69 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: 4 Non Blondes formed in San Francisco in 1989. The all-female band was led by the “iron-lunged Linda Perry.” TB The rock band only released one album, 1992’s Bigger, Better, Faster, More! The platinum-seller spawned “What’s Up?” topped the charts in multiple European countries and in went gold and reached the top 20 in the U.S. In 2007, VH1 named it one of the “100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders.” An early version of the song produced by David Tickle featured a different arrangement and lyrics. Perry hated it and complained to the record executives at Interscope, but her protests fell on deaf ears. She booked a recording session on her own and re-recorded her original version. Interscope co-owner Jimmy Iovine backed her and her version became the one on the record. The song “nick[ed] the cord sequence for this song from a million old hits (including Bobby McFerrin’s ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’).” TB AllMusic.com’s Tom Demalon called the song a “neo-hippie anthem.” AM and, indeed, “adding a vocal hook consisting of variations on the word ‘yeah’ ensured that Generation X didn’t have to work too hard to get the message.” TB Billboard’s Larry Flick said, “gymnastic vocals, leaping from a breathy, high range, to gravelly, bar-rock blues in a single passage, front this straightforward, heartfelt rocker.” BB While 4 Non Blondes didn’t release another album, Linda Perry did release a few solo albums. However, she became even better known as a songwriter, penning tunes for Christina Aguilera (“Beautiful”), Cheap Trick, Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion, Ariana Grande, Susanna Hoffs, Alicia Keys, Courtney Love, Pink (“Get the Party Started”), and Gwen Stefani. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015. Resources: AM AllMusic.com album review by Tom Demalon BB Billboard magazine (2/27/1993). “Singles Reviews” by Larry Flick. Page 75. TB Thunder Bay Press (2006). Singles: Six Decades of Hot Hits & Classic Cuts. Outline Press Ltd.: San Diego, CA. Page 259. Related Links: First posted 1/12/2025.