 | Certifiable #1 SmashKevin Gilbert |
Writer(s): Nick D’Virgilio, Kevin Gilbert, Russ Parrish (see lyrics here) Recorded live: June 1, 1995 Released: February 13, 2000 (album cut on The Shaming of the True) First Charted: -- Peak: 1 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, -- streaming |
Awards:Click on award for more details. 
|
About the Song:Kevin Gilbert died tragically at age 29 in 1996. He left behind great promise as a musician who’d already built an impressive resume which included touring as a keyboardist with Eddie Money, doing session work for the likes of Madonna and Michael Jackson, and co-writing the bulk of the material which comprised Sheryl Crow’s debut album, Tuesday Night Music Club. At his death, he was working on his second solo album – a rock opera called The Shaming of the True. Jon Rubin, who managed Gilbert’s estate after his death, shared the concept: “This is a story of a young man, Johnny Virgil, who is hell bent on success in the music business. The story follows him as he is chewed up and spit out by the very thing he coveted.” BM “Certifiable #1 Smash” is “a wicked look at the way stars will do anything to sell a record and get attention.” EP “Gilbert’s anger and discontent with the music business…is in full bloom here.” SM-S In particular, “the video idea section is quite hilarious,” KF “told from the narrative of a video director selling Johnny Virgil on his ideas.” EP It is “likely one of the most obscene prob songs ever written…Kevin gives instructions on how to write a hit song that include things like ‘sadomasochistic latex sex,’ ‘Tony Harding nude, and…’an OK from the Pope.’” TH He also clearly levels an attack on Madonna, taking jabs at the video for “Like a Prayer.” Musically, “Smash” is a “guitar driven punchy track in the prog meets MTV era guitar rock mould.” KF In addition to the “insanely great guitar work, [there is] “a wonderfully nasty funk section the likes of which hasn’t been heard since Sly and the Family Stone’s ‘I Want to Take You Higher’ at Woodstock.” CW “It’s quite spooky with cool use of Mellotron” KF and, Nick “D’Virgilio’s drumming is spectacular.” SM-S Note – the vocals are from a live performance of “Smash” at the Troubadour because Gilbert didn’t lay down a vocal track in the studio before his death. “You can still hear the crowd in places, but in the end, it just adds more character to the song.” SM-S Resources:
Related Links:
First posted 10/8/2022. |
No comments:
Post a Comment