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Nada Surf – Popular (3:47)

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About This Track

Popular is Nada Surf’s first radio single, released in June 1996. Each of the verses in Popular presents, in spoken word format, sarcastic advice to teens. Initially offered in a calm, deadpan voice, the lyrics gradually build Kinison-style in teen angst and rage.

The song reached number 11 on the U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and propelled the album to number 63 on the Billboard 200. Popular was also a big hit in France, reaching the Top 10 with a total chart run of 15 consecutive weeks in the French Top 50. It was also used in France in a TV commercial for the radio station Fun Radio, which was then the most influential radio station among teenagers.

The whole song, except for the chorus, is made of parts of a book, Penny’s Guide to Teen-Age Charm and Popularity (Gloria Winters, 1964, Prentice Hall), whose advice are taken sarcastically by Matthew Caws. Those parts are spoken, and not sung.

A rerecorded version from 2007 appears on the band’s MySpace.

Video and controversy

The video for this song, directed by Jesse Peretz, was shot at the Bayonne High School, with administration approval, and showed football players and cheerleaders, wearing the uniforms of the school, as well as the three members of the band, Matthew as a teacher, Daniel as a security guard, and Ira as the football coach.
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Albums featuring this track

  • High/Low
    Nada Surf Play
    Buy
  • Rhino Hi-Five: Nada Surf
    Nada Surf
    Buy
  • Live
    Nada Surf Play
    Buy
  • Live in Brussels
    Nada Surf Play
    Buy
See all 17 albums

Shouts

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  • StephanePG

    Wash your hair at least Once..every two weeks! [2] :D

    March 2012

  • ThereIsBearCum

    their one and only good song

    February 2012

  • sundaymars

    "Prolonging the situation only makes it worse"

    February 2012

  • REDZ_REVENGE

    I PROPOSE A 3 MONTH LIMIT ON RELATIONSHIPS...EVERY BOY EVERY GIRL...THE TEENAGE GUIDE 2 POPULARITY!!!!

    February 2012

  • puppyhand

    My mom says I'm a catch.

    January 2012

  • andyisdead

    the only good new metal song

    December 2011

  • BeNgEE4

    hike school sucks

    October 2011

  • Ads26

    Don't need a lesson in relationships thanks...

    August 2011

  • uncleogrimacey

    This song is the reason Nada Surf got to put out more albums, people.

    August 2011

  • zaynzaynzayn

    i like nada surf. but i never really dug this song. i'm not in highschool.

    July 2011

  • scarredforlyfe

    this song blows so hard

    April 2011

  • MinjoGreene

    I'm not even in high school anymore and I still go through this kind of stuff.

    April 2011

  • rustedempire

    this was my jam in elementary

    March 2011

  • expiry223

    I understand why some Nada Surf fans don't like this song, it stands out quite a bit in style and lyrically. However, it's a great song when you see it ironically I think. High school did suck, and Nada Surf would probably have made it a tiny bit better, but I found them long after that was done :)

    March 2011

  • nikhanzn

    very weezer'ish .. and still very good

    March 2011

  • corky64

    Great....<3

    March 2011

  • reaganyouth77

    yeah!! before industry ran it to shit!!!

    January 2011

  • SOUNDARSENAL

    AH yes, when alternative rock on the radio did NOT suck. Beck, Weezer, Butthole Surfers & Nada Surf . . .that is what I remember from this era. Love it.

    January 2011

  • xiempiethps

    90's classic

    December 2010

  • Cut1977

    Johnny Footballhero...

    August 2010
See all 119 shouts

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