Wiki
-
Length
3:42
Backwater is a notable song by Meat Puppets that marked a significant turning point in their career. Released as the lead single from Too High to Die in 1994, it represented the band's most successful mainstream breakthrough after over a decade of underground success. The song's distinctive sound blends their characteristic country-punk fusion with more polished production values, courtesy of producer Paul Leary (of Butthole Surfers fame).
The track achieved unprecedented commercial success for the band, reaching multiple Billboard charts: No. 47 on the Hot 100, No. 2 on the Album Rock Tracks chart, No. 11 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, and No. 31 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart. This crossover success was particularly remarkable for a band that emerged from the hardcore punk scene of the early 1980s.
- Songwriter: Curt Kirkwood - Lead guitarist and primary songwriter who drew inspiration from diverse sources including country music pioneer Hank Williams and psychedelic rock
- Length:
- 2-track version: 3:39 - The radio edit that helped secure mainstream airplay
- 3-track version: Includes additional songs totaling up to 12:26 - Released as an expanded single featuring rare B-sides Lake of Fire and Why?
- Label: London Records - The major label that helped the band reach a wider audience after their years on independent label SST Records
- Recording Details:
- Recorded at Memphis Sound Productions in Memphis, Tennessee
- Mixed by Paul Leary, who brought a more polished sound while maintaining the band's essential character
The song's themes and sound reflect the band's evolution from their punk rock roots to a more expansive alternative rock style. The Meat Puppets' innovative approach, blending psychedelic rock, country, punk, and folk elements, has influenced numerous artists, including Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, who famously covered three Meat Puppets songs during Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance. The success of Backwater came shortly after this high-profile exposure, helping to introduce their unique sound to a mainstream audience while maintaining their artistic integrity.
Track descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. Feel free to contribute!
All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.
