Connection (Elastica song)

"Connection" is a song by Britpop group Elastica. It was originally released on 10 October 1994 as a single and included on their self-titled debut album in 1995. The song debuted and peaked at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart and became one of the few Britpop songs to gain popularity in North America, reaching number 53 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number nine on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. In an interview with Zane Lowe, Damon Albarn mentions playing the synthesizer intro on a Yamaha QY10 handheld sequencer.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>

The song was the subject of controversy due to its overt similarity to another band's work. The intro synthesizer part (later repeated as a guitar figure) is lifted from the guitar riff in Wire's "Three Girl Rhumba" and transposed down a semitone. A judgment resulted in an out-of-court settlement and the credits were rewritten.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Jonathan Perry writing for The Phoenix noted the similarities to Wire. He included the song in a list of the 90 best songs of the 90s, writing: Template:"'Connection', Elastica's obsessively catchy stateside breakthrough, nicked its signature opening riff from Wire's 'Three Girl Rhumba' – an overzealous (and uncredited) 'homage' that proved that though imitation may indeed be the highest form of flattery, it can also cost in publishing royalties. Great song, though."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Reception

Pitchfork said, "Elastica crafted one of the marvels of the Britpop era: art-rock reconfigured as a carnal rallying cry. All leftward hooks and innuendo, "Connection" never hits its target squarely. The single sounds simple, even primal, as Elastica bashes their dive-bomb riff with enthusiasm."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine observes that on its release, "Connection" was criticized "for taking the keyboard riff from Wire's "Three Girl Rhumba,"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> though he also notes that "Elastica can make the rigid artiness of Wire into a rocking, sexy single with more hooks than anything on Pink Flag."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Track listings

UK CD and 12-inch single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "Connection"
2. "See That Animal"
3. "Blue" (Donna's 4-track demo)
4. "Spastica"

UK cassette and limited-edition 7-inch single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "Connection"
2. "See That Animal"

European and Australian CD single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "Connection"
2. "Rockunroll" (John Peel Session)
3. "Annie" (John Peel Session)
4. "See That Animal"

Charts

Weekly charts

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Chart (1994–1995)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.</ref>	71
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	65
UK Airplay (Music Week)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	30
US Billboard Hot 100<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	53
US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	40
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	2

Year-end charts

Chart (1995)	Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	98
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	13

Usage in media

The song was used in the opening credit sequence of the 2023 biographical comedy BlackBerry, playing over a montage depicting the history of mobile phone technology. Later that year, it was used in the horror film Five Nights at Freddy's, during a sequence in which the characters build a fort. It is the final credits song in the 2022 movie Kimi and it also appears in the 2019 movie Captain Marvel, which takes place largely in 1995. The song was used as the opening/closing theme of the TV show Trigger Happy TV.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Template:Abbr
United Kingdom	10 October 1994	Template:Hlist	Deceptive	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
United States	18 April 1995	Contemporary hit radio	Geffen	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>