MMMBop

Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox song "MMMBop" is a song written and performed by American pop rock band Hanson. It was released on April 15, 1997, by Mercury Records as the lead single from their first full-length studio album, Middle of Nowhere (1997). The song is the band's most successful single to date and was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. "MMMBop" was a major success worldwide,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> reaching number one in at least 12 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Its music video was directed by Tamra Davis.

The song was voted the best single of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll, while also topping critics' polls from such media as Rolling Stone, Spin, and VH1, and was ranked number 20 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s", as well as number 98 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the Past 25 Years". In 2023, Hanson released a new version of "MMMBop", entitled "MMMBop 2.0", in collaboration with English pop punk band Busted.

Background and composition

The song "MMMBop" originally appeared on Hanson's 1996 independent album MMMBop with a slower tempo, but was reworked as an upbeat pop track by producers the Dust Brothers. This became the hit version. In an August 2004 interview with Songfacts, Zac Hanson explained the song's origins:

That song started out really as the background part for another song. We were making our first independent album and we were trying to come up with a background part. We started singing a slightly different incarnation of what is now the chorus of "MMMbop". That sort of stuck in our heads and never really worked as a background part, and over a couple of years, that piece really has stuck in our heads and we really crafted the rest of the song – the verses and bridge and so on.

What that song talks about is, you've got to hold on to the things that really matter. "MMMbop" represents a frame of time or the futility of life. Things are going to be gone, whether it's your age and your youth, or maybe the money you have, or whatever it is, and all that's going to be left are the people you've nurtured and have really built to be your backbone and your support system.

They [the lyrics] weren't inspired by one artist in particular. The first music that we got into was '50s and '60s music. If anything, "MMMbop" was inspired by The Beach Boys and vocal groups of that era – using your voice as almost a doo-wop kind of thing. It was something we almost stumbled upon.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}

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"MMMBop" is written and composed in the key of A major.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "The rush of youth-driven acts on radio accelerates with the onset of this candy-coated pop confection. Try to imagine what the Jackson 5 might sound like with the accompaniment of a skittling funk beat and scratchy faux-grunge guitars, and you will have a clear picture of where Hanson is coming from. Initially it's a mildly jarring combination, but it's ultimately quite cool. Factor in an instantly catchy chorus, and you have the making of a runaway smash."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> A reviewer from Scottish Daily Record noted, "They're about half the age of the Spice Girls, but Hanson can sing, play their own instruments and string a sentence together. It must be their American upbringing."<ref>"Charts Slot". Daily Record. June 6, 1997.</ref> Sara Scribner from Los Angeles Times named it "a lighthearted dollop of nonsensical pop."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A reviewer from Music Week gave the song four out of five, stating that "media attention is sky high for these three Tulsa brothers, aged 11, 14 and 16. And this cutesy, catchy pop song is the ideal debut single to cash in on that interest."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Chuck Eddy of Rolling Stone felt it "sticks in your brain like Trident in your shag carpet." He explained, "Built on a turntable-scratch update of the soul rhythms that served as turn-of-the-'70s bubblegum rock's secret weapon, the song is as unintelligible as it is indelible. Its hooks suburbanize the Jackson 5 as expertly as the Osmonds used to, but whether its quivering lyrics really deal with chewing (a favorite bubble entendre since the Ohio Express' "Chewy Chewy") is anybody's guess."<ref>Eddy, Chuck (June 26, 1997). "Recordings". Rolling Stone. Issue 763.</ref> Ben Knowles from Smash Hits said "MMMBop" sounded like "a one-off, tasty, unbelievably ear-tingling, perfect pop treat."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Ian Hyland from Sunday Mirror gave the song eight out of ten, commenting, "Teenage brothers from America who sound a bit like Sheryl Crow on helium. You'll love this at first, but in a few weeks you'll be kicking the TV in whenever their smiley faces appear."<ref>Hyland, Ian (May 25, 1997). "Tune in to Six of the Best by Radiohead Tune into Six of the Best; Preview: Music". Sunday Mirror.</ref> David Sinclair from The Times concluded, "No 1 in America and all over British radio like a rash, it sounds like a gilt-edged pop standard already."<ref>Sinclair, David (May 31, 1997). "The week's top pop releases; Records". The Times.</ref>

"MMMBop" was voted the best single of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll, while also topping critics' polls from such media as Rolling Stone, Spin, and VH1, and was ranked number 20 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s",<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> as well as number 98 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the Past 25 Years".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked it as the ninth-best boy band song of all time.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Chart performance

On the chart dated May 3, 1997, "MMMBop" debuted at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the chart dated May 10, 1997, the song rose to No. 6.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It continued to rise the next week, reaching No. 2.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the chart dated May 24, 1997, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> staying there for three weeks before falling to No. 2.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by American film, television and music video director Tamra Davis.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It features the Hanson brothers singing and playing their instruments in a suburban living room. In between, there are clips of them entering a cave, ending up on a beach. Other scenes show them playing around in a city, dancing on the Moon, driving a car or appearing in old footage of Albert Einstein.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Track listings

All songs were written by Isaac Hanson, Taylor Hanson, and Zac Hanson. Additional songwriters are noted in parentheses. Template:Col-begin Template:Col-2

• US and Australian CD and cassette single<ref>US formats:
• Template:Cite AV media notes
• Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref>Australian formats:
• Template:Cite AV media notes
• Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "MMMBop" (radio version) – 3:50
2. "MMMBop" (Dust Brothers mix) – 4:29

• US 7-inch single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

A. "MMMBop" – 4:27

B. "Where's the Love" Template:Small – 4:12

• US 12-inch single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

A1. "MMMBop" (Berman Brothers club mix) – 5:14

A2. "MMMBop" (Berman Brothers club instrumental) – 5:14

B1. "MMMBop" (soulful club mix) – 5:27

B2. "MMMBop" (Berman Brothers radio mix) – 3:17

B3. "MMMBop" – 4:27

• UK CD single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "MMMBop" (single version) – 3:50
2. "MMMBop" (album version) – 4:27
3. "MMMBop" (Dust Brothers mix) – 4:29
4. "MMMBop" (Hex mix) – 3:25

• UK cassette single and European CD single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "MMMBop" (single version) – 3:50
2. "MMMBop" (album version) – 4:27

• Japanese CD single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "MMMBop" (single version) – 3:59
2. "MMMBop" (album version) – 4:27
3. "MMMBop" (Dust Brothers mix) – 4:29
4. "MMMBop" (dub mix) – 4:20

Charts

Weekly charts

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Chart (1997)	Peak position
Denmark (IFPI)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	1
Europe (European Hot 100)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	1
Europe (European Hit Radio)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	1
Hungary (Mahasz)<ref>Template:Cite magazine See LW column.</ref>	1
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	8
Italy (Musica e dischi)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	19
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	1
Latvia (Latvijas Top 20)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	5
Poland (Music & Media)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	6
Spain (AFYVE)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	3

Year-end charts

Chart (1997)	Position
Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	5
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	7
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	11
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	14
Canada Top Singles (RPM)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	4
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	39
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	10
Europe (European Hit Radio)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	2
France (SNEP)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	12
Germany (Media Control)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	16
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	76
Latvia (Latvijas Top 50)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	32
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18
Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18
New Zealand (RIANZ)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	4
Romania (Romanian Top 100)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	31
Sweden (Topplistan)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	6
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	10
UK Singles (OCC)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	11
US Billboard Hot 100<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	12
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	22
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	60
US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	9

Decade-end charts

Chart (1990–1999)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	57

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Template:Abbr
United States	March 24, 1997	Top 40 radio	Mercury	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
	April 15, 1997	Template:Hlist		<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
United Kingdom	May 26, 1997	Template:Hlist		<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Japan	June 4, 1997	Mini-CD		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	June 20, 1997	CD		<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Notable cover versions

Twenty years after the first recording of "MMMBop", approximately 93,000 cover versions of the song were counted by MTV reporter Patrick Hosken in March 2016, as represented on YouTube.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Hansons told Rebecca Milzoff at Vulture that they had not heard any good cover versions, because "People can't sing the chorus right. Most of the time they syncopate it wrong," according to Isaac Hanson.<ref name=Vulture2016>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Later that year, Postmodern Jukebox recorded a cover in the style of 1950s swinging doo-wop with four male singers;<ref name=Vulture2016/> picking up 1.5 million views on YouTube in the first year.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In July 2019, the official Hanson Twitter feed shared a video by Scary Pockets, a band founded by keyboardist Jack Conte. The Scary Pockets version was fronted by Lucy Schwartz on lead vocals, and Adam Neely covered the electric bass.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref>

In 2023, English band Busted released a cover version of the song, in collaboration with Hanson, for their album Greatest Hits 2.0. The new version, "MMMBop 2.0", was released as a single worldwide on May 26, 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Sales Chart.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>