Flagpole Sitta

Flagpole Sitta "Flagpole Sitta" Flagpole Sitta.jpg Single by Harvey Danger from the album Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? B-side "The Ballad of the Tragic Hero (Pity and Fear)" "Wrecking Ball" Released April 27, 1998 Recorded 1996 Genre Power poppost-grungepop punkalternative rock Length 3:37 Label SlashLondon Songwriter(s) Sean NelsonJeff J. LinAaron HuffmanEvan Sult Producer(s) John GoodmansonHarvey Danger Harvey Danger singles chronology "Flagpole Sitta" (1998) "Private Helicopter" (1998) Audio sample 0:30 "Flagpole Sitta" filehelp MAYBE LATER I ALREADY DONATED CLOSE "Flagpole Sitta" is a song by American rock band Harvey Danger from their 1997 debut album, Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone?. It was released as the band's debut single in April 1998 and was met with critical and commercial success, peaking at number 38 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart, number three on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number nine on the Canadian RPM Alternative 30. Contents 1 Composition 2 Release and reception 3 Track listings 4 Charts 5 Release history 6 Legacy 7 References 8 External links Composition The song was recorded during the 1996 sessions for Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? According to drummer Evan Sult, the song was written as a response to the Seattle music scene of the 1990s and its effect on mainstream culture.[1] The title of the song was inspired by the 1930 Marx Brothers film Animal Crackers, which features a line of dialogue about the pole sitting fad of the 1920s.[2] The band was inspired to spell "sitter" as "sitta" by the Pavement song "Fame Throwa" and the N.W.A album Straight Outta Compton.[2] Release and reception "Flagpole Sitta" gained popularity after Seattle radio station KNDD put the song into rotation. Afterwards, London Records sent a copy of Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? to KROQ-FM in Los Angeles, who began to air "Flagpole Sitta" and received a positive response from listeners.[3] On April 27, 1998, the song was officially serviced to US rock radio, and a release to contemporary hit radio followed on June 9 of the same year.[4][5] The song gained further exposure when it was used as the music in theatrical trailers and TV spots for the 1998 film Disturbing Behavior.[6] The track subsequently charted at number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart.[7] A music video was produced to promote the single.[8] The song is regarded as a power pop single by MTV and a post-grunge anthem by author Ericka Chickowski.[9][10] PopMatters describes the single as "a hyper-literate Alternative rock dissection of the stupidity of the modern age".[11] Music journalist Rob Sheffield also considers the song as "nineties pop-punk rage at its loudest".[12] Track listings 7-inch single[13][14] No. Title Length 1. "Flagpole Sitta" 3:37 2. "The Ballad of the Tragic Hero (Pity and Fear)" 4:30 European and Australasian CD single[15] No. Title Length 1. "Flagpole Sitta" 3:37 2. "Wrecking Ball" 4:39 3. "The Ballad of the Tragic Hero (Pity and Fear)" 4:30 Charts Chart (1998) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[16] 50 Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[17] 9 France (SNEP)[18] 98 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[19] 14 Scotland (OCC)[20] 63 UK Singles (OCC)[21] 57 US Radio Songs (Billboard)[7] 38 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[22] 31 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[23] 3 US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[24] 33 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[25] 32 Release history Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref. United States April 27, 1998 Rock radio SlashLondon [4] June 9, 1998 Contemporary hit radio [5] United Kingdom July 20, 1998 7-inch vinylCDcassette [26] Legacy "Flagpole Sitta" was used as the theme song for the British sitcom Peep Show for the second series through the ninth. In 2008, Harvey Danger singer Sean Nelson stated that Peep Show is "...the only pop culture item the song has been associated with that feels like a kindred spirit to the original attitude of the lyric."[27] In 2016, he said: "It’s a joy to be affiliated with something that’s so smart and so funny and so kind of rude and weird."[1] Rolling Stone ranked the song the 25th best of the 1990s.[28] The song was included on the soundtrack to Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.[29] References Zaleski, Annie (November 11, 2015). "Why Harvey Danger's '90's Alt-rock Hit "Flagpole Sitta" endures". The A.V. Club. Retrieved November 11, 2015. Weiss, Dan (July 28, 2017). ""Flagpole Sitta" At 20: A Conversation With Harvey Danger's Sean Nelson". Stereogum. Retrieved July 31, 2017. Reece, Doug (August 8, 1998). "Slash/London Group Harvey Danger Builds On Success of Single". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 32. p. 13. "Harvey Danger: 'Flagpole Sitta'". Radio & Records. No. 1245. April 24, 1998. p. 4 (of PDF). "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1251. June 5, 1998. p. 39. "Harvey Danger Talks About Getting In on 'Disturbing Behavior'". MTV News. July 16, 1998. Retrieved May 5, 2022. "Harvey Danger Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2019. Harvey Danger - Flagpole Sitta (Official Music Video). March 25, 2011. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021 – via YouTube. Devenish, Colin (May 12, 1998). "Harvey Danger's 'Flagpole Sitta' Sitting Pretty On Rock Radio". MTV News. Retrieved September 12, 2015. Ericka Chickowski (July 3, 2012). Moon Washington. Avalon Travel Publishing. p. 147. ISBN 978-1-61238-261-6. Sawdey, Evan (June 5, 2013). "Harvey Danger's Unsung Masterpiece". PopMatters. Retrieved September 12, 2015. Sheffield, Rob (July 31, 2013). "Rob Sheffield's 10 Perfect Karaoke Jams". Time. Retrieved September 12, 2015. Flagpole Sitta (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Harvey Danger. Slash Records, London Records. 1998. LASH 64, 570 264-7. Flagpole Sitta (UK & European 7-inch single vinyl disc). Harvey Danger. Slash Records. 1998. LASH 64. Flagpole Sitta (European & Australasian CD single liner notes). Harvey Danger. Slash Records, London Records. 1998. LASCD 64, 570 261-2. "Harvey Danger – Flagpole Sitta". ARIA Top 50 Singles. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3620." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 5, 2019. "Harvey Danger – Flagpole Sitta" (in French). Les classement single. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (1.10–8.10. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). October 2, 1998. p. 10. Retrieved October 4, 2019. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 5, 2019. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 5, 2019. "Harvey Danger Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2019. "Harvey Danger Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2019. "Harvey Danger Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2019. "Harvey Danger Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2019. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. July 18, 1998. p. 29. "Harvey Danger interview". June 21, 2008. Retrieved January 8, 2009. Sheffield, Rob. "The 50 Best Songs of the Nineties". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 12, 2017. "Various Artists – Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed: The Album". AllMusic. Retrieved September 2, 2021. External links "Single Again: Harvey Danger – 'Flagpole Sitta' « Radio.com". radio.com. "Relive Your Wasted Youth: Here's What You Don't Know About 'Flagpole Sitta'". MTV News. "Flagpole Sitta". Rolling Stone. May 22, 2012. vte Harvey Danger Sean NelsonJeff J. LinAaron HuffmanMichael WelkeRob KnopEvan Sult Studio albums Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone?King James VersionLittle by Little... Extended plays Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas (Sometimes)Little Round Mirrors Singles "Flagpole Sitta" Authority control Edit this at Wikidata MusicBrainz work Categories: 1996 songs1998 debut singlesHarvey Danger songsLondon Records singlesMusic videos directed by Liz FriedlanderSlash Records singlesComedy television theme songs Navigation menu Not logged in Talk Contributions Create account Log in ArticleTalk ReadEditView history Search Wikipedia Main page Contents Current events Random article About Wikipedia Contact us Donate Contribute Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Permanent link Page information Cite this page Wikidata item Print/export Download as PDF Printable version Languages Add links This page was last edited on 15 December 2022, at 02:14 (UTC). Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you arvey Danger From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigationJump to search Harvey Danger Harvey Danger2009.jpg Harvey Danger in 2009 Background information Origin Seattle, Washington, U.S. Genres Alternative rockindie rock Years active 1992–20012004–2009 Labels Arena RockSlashLondonPolyGramLondon-SirePhonographicBarsukKill Rock StarsNo Sleep Past members Sean Nelson Jeff J. Lin Aaron Huffman Michael Welke Rob Knop Evan Sult Mike Squires John Roderick Website harveydanger.com Wikipedia is yours. Please don't skip this 1 minute read. This Thursday December 22nd, our nonprofit asks: has Wikipedia helped you this year? Wikipedia and its sister sites were created when knowledge wasn’t so readily available outside the classroom or the paper encyclopedia. There was no space online where you could learn for free, without ads. This space is yours. If Wikipedia has given you knowledge, join the 2% who give. Give what feels right: whether it’s $2 or $25. — Wikimedia Foundation Give $2 Give a different amount MAYBE LATER I ALREADY DONATED CLOSE Harvey Danger was an American alternative rock[1][2] band that was formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1992 by journalism students at the University of Washington. The band rose to prominence in 1997 with the single "Flagpole Sitta", which was later used as the theme tune to the British sitcom Peep Show. After recording two albums, they went on hiatus for a few years and returned with their third and final release in 2005. On August 29, 2009, the band played its final show at the Crocodile Cafe in Seattle. Contents 1 History 1.1 Early years (1992–1996) 1.2 Merrymakers and initial success (1997–1998) 1.3 Delays and King James Version (1999–2001) 1.4 Hiatus and reunion (2001–2004) 1.5 Little by Little... and breakup (2005–2009) 1.6 Post-breakup (2014–2016) 2 Band members 2.1 Timeline 3 Discography 3.1 Demo tapes 3.2 Studio albums 3.3 Compilation albums 3.4 Extended plays 3.5 Singles 3.6 Compilations and soundtracks 3.7 Music Videos 4 References 5 External links History Early years (1992–1996) Harvey Danger began in 1992 with University of Washington classmates Jeff Lin and Aaron Huffman deciding "it might be fun to start a band." Huffman and Lin, who were both student journalists on the staff of The Daily of the University of Washington student newspaper, took the name "Harvey Danger" from a phrase graffitied onto the wall of the newspaper's office. Lin and Huffman played house parties and bars as a duo under the Harvey Danger name until 1993, when they invited Evan Sult to be their drummer. Despite his complete lack of drumming experience, Sult agreed, bringing along his own similarly inexperienced classmate Sean Nelson. Nelson was also a colleague of Lin and Huffman at The Daily's arts and entertainment section The Glass Onion.[3] The foursome played their first show on April 21, 1994 at the now-defunct Lake Union Pub; Sult and Nelson, both under 21, were only permitted entry during the set.[4] That summer, the band moved into Nelson's student house together and began holding band practices in the basement. The band had little money and their drum set for their first few shows consisted of nothing more than a laundry bucket, three hubcaps, and a jar of pickles.[citation needed] More shows at the Lake Union Pub and other low-rent Seattle clubs followed, leading to exposure in The Seattle Times. As the band began playing more shows at increasingly reputable venues, their songwriting gained momentum. In 1994, the band produced a six-song demo tape, sold at shows for $3. When three-quarters of the group became unemployed in 1996, they decided to devote yet more attention to the band, moving to another house and renting a rehearsal space. Their shows continued to improve, and the band became regular weekend performers at the Crocodile Cafe. The band recorded a three-track demo tape with producer John Goodmanson, which failed to draw attention from major labels, but found its way to Greg Glover, a London Records intern who ran his own small label, The Arena Rock Recording Company, Glover expressed interest in releasing a 7" single, and Harvey Danger provided him with an additional three songs—including "Flagpole Sitta"—also recorded with Goodmanson. On the strength of these, Glover agreed to bankroll a full-length album. In 1996, shortly before the band's national success, Nelson was hired as a reporter for The Stranger newspaper in Seattle.[5] Nelson opted to balance his journalism and music careers, and he continues to write and edit for the newspaper to the present day.[5] Merrymakers and initial success (1997–1998) Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? was released July 29, 1997, to local critical acclaim. The record performed well on college radio charts, and it sold steadily in Seattle and New York, among other cities. Influential L.A. radio station KROQ-FM picked the track up, and stations across the country shortly followed suit. When Greg Glover of The Arena Rock Recording Company was hired at Slash Records, a subsidiary of London Recordings, Harvey Danger were signed to the label. "Flagpole Sitta" made Billboard magazine's Top 40 and appeared in a number of films and television shows. Its video got heavy rotation on MTV and VH1. The song also became famous globally as one of the most memorable songs featured in the film American Pie, despite not being on the official retail soundtrack. It also appeared in the movie Disturbing Behavior and its trailer. More recently, the song was used as the opening theme to the British sitcom Peep Show for the second series and onwards. By late 1997, however, the band felt as though the record had lost its momentum and the group began to contemplate breaking up. Shortly before taking January 1998 off to contemplate their future, Nelson gave a copy of Merrymakers to KNDD DJ Marco Collins. Within weeks, "Flagpole Sitta" had become KNDD's most-requested song. The band toured extensively from March through December 1998, playing headlining and support gigs with some of the most popular artists of the year and appearing at many radio festivals. The band had wanted to release the song "Carlotta Valdez" as the follow-up single to "Flagpole Sitta", but they were overruled by Slash Records, who released "Private Helicopter" as a single instead in the fall of 1998.[3] The single received lukewarm reception and did not reach any Billboard music chart. In December 1998, Harvey Danger began writing songs for their follow-up album. Delays and King James Version (1999–2001) Harvey Danger began production of their second album in March 1999 at Albert Grossman's Bearsville Studios, near Woodstock, New York. Slash/London was unusually uninvolved in the recording process, a harbinger of what was to come. After three weeks of recording at Bearsville and several more weeks of recording and mixing in Seattle and Los Angeles, the band submitted the record, King James Version, to their label, and waited. What the band refers to as "elaborate corporate reshuffling" began almost immediately after they finished their album: mergers and acquisitions among record labels left them and their record in limbo for over a year, not knowing to whom they were signed, nor when KJV would be released. Attempts to release the album on then-fledgling indie label Barsuk Records fell through due to legal complications, a tour with The Pretenders fell through due to lack of label support, and, just when the band was about to give up, newly reorganized London-Sire Records released King James Version on September 12, 2000. Reviews were strong, but buzz was almost nonexistent: sales of the album were slow, and the single "Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo" performed poorly on radio and MTV. For the album's supporting tour, Nevada Bachelors guitarist Mike Squires was added as the group's live guitarist as well as The Western State Hurricanes founder John Roderick on keyboard.[6][7] Roderick would later fill in on bass when Huffman fell ill, days before a performance on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn. Hiatus and reunion (2001–2004) Harvey Danger played a "final" show in Portland on April 21, 2001, seven years to the day after their first show, and quietly disbanded for an undetermined period. During the hiatus Jeff Lin returned to school, Evan Sult relocated to Chicago and joined the band Bound Stems and Aaron Huffman formed the group Love Hotel. Sean Nelson recorded and toured with The Long Winters, the group formed by former Harvey Danger live member John Roderick, and worked on solo material, sometimes with Lin and Huffman (actually recording several unreleased songs, among them covers of songs written by Harry Nilsson for a future release entitled Nelson Sings Nilsson). He wrote for the weekly alternative Seattle newspaper, The Stranger; and became a partner in Barsuk Records and a DJ for Seattle's KEXP-FM. The idea of reforming Harvey Danger was raised several times, but rejected. In 2004, Nelson, Huffman, and Lin entered a studio together for the first time in three years to record two new song ideas, with Nada Surf's Ira Elliot accompanying on drums. The session went so well that the trio agreed to begin writing music together—with "no strings attached." Sult, busy in Chicago, was unable to return, but sent his blessing for Harvey Danger's reincarnation. April 21, 2004, saw both the tenth anniversary of Harvey Danger and their first show since 2001, in Seattle. With Nada Surf opening and Elliot again filling in on drums, the show also previewed songs that would be part of the new album: "Moral Centralia," "Wine, Women, and Song," and "War Buddies." The band recruited Seattle-based drummer Michael Welke, formalized their return as a band, and performed with their new lineup at the Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle in the summer of 2004. The year ended with the self-release of a five-song EP, Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas (Sometimes). Little by Little... and breakup (2005–2009) In February 2005, Harvey Danger entered Robert Lang Studios to record their third album. Joining them again was Goodmanson, accompanied by Steve Fisk. The recording process ran smoothly, and Little by Little... was released on September 13, 2005, five years and one day after King James Version. Citing "a long-held sense that the practice now being demonized by the music biz as 'illegal' file sharing can be a friend to the independent musician," Harvey Danger released their third album, Little by Little..., as a free download via BitTorrent a week after its release, and directly from the band's website a week after that. Within two months of release, the album had been downloaded 100,000 times, while the first pressing of physical copies (packaged with a disc of bonus material) had nearly sold out. Reviews of the album were mixed. Pitchfork Media gave the album 6.9 (of a possible 10); AllMusic granted 3.5 (of a possible 5);[8] PopMatters wrote: "If Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone is a rebellious kid kicking over trashcans in his neighborhood, then Little by Little seems to be that kid all grown up, taking out the trash, putting the lid on tightly, getting in his Jetta, and driving to work."[9] Treble.com wrote: "Little by Little is one of the most pleasantly surprising albums of the year and one that truly displays the intricate and clever songwriting of a band in its prime." Threeimaginarygirls.com said: "Little By Little... deals with complex issues like politics, religion, and relationships on an intelligent level that's both challenging and accessible." The album's first single, "Cream and Bastards Rise," made Rolling Stone's "Hot List." It was also released as a downloadable song for the "Rock Band" video game series on October 7, 2008. On July 25, 2006, Olympia-based label Kill Rock Stars re-released Little by Little... with a slightly altered track listing (songs on the bonus disc and main album swapped places). This release was much more widely available, and the band set out on its first national tour in five years in support of the album. On October 10, 2006, Barsuk Records released Little Round Mirrors as a maxi-single/EP with four B-sides. On May 28, 2009, the band announced, "After 15 years, three albums, hundreds of shows, and far more twists and turns than we ever imagined possible, we've decided to put Harvey Danger to rest. The decision is totally mutual and utterly amicable."[10] Harvey Danger played eight farewell shows in August, the last three of them in Seattle. The band closed with the last song it wrote, "The Show Must Not Go On".[11] In 2011, Harvey Danger released The Dead Sea Scrolls B-side collection and final single "The Show Must Not Go On" for free on their website.[12] Post-breakup (2014–2016) Since the band's breakup, Nelson has continued to write and edit for The Stranger alternative weekly newspaper, which he had done for most of the duration of the band's career. As of 2016, he is the publication's arts editor and music critic.[5] Huffman also worked for the newspaper as an art director.[13] Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? was released on vinyl for the first time on July 29, 2014, by the independent label No Sleep Records. The packaging for the Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? re-issue LP will feature new artwork, designed by Huffman, Sult and Nelson, using the iconic house from the original cover art now updated to reflect the passage of time, now surrounded by freeways and skyscrapers.[14] Founding guitarist Jeff J. Lin co-founded the IT company Captricity in 2011 with Kuang Chen. Founding bassist Aaron Huffman died of respiratory failure due to cystic fibrosis on March 6, 2016, at age 43. His death was reported in The Stranger by Nelson.[13] Band members Final lineup Jeff J. Lin – guitar, piano, keyboards, violin (1992–2009) Aaron Huffman – bass guitar, guitar (1992–2009) Sean Nelson – lead vocals, keyboards (1993–2009) Michael Welke – drums, percussion (2004–2009) Rob Knop – keyboards (2005–2009) Past members Evan Sult – drums, percussion (1993–2001) Touring members Mike Squires – guitar (2000–2001) John Roderick – keyboards, bass (2000–2001) Timeline Discography Demo tapes Harvey Danger (1994) (Cover: photo of saucepan in kitchen sink full of dry ice. One-sided J-card, printed on color laser printer.) Self-released.[citation needed] Harvey Danger (1996) (Cover: twin red arrows pointing upward. Red and black printed on off-white paper.) Self-released.[citation needed] Studio albums List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications US [15] US Heat [16] Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? Released: July 29, 1997 Label: Arena Rock (AR-006) 70 2 RIAA: Gold[17] King James Version Released: September 12, 2000 Labels: London-Sire (31143-2) — — Little by Little... Released: September 13, 2005 Label: Phonographic (Phono 02) Reissued: July 25, 2006 on Kill Rock Stars (KRS471) — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. Compilation albums Dead Sea Scrolls (2009) Phonographic Extended plays Harvey Danger (2000) London/Sire (Circuit City exclusive) Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas (Sometimes) (2004) Phonographic Cream and Bastards Rise (2005) Kill Rock Stars Little Round Mirrors (2006) Barsuk Singles List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Album US Air. [18] US Alt. [19] US Pop [20] US Rock [21] AUS [22] CAN [23] FRA [24] SCO [25] UK [26] "Flagpole Sitta" 1997 38 3 32 30 50 9 98 63 57 Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? "Private Helicopter" 1998 — — — — — — — — — "Save It for Later" 1999 — 29 — — — — — — — 200 Cigarettes soundtrack "Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo" 2000 — 27 — — — — — — — King James Version "Authenticity" — — — — — — — — — "Cream and Bastards Rise" 2005 — — — — — — — — — Little by Little... "Little Round Mirrors" 2006 — — — — — — — — — "The Show Must Not Go On" 2009 — — — — — — — — — Non-album single "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. Compilations and soundtracks Fuel: A Compilation (1997) Arena Rock Recording Company – "Carjack Fever" Now That's What I Call Music! (1998) PolyGram/Universal – "Flagpole Sitta" 200 Cigarettes Music from the Motion Picture (1999) PolyGram – "Save It for Later" Soul Survivors Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2001) Gold Circle Records – "Authenticity" Otis' Opuses (2006) Kill Rock Stars – "Cream and Bastards Rise" Music Videos "Flagpole Sitta" (1997) "Private Helicopter" (1998) "Save It for Later" (1999) "Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo" (2000) References Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (2010). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 1. ISSN 0006-2510. Greene, Andy (August 15, 2012). "9. Harvey Danger – 'Flagpole Sitta'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 22, 2015. Zaleski, Annie (November 11, 2015). "Why Harvey Danger's '90s alt-rock hit "Flagpole Sitta" endures". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 2, 2016. "Gale Musician Profiles: Harvey Danger". Answers.com. Gale. n.d. Retrieved June 2, 2014. The Stranger – Authors: Sean Nelson, retrieved January 4, 2016 "Biography Harvey Danger". Tune Genie. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2010. "allmusic ((( Mike Squires > Overview )))". Allmusic. Retrieved February 9, 2010. Mark Deming. "Little by Little... – Harvey Danger | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved March 9, 2016. "Harvey Danger: Little by Little". PopMatters. Retrieved March 9, 2016. "Harvey Danger's Breakup Announcement". HarveyDanger.com. May 28, 2009. Archived from the original on September 26, 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2009. "Harvey Danger's Concert Schedule". HarveyDanger.com. Retrieved June 3, 2009. "Harvey Danger Downloads". harveydanger.com. Retrieved May 19, 2011. Nelson, Sean. "Stranger Art Director and Veteran Seattle Musician Aaron Huffman Died Yesterday at the Age of 43". The Stranger. Retrieved March 7, 2016. "No Sleep Records". No Sleep Records. Retrieved March 9, 2016. "Harvey Danger Album & Song Charts - Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2021. "Harvey Danger Album & Song Charts - Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2021. "American certifications – Harvey Danger". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 20, 2021. "Harvey Danger Album & Song Chart History – US Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2021. "Harvey Danger Album & Song Chart History – Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved October 18, 2015. "Harvey Danger Album & Song Chart History – Pop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2021. "Harvey Danger Album & Song Chart History – Rock". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2021. "Discography Harvey Danger". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 18, 2015. "Harvey Danger Rock/Alternative positions". RPM. Retrieved July 28, 2010. "Discography Harvey Danger". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 18, 2015. Peaks in Scotland: "Flagpole Sitta": "Official Scottish Singles Chart Top 100 26 July 1998". Official Charts Company. "HARVEY DANGER | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved March 9, 2016. External links Wikiquote has quotations related to Harvey Danger. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Harvey Danger. Harvey Danger's official site Rock and Roll McDonald's, Jeff J. Lin's blog, with background information and analysis on the free release of Little By Little.... Harvey Danger collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive Harvey Danger on Allmusic Review of Where have all the merrymakers gone? Harvey Danger interview with Globecat Music Blog 06/21/08 Harvey Danger at IMDb vte Harvey Danger Authority control Edit this at Wikidata Categories: 1992 establishments in Washington (state)2001 disestablishments in Washington (state)2004 establishments in Washington (state)2009 disestablishments in Washington (state)Alternative rock groups from Washington (state)Arena Rock Recording Company artistsIndie rock musical groups from Washington (state)Musical groups established in 1992Musical groups disestablished in 2001Musical groups reestablished in 2004Musical groups disestablished in 2009Musical groups from SeattleMusical quintetsBarsuk Records artistsNo Sleep Records artistsKill Rock Stars artistsSlash Records artists Navigation menu Not logged in Talk Contributions Create account Log in ArticleTalk ReadEditView history Search Wikipedia Main page Contents Current events Random article About Wikipedia Contact us Donate Contribute Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file Tools What links here Related changes Special pages Permanent link Page information Cite this page Wikidata item Print/export Download as PDF Printable version In other projects Wikimedia Commons Wikiquote Languages Español Français Nederlands Edit links This page was last edited on 19 December 2022, at 21:23 (UTC). Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. Harvey Danger: Why Flagpole Sitta Is So Misunderstood Rock N' Roll True Stories 426K subscribers Subscribe 2.1K Share 111K views 7 months ago #harveydanger #flagpolesitta Harvey Danger's Song Flagpole Sitta is extremely misunderstood. SIGN UP for 10 of the Craziest Stories in Rock N' Roll [Secret Playlist]: https://bit.ly/3vVPAEF … Shop the Rock N' Roll True Stories store Men's Staple Tee Essential Tee $26.99 For those in the know. Get the most outrageous stories in Rock N' Roll from RnR True Stories. SHOP Spring 345 Comments rongmaw lin Add a comment... Caldad Extra Caldad Extra 3 months ago Incidentally, “I’m not sick, but I’m not well” is the perfect encapsulation of what it feels like to be cancer free, but still dealing with the treatment’s chronic side effects. I was declared cancer free a few years ago, but because my large intestine went necrotic (due to a vulnerability in my immune system) and required me to get a colectomy. I now have a chronic condition that will never go away. 6 Reply Micks biggest fan Micks biggest fan 6 months ago R.I.P Aaron. Great album. I worked at a record store during the the Seattle sound explosion and every time a Nirvana, Pearl Jam...ect went by the register, I would ask the customer if they ever heard of Harvey Danger. If the answer was no, I would offer to let them hear it via our listening station. Got plenty of in store play too! 43 Reply 1 reply Mr. Marcus Mr. Marcus 7 months ago (edited) My babysitter dated the singer and in 1993 she took me to their practice spot in Bellingham technically they were the first band I ever saw! 228 Reply 19 replies maddie8415 maddie8415 7 months ago "Flagpole Sitta" is honestly one of those songs that hasn't been forgotten and still sounds good today. It's not even slightly surprising to me that people still misunderstand the song...and I totally see how they feel they "missed their audience". I'm really glad they got exposure, even if I was one of those 13 year olds in 1998 who liked their song and surely didn't understand it until I was older, haha. 61 Reply Ryan Ryan 7 months ago This song means a lot to me. I was graduating High School when this came out, I was trying to find my way in the world. I love this song in so many ways, sadly I’ve never listened to anything else by Harvey Danger. I think it’s time to change that. 29 Reply 2 replies Dana Ruggia Dana Ruggia 5 months ago This song is incredible...I was totally into every punk rock band imaginable in early 80s...this song is both grunge and punk combined...extremely hard driving tune...makes me wanna slam dance a little. I'm 62 btw...Ramones, the clash, the heads, ty he tubes all part of my repertoire....this song has a place in music history 2 Reply 1 reply DKGibble DKGibble 7 months ago It's import to mention Sean Nelson's continued influence here in Seattle. He has been a big part of KEXP (the best radio station in Seattle/world) and a music writer and producer/collaborator with other PNW acts like Death Cab and the Decemberists. Also - I can't believe you didn't mention that the song is used as the theme song to the longest running and brilliant BBC comedy Peep Show. 59 Reply 4 replies Lastnights Lovebites Lastnights Lovebites 7 months ago Can’t believe you didn’t mention it being the theme song for one of the best British Comedies of the 21st century. I bought this record when it came out, but my elder Millennial husband from England only knows it as the Peep Show theme song. 16 Reply 1 reply John Doe John Doe 7 months ago I've always loved the song for the biting sarcasm in it. I always felt it was a finger at the music industry in general and the public and everyone proclaiming that we're not all as cool as we think we are 48 Reply Harv72b Harv72b 6 months ago This video ended more abruptly than Harvey Danger's time in the limelight. 14 Reply 2 replies God Played Bass God Played Bass 7 months ago This song is played on the movie "disturbing behavior" a horror movie from the 90s. The first time I heard that song and it's been stuck in my head ever since. Katie Holmes became my celebrity crush in the same film. I love that song. 49 Reply 8 replies dtice dtice 7 months ago "I just thought that the idea in the song was that people are letting these sort of outward signifiers stand in for real kinds of rebellion." Please repeat for the septum piercing crowd. 50 Rock N' Roll True Stories Reply Travis Moore Travis Moore 7 months ago This is one of the first albums I ever bought with my own money and reading all these comments of people discovering it as an entire album are making me insanely jealous. I would give anything to listen to this album for the first time again! Enjoy guys! 8 Reply Mark Johnson Mark Johnson 3 months ago Certainly the greatest one hit wonder song ever, and probably a top 5 of my all time favorites. My musical tastes go back to the Chuck Berry era all the way up to Wet Leg. This song grabs your attention the first time you hear it and never lets go. l can put it on repeat and hear 15 minutes of it and just keep loving it. Great music, biting lyrics, and attitude. Reply Pensive Scarlet Pensive Scarlet 5 months ago As a former thirteen year old who just heard the song and fell in love with it, I didn't know what it was specifically about, but I totally got the tone. I absolutely identified with that song and the baseline emotional experiences behind it. I think it's a great example of how an artist's intent can grow beyond itself into something that resonates with others in unexpected ways. Even those improvised words held some kind of meaning to me and what I was going through, it's surreal to think about it now. 1 Reply David V David V 7 months ago I was literally listening to this yesterday and it still holds up as a fun song. 19 Rock N' Roll True Stories Reply 1 reply TheZSquaredMusic TheZSquaredMusic 6 months ago “If you’re bored, then you’re boring.” That one line changed my life. 3 Reply OrneryBear OrneryBear 6 months ago This is definitely one of my top records and not because of Flagpole Sitta. This album is amazing and hits way hard. 1 Reply Mark Ryan Mark Ryan 7 months ago This song still feels as urgent and immediate today, as it did when it was released. 11 Reply Brandon Page Brandon Page 7 months ago I was a freshman in highschool, when I first remember hearing this song, & I absolutely love it for its sarcasm & how it's kind of poking fun at the music industry, at the time, even though I loved that period of music. The song has definitely stood the test time of time, & still sounds awesome, today. If only we had a Harvey Danger nowadays, who could put out a song, that's poking fun at the current state of the music industry, & current musical trends. A song like that is sorely needed! 4 Reply TyDie85 TyDie85 7 months ago I really appreciate this. I was born in 1985 and I am guilty of only knowing that one song. After this video, I am going to take time to listen to their music 2 Reply 1 reply Aubry Hylton Aubry Hylton 6 months ago I heard this song on my local radio station (FM 104.7 KDUX, Aberdeen) and immediately went and got their CD just to see what else they would put on their album. It moved me, and was a solid companion to do a paper route, read, bicycle, and build models to. It stood out with a quirky biting perspective that was both moody, dark, beautiful and somehow always refreshing. I didn't know this story, but it's it's totally amazing. The stuff of legends, dreams and nightmares. But I can totally see how this could happen. If I had been a DJ in the area and heard these guys (and of course had the freedom to spin whatever I chose) I would have put them on too. I have since listened to all their work, it's all amazing, and the music still moves me. 1 Reply Underwear Maintenance Underwear Maintenance 2 months ago I was the Music Director/Jock when this song dropped. I loved it an immediately sent it to PD. Next thing I new we had it in heavy rotation! We weren’t a huge radio station , watt wise, but we were Lake of the Ozarks in the 90s and 00s. We had a blast with this song! Reply MaeveTheFox MaeveTheFox 6 months ago This was my favourite album for most of the 90s. The vibe was just brilliant. Still listen a few times a year. I gotta check out their other albums too, I just never did... Reply Praha Drums Official Praha Drums Official 7 months ago Song captures 90's angst perfectly 5 Reply Adam Young Adam Young 7 months ago Recently was on a long drive where my phone died, so all I had for music were the few CDs I had. On the drive it was just so apparent how much better sound quality was coming from the CD player, so I've been on a spree of buying up CDs while they're so cheap / people don't want them. Anyway, one of the first albums I picked up was 'Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone', and it for sure has not disappointed. I already had strong nostalgia for Flagpole Sitta. But I can already tell, this whole album is becoming a classic for me already. Super strong and bombastic first half, then catching it's breathe with the more melodic second act. Very good stuff 👍 7 Reply s staners s staners 7 months ago I love that song. It’s cool to see you doing a video on this. 24 Rock N' Roll True Stories Reply Rock N' Roll True Stories · 2 replies Michael Kausalik Michael Kausalik 7 months ago Harvey Danger is such an underrated band. 1 Reply Original Donutposse Original Donutposse 2 months ago Skipped over Sebadoh in the list of bands Harvey Danger fans were into. That was a band that changed my life. We were playing Smash Your Head on the Punk Rock by Sebadoh and Slanted and Enchanted by Pavement just over and over and over and listening in awe. Reply Seth Jay Goldberg Seth Jay Goldberg 6 months ago Let’s not forget the John Roderick connection between him playing bass and keys on the followup album and then Nelson joining his band The Long Winters as a post note to where is Sean Nelson. 1 Reply christopher daniel christopher daniel 6 months ago (edited) I've always been more into the Extreme Metal, but I gotta admit: Flagpole Sitta is catchy as hell. 🤘 3 Reply 1 reply spankywzl spankywzl 7 months ago (edited) Songwriters would kill to have written such a clever banger. I'm very happy that it blew up for them, but also saddened that they felt they missed their audience. I don't know one person that doesn't dig this song. If Evan Sult isn't on a yacht, I doubt the name of the song is at fault, tho. The royalties have to be at least keeping the lights on, no? \m/ * * \m/ 10 Reply 2 replies K K K K 3 months ago I've heard that song more times than I can count but I never knew it was called Flagpole Sitta. Hell, I never even knew the band's name was Harvey Danger. Reply user404 user404 7 months ago (edited) That whole album sounds amazing, at least to me. Good production 6 Reply Sir Rodney Sir Rodney 1 month ago Will always be in my top 10 greatest come up songs. 59 and with no intention of slowing down, I will rave till the grave with most genres of music, but this really gets my nipples hard when I howl along! Peace x... Reply B F Pierce B F Pierce 7 months ago I’ve been told for decades to interpret songs on my own and come up with my own meaning. Now I get scolded for misinterpreting one. 4 Reply 1 reply Amelia Sparkles Amelia Sparkles 7 months ago Didn’t know how badly I needed to hear about these guys from you! Maybe I thought you already had talked about them? Either way this is the best info I’ve heard in little a while. 4 Rock N' Roll True Stories Reply Jack Harrow Jack Harrow 6 months ago Quite possibly the most underrated band ever 1 Reply Frank Zen Frank Zen 6 months ago Love the drumming in this song! 1 Reply Bidoof Bidoof 7 months ago You forgot to mention it’s also the theme song to most seasons of Peep Show 18 Reply 2 replies Rubberbandman 529 Rubberbandman 529 6 months ago One of my favorite songs from the 90s, still listen 2 it a lot 😎 2 Reply Tourist Tourist 6 months ago Damn them! I wasn't 13 when this song came out! I was 21 and enjoyed the hell out of it! No! I didn't listen to the lyrics (fully) at the time. Who gives a shit? It was and still is a great tune. 3 Reply Jennifer Buchanan Jennifer Buchanan 6 months ago This band also remade that song" save it for later" by The English Beat. It was pretty good remake as well. 1 Reply James James 7 months ago One of my staple songs in high school in the 90s. I still jam it in Rock Band 4 whenever I play. 5 Rock N' Roll True Stories Reply Mr. Éternel Mr. Éternel 7 months ago Harvey Danger, Super Deluxe, Barenaked Ladies, Weezer, Moonpools & Caterpillars, The Greenberry Woods, Superdrag, Ween, Jellyfish, and many others are bands that i was really into as a teenager. Again, thank you for this video. 15 Rock N' Roll True Stories Reply Rock N' Roll True Stories · 2 replies Gen X Slacker Gen X Slacker 7 months ago still in my top 5 all time fav songs Reply Paul Thompkins Paul Thompkins 7 months ago Absolutely LOVE this song!! 3 Reply Ryan B Ryan B 7 months ago (edited) The word that I most identify with this song is "This is what 'Modern.' sounds like" Considering that I was 3 years old when this song was released it makes sense. It's possible that I learned the word "modern" while talking about or listening to this song. I don't remember obviously because it was 25 years ago. But it makes sense. Maybe I made up this whole story like a dream of something that isnt quite real, that also makes sense. 😆 2 Reply Trick Boy in Mourning Trick Boy in Mourning 6 months ago To this day I’m constantly quoting, “If you’re bored then you’re boring.” Reply Fit Fogey Fit Fogey 7 months ago This is one of those songs I never skip. 4 Reply Dana Borris Dana Borris 7 months ago At this point in my life, I know this song best as the theme song for Peep Show and barely register the 'song' as an actual song outside of that context. 1 Reply PieSeas MySeas PieSeas MySeas 7 months ago Nothing misunderstood by me the song speaks to me and has done so since it dropped. Reply 1 reply men with ven men with ven 4 months ago I was 16 when this song came out. It is by far the most played song on the radio I've ever heard when it was released. I grew to despise this song almost immediately just because you would here it 20 times a day. Oddly enough I like it now Reply brodie659 brodie659 7 months ago Yea this transports me right back to high school - right around the time I was starting to drive. Still a good tune today - just heard it the other day! 1 Reply CeItion CeItion 6 months ago (edited) Funny - when I briefly lived out in Port Angeles WA I worked on a survey crew and one of my coworkers who had attended Washington U told me that he was pretty sure that their name derived from the very graffiti referenced in this vid. Anyhoo it sucks they didn’t keep playing as they had some real talent and Flagpole Sitta is certainly deserving of its top 25 90’s acclaim imo. Still break out my old American Pie soundtrack to jam it fairly often Reply H Dervish H Dervish 7 months ago I was that 13 year old obsessed with Flagpole Sittaand Harvey Danger, and I got the irony and sarcasm. But I didn't really get it get it until I revisited their music in my late 20s Reply uriahedwardsmusic uriahedwardsmusic 7 months ago I only remember hearing this song on old ROH and IWA-MS compilations, and it’s definitely nostalgic for me Reply Scott Oleson Scott Oleson 7 months ago 107.7 The End was the station my family and I listened to for years when we lived in Washington. It introduced me to some of the best music I grew up on 3 Reply #KGBb The Royal Kaotic Great Bluegrass Band #KGBb The Royal Kaotic Great Bluegrass Band 7 months ago The song is still in steady rotation in Vermont. I'm getting ready to work up a Bluegrass version. Thanks for the awesome vid. 3 Reply Menta K Menta K 2 weeks ago That’s crazy that Marco Collins from KNDD “discovered“ them. If you grew up in Seattle in the 90s you know Marco Collins, but the funny part is that I had no idea they were from WA all these years… Reply Adam Huckel Adam Huckel 7 months ago I was in highschool when the song came out and you couldn't avoid it. It was played all day. 2 Reply D Wade D Wade 7 months ago This tune was a staple of late 90's radio. I'm a Metal head and i love it.🤟 8 Reply Ben's Brick Designs Ben's Brick Designs 6 months ago I need to listen to the full album, and check out King James Version. Only full album I ever got was Little By Little... and it was really good. Reply Jezballz Jezballz 7 months ago Love this song,no wonder it's on my New Wave playlists. Reply 2 replies Eric Jae Eric Jae 7 months ago Wow.. this has been my fav song for the past like 4 weeks. What a coincidence 👀 Reply mushy mushy 6 months ago "I'm not sick but I'm not well" I've never once heard it called that, or thought to call it that. The title it has is more memorable 1 Reply DA Ronin DA Ronin 7 months ago Great song and great album. 1 Reply Neil Stonewall Herrmann Neil Stonewall Herrmann 7 months ago Harvey Danger was the 90s best kept secret. 4 Reply Steve Balmer Steve Balmer 7 months ago I think “ sad sweetheart of the rodeo” Is a killer tune…I jam it while riding my motorcycle… Too bad the public is fickle.. 6 Reply 1 reply Psychonaut Psychonaut 7 months ago I loved this song so much i had my legs amputated. I guess i misunderstood the song. 🤨 3 Reply Cassandra Lyris Cassandra Lyris 6 months ago "Underrated" is thrown around too much, but Harvey Danger is 100% underrated and if you enjoy Flagpole SItta you should listen to other songs by them. 4 Reply Mike Wilson Mike Wilson 7 months ago I remember recommending this one. I never knew much about the band until now. And there was a Guided By Voices influence? Alright! Reply 1967RTMOPAR 1967RTMOPAR 7 months ago I did see the band play back in 1998 at The Borderline, a venue just off Charing Cross Road in London. It's a long time ago now but what I remember from that gig was they were not what I was expecting. They were great but they sounded more like The Charlatans, lots of Keyboards going on, But really good. 4 Reply 2 replies Folk.Punk.Feathers Folk.Punk.Feathers 7 months ago Yo, you should do a video on Tally Hall. They're all over tik tok rn, but honestly a deep dive into their shit brings up some wild stuff. Top songs to check out are the Tik Tok ones obv (The Bidding, Ruler of Everything, Banana Man and Hidden in the Sand), but also &, Hymn for a Scarecrow, the first 4 songs of Marvin's (in order), Canibal and You. Plus, if anyone remembers Actual Canibal Shia LaBeouf, that was Rob and Zube! Great band Reply Nightshade II Nightshade II 6 months ago Still a bop. Reply Rick Sanchez C137 Rick Sanchez C137 2 months ago It is the kind of song people want to hear two, three, five times in a row…. but yeah, that destroys the future prospects of listening to the song; or anything else from the band with a similar flavor…. Great sound, wish them well. Reply David Glenn David Glenn 7 months ago When Harvey Danger played Springfield, MO in support of their album, most of the people I knew that went to the show were in their 40s & 50s 3 Reply 2 replies Lowell Upchurch Lowell Upchurch 7 months ago I love this song. One of my very favorites and whether its founded in anything legitimate it is a song that has felt relateable in my core being since I was 9 listening to it on NOW 1. Still strikes the same chord with me. Reply ed violette ed violette 3 months ago I would say, and not from inexperience, that Flagpole Sitta truly speaks to those suffering manic episodes. Praise the lord and pass the selective serotonin uptake inhibitors. Reply dranet dranet 6 months ago Stranger Things needs to feature it and it'll hit the charts again like what is happening with Kate Bush. Reply F. De Mascio F. De Mascio 7 months ago I can't say I know the song, but that lyrics rings a bell. Reply Hink Hall Hink Hall 7 months ago This tune was so great in high school. Reply Daniel Luke Daniel Luke 7 months ago It's funny what you said about the Man Show because one of the theme songs on Seth Meyer's show reminds me a lot of Flagpole Sitta Reply joey morvant joey morvant 6 months ago Love Harvey Danger! Reply Lee Burnett Lee Burnett 7 months ago (edited) I was 12 when I got Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone - obviously because of Flagpole Sitta. But I remember the first time I actually listened to the album, we were going to DC for a school trip and I stayed awake all night playing it on repeat. Problems and Bigger Ones, Jack the Lion, Old Hat, pretty much tracks 5-10 are what made me fall in love with the band. That was the first time I paid any real attention to song lyrics beyond the melody. KJV was a great album too, but IMO didn't match the first with the exception of a few songs like Pike St./Park Slope. I remember the day I found out the band was giving away Little by Little for free, and when they later announced they were quitting. I was heartbroken. That album was absolutely amazing too. Every single song. Harvey Danger will always be one of my all-time favorite bands, if they ever do any type of reunion tour I will drive across the country (and tell my story walking) to see them. I have a way to get to work in almost any city, doesn't matter where. Reply Glass Melter Glass Melter 7 months ago Starting this video was a new 17 line disclaimer on liability. Who was the instigator of this? That would make a good rock story🙏👍🤜🤛 2 Reply Baby lemonade Baby lemonade 7 months ago Will always remind me of American pie. Great movie,great song 4 Rock N' Roll True Stories Reply Rock N' Roll True Stories · 2 replies Brigand231 Brigand231 7 months ago Oh, Jeff Lin... At first I was like, when did Jeff Lynne play drums? I don't doubt he could, but it's not his normal thing. Probably the best thing my ex ever did for me was getting us tickets to the '98 HFStival. What stands out in my mind from the Harvey Danger set was during Flagpole Sitta Nelson would add things in between lyrics like "...I wanna publish scenes and rage against machines (no offense)..." Reply radicalresix radicalresix 6 months ago oh man I've always loved this song but tbh I loved their follow up album more - sad sweetheart of the rodeo fuckin slaps Reply Munji Bean Munji Bean 6 months ago That’s my all-time favorite song! Reply Club Astro Transcendental Motor Club Astro Transcendental Motor 7 months ago I was a teenager, early 20’s dude in the 90’s and only remember the song due to it being the opening theme of Peep Show. This is a came and rapidly went one hit wonder. 3 Reply Lewis Barrett Lewis Barrett 7 months ago Classic example of a band where the singer didn't want to be in a band, ive been to his lectures he said he prefers writing. 2 Reply Captain Modesty Captain Modesty 6 months ago It wasused as the theme song to Peep Show from series 2 onwards as well, that's how I came to hear it at least Reply Mombo Sibes Mombo Sibes 7 months ago This song also appears in the intro of the british comedy series Peep Show. Reply Jamie McParland Jamie McParland 7 months ago Oh man, you forgot to mention it was the theme song for the UK show "PeepShow". AWESOME show by the way. Reply Tony Gibson Tony Gibson 7 months ago Welp, if u watch good tv you’ll still hear it on peep show. Doesn’t get old Reply 1 reply Eric Bruce Eric Bruce 3 months ago I got through 7 minutes of the video. Bizarre that "green day" hasn't been mentioned. This song only still exists since everyone vaguely remembers it and assumes it's some Green Day B-side. Best Green Day song they never actually recorded. Reply War Wolfe X War Wolfe X 7 months ago I reacted to their album on my channel and I absolutely loved it!!! I was sort of maybe close on my interpretation of the song lol 1 Reply Johnny Hilz Johnny Hilz 7 months ago So a few people got the answer right! 👍 Good job peeps! Reply Isla Byford Isla Byford 5 months ago i believe Flagpole sitta is the theme for the second to ninth series of Peep show 1 Reply ronindebeatrice ronindebeatrice 6 months ago This is my jam. Reply The Lockdown Kid The Lockdown Kid 7 months ago (edited) I feel like this song was inspired by that other Seattle band. You know, the one that goes "He likes to sing along and he likes to shoot his gun but he knows not what it means." Reply 1 reply Medalion Medalion 5 months ago The song is meta jab at alternative rock and grunge, which in itself is a song of said styles.... I never wanted to believe it way back in the day, but the lyrics do make it clear they are poking fun at some lyrical tropes in alternative rock Reply Caeser Romero Caeser Romero 7 months ago Wonder how many people thought Jeff Lin was the guy from ELO? :) 2 Reply Monsterism Monsterism 7 months ago always remember being intro to UK's Peep show 7 Reply Jim Halpert Jim Halpert 7 months ago One of those bands I knew zero about I always love that song though Reply Mario Lopez Mario Lopez 7 months ago Just like this video Harvey Danger had an abrupt ending 3 Reply 2 replies Bill Dahl Bill Dahl 7 months ago That is a great song! Reply Billy Mech Billy Mech 7 months ago (edited) This song was on the first Now cd lol. Got it when I was like 8 or some shit. My first introduction to that type of music Reply Sandra Weilbrenner Sandra Weilbrenner 6 months ago I love this song Reply pathogen b pathogen b 6 months ago Aww, no mention of this track being the theme song for Peep Show? Reply Darkrift Darkrift 6 months ago i feel like these end to abruptly, needs a "and thats all for this episode" at the end or something Reply Mikey McRae Mikey McRae 7 months ago I thought everyone understood that this is a great song! 🤪 Reply 1 reply Bryan Severine Bryan Severine 7 months ago (edited) Blank cassette in the stereo and DIVE for the REC button when your favorite song came on the radio….MIXED TAPE! Reply Charles Farley Charles Farley 7 months ago Talk about an appropriate album title. Where, indeed, have all the merrymakers gone? 1 Reply We Luv 9X5 We Luv 9X5 7 months ago The vintage Sony gear highlighted in this vid is the shit! ✌🏻 Reply Diamondelle84 Diamondelle84 7 months ago 4:55 That made me laugh out loud 🤣🤣😂 Reply Casey 3-P-O Casey 3-P-O 7 months ago I feel like the obvious band name for these guys would have been "The Editors". That would have been more appropriate. 1 Reply VitaEx VitaEx 7 months ago Sad sweetheart is the rodeo is also a banger Reply Argus Fleibeit Argus Fleibeit 7 months ago I only know this song as the theme music for "Peep Show". That's what happens when you decide not to listen to the radio for ten years. Why don't they mention "Peep Show" in the video? They must have made some bucks off of that. Reply audible tapehiss audible tapehiss 7 months ago When he was horrified at what fans came up to him and said, I was sure prosthetic legs were going to be involved. Oh well. Regrettable piercings are funny too. Reply Last of the Kanoonoos Last of the Kanoonoos 3 months ago I discovered this song through the soundtrack for Scooby-Doo 2 Monsters Unleashed. Reply Joey Durant Joey Durant 7 months ago I was a thirteen year old that did appreciate the complexity. Reply nathan thomas nathan thomas 7 months ago How could you not mention Peepshow? Reply John Horner John Horner 6 months ago Perfect example of an artist overthinking things. Sometimes people just like good catching music and it’s not about the deeper themes and movement and blah blah blah. Reply 1 reply Matthew Bittenbender Matthew Bittenbender 7 months ago Always loved the song but never really got into the band much. I was already in my 20s when this came out and radio stations treated them like a novelty act never giving their other songs airtime. If I had bought the album it would've been hoping I didn't spend $20 on a single as it was before the age of Apple play, Spotify and even...gakkk!...Napster. 1 Reply Matt Carlson Matt Carlson 7 months ago Weird how the video just ends at 9:09. Reply FatManChew909 FatManChew909 6 months ago Sad that KROQ is the shell of its former self. Reply Benvolio28 Benvolio28 7 months ago This was more "History of Harvey Danger's first album" vs the title. The audio different in the VO was strange. Reply Chris Troiano Chris Troiano 7 months ago Was this meant to cut off like that at the end? This was so well-researched and nicely explained. I didn’t expect this, what a great surprise. I believe the band always denied the rumor about doing Mudhoney covers. 1 Reply 2 replies BlackSunshine BlackSunshine 7 months ago I always thought they were a britpop band. They had that bounce, style and sarcasm. Wouldn't go out of place next to Elastica, Blur etc Was eventually used as the theme song for a highly recommended long running UK comedy called Peep Show Reply 1 reply Toby’s Gaming World Toby’s Gaming World 7 months ago I remember the B-side was “Private Helicopter” weird the stuff you remember. 1 Reply Lachlan K. Lachlan K. 6 months ago Peep Show is the real saviour 1 Reply sting sting 7 months ago im a simple man, i see sean nelson in the thumbnail, i click. 2 Reply Geolaw1 Geolaw1 7 months ago "Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone?" Is still one of my favourite albums of all time! Flagpole Sitta is not even close to one of its best songs. "Jack the Lion" "Old Hat" and "Wooly Muffler" are all AMAZING tunes! This is a Dookie level album! 9 Reply 2 replies james staggs james staggs 7 months ago I was like 19 when this was all over the place and I don't have anything against the band to say I despised the song would be an understatement. At the time I was a huge Rage Against the Machine fan and the line about them pissed me off (I've since changed my mind about that, still think they're all crazy talented I just realized one day that oh, Zak is talking about me and most of my family in these lyrics, not gonna stay where I'm not wanted). He did have a point though which I didn't realize until way later in life. Rage was the Machine. Corporate rebellion isn't rebelling against anything. I never fell for any of the rest of the mid to late 90s stuff. No piercings, no tattoos, I wore pants that fit. Didn't have any issues with that stuff because it was all around me all the time, I've just never been big on trends, save for enjoying whatever brand of rock/metal was being sold to everyone at the time. 1 Reply Ron Reed Ron Reed 7 months ago Great video .. maybe someone else mentioned it .. but .. Peep Show used the song as it's theme. (Peep Show is the best) 1 Reply XVI PHO ENIX XVI PHO ENIX 7 months ago I think back then, it was easy to see most bands getting signed were only going to have one hit then it was on to the next. What they lacked in image made up for it with one memorable song. Most bands in the late 90's just didn't have enough of a commercial presence for staying power. I'm sure as well as with bands like verve pipe or fastball have some good songs but the timing was running out for anything post Seattle. 1 Reply Jim Hill Jim Hill 7 months ago I love the music in this video. Can anyone advise on this? Thanks! Reply Candice ecidnaC Candice ecidnaC 6 months ago You seem to have mixed up heretic and hermetic at 1:55. Her met ic. Easy peasy. There are dictionaries online you can use to look up words and how to pronounce them. They even have little speaker icons so they'll pronounce it for you so there's no guessing or flubbing. And wow, what an abrupt ending. Reply Incubus Time Lord Incubus Time Lord 7 months ago This song was used to heavily promote the teen horror movie Disturbing Behavior. Neither the song nor the film would ever wind up aging well. Both products are seen as perfectly dated examples of things in American pop culture that are "ridiculously late 1990s". Reply Allan Vanuga Allan Vanuga 7 months ago Great video. Reply Noah Michael Noah Michael 7 months ago It's not misunderstood. It's a terrible song and one of the more saddening things is people think this song is good, even ironically. Post irony took off in the last 90s and never really went away and it basically ruined music. If any Flagpole Sitta is one of the first songs of the new generation of music that no one cares about 2 Reply 3 replies Quetzal 28 Quetzal 28 7 months ago (edited) Hey man I got an idea for a video, it would be really awesome if you could do a what happened to The Flys: the band behind “got you where i want you” and holiday man 1 Reply 2 replies James Davidson James Davidson 6 months ago Two words; "Peep" and "Show" Reply Daniel Wood Daniel Wood 1 month ago no mention of peep show theme tune from the uk show. great show if your over the pond give it a watch. Reply Viva La Rosa Viva La Rosa 7 months ago I still love this song. I remember when I first listened to this song back in 98. I always thought it was about masturbation hence "flag pole sitta". Reply Bob The Bear Bob The Bear 7 months ago Good video, but the sudden cut-off at the end there makes it feel strangely like a demo. 🤔 Was this intentional? For years I could never remember the title of the song, and so I just remembered it as "Harvey Danger." Reply AretnaP 3 AretnaP 3 7 months ago I've Never Heard ANY RadioStation Play a Song More Than Once per Half Hour. (Tuesdays Would Be Two Songs By TheSame Band...But Never TheSameSong Repeated Over&Over.) Reply Mr. Éternel Mr. Éternel 7 months ago Thank you! 2 Rock N' Roll True Stories Reply Cody Truesdale Cody Truesdale 7 months ago Honestly I never paid much attention to what the song was about. I just heard it as a catchy and fun song not unlike "Doo Doo Doo" by Third Eye Blind. Reply Paul Daly Paul Daly 7 months ago No mention of the song being the theme to Peep show? Reply John's cockblocking shoes John's cockblocking shoes 7 months ago I think of peep show when I hear this song 1 Reply Caitlin Rose Blaney Caitlin Rose Blaney 6 months ago So does no one understand (Todd didn’t say this, either) that it’s called “Flagpole Sitta” because that was a 20s trend? And this song is comparing it to 90s trends? Seems kind obvious… not sure why they should’ve changed the title. Reply Michael JONES Michael JONES 7 months ago Evan Sult's band "Sleepy Kitty" 1 Reply Tiek Bane Tiek Bane 6 months ago One reason it's so misunderstood is because what it is? Reply film79 film79 6 months ago Wasn't "bean dad" in the band? Reply j murdoch j murdoch 7 months ago Interesting video. Reply Jen H Jen H 7 months ago Mudhoney spawned Harvey Danger. Weird. 1 Reply Mike Dasilva Mike Dasilva 7 months ago Flagpole Sitta was the theme song of BBC’s tv series Peephole from season 2 on. 3 Reply 1 reply ZippyThing Invention ZippyThing Invention 7 months ago Wary is a completely different word that weary... I'm weary of the misuse of the word, but I'm wary of pointing it out. 2 Reply 1 reply Mickael Mc Mickael Mc 6 months ago What's the band that keeps getting credited for this song on the radio half of the time? Sum 41? Reply wiseguy100 wiseguy100 7 months ago Only know the song because of the sitcom Peep Show. Reply Numetal4all Numetal4all 7 months ago Did someone else finish the video? The voice sounds really different at the end Reply Cara Cara 7 months ago Great vid 1 Rock N' Roll True Stories Reply Hildugard Hildugard 4 months ago One hit wondah. 1 Reply Eric Bourassa Eric Bourassa 6 months ago most abrupt youtube vid ending ever lol Reply Tentin Quarantino Tentin Quarantino 3 months ago Ooooh... Jeff Lin. Yeah my brain went to Jeff Lynn. I’m show my age now and I’m not that old Reply Rick Merritt Rick Merritt 7 months ago I don’t think “smells like teen spirit” is in the lyrics either. Reply SayKyleNotCow SayKyleNotCow 7 months ago I remember hating that song so much because they played it to death. Within a week of first hearing it I was already sick of it. Reply Llanowyn Llanowyn 6 months ago That shot at 3:00 made me dizzy. Reply Soraeon Soraeon 6 months ago The last “to” in your disclaimer is misspelled, “ot,” now on to your video! Reply Fight Ostin Fight Fight Ostin Fight 7 months ago The question is what the hell does the title mean? Reply Boston Guy in the midwest Boston Guy in the midwest 7 months ago The person on the thumbnail looks like the love child of Marshall Crenshaw (circa 1980) and Seth Rogan. Reply Creamcheese Diarrhea Creamcheese Diarrhea 7 months ago haha thats our old jam room Reply Dogma Dogma 2 months ago Whatever happened to Nada Surf or Prong? Reply Yan Dan Yan Dan 6 months ago No mention of 'Peep show'? 🤔 Reply Fighter X Fighter X 7 months ago What is up with the abrupt end of this video? Reply SAMPSON LEEVON SAMPSON LEEVON 7 months ago The Vines is who i thought this was at first Reply Joshua Montgomery Joshua Montgomery 6 months ago Is the video SUPPOSED to abruptly stop? Reply Rob Walsh Rob Walsh 7 months ago Flagpole Sitta, yo 2 Reply Maxmillian McGillicuddy Maxmillian McGillicuddy 7 months ago Not to be confused with Jeff Lynn Reply hegemony cricket hegemony cricket 6 months ago Was a short section of this vid narrated by someone else? Reply Christian Smyth Christian Smyth 7 months ago Wait, there's two of you? 2 Reply Luke Purser Luke Purser 7 months ago How do you like that, another Jeff lynne Reply AretnaP 3 AretnaP 3 7 months ago Paranoia...Paranoia...EveryBody's Comin' to Get Me... Reply 2 replies booboo child booboo child 7 months ago I only know this song from Peep show Reply gaming knight gaming knight 7 months ago #1 and love the vids 2 Rock N' Roll True Stories Reply timelessnugget timelessnugget 6 months ago I don't think you say co-opted enough. Reply You're friendly neighborhood white guy You're friendly neighborhood white guy 6 months ago (edited) 🤷 I mean nice one hit wonder band that could have did more if they got out of their own way they didn't play music for the money they played music to make music which is what bands now do and that's why they played a 10 people and make no money I mean if you get it how many people actually get a hit song and how many people can top the charts and get on movies not many bands do that and they just kind of squandered it Reply Aussieduderivs1 Aussieduderivs1 7 months ago No turkey Jeremy?! Reply M J M M J M 6 months ago First of all, it sounds painful. Reply Elia Clemente Elia Clemente 7 months ago Your instagram is down. was looking to follow so i could get great little music facts and stuff. Reply Gabriel Longoria Gabriel Longoria 7 months ago And that’s pretty much it see ya Reply Russell Stevens Russell Stevens 7 months ago I like watching Fuller House Reply David Brothers David Brothers 7 months ago It seems like there were a shitload of post grunge alternative bands in the mid nineties that were popular for awhile and than just disappeared and most of them were terrible 2 Reply what what 7 months ago American Pie 1 Rock N' Roll True Stories Reply Ugly Casanova Ugly Casanova 7 months ago (edited) I remember in the 90's there was an issue between Harvey D and Modest Mouse.. I was a big Modest Mouse fan so I couldn't stand Harvey Danger. 2 Reply 6 replies Judge Dot Taylor Judge Dot Taylor 7 months ago But.. Peep show? Reply joey morvant joey morvant 6 months ago Love Harvey Danger! Reply Xenos N. Xenos N. 7 months ago I remember buying this album when it came out because of Flagpole Sitta and being greatly disappointed. 1 Reply Justin Ericksin Justin Ericksin 7 months ago (edited) Yeah, 200 cigarettes and vocal lessons, these guys told stories not just music. Gut wrenching whiny romantic is the genre, not alternative. Reply fatkidinabucket fatkidinabucket 7 months ago Informative but the video needs work. Even has a typo Reply Toaden Toaden 7 months ago wow no mention of the video or that people started to know the band as "that band with the lead singer that looks like Dexter form Dexter's laboratory" 1 Reply Matthew Blackwood Matthew Blackwood 7 months ago It "raises the question" not "begs the question" that is a common misuse of the phrase and doesn't mean what you think it does. 1 Reply 1 reply Brutus B Brutus B 7 months ago Harvey Danger didnt want to be 'famous' - and thats just the facts. Over exposed? You could walk to the streets and ask a hundred guys my age who Harvey Danger is and they wouldnt have a clue. Thats just the facts. The members of the band were much more interested is WRITING than making music, and there is nothing wrong with that. This comment stems from Nelsons 'Having this conversation on my yact' line when talking about the name of the song. Calling it 'Im not sick but Im not well' wouldnt make them any more memorable. Reply 2 replies 12inchguy 12inchguy 7 months ago the editing of these vids are just off a lot of the times Reply Evan Hood Benton Evan Hood Benton 7 months ago Da hell Reply symbolsarenotreality symbolsarenotreality 6 months ago Why do you keep saying FLAYG poll sitter? Its FLAG pole sitter. Enunciation mate. Reply Jimmy Lewis Jimmy Lewis 7 months ago Never heard of it. Reply Dog Brain Dog Brain 7 months ago Harvey Danger: An American Flop Reply Yldcatz Yldcatz 7 months ago So no play. Thanks Reply Paul Simon Paul Simon 7 months ago Peep Show? Reply Eric Thompson Eric Thompson 6 months ago WHO ???? Reply Genghis Roundstone Genghis Roundstone 7 months ago I hated this song when it came out and still hate it Reply linc thomas linc thomas 7 months ago who? Reply gir5o1 gir5o1 7 months ago The way you pronounced hermetic made me cringe. 1 Reply Kona jinx Kona jinx 7 months ago Always hated this song and could never stand the band. They didn’t deserve any better. Reply Jaller Jaller 7 months ago This song was PURE nihilistic 90’s rock at it’s finest and most annoying and obnoxious. Reply Brian Jones Brian Jones 7 months ago I can't stand their music. 1 Reply Matt Sheezy Matt Sheezy 6 months ago This song is so Bad (as in Terrible) that it gives me douche chills. “Cumbersome” by 7 Mary 3 is even worse, the writing is just unbelievably bad, I can’t believe that it was ever released. 1 Reply Trevor Helmsley Trevor Helmsley 6 months ago I remember when I heard the flagpole sitta song when I was 16 and thought it was…..wait for it…horrible. I couldn’t stand the band looking like a college band and was glad I never heard from them again such as the rest of the soft crap from that era. Did I mention the lyrics are lame and stupid. Reply 1 reply Anthony Wandowicz Anthony Wandowicz 7 months ago They had one hit song which was soaked with satire. Those are the worst hits because all the other songs on the album seem like 🗑. Can't even take this band seriously due to that song. I'm sure they didn't Reply 1 reply The Violet Bunny The Violet Bunny 7 months ago (edited) The only song I know from them is “I’m not sick but I’m not well” song and always thought it was was a guy not a band why do people name them selves names that sound like a persons name ? I hate that. Edit : apparently it’s called flag pole sitter I must be having a Mandela affect situation because I remember it being called “sick” Reply 2 replies Sjin Sjin 7 months ago They should have called the song: “our singer has shit hair”. Reply ChainsGoldMask ChainsGoldMask 7 months ago This has to be the messiest installment in a while. 2 narrators, bad editing, bad spelling. 1 Reply Veer Chasm Veer Chasm 7 months ago Misunderstood because it SUCKS 1 Reply Jackson Jackson 7 months ago Met the singer after a show in the mid 90s. He was a smug asshole that seemed like he thought he was too cool to be in our smallish city. Maybe he was just having a bad day. 2 Reply Rob Malford Rob Malford 6 months ago I understand that it sucks, has always sucked and always will suck. Reply Willis Sudweeks Willis Sudweeks 7 months ago Who? Reply 1 reply Jolly Misanthrope Jolly Misanthrope 7 months ago The song was damn annoying. Reply dan glenzig dan glenzig 7 months ago Sean Nelson was the worst person you could ever meet… rude & self absorbed 1 Reply Jon S Jon S 7 months ago Worst band ever. Soy boi cry fest. Just move on. Reply 1 reply FatElvis Jr FatElvis Jr 7 months ago Cuz its a bunch rambling nonsense like every bob dylan song. No its not smart or cryptic or anything. Just a bunch of words thrown together to music. Reply adrenalinflow adrenalinflow 7 months ago ONE HIT WONDERLAND: "Flagpole Sitta" by Harvey Danger Todd in the Shadows 501K subscribers Subscribe 13K Share 514,205 views Jan 28, 2019 They weren't sick but they weren't well... certainly not well enough to have a second hit! Who were Harvey Danger and why was the irony killing them? (Support Todd on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/toddintheshadows ) 2,306 Comments rongmaw lin Add a comment... bonecanoe86 bonecanoe86 2 years ago In an alternate dimension Todd is referencing the long and storied career of Harvey Danger in a video entitled 'ONE HIT WONERLAND: "Creep" by Radiohead'. 1K Reply 13 replies Contributron Contributron 3 years ago (edited) This song is kind of genius in my opinion. Even if it comes off a bit snotty, it really encapsulates that feeling of complete alienation, even from groups that are supposed to be havens for misfits. The guy feels completely out of place in this world. Edit: Also it’s a catchy tune. 708 Reply 9 replies Mike Baxter Mike Baxter 1 year ago "I mean, who could take this music seriously? Kurt Cobain took it seriously and he's dead." Dude, that statement gave me goosebumps. Some serious spit on the mic, sir. Keep dropping those bomb! 150 Reply 1 reply Justin M. Justin M. 3 years ago I worked for Harvey Danger as a roadie on their first tour. They are (were, R.I.P. Aaron) all such great guys. From my recollection, they were just so surprised that they even made it. Flagpole Sitta was not the song (as you said) that they wanted to be known for. They had so many more great songs. Their fans know, but they really had great songs other than that. They totally deserved better, but I think they really didn't get the chance. 36 Reply 2 replies Ian Craig Ian Craig 4 months ago Personally, I remember hearing this song for the first time on the radio and as soon as the line "then they cut off both of my legs now I'm an amputee GODDAMN YOU" hit it immediately struck me as poinient. I don't think I'd ever heard that level of seemingly genuine hatred in music up to that point, and intermixed with the seemingly upbeat nature of the song it really opened my eyes as a kid to what you could do thematically with music. 13 Reply Etana Edelman Etana Edelman 3 years ago It's really interesting when a band or singer that seems to be heading toward one hit wonderdom suddenly reverses course, like Radiohead. I mean, I'm going to bet that in 1969 if you told people that the Space Oddity guy was going to be one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, few people would believe you. 215 Reply 2 replies Jadon North Jadon North 3 years ago I can't imagine a band hating their biggest hit more than Radiohead hate creep. 627 Reply 50 replies ECL28E ECL28E 2 years ago "I'm a child, I'm a mother" (I'm immature, but I'm in a situation that requires maturity) "I'm here, but I'm really gone" (I'm in this location, but I'm drifting off and don't care about any of it) "I'm never alone, I'm alone all the time" (Depression, even when you're surrounded by people) 327 Reply 10 replies Ben W Ben W 3 years ago (edited) Harvey Danger was one of the most underrated bands in the entirety of music history. All highly talented individuals and good dudes. My copy of what eventually became their semi-posthumous release "Dead Sea Scrolls" was a burned copy given to me by Aaron himself, and he was a great guy. Rest in peace, man. I believed in HD. I believed in them the whole time. They were my band. 24 Reply 1 reply douglawless douglawless 2 years ago That whole first album is great. And Private Helicopter isn't just about rekindling a relationship with an ex-girlfriend. On the hovercraft to Paris, he's with his former best friend. The song seems to be about getting another chance to connect with people from earlier points in your life, now armed with the benefit of hindsight. Anyway, this was the first video of yours I've watched. Won't be the last. 5 Reply Richard Miller Richard Miller 3 years ago Found "Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone" in the used section of my local music store in high school. I remembered hearing "Flagpole Sitta" on the radio as a kid, and figured why not? Damn if I didn't fall in love with that album. I got all my friends hooked on it, and it became our default road trip music. I still know every single lyric on that record to this day. Excellent video. So glad I found this channel. 52 Reply 1 reply Lulu VanHoagland Lulu VanHoagland 2 years ago Tbh while I don’t think they could’ve had more hits, Nelson’s writing is so biting and articulate and honest in a way you don’t see a whole lot of anymore. Little round mirrors is clearly the portrait of someone so obsessed with something that it ruins every relationship they’ve ever had and man...if Nelson is writing about himself he must be very lonely because the topic of alienation comes up so often. Being really open with the good bad and ugly seems to be something that doesn’t happen often because it’s hard to sell. All three albums paint a rather depressing portrait of someone who’s incredibly lonely and let down by the people in his life and man...I really admire that level of honesty. It’s kind of incredible. 3 Reply BigMonkeyOnAStick BigMonkeyOnAStick 3 years ago Honestly never knew this song had an existence outside of being the Peep Show theme. It is awesome though, hope they got plenty of royalties! 342 Reply 3 replies Jamie Mountain Jamie Mountain 3 years ago I actually did a mini presentation about "Carlotta Valdez" for my college class on Hitchcock, and I was pretty proud of it. I am probably the one person who would really love more rock songs about classic cinema. 42 Reply XxTaiMTxX XxTaiMTxX 3 months ago I think what has always made me really happy about the song is how well it basically describes the "disenchanted". It's a timeless song. A long form way to say "This is all really stupid and pointless. We're all pretending to stand for something and fit in with a group, but that's all it is... an act." Even the music video basically points that out. Moving room to room, trying to fit in their music with whomever is there, and in the end... performing for a single monkey and being absolutely HAPPY at having done so. To that extent, this particular song has really always spoken to me on that level. Everything is just... very much saying things for the sake of saying things. Except in a tone that conveys the utter disdain for doing so. Very "I hate that pop culture and the world is like this, but it's not like I'm any better. I'm doing it too." It's self aware in an "I hate the world" and "I hate myself" sort of way at the same time. That's probably why this song has always reminded me of Fooly Cooly (FLCL, anime, check it out if you haven't heard of it). The show very much carries the same sentiment, vibe, and disenchantment with the world that the song has. It's an entire 4 minute song to say, "Nothing amazing happens here. Everything is ordinary." And, you know what? They're right. The world still feels like that. I wanna publish zines and rage against machines. I wanna pierce my tongue, it doesn't hurt it feels fine... do you know why? Because if you're bored than you're boring. OH, the agony and the irony are killin' me! 8 Reply CplAnguadaEarth CplAnguadaEarth 3 years ago (edited) Apart from being a masturbation joke, “run it up the flagpole” is a weird old cliche. I know it from this and a variant in “Defenders of Marriage” by Roy Zimmerman. The Wikipedia reads: “Let's run it up the flagpole and see if anyone salutes it" is a catchphrase which became popular in the United States during the late 1950s and early 1960s.[citation needed] It means "to present an idea tentatively and see whether it receives a favorable reaction." It is now considered a cliché. Sometimes it is used seriously, but more often it is used humorously, with the intention that it be recognized as both hackneyed and outdated. 79 Reply 4 replies Hokiemon Productions Hokiemon Productions 3 years ago At this point, TITS is going to cover my Dad's entire hard drive of music of the 90s. We have two of Harvey Dangers albums, but I never thought they were popular in the first place (at least I didn't know their "hit" in "one-hit-wonder"). Anyways, thanks Todd for covering this as well as Semisonic way back. -from a regular viewer 65 Reply 2 replies LIZ-O-RAMA LIZ-O-RAMA 3 years ago when i was 12 i emailed Harvey Danger on my mum's work email. the email said "you guys rock!" 160 Reply 2 replies Waiting For The Hook Waiting For The Hook 3 years ago Harvey Danger's second album, King James Version is one of the best albums of all time that nobody has even heard. They're an amazing band. 202 Reply 8 replies Wyatt Isrite Wyatt Isrite 2 years ago Harvey Danger ripped. Their bassist was a beast. People say Smells Like Teen Spirit was the anthem of the 90's, but Flagpole Sitta captured that sardonic, cynical sarcasm that was so quintessential. I fucking love this band and it's a shame they never got bigger. 3 Reply Tomapella Tomapella 3 years ago Bummed at Little By Little getting only a brief mention. It's easily my favorite HD album and has some brilliant songs. 39 Reply 3 replies Kari Stark Kari Stark 2 months ago Maybe because I've lived in Seattle for 18 years and I'm involved in the music scene here, but I personally feel Harvey Danger definitely deserved more. They wrote great songs with clever lyrics, were kind people, and were involved in the local Seattle scene. 1 Reply Nash Knight Nash Knight 1 year ago I've never heard of this band in my life, but I have heard this song, many times, as it is in the intro of a great show called "Peep Show" (seriously, go watch it right now). And I love it. As for its tone, I don't think of it that much as a joke, more like burst out laughing when you are so sad and f-ed up you want to cry out from despair. 11 Reply 1 reply CaptRamune CaptRamune 3 years ago You're gonna have to do that Marcy Playground episode one of these days, Todd. 288 Reply 8 replies whizwart1 whizwart1 3 years ago I crowd-surfed to this in high school at Jamboree 98 outside of Chicago. I hit a patch of noodle-armed middle school kids and went face first into the parking lot asphalt.....it was worth it. 266 Reply 3 replies Frosty Bird Frosty Bird 3 years ago There are so many songs of the 90’s I could like objectively but I hate just because they were inescapable (I only had radio then no cable till a senior in 2000) and I heard them so damn much. This song I will never get tired of, no matter how much I hear it and that says a lot. 2 Reply AllTheoryNoPractice AllTheoryNoPractice 3 years ago I genuinely think Harvey danger is one of the most underrated bands from this time. One of their later songs, "What You Live By," is still my favorite song of all time to this day, partially because of that eloquent lyric-writing and self-criticism You mentioned in the video. 3 Reply LS Greger LS Greger 3 years ago I am still waiting for Smashmouth to make their "OK Computer". 288 Reply 9 replies twiceshy twiceshy 3 years ago Man, I love that other album and I wish there was more of it here. "Wine Women and Song" and "Cream and Bastards" are jaded as hell, but so good. They deserved better. I mean, writing for The Stranger is better, but still. 18 Reply Rose Rose 3 years ago Every time you cover stuff from the 90's, I always hope you're going to mention Radiohead. Thanks Todd. I love The Creep Band(tm) and I'm glad they didn't give up when they wanted to after they got sick of Creep. 18 Reply Reioa Reioa 3 years ago I'm only at 6:46 of this review and I feel I must mention out loud to you that thus far you've absolutely tapped into a core of lyric coding I hadn't even considered before and not only have you perfectly illustrated it, you made me understand it so succintly. Stop doubting yourself and your insight, you're a genius. 164 Reply 6 replies J. Baum J. Baum 2 years ago In some fairness to that 2nd verse, I get the feeling that that was meant to be taken as satire against some of those who may have lead the whole alt scene. The fact that he follows up the whole "only stupid people are breeding" bit with the line "& I don't even own a TV" -- the most pretentious "I'm an intellectual going against the mainstream"-kinda thing someone might say -- gives me the feeling that, unless he was somehow incredibly self-unaware when he wrote that line, he almost certainly meant that as satire of those pretentions rather than him being pretentious. Also, the last verse about "the voices in my head", which seems to similarly attack those kinds of pretentions, seems to help back that up. 41 Reply Kimmy Kilhazard Kimmy Kilhazard 3 years ago Harvey Danger is criminally underrated and Sean Nelson is a fantastic lyricist with a surprisingly powerful voice. Hard disagree on KJV being a throwaway album, every song on that, Merrymakers, and Little by Little is a banger. 5 Reply Jason Cloherty Jason Cloherty 10 months ago Their B-Sides album Dead Sea Scrolls is fantastic and criminally underrated. 1 Reply Chief Rief Chief Rief 3 years ago This song IS my late 90s Friday night anthem- running around with my friends, causing havoc all over town, hitting up Blockbuster, grabbing some pizzas and drinks, finally crashing at near sunrise. Some great nights. 6 Reply Dusty Dusty 1 year ago This video actually is what got me to check out more of their work, and if I'm being honest, it all rocks. I'm surprised they didn't get more hits. Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone and The King James Version are up there as some of my favorite albums now 3 Reply watho watho 3 years ago i always thought that the "went around the world and only stupid people are breeding" line was making fun of people who think that. like that sequence is capped of with "and i don't even own a TV" which is just too good of a punchline to not be intended. i love this song to death regardless though 242 Reply 3 replies Auto Matixx Auto Matixx 2 years ago i dunno why. but after discovering this channel and seeing almost all of it at this point i gotta say i’m obsessed. seeing THE EXACT SAME music taste reflected back at me is a very weird and thrilling experience. i love this guy lol. 1 Reply Adam Landry Adam Landry 2 years ago Their second album is amazing. 1 Reply christopher blare christopher blare 2 years ago As a huge Harvey danger fan who never even acknowledged their existence until like 2013, I actually think their 2005 album is some of their best work. 2 Reply Tony Ortiz Tony Ortiz 3 years ago "Fingertips have memories; they can't forget the curves of your body". Wow: 20 years and I never realized this song actually had interesting lyrics until now. Thanks, Todd! 3 Reply Jeffery Jones Jeffery Jones 3 years ago I remember finding the CD with "Flagpole Sitta" on it at a Goodwill in like 2009. I really liked the album overall. I've always felt they were more than the hit. I guess they just resonate with me. 3 Reply Kolby Kauffman Kolby Kauffman 3 years ago My old ass first heard this from a fossil in time called "Now That's What I Call Music! vol.1" Sandwiched in between Marcy Playground AND Radiohead. They definitely hit the zeitgeist if they were LITERALLY side-by-side with the two specific bands you mentioned for example. Cheers, mate! 78 Reply 1 reply Dave Sings Dave Sings 2 years ago I loved that entire record. From start to finish, no exceptions. Got to see them perform the entire album on the 20th anniversary of it's release. Reply SirEriol SirEriol 2 years ago Given how Toddstradamus works, Sean Nelson is probably watching this right now. Hey, Mr. Sean Nelson. This video introduced me to Harvey Danger a few months ago. Where have all the merrymakers gone is now one of my favourite albums. So thank you, Todd. This is pretty cool. 4 Reply Michael Smyth Michael Smyth 7 months ago Great tune, exemplifies alienation amongst your particular group. Lyrics are way deeper than the yeah/no bit of verbal flatulence of many of the other tunes, not sick, but not well is way beyond the morrisette hallmark card lyric shop. I was 34 when Flagpole Sitta hit, unlike many other songs of that Era, mostly pablum for the masses, I knew of what the song spoke of, it actually has some depth. Interesting band, that debut Lp is pretty good. 1 Reply Jessica W Jessica W 3 years ago I highly recommend the album this song comes from, Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? I'm probably overselling it, but I see it as a brilliant dark horse of an album, like The Heist from Macklemore. I happened to find the album at a used book store in town when I was looking for music for a class project, and it had one of the songs I was looking for (Terminal Annex), and then I saw it had Flagpole Sitta too, and I was like, "Wait-- that's the same band?! OMG!!!!" Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? has become one of those albums that is very near and dear to my heart. Whenever my world comes crashing down around me and I feel like screaming in anguish and throwing things, I play this album through in my car at full blast and shout out the lyrics to every song, and by the time the album has played through, I feel like I can begin to pick up the pieces again. Special shoutouts to certain songs: Private Helicopter was the song I sent to my future ex-fiance to tell him I knew he still wanted me, and even though I didn't quite admit it to myself at the time, to tell him that I was still attracted to him too. Wooly Muffler I played on repeat when I was frustrated over a sort of love triangle I was involved in. Jack the Lion was always the song that I would want to play in honor of my ex-fiance's dad someday when he passes away. Right in the middle of this angsty album, you get one of the sweetest, most endearing love songs ever, Old Hat, right when you need it the most (it comes right after Jack the Lion). Plus, Old Hat has this lyric: "Disembodied ringlets/ From hair that looks like yours" and I have long curly hair, so I'm always like, "Aww, that's mine!" 16 Reply 1 reply JASBrickMaster JASBrickMaster 2 years ago Honestly, glad this video introduced me to this band. Their first album is one of my all-time favorites. 3 Reply Beau T. Beau T. 3 years ago (edited) It's interesting that you describe this song in the category of "The end of Alternative" because when I listen to it I hear more of the beginning of Pop Punk... like a bridge between the two phases of popular music. Between the two sounds. The lyrics and the music definitely have that "Upbeat Angst" sound to them. If you gave the singer a clear emo/skaterboy twang and made the instruments a little bit heavier it would pass for that genre IMO. Some people might kill me for saying this but I stand by it. 438 Reply 25 replies Tallulah Paslay Tallulah Paslay 3 years ago this is one of my favorite bands of all time 😭 1 Reply 1 reply Ayoosi Ayoosi 8 months ago Harvey Danger is my favorite band from the 90s. I'm still listening to their stuff. They put out a ton of great music. Kinda of a shame they weren't picked up more, but staying in the alt-indie realm made for better music imo Reply ScissorHead ScissorHead 3 years ago This is perhaps the best analysis of the end of the 90s music scene and general cultural zeitgeist I have ever seen. As a fellow music history nerd, your videos have brought me so much joy for years. Reply Crafty Girl Crafty Girl 3 years ago A little late to this, but I saw Harvey Danger on tour for this album and my friend and I ended up hanging out with them on their tour bus, which I assume their label paid for. They were nice guys and we ended up watching "Wallace & Gromit" episodes with 'em. They put on a decent show, but there was hardly anyone at it. 4 Reply N. Paris N. Paris 3 years ago I really enjoy their last album- they put it online for free at one point (obviously in the pre-streaming era), and I stumbled across it when I was a high school student. and listening to any album on repeat while in high school does tend to make it stick in the memory like nothing else haha 1 Reply Lats Feelyat Lats Feelyat 3 years ago Of course their sophomore album wasn’t an OK Computer. It was their The Bends. This band absolutely deserved better. 153 Reply 7 replies John Franklin Sims-Jones John Franklin Sims-Jones 3 years ago So I don't know if you missed it, but that third record is a concept album about the dangers of falling too much in love with the idea of being a tortured artist. Listen to it again as a single storyline, and it becomes way more impressive. It is honestly my favorite record, but I don't think people take enough time to process it before moving on to the next thing. 2 Reply TrogledyWretched TrogledyWretched 3 years ago Their song Wine, Women and Song, which was half mentioned towards the end, is one of my favorite songs ever. Wish it got more love :( 1 Reply Alexis Lopez Alexis Lopez 3 years ago My mom's senior quote was this song. I'm graduating exactly 20 years after she graduated. This song reminds me of her! 1 Reply NedofTheDed NedofTheDed 2 years ago The entire album still holds up! Reply Aiber Lane Aiber Lane 3 years ago I was delighted by this song when it came out. It's really catchy and the lyrics crack me up. I miss late 90's fun pop rock. It was a great era to be a teen in. 2 Reply Tony Stair Tony Stair 3 years ago "they all went on to other successful pursuits"....except for the bass player, who died. Kinda weird you left that bit out. Otherwise, one of your best yet, Todd! 230 Reply 15 replies karmaplace karmaplace 3 years ago I had to comment on this particular one-hitter band because they debuted their last album (Little by Little) for free online, and it remains one of my favorite albums to this day. 2 Reply Jaspertine Jaspertine 3 years ago And they pretty much admitted at one point that the outro riff was all but lifted from View Master by Eric's Trip. The fact that they even knew who Eric's Trip was earned them mad respect from me, personally. 4 Reply comicfire comicfire 3 years ago One of my favorite bands of all time. Dead Sea Scrolls and King James Version easily rank in my top five albums. 3 Reply Red Ram Red Ram 3 years ago I love this song. It came during my teen years and I cannot say enough how much I enjoy this song Reply Conscious Robot Conscious Robot 2 years ago (edited) Flagpole Sitta is a fantastic song. Honestly one of my favorite songs of all time Reply Gloriana Lovejoy Gloriana Lovejoy 3 years ago This is one of those songs that sticks out in my mind as a clear divide between Gen-X and Millenials. The younger brothers & sisters of my friend circle were like 8-10 when the Seattle shit happened, they were always following us around trying to fit in with the older kids. We were snotty, depressed dickheads, kicking them off our "turf" (the parking lot of the local grocery store), all like "GTFO, child, you can't even begin to understand what this music is about". 1998, I was 20, all the younger crew had claimed our old turf for themselves, and holy shit did they love this song. All day, every day with the Flagpole Sitta blasting on a boom box, they had all pierced themselves in ways we never dreamed of. They'd mosh outside the dry cleaning place, one of the little bastards dented a vending machine with his friggin' face. Anyway, my friends and I pretty uniformly hated Flagpole Sitta, but I honestly think back on it now and think we probably hated it because it was the anthem for another generation taking our place in a way. They were like "GTFO, old people, you can't even begin to understand what this music is about". They were right, of course. There's not that much of an age gap between us and our Millenial kin, but man, we differ so much. Sometimes I wonder if it's all because we older kids acted like such complete dickholes to them during our "angst" phase. This song just represents that divide in my mind. I just want to say "I'm sorry, Millenials", and hey, Flagpole Sitta isn't so terrible. Actually, I still hate it, but you kids have turned out good and, y'know, Lit had some pretty sweet tunes. 12 Reply 1 reply EpoxyMuffin EpoxyMuffin 3 years ago that last album of theirs, "Little by little" is actually one of my favorite albums of all time. "Wine women and song" is probably my favorite on the album, but all of it is at least good if not great tbh. I actually saw them in Seattle for a new years eve show shortly after they released the album, they played a fun set! Sean had some hand made signs for the showgoers to sing along to. btw "little by little" is still downloadable for free from the band's website. 6 Reply Pundertaker Pundertaker 3 years ago It's a shame their pre-2000 stuff (including Flagpole Sitta) is no longer on Spotify tbh. 1 Reply Craig Perry Craig Perry 3 years ago I always took the " I'm not sick but I'm not well" line was talking about addiction. I have felt the same while on a " maintenance " dose that I'm not high but still have enough in me to not be sick. I could be wrong. Great stuff as always. 1 Reply Michelle Betza Michelle Betza 3 years ago You should check out their song, " Little Round Mirrors ". It's a much different sound, but beautiful, and has great lyrics. I never knew Nelson was a music critic, bit it makes a lot of sense, after hearing both songs. 6 Reply 1 reply annie betz-haggit annie betz-haggit 3 years ago Where have all the merrymakers gone is surprisingly an album I still listen to a few times a year, it's solid front to back 2 Reply BleachSundae BleachSundae 3 years ago I never noticed that alt-rock contradiction thing, wow. "Slowly walking down the hall, faster than a cannonball." 1K Reply 31 replies Adam Baldwin Adam Baldwin 3 years ago Great video! Subscribed! "Flagpole Sitta" is one of the best songs from its era. The sound of it is great and there are a lot of clever and catchy lines sprinkled throughout the song. A guy on my local sports radio station uses it for his intro song, and it doesn't matter how many times I hear it, I always perk up a bit when it starts to play. Whatever it is, the song is just infectious to my ears. 2 Reply Tom Ffrench Tom Ffrench 2 years ago This is one of the saddest one hit wonders. I haven’t listened to their other stuff, but they seem pretty good. They didn’t get a cult following or had another hit. Flagpole Sitta is also one of the best alt rock songs of the 90s Reply AnvilPro100 AnvilPro100 3 years ago (edited) I think this is Todd's best analysis of a single song yet. I love the look into irony as used in 90's pop and how it's so burnt out. "Cobain took it seriously. He's Dead " is a great line Reply Char Stone Char Stone 3 years ago I really love this band, especially their second album 3 Reply SantosZox SantosZox 3 years ago It is wild to me how one song could sound so good and nearly perfect and then the others just do not sit well in the ears at all. Everytime you went back to Flagpole Sitta it felt like music again. Reply Katrien River Katrien River 3 years ago Harvey Danger are actually my favorite 90's one-hit-wonder band--they have a good mix of college radio intellectuality and pop-punk catchiness, though they can cross the line into kind of unbearable at times and they seem more than aware of this which is probably why they ended up breaking up honestly I wish you talked more about their last album Little by Little or their rarities collection Dead Sea Scrolls which I feel are two of their strongest records and both of which are/were available for free on the band's website (if it's even still up) 42 Reply 1 reply TitanKiller TitanKiller 2 years ago The more I read about these guys the more I think this band went completely over your head, these guys were not only very intelligent but also great musicians 1 Reply TheStacanova TheStacanova 6 months ago I’m not sure it would fit into any of your series, but you should cover the band “For Squirrels” album “Example”. Really great unique “Alternative” record, that married 80’s with 90’s alternative rock, and was ahead of it’s time, probably influenced emo. Tragic story, they released an independent album and a single called “Van Gogh” that was really good, they got signed to a major, and 2 months before it’s release, their tour van got into a crash and killed half the band. Reminds me of “Mother Love Bone” who had a similar tragic story, that probably changed music. 1 Reply Gabriel W. Gabriel W. 2 years ago This band actually rules and so does the album this song comes from. 2 Reply SeñorMeechio SeñorMeechio 2 years ago I own basically everything Harvey Danger ever put out and consider them one of my favourite bands. But all of the stuff I love comes after that first album - I think their fate as a one-hit sensation is a bit unfair, but that was definitely a one-hit debut. 1 Reply proevofan proevofan 3 years ago The closing riff of this song is one of the best of all time Reply Asher King Asher King 3 years ago (edited) If anyone is looking for any other great Harvey Danger songs then look no further: Starting with the rock songs- •Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo •Picture, Picture •Authenticity •The Same As Being In Love •Ballad of a Tragic Hero (this one is hard to find but one of my favorites) •Save It For Later is also fantastic Now the slower songs- •Pike St./Park Slope (one of my favorite songs period) •Moral Centralia •Little Round Mirrors •Diminishing Returns •Wrecking Ball These are just my favorites 91 Reply 11 replies Lukai Retrospectives Lukai Retrospectives 2 years ago I was really wondering when the satire was gonna kick in, but Todd genuinely is praising this song straight to heaven. Maybe because I was too young for the whole alternative scene in the late nighties, but I have literally never in my life heard this song be referenced or played anywhere in any form. Reply Two Tone Shoes Two Tone Shoes 2 years ago I just found your channel and have basically binged your one hit wonderland series over the past couple of days. I think this is by far the best you've nailed any of these songs. Greatly enjoyed it. Reply Tony Fink Tony Fink 2 years ago I will never understand why Harvey Danger didn't get more heat. They were great. Their albums were great. Songs were great. Band was great and likeable. Just a bit too late I guess. Get a chance listen to their albums. They are top notch. Reply The No Such Thing Podcast The No Such Thing Podcast 3 months ago Man, I was a reviewer for a magazine in Ireland in Ireland. We were sent this album and I loved it. I have fond memories of listening to it on the way to the Verve in Slane Castle in I think 98? 2 Reply Average British Guy Average British Guy 3 years ago I now consider Harvey Danger to be one of my favourite bands, and I was introduced to them largely through this video. Thank you Todd, for allowing me to see this band as more than just "the Flagpole Sitta guys". 1 Reply Pamela Pinto Pamela Pinto 3 years ago Can’t believe you didn’t talk about peep show as Sean nelson said "...the only pop culture item the song has been associated with that feels like a kindred spirit to the original attitude of the lyric." 17 Reply sharksandsheep sharksandsheep 2 years ago I'm still obsessed with '90s music and listen to it almost exclusively (some of us never grow up), and I NEVER REALIZED how frequently that "lyric followed by directly contradicting lyric" motif showed up. Reply Wright N Desk Wright N Desk 3 years ago I stumbled across Harvey Danger's last album, 'Little by Little' on Livejournal when it was released and it became part of the sort of definitive soundtrack for my high school years, but I never listen to any of their other albums. (I've heard some of the singles through the radio/Pandora) I really liked Little by Little but just... never really looked into the band's past, so this was interesting. 3 Reply John David Tibbetts John David Tibbetts 1 year ago Sean Nelson is one of those critics immune to the "you became a critic because you can't create yourself!" Pushback He did. And he made one of the best songs of its genre Reply mason s. mason s. 3 years ago So, I actually know a few people who are major Harvey Danger fans (and one person who's a major Marcy Playground fan), and they are usually of the opinion that "Flagpole Sitta" is not one of their better songs. Sean also recently wrote a article for the twentieth anniversary of "Flagpole Sitta," and he made it sound like the band was a hobby who's demo tape got played on the mainstream alt-rock station. A literal case of them not being ready for success. 9 Reply WizardOfOss WizardOfOss 3 years ago I don't think I ever heard this song before, seems like it did absolutely nothing here in Europe. Which is a shame, because it indeed sounds pretty good. I do miss '90's alternative music so much, now even the ones I didn't even know.... 2 Reply 49/short 49/short 3 years ago I was just listening to this album yesterday. Carlotta Valdez is one of the best opening tracks ever. 31 Reply The Silver Samaritan The Silver Samaritan 2 years ago I still smile repeatedly every time I hear this song, and at the same lines. Can't say whether it's because I relate or precisely because I don't. Which I guess is the point? Reply Amelia Bee Amelia Bee 3 years ago HOLY SHIT, I've been waiting for this one for years! I remember liking their debut album. I really liked "Jack the Lion" and I thought "Carlotta Valdez" was gonna be their second hit, but no. Thank you so much for covering this, Todd <3 1 Reply Scott Bluth Scott Bluth 2 years ago "Snotty 90s Morrissey" might be the most brilliant and complimentary thing anyone has ever said about anybody 61 Reply 2 replies Elaina Elaina 4 months ago "Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone" is still such a great album. The ending song is so beautiful it's called Radio Silence 2 Reply my other username was hard to pronounce my other username was hard to pronounce 3 years ago I really enjoy this entire album!! Reply nnaproductions nnaproductions 3 years ago (edited) Oh my god YES! I have been waiting ages for this one! I'm a huge fan of their first two albums and I saw them live at Pop Montreal in 2005. The singer's reaction whenever someone in the crowd asked them to play Flagpole Sitta was really cringey. He actually got a bit pissed off at the end of the show, but their performance was still really fun. 17 Reply Joseph Mostarda Joseph Mostarda 3 years ago That album from 2004 was actually released for free via BitTorrent. I remember downloading it without knowing who Harvey Danger was (I was familiar with "Flagpole Sitta," but didn't know it was by them). 2 Reply Cody M Cody M 3 years ago I love that you included the Chiodos cover at the end. Whether the "Pop Goes __" series was good or not, I discovered some great tracks like this one thanks to those albums! Reply Andrew Gwilliam Andrew Gwilliam 3 years ago Wow. I genuinely had no idea this was an actual record! I'd always assumed it was just recorded as the theme song for "Peep Show". 1 Reply Baby Pootsie Baby Pootsie 3 years ago Still one of the greatest songs of all time. Reply alwaysxnever alwaysxnever 3 years ago The intended follow-up sounds way better than the choosen one. Flagpole Sittah is such a great track. 3 Reply TackyRackyComixNEO TackyRackyComixNEO 3 years ago To be honest, I ended up digging more into Harvey Danger a few years ago in college when I was first getting into Bomb the Music Industry. They had a cover of HD's song "Pike St./Park Slope" on their first album, and the lyrics seriously grabbed me, so I bought HD's first two albums. "Private Helicopter", it's kinda funny to me that you didn't really seem to like it much, since it's one of my favorite songs of theirs. The lyrics feel very intentionally uneasy and bitter, in a way that makes you feel how uncomfortable the situation is--honestly, it's pretty comparable to a song off Weezer's Pinkerton to me (though in that case I'm not sure how much Rivers Cuomo knew just how creepy he sounded at times, whereas here it feels very self-aware). I do wish you dug into them a bit more, but hey, maybe other people will do so now. 7 Reply Atticus Finch Atticus Finch 7 months ago (edited) I fuckin' love harvey danger. I used to hear Flagpole all the time as a kid and finally decided to see what else the band put out and totally fell in love with all of their albums. 1 Reply Savy7 Savy7 3 years ago This is one of my top 2 favorite songs ever! I used it to get pumped before a cross country/track race. I even played it on loop when it got diagnosed with NVLD: It helped me deal with stigma people have about. 1 Reply Classic Rock Kid Classic Rock Kid 2 years ago I'm not generally fond of 90s music, but I will always consider this song to be up there with all the greats of infectious powerpop. Reply Kyle.Etc Kyle.Etc 2 years ago Somehow after watching this video for the first time a few months ago, Harvey Danger has become one of my favorite bands. Super underrated. The whole album is so great, especially songs like Jack the Lion and Problems and Bigger Ones. They definitely deserved more. I think that their style is very interesting, it’s like normal Alt rock but mixed with like poetic lyrics, and sometimes I feel like he’s speaking more than singing. If anyone is on the line about listening to them, I would highly recommend all 3 albums. Their choruses just hit so hard on the songs I listed earlier. Even private helicopter is cringey but it has real charm. Let me know what you guys think, but Harvey Danger is now in my top 10 favorite bands. 1 Reply Michael DeBellis Michael DeBellis 1 year ago I know this was posted a long time ago but I just discovered Todd recently. I saw this video a few days ago and got all the Harvey Danger songs and OMG these guys are awesome!! I like Flagpole Sitta but many of their other songs are fantastic as well. They have those rare albums where you can just put the thing on and listen to every song. And although it's too early to say for sure I think I agree with the people who say their later albums are even better, at least the second one I like a lot. It's amazing how any band that Todd really likes (The Jam, the Clash) are ones that I also really like. I would like to see more "here's a cool band you probably don't know about" videos. 1 Reply Alga Pontiana Alga Pontiana 3 years ago sees title The hell is flagpole sitta? heres chorus OHHH THESE GUYS 1.1K Reply 11 replies Griffin Steury Griffin Steury 3 years ago This song can never not cheer me up 1 Reply Lou Garu Lou Garu 7 months ago I saw Lit live in like 2017 and couldn't believe how good they were Reply Innuendo Studios Innuendo Studios 3 years ago Is it weird that I know multiple diehard Harvey Danger fans? One had Sean Nelson's autograph tattooed on her foot. They'll all tell you Flagpole Sitta is their weakest track. 582 Reply 34 replies Mud Kip Mud Kip 2 years ago I can still sing this song despite not hearing it in like 20 some years. Guess it made it's mark. Reply Kir Engelhardt Kir Engelhardt 3 years ago I used to live in Seattle, and was in the right place at the right time one night to catch them performing in one of those random shows they got back together for. 1998 me would have been so excited to know Iʻd actually get to hear this song played live, but one look at them and it was no question why the music machine of the late 90s dropped them like a hot potato. Reply The Disco Stu The Disco Stu 3 years ago Back in high school in 1998, everyone else was listening to Third Eye Blind and Savage Garden, I was listening to this. And I think I loved King James Version even more than their first album. 35 Reply 3 replies Bucky Preseau Bucky Preseau 3 years ago other than the music being very "big," very "sonic" and catchy, i always thought the lyrics were particulary smart, way more articulate than your average radio act at the time. i crank this song everytime it comes on, love it. 3 Reply Mikaela Mikaela 3 years ago “Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?” Is one of my favorite pop punk albums of the 90s. Even their album “Little By Little” was pretty good. Definitely an underrated group imo. Reply 2 replies John Egan John Egan 2 years ago I saw them in the late 90s. In a small club on Long Island called the Vanderbilt. They headlined. But it was a work night. So the place cleared out after the second band. I'd say there was 50 people left in the club and these guys came out. And kicked ass. They played like they were in front of 90,000 people. And did a blistering set. I was so impressed. That 20 + years later. I still tell people. About that show And how good they were 1 Reply 1 reply mxwx51 mxwx51 2 years ago I still love this album. "Carlotta Valdez" is an absolute jam! Their other material isn't bad, but Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone is fantastic. 3 Reply aggregatejeff aggregatejeff 3 years ago This breaks my heart these guys were a one hit wonder. This album was one of the best things ever. 1 Reply Jensine Eckwall Jensine Eckwall 3 years ago Aaron Huffman went on to art direct The Stranger until his recent passing. This song is always a hit at karaoke, not only because of the nostalgia factor, i think the lyrics retain some real potency 9 Reply Sonny Crockett Sonny Crockett 3 years ago Geez Todd. You're making me flashback to being a 5 year old kid sitting in the car on the way to school hearing this song back when it first came out and playing on 100.5 The Zone, Sacramento. 1 Reply Erin H Erin H 3 years ago I actually got into them because they were blasting on repeat their cover of 'Save it for Later' on the radio, loved that song too 1 Reply Bradley Whitmore Bradley Whitmore 3 years ago Hey Todd. GREAT video. I waited a LOOOOOOONG time for this. I am a HUGE fan of Harvey Danger. Three things though. 1) I’ve never heard anyone I know talk about The Pixies, yet I know they are a great band. Just because you didn’t hear anyone talk about Harvey Danger doesn’t mean people weren’t all over their message boards back in the day. There was a fantastic community there and I was a member for YEARS. 2) I recommend checking out their last official album that’s really just a collection of b-sides and unreleased material. It’s called Dead Sea Scrolls. 3) Their bassist Aaron Huffman died three years ago (R.I.P.). When you always talk about doing research, I would have at least expected you to mention that during your wrap up. 5 Reply 2 replies Dudemanbrobearpig Dudemanbrobearpig 3 years ago This song makes me smile every time. 2 Reply Athenafjd9 Athenafjd9 3 years ago I am actually a Harvey Danger fan (I think a lot of their other songs kick ass, and deserve attention), and this video confirmed that I am the only one left. I feel so alone. 1 Reply 1 reply lilMissmAlice lilMissmAlice 3 years ago You left out the liscensing to "Disturbing Behavior" (which I understand was a bit of mess, so perhaps intentional?), and having been so into that movie I always connect the two. Both things deserve to be talked about more. On a longer note - Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? has some great tracks: Wooly Muffler, Old Hat, and Jack the Lion at least deserve a nod for being so beautifully 90s while discussing different kinds of/feelings towards relationships. There's something so comforting about the lyric "I forget what my friends look like/and they forget why they like me"... And Terminal Annex? I'm already getting into 'essay' territory as it is! There's too much good stuff on this album. As far as "Private Helicopter" goes, I think the full album really helps clarify the way it's a string of thoughts the singer thinks he would be having if he were in those situations. "Wouldn't it be nice if..." Then, much like Daria, he pokes at the falsehoods of nostalgia, and even in his own fantasy is confronted with the reality that the nicest thing he could get himself to say out loud would be at least inane, and most likely awkward - "your hair smells really great". And you die inside a little more. So much acerbic wit, biting sarcasm and caustic irony in the 90s. TL;DR This Album is a great piece of Art, and almost painfully 90s in the best way. Check out the whole thing! 6 Reply Crampsam Crampsam 3 years ago Every time Todd uploads a new video I watch it two or three times on the day because they’re just so damn good. Am I really lame? Reply Jenna Leigh's Beauty Slam Jenna Leigh's Beauty Slam 3 years ago As someone who came of age in the late 90s, i loved this song! To this day, i STILL quote it: "Been around the world and found that only stupid people are breeding"......... great stuff. Reply gptandtft gptandtft 2 years ago I saw Sean Nelson solo in Nashville a couple months ago, he was amazing and nice guy too. 3 Reply Jack M Jack M 3 years ago R.I.P. Aaron. His work will never be forgotten. 6 Reply The Grayshaws Try It The Grayshaws Try It 10 months ago I am loving this channel so much. A deeper look at all the music I grew up with Reply Gabrielle Breton Gabrielle Breton 3 years ago (edited) I love this song so much. I don't know, something about the lyrics and tone is extremely comforting when you've been suffering from chronic depression and anxiety for a solid 15 years. I know it's a joke at 90's alt rock but still. I usually listen to it when I'm having a bad day. 3 Reply David Anderson David Anderson 1 year ago Fracking catchy song, I can’t stop listening Reply kevinphiggins kevinphiggins 1 month ago Genuinely a little disappointed Todd didn’t mention the incredible gem from their third album “Little Round Mirrors”, one of the greatest songs about music ever written Reply The Writer Sits in the Back The Writer Sits in the Back 3 years ago I want Todd to do a one hit wonder retrospective on You Get What You Give. 5 Reply Office of the Receiver of complaints Office of the Receiver of complaints 1 year ago What's ironic is they may have written one of the greatest songs ever. Which just happens to be a one hit wonder. Reply dummytree dummytree 3 years ago (edited) 1:15 I agree. 1998 was very late for this type of song to have popular success. It took me by surprise. I think it came out on a small label too so it took everybody by surprise including the band (I may still have an interview in a magazine). There's also a song that was big in Europe by Liquido, "Narcotic". It has the quiet/loud thing, and quite sounds like Weezer/The Rentals. That was surprising in 1998 as this type of sound and dynamic was slowly fading away. And yes, "Flagpole Sitta" is a good song. Reply hellspawn hellspawn 3 years ago (edited) I love this song. Hear it on SiriusXM a lot. I'm really into it! It's such a good song!!!! Edit: Marcy Playground is super chill and I still love their stuff! 6 Reply Dr. Forrester Dr. Forrester 3 years ago Personally at this time I was listening to Third Eye Blind's first album, but this is song does have a fair bit of nostalgia attached to it. I never knew who the band was or the song title though, and would definitely call it "I'm not sick but I'm not well" if I was going to request it Reply dunce dunce 1 year ago I get this video is 2 years old now but better late than never. Sean is actually a close friend to my family, I even went easter egg hunting with him when I was about 5. Super cool dude. Reply Godzilla fan Godzilla fan 1 year ago I never heard this. In the 90s all I did was work. This rocks! 2 Reply Aarón A. Aarón A. 3 months ago You can’t even define irony. That’s absolutely amazing! Reply MEEZLEMONSTER MEEZLEMONSTER 3 years ago And Radiohead recorded three era-defining masterpieces... In a row. 1 Reply Jonothan Thrace Jonothan Thrace 3 years ago You can still download their last studio album and a rarities album off their website, both of which are quite good. 5 Reply 1 reply ARTV ARTV 3 years ago Oh, I love this one. Such childhood, much memories... 211 Reply 2 replies Margot Scholtz Margot Scholtz 3 years ago Yes! I love this song! Finally, Todd! 1 Reply valéria valéria 2 years ago shoot, i love that band, beautifully wacky and some really great lyrics here and there. glad peep show had this as their opening song so i could find them. Reply Fangsabre Fangsabre 3 years ago I actually love Harvey Danger. Like, honestly Carlotta Valdez is a great song. Flagpole Sitta was great. Private Hellicopter is also good. Theres like 5 or 6 songs of theirs that are on my main playlists forever Reply Alyssa Fleischer Alyssa Fleischer 3 years ago harvey danger is honestly one of my favorite bands so i was kind of surprised to hear that they don't have much following? it might just be because i lived outside seattle for a few years so they had kind of an 'area pride' base of fans? it's funny because i saw them a few months before they broke up, it was this kurt cobain memorial show and i saw them before i knew who they were and didn't appreciate it at all. and then a couple years later i got really into them and was just kicking myself for not paying more attention to them also radio silence is my favorite song by them 1 Reply SageKStroke52 SageKStroke52 3 years ago I'm so happy you did this song! Every time I hear it I'm always like "who the hell sings this?" 4 Reply Thinking Out Loud Thinking Out Loud 2 years ago Flagpole Sitta was the perfect song to me at this time in my life. I completely relate to just about everything it was about, as it was described here. I loved all those other alt songs but none of them fit like this one did. Reply mrt77wv mrt77wv 2 years ago Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone was one of my favorite albums of 98 and most of it still holds up well. Should probably order a used copy of that second album soon. Reply fahs fahs 2 years ago Would love to see you do a video on Bourgeois Tagg's one hit, "I don't Mind At All." It was non stop on VH1 for about three months. They were on Johnny Carson, and Carson said it was his favorite song of the 80s. The true definition of adult contemporary. Their video is amazing, and does not look like 1987. They have an awesome story, as their lead singer is now a High School English teacher in LA. I think you would get a kick out of it..... Reply GunHed17 GunHed17 2 years ago (edited) One of the best alt-rock tracks from that decade. If I'm going to drunken karaoke a song at a bar, this is it. Reply J B J B 2 years ago Dude, these videos are so well written. Good good job. Bravo. Reply Sarah Manning Sarah Manning 3 years ago If "Cream and Bastards Rise" had been the follow-up instead of years later, it totally would have also been a hit. 4 Reply valeriesghost valeriesghost 1 year ago If you’ve ever met Sean Nelson you’d now that Flagpole Sitta and the irony is totally on brand for that guy. 2 Reply Bread Eater Bread Eater 1 year ago I heard this song for the first time... around when this video came out, and I do not know at all if I saw the video and if that inspired me listening to it. I freaking loved the song and now I can't even remember how it goes. Hyped to watch this soon. Reply Kravis63 Kravis63 3 years ago I remember telling everyone in 10th grade back in 1998 that the Harvey Danger album was actually pretty damn good! No one listened to me and moved onto Korn 😞 “Jack The Lion” is a great track from their first album! Give it a listen 1 Reply Chase Tremaine Chase Tremaine 2 years ago "Self-defeating in that special 90s way" is a fantastic quote, and Dinosaur Jr is a fantastic reference point. 2 Reply Michelle Browne Michelle Browne 3 years ago When I found out the title of the song (which I heard from Peep Show, too!) I immediately figured it was the ultimate elevation of fence-sitting - I think the song might about how alternative culture rejected everything to the point of not having a stance on anything. At least, that's my best guess. 4 Reply Hi-Fri Audio Hi-Fri Audio 3 years ago Sooo, After binging around 75% of your back catalog and loving most of it, I was wondering if you could do more bilboard charts year in review, but back in the 70's, 80's and 90's like in your video (1987) or can I perhaps bribe you to make more of them? Im willing to pay sums of money to request some of those. 112 Reply 7 replies Greybeard Greybeard 2 years ago (edited) A great song. Great melody and energetic. Offspring/Green Day vibes. Reply Cameron Spalding Cameron Spalding 1 year ago This song was used in the opening of the UK sitcom show Peep Show for series 2-9: the theme tune for series 1 fit the show much better 3 Reply 1 reply Madrigal E Madrigal E 3 years ago Harvey Danger has been my favorite band since Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone....love it...I highly recommend *all* their albums. 1 Reply Shoofyou10 Shoofyou10 3 years ago I don't consider them a 1 hit wonder but I think people in America only know one of their songs and that's Tomorrow by Silverchair. I think they were all like 15 years old when they made that song. They would be fascinating to explore. 1 Reply Dylan Hammers Productions Dylan Hammers Productions 3 years ago I learned a lot about Harvey danger from this video, you mention that flagpole sitta was the last big 90s alt rock hit before nu metal and stuff like that took over and after you said that it really makes sense. I love this song though and I even had it in my music library on my iPod for some of my high school years. I would jam out to that song every time it came on and I hear flagpole sitta a good bit on active rock stations sometimes. Reply Joan Lindsey Joan Lindsey 3 years ago I always viewed this song as part of the whole 2000's alt rock vibe, like in the same vein as Are You Gonna Be My Girl, or some shit by the Fratellis. Maybe thats because it got alot of radio play on the alt rock channels, but hearing it just brings me alot closer to The Strokes than the Barenaked Ladies, despite the latter being their actual contemporaries. 3 Reply FoxNewsChannelSux FoxNewsChannelSux 1 year ago "Sad Sweetheart of the Radio" should've been a huge song. I remember when it came out around '99/'00 thinking "this song is gonna explode", but it never did. I always thought it was better than this one. 1 Reply Michael Hagood Michael Hagood 3 years ago (edited) im always hesitant to watch one of your video when the subject is of a band i love, had the same feeling when you did Chumbawamba, as they and Harvey Danger are both bands i both enjoy and want to see get bigger recognition but at the same time i like them they way they are... but just like your other vids you always surprise me. thank you for bringing them to light 1 Reply The Cartoon Room The Cartoon Room 3 years ago Ah this is one of my very favorite songs—I always wondered about this band. Thanks Todd 1 Reply Noble Long Noble Long 3 years ago This is my go to karaoke song. It's always a crowd pleaser. 1 Reply AnvilPro100 AnvilPro100 3 years ago I think this is one of your best videos just for that part about irony and Nirvana, it makes me look at Weird Al's "Smells Like Nirvana" and just think "Huh, I guess Cobain being hard to understand was kind of the point" Reply Tricksterbelle Tricksterbelle 3 years ago My favorite song from that album is and will always be Carlotta Valdez. The entire plot of VERTIGO played through alt-rock? Sure! 5 Reply Old School G Old School G 10 months ago This song still gets turned to 11 if it comes on the radio! Reply dust brum dust brum 3 years ago I recently stumbled across your videos. I dig what you got going here!! Keep it up! Reply J J 3 years ago "Living Dangerously" (the Harvey Danger high school documentary) isn't real; they recorded it as a bonus feature for the Soul Survivors DVD. 169 Reply 4 replies Tobias Banks Tobias Banks 3 years ago Oh shit, this song randomly got stuck in my head out of nowhere this morning! Thanks Todd <3 Reply PastafarianPriestess PastafarianPriestess 2 years ago Diminishing Returns is a great song (especially the demo version on Dead Sea Scrolls imo) but you are accurate about it being reflective of their moment in stardom Reply Vlad Plasmius Vlad Plasmius 3 years ago I think they deserved better. A lot better. That first record had so many songs that 16-year old me latched onto. I dare anyone to listen to "Problems and Bigger Ones" or "Radio Silence" and feel nothing. The second record was better than Todd gave it credit for, and the third one deserved more than a throwaway comment about a song title. Maybe Harvey Danger wasn't aiming for fame, but they had the songs. Like a lot of bands, choice of single was the cause of their one-hit wonderdom. "Flagpole Sitta" should've been followed up by "Terminal Annex" or "Old Hat." Thank you for coming to my TED talk. 3 Reply Baby Purple Bat Baby Purple Bat 3 years ago Just wanted to say, it was really cool of you to show up to the hbomb stream. Thank you so much Todd! Reply Coralskipper Coralskipper 3 years ago I'm not sure it would even qualify as a hit, but I'd love for you to do Dragonforce's "Through the Fire and the Flames" as a change of pace. It's unique given how it gained its fame through a video game. Reply Jeff Knight Jeff Knight 3 years ago Carlotta is dope and that whole album is decent. Also, every marcy playground album is good. Every song almost. Reply Kenny Kenny 3 years ago It's super catchy and pretentious, that's why I still like it to this day since I first heard it in 7th grade. 1 Reply Kyle Butler Kyle Butler 3 years ago Big up to Peep Show for introducing a new generation to this gem. Reply Nobody Nobody 3 years ago I'm relatively sure that what is considered "rock" now is just anything with an actual chorus 35 Reply 2 replies Logic N. Reasoning Logic N. Reasoning 3 years ago I love Johnny Mitchell! There's so much to learn about this guy! Reply Lyric Bot Lyric Bot 3 years ago I was waiting for you to cover this! One of my favourites. 1 Reply Drace Drace 3 years ago I knew I had heard the name Harvey Danger from somewhere other than this song and it was driving me crazy. Finally found it, though! Turns out Bomb the Music Industry! did a cover of Pike St./Park Slope on their first album. 1 Reply Atari Rastafari Atari Rastafari 1 year ago Dinosaur Jr. I would love to see a wonderland on them. They are so much more that “feel the pain” Their albums “the green Mind” & “Whatever’s cool with me” are underaged classics IMO. Reply bLipper99 bLipper99 3 years ago OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS SONG. i was wondering if it was a One Hit Wonder too. 1 Reply Rachelle Yarbrough Rachelle Yarbrough 3 years ago You: no one wants rock songs about classic cinema Me: what about breakfast at Tiffany’s 329 Reply 14 replies Uhlersoth77 Uhlersoth77 3 years ago I think my second favorite Harvey Danger song is "Sometimes You Have To Work On Christmas". It's not a masterpiece, but it feels personal. 1 Reply 1 reply Velvet Lamb Velvet Lamb 3 years ago I love this song and Peep Show SO MUCH YOU MADE ME THE HAPPIEST PERSON, THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Reply Brian Achmoody Brian Achmoody 3 years ago I love this song I’ve been waiting for this since I discovered your channel Reply CoolD2002 CoolD2002 2 years ago Wow I really loved that whole album “Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone” I didn’t think they had a bad song on there. Especially ones like Old Hat and Terminal Annex. Interesting to see some other opinions within the context of that time. Reply Jon Smith Jon Smith 4 months ago one of the best rock songs ever actually 1 Reply soulfoodie1 soulfoodie1 2 years ago (edited) I know many people here have commented but this song is incredibly well known in UK for being used as the theme song of the highly acclaimed and successful comedy Peep Show from series 2 to onwards . The lyrics are used incredibly well over the opening sequence and closing credits to sum up both how Mark and Jez are both in very different ways misfits and unable to live up to what they expect. 5 Reply Coby Coby 7 months ago Before I clicked I knew the term "self aware" was going to come up in this video. Flagpole Sitta is self awareness cranked to 11 which lands somewhere between charming and nauseating. It's self aware to the point where it almost circles back to unaware. I don't always agree with your OHW assessments but this one was spot on. Great stuff worthy of any music critic. Cheers. Reply ICanSuckUnicornHorn ICanSuckUnicornHorn 3 years ago I actually bought this CD secondhand and I love them. 1 Reply Leonard Bass Leonard Bass 3 years ago Having just discovered this channel I had the experience of watching this episode and the Mmmbop/Closing Time episodes in the same weekend and, uhh, it was a good lesson in music tastes being subjective. Harvey Danger rules. Reply FootballJunkie FootballJunkie 2 years ago They should release a new comeback album titled “Where have all the good music makers gone?” Reply C. Black C. Black 3 years ago I graduated high school in 1998 and this was one of my favorite songs back then. It continues to be now, but for completely different reasons. This is a great video, thanks! 1 Reply mynameisblueskye aka The Cosmic Blue Autie mynameisblueskye aka The Cosmic Blue Autie 3 years ago (edited) I was just watching this music video four hours ago. The 90s will remain a seminal year in music (especially rock music) for me. Also, Little By Little is a really dope ass album. 4 Reply 1 reply ScaryMonkeyShow ScaryMonkeyShow 3 years ago Happy to have Todd use my footage from Harvey Danger's farewell tour near the end of this video. Here's the link if anybody wants to watch the full recording: https://youtu.be/OkOyD7Mti6o 1 Reply sarcasmo57 sarcasmo57 2 years ago It's a great song, from what I can see a good analysis and video too. 1 Reply McSquawk McSquawk 3 years ago Great videos Todd! Here are some songs you should do next: Stroke 9 - Little Black Backpack Fountains of Wayne - Stacy's Mom Len - Steal My Sunshine (I need to know your thoughts on "tribal lunar speak") Natalie Imbruglia - Torn Cutting Crew - I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight Reply Rock Solid Karaoke Rock Solid Karaoke 7 months ago You forgot to mention the follow up band after Harvey Danger, The Long Winters. I saw them open for They Might Be Giants in Portland in 2003 and they were great! Reply Aidan Barker-Dean Aidan Barker-Dean 3 years ago I wonder if it's any consolation to them that their biggest hit became re-iconic in Britain due to being the Peep Show theme song. It's extremely apt for the show at any rate. Reply Krista Vaillancourt Krista Vaillancourt 3 years ago They must be getting royalies for their song being used as Peep Show's theme. 45 Reply UpDownJesse UpDownJesse 1 year ago They finally put this song on iTunes 1 Reply sidknee sidknee 1 year ago I don't know if everyone had a phase when they were obsessed with this song at age 13/14 1 Reply simplesimonhadapie simplesimonhadapie 8 days ago This song was also chosen as the theme for UK TV show peep show from season 2 onwards and it fits that perfectly Reply Literally A Pineapple Literally A Pineapple 3 years ago I kind of want a list of all the songs that have that “immediate contradiction” thing. Except “you’re hot then you’re cold” because that’s too easy. Reply humanmonsters humanmonsters 3 years ago This song came pre-installed on my friend's computer, Windows ME, millennium edition. That was the first I heard it and I was obsessed immediately. Reply Michael Strong Michael Strong 3 years ago I remember hearing this song from the Scooby-Doo 2 soundtrack. Because that song is what I think of when it comes to Scooby-Doo. 28 Reply 1 reply Joseph Gray Joseph Gray 3 years ago Their song "Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas" is really good! 2 Reply 1 reply ALF ALF 3 years ago okay so this album is one of my favorite albums of all time Reply Paul Rainey Paul Rainey 1 year ago Along with Against Me!'s I was a Teenage Anarchist, this is one of the definitive alt.rock self-conscious snark songs. Reply Manta Ray Manta Ray 3 years ago Harvey Danger is my all-time fav band and they definitely don’t deserve their one-hit wonder status. Check out “Little Round Mirrors” or “Moral Centralia” off their (free on their website!) third album if you’ve never heard anything past Flagpole Sitta. Very different, but amazing! 1 Reply Andrew Matthews Andrew Matthews 2 years ago Recently got into the prog act Caligula's Horse. Took me a few weeks to realize their song The Cannon's Mouth reminds me of Flagpole Sitta. Reply Lindsay Ellis Lindsay Ellis 3 years ago I agree with all the people requesting New Radicals 2.1K Reply 24 replies TheWerewolfJesus TheWerewolfJesus 2 years ago Gotta say, "Little Round Mirrors" is at least as good a song as "Flagpole Sitta", and I wish it had received more exposure. Reply nerdfatha nerdfatha 2 years ago Their 3rd album was actually pretty good, especially when you becomes a disillusioned 30 something like myself. 1 Reply HazmatKat HazmatKat 3 years ago This and No Rain are the only 90s altrock songs in my regular playlist, lovee it 2 Reply Chris K Chris K 3 years ago I'd like to see a One Hit Wonderland episode on "Save Tonight" by Eagle Eye Cherry. 2 Reply Pavook Pavook 2 years ago This is an unknown song and band to me, despite listening to a lot of rock, large portion older than them and I was getting into music videos on TV's and radio charts music in 1997... This didn't bother me before in some bands reviewed previously because they were off my interests, but this was a surprise. Were they hit outside of the USA? Maybe they were never aired in my country. Reply Wes Papes Wes Papes 3 years ago Someone on Patreon better request New Radicals. 728 Reply 64 replies ControllerCramps ControllerCramps 2 years ago (edited) Not to sound snobby or anything but this was only one of two bands I saw live right before they made it big. Saw Harvey Danger at RKCNDY in Seattle in 97 right before this single was released. Even bought their CD. Saw them again to a sold out audience a few months later. Also saw Death Cab for Cutie at RKCNDY a year later. They played two songs and left after experiencing equipment malfunction. Last band I saw there was Zebrahead. Remember them? 1 Reply Joey Clemenza Joey Clemenza 3 years ago After the video.... I’m actually much more interested in seeking them out. I can dig a band who’s influences where pavement and guided by voices. 1 Reply Peter Overstreet Peter Overstreet 3 years ago I love this channel . May I request the one hit wonder from Jeff Buckley "Last Goodbye"? 1 Reply BigKroner BigKroner 3 years ago The first Harvey Danger album fucking slaps 2 Reply Waiting For The Worms Waiting For The Worms 1 year ago We had a Spanish foreign exchange student at our house in 1998. He barely spoke English, but he loved this song. So he’d sing along. But since he barely spoke English, he’d basically scat-sing the lyrics. Which made him sound like an intellectually disabled person. I can still hear him doing it in my head. Reply Erica Quint Erica Quint 3 years ago I LOVED “Sad sweet Heart of the Rodeo” 6 Reply Chucklemaster ! Chucklemaster ! 3 years ago "Only Cream and Bastards Rise" is incredible Reply Daniel Tinker Daniel Tinker 3 years ago A local band from St. Louis called Hard Loss did a cover. It’s pretty dang good. Reply Eric Daniel Eric Daniel 3 years ago (edited) I remember Sad Sweet Heart of the Rodeo getting pretty heavy radio play, but it was not exactly their Paranoid Android (which was actually released 2 months before Flagpole Sitta) Reply StealthMaster86 StealthMaster86 3 years ago The final verse sells this song. IT'S SO GOOD! 1 Reply Maggie Gomez Maggie Gomez 2 years ago I loved that album Reply Benjamin Olson Benjamin Olson 3 years ago With great love of your videos and general critical acumen, I'm going to say that you should have listened more carefully to "Private Helicopter". It's pretty clear it isn't really about romance with his ex-girlfriend. I think this is fairly obvious if you listen to the second verse about spending time with his "former best-friend", who is clearly not the same person. I can't imagine anyone would care much about my reading of it, but to me the general vibe of the song is about the oddness of interacting with people you formerly were close to, both in how you've grown apart and the odd connections you still share. It's lyrically fairly clever and not a bad song, but other than a catchy "bahm bahhm" on the chorus it has no strong hooks. In any case, "Carlotta Valdez" would have been the better choice for the follow-up, because, whatever the merits of it's lyrics, it rocks the damned house down. 3 Reply 1 reply beeteljuice beeteljuice 2 years ago After everything I've heard from them in this video, I honestly think I would like them Reply Drummer The Den Drummer The Den 3 years ago Is Stacey’s mom considered a “one hit wonderland”? I owned the “Welcome Interstate Mangers” album by Fountains of Wayne which Stacey’s mom was on. I love more than that just Stacey mom but I do not know if Stacey’s mom is considered an one hit wonder. Would love to have Todd review the song though! Classic middle school song! 1 Reply Cassitastrophe Cassitastrophe 3 years ago I always felt these guys deserved at least one more middling hit, Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? is actually a pretty solid album. 2 Reply kismet e kismet e 3 years ago I love this song! Reply Ben B. Ben B. 3 years ago Love this song so much Reply Kitsch Witsch Kitsch Witsch 3 years ago YES !!! Do an episode on Squirrel Nut Zippers "Hell", please. 53 Reply 7 replies Brutus Mars Brutus Mars 1 year ago 4:00 if you like the backing vocals in this song, the Ben Folds Five is definitely a recommendation. A good lead-in would be One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces. Reply 2 replies carb rock. carb rock. 3 years ago I think Harvey Danger is awesome. Sean Nelson has some of the most clever lyrics, and I love their follow up album King James Version, which I liken to Weezer's Pinkerton in that they had a bunch of confidence going into it to be able to write whatever they wanted, only to have it ignored and panned by critics. It kind of expands on the ideas behind "Flagpole Sitta" and the bogus mentality of being authentic and entitled. 1 Reply Kevin Baldwin Kevin Baldwin 3 years ago I was shocked to find out you haven’t done Lou Bega’s Mambo #5!! Loving this series, thank you Reply Destinys Wish Destinys Wish 3 years ago Thanks you!!!! I’ve been looking for this song but I couldn’t remember the name but I love this song! Reply lotty lotty 3 years ago this song just oozes nostalgia for me Reply Tuesday Next Tuesday Next 1 year ago I am pleasantly surprised at the lack of comments referring to Bean Dad and his connection to this song/band 5 Reply Some Person Some Person 2 years ago Their first four songs on Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone were pretty good to me. Reply Katherine Morelle Katherine Morelle 2 years ago I do tend to think of The Living End’s Prisoner of Society in the same vein as this, but they are definitely more pop-punk/rockabilly. For those who might need a prodding (because apparently Americans don’t like Aussie rock bands past 1990), they’re the three piece with the dude playing the massive double bass, instead of a boring old bass guitar. Also, West End Riot is a top song and I shall brook no arguments to the contrary! Oh, and the live performance of E Boogie at Big Day Out was amazing, and Chris is a truly excellent guitarist. I believe they were quite unfortunately compared to Green Day (90s Green Day, that is), in the US. It’s not really fair, because while they were alternative and pop-punk, they had a very definitive rockabilly sound that Greens Day absolutely did not have. Also, Chris Cheney is, as mentioned, a really talented guitarist, far beyond anything Green Day can offer. Reply jakeunderwood9 jakeunderwood9 2 years ago That whole album is fuckin sick 1 Reply Sean McCauley Sean McCauley 3 years ago Little Round Mirrors is another great song by them Reply DinsdalePiranha67 DinsdalePiranha67 3 years ago Granted, I had for the most part tuned out on what was current on the radio by 1998, but I honestly do not remember hearing this on the radio at the time it was released. I've heard it since then - heard it on one of my local alt-rock stations a couple weeks ago, in fact - but not when it was new. Reply cat21860 cat21860 3 years ago (edited) Yet another song I originally learned of because of its inclusion in a Weird Al polka. 13 Reply Andy Taylor Andy Taylor 1 month ago I love this song <3 Reply tom broadfoot tom broadfoot 2 years ago You should do a one hit wonderland for no rain by blind melon. Just a thought. Great vids! Reply Michael Gutierrez Michael Gutierrez 2 years ago That whole album is pretty fucking brilliant. Reply Rabbit TeaPot Rabbit TeaPot 3 years ago I love the fact I come to your videos like “nope...no idea what song this is” even when you’re playing it sometimes in the piano then I pause the video and find myself humming the tune & recognising it! Literally had no idea this is what it was called nor who the band was Reply Jon Snow Jon Snow 3 years ago Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone is one of my top 5 favorite albums ever. So glad you did this video. 1 Reply crimsonJapery crimsonJapery 3 years ago Other pretty good Harvey Danger songs include "terminal annex" "woolly muffler" "cream and bastards rise" "carlotta valdez" I mean there was some good stuff in there I never liked this song/band even as a teenager. We went from the sounds of Soundgarden, Nirvana, and Alice In Chains to…Harvey Danger. Harvey Danger is like Weezer or Presidents of the USA,wimpy nerd rock without much edge or substance Reply 2 replies agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organizati