Santa Monica (Everclear song)

"Santa Monica" (subtitled "Watch the World Die" in Europe) is a song by American rock band Everclear, from their 1995 album Sparkle and Fade. The song was written by the band's lead singer, Art Alexakis. Though it was not officially released as a single in the United States, American radio stations played "Santa Monica" enough for it to reach number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart and top the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for three weeks in 1996. It became a top-forty hit in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom; it is the band's highest-charting single in Australia.

"Santa Monica"
Single by Everclear
from the album Sparkle and Fade
B-side"Heroin Girl" (live)
ReleasedDecember 5, 1995 (radio)
Length3:11
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Art Alexakis
Everclear singles chronology
"Heroin Girl"
(1995)		 "Santa Monica"
(1995)		 "Heartspark Dollarsign"
(1996)
Music video
"Santa Monica" on YouTube

Background and content

In an October 2003 interview with Songfacts, Alexakis explained the song:

I'm using a place where I grew up and palm trees as iconic references. It's what I grew up with. I grew up in a seaside town called Santa Monica, which is like L.A. but on the coast. I've lived in cold places and been in bad relationships, and I think everybody has a place in their mind that is like a safe haven. It's also about getting away from bad times ... the ending of something is also the beginning of something new, whether it's with someone or getting out of a bad job, a bad way of life or an abusive relationship.[1]

When Alexakis was a teenager, his girlfriend committed suicide; shortly thereafter, Alexakis attempted the same by jumping off the Santa Monica Pier in southern California.[2] One theory as to the meaning of this song is that Alexakis was drawing on this experience from earlier in his life.

Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the song was placed on the list of post-9/11 inappropriate titles distributed by Clear Channel Communications.

Track listings

Charts

References
  1. "Art Alexakis of Everclear". Songfacts. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  2. Mervis, Scott (March 26, 2009). "Everclear's Art Alexakis goes from Iraq to the Hard Rock". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  3. Santa Monica (US 7-inch jukebox single vinyl disc). Everclear. Capitol Records. 1995. S7-19018.CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. Santa Monica (Watch the World Die) (UK limited 7-inch single sleeve). Everclear. Capitol Records. 1996. CL 775, 7243 8 83123 7 0.CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. Santa Monica (Watch the World Die) (UK CD1 liner notes). Everclear. Capitol Records. 1996. CDCLS 775, 7243 8 83123 2 5.CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. Santa Monica (Watch the World Die) (UK CD2 liner notes). Everclear. Capitol Records. 1996. CDCL 775, 7243 883124 2 4.CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. Santa Monica (Watch the World Die) (European maxi-single liner notes). Everclear. Capitol Records, Tim/Kerr. 1996. C2 7243 8 82676 2 5.CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. Santa Monica (Watch the World Die) (Dutch maxi-single liner notes). Everclear. Capitol Records. 1996. 7243 8 83113 2 8.CS1 maint: others (link)
  9. Santa Monica (Australian CD single liner notes). Everclear. Capitol Records. 1996. 7243 8 82584 2 5.CS1 maint: others (link)
  10. "Australian-charts.com – Everclear – Santa Monica (Watch the World Die)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  11. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2969." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  12. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 2877." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  13. "Charts.nz – Everclear – Santa Monica (Watch the World Die)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  14. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  15. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  16. "Everclear Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  17. "Everclear Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  18. "Everclear Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  19. "Everclear Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  20. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1996". The Australian Record Industry Association Ltd. Archived from the original on November 2, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
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