Sick, Sick, Sick

Album: Killing Time (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Bayside's Anthony Raneri describes "Sick, Sick, Sick" as one of the most personal and darkest songs he's ever written. The song draws its inspiration from the divorce he went through before starting the album that it appears on, Killing Time. Raneri explains that the song is an unfiltered portrait of what was going through his head at the time, because he writes his lyrics from the heart. He does not think of himself as a very clever songwriter, so instead tries to be as direct and impactful as possible.
  • This was a very stubborn song to write. In our interview with Anthony Raneri, he explained: "I rewrote the chorus 100 times because we knew that was going to be the single on that record before it was even done. We thought the verse was there, we thought the pre-chorus was there, we really thought the whole vibe of the song was there and we felt we really had something with it. As far as commercially, it's our most successful song, got the most radio play and stuff, so we knew we were kind of onto something.

    That made it hard to finalize, though. Because when you know you've got something good, you don't want to f--k it up. So that was a tough one. I think there's about five different versions of that song with five different choruses that were recorded, all using different demos and stuff like that."
  • The album, Killing Time, benefits from an extended writing session compared to the band's previous releases. For other albums, the band would generally write, record, and finalize each song over a matter of days or weeks. Often, the songs would be written while on tour. This album, however, was written over the course of a year, no touring involved. The band says they are most proud of this album. For more on their writing process, see our interview with their guitarist Jack O'Shea.
  • Queens of the Stone Age released a song with the same title in 2007, but Raneri wasn't aware of it at the time.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary Numan

Gary NumanSongwriter Interviews

An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright IIISongwriter Interviews

"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop.

Maria Muldaur

Maria MuldaurSongwriter Interviews

The "Midnight At The Oasis" singer is an Old Time gal. She talks about her jug band beginnings and shares a Dylan story.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock Photography

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.