MMMbop

Album: Middle Of Nowhere (1997)
Charted: 1 1
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Songfacts®:

  • One of the catchiest songs ever written, "MMMbop" is surprisingly profound lyrically. What's it all mean? In a Songfacts interview with Zac Hanson, the drummer explained: "What that song talks about is, you've got to hold on to the things that really matter. MMMBop represents a frame of time or the futility of life. Things are going to be gone, whether it's your age and your youth, or maybe the money you have, and all that's going to be left are the people you've nurtured and have really built to be your backbone and your support system."
  • The group first released this song on an independent album (also called MMMBop) in 1996. This version has that inescapable chorus but is a lot more mellow, without the record-scratching sound that runs through it, adding a modern flavor.

    The song helped get Hanson, a band of three brothers from Tulsa, Oklahoma, a record deal with Mercury. It was released as their first single in 1997, when Isaac Hanson was 16 years old, Taylor was 13, and Zac was 11. The song quickly became a huge worldwide hit, getting constant airplay on radio stations and MTV, and going to #1 in 27 countries.
  • Experienced songwriters like Desmond Child, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil worked on the album, but "MMMbop" was written entirely by the Hanson brothers. They were trendsetters in this regard, as years later, young singers like Michelle Branch and Alicia Keys who could write their own songs became very popular. And the next big band of brothers, the Jonas Brothers, certainly owe a debt to Hanson. Their marketing stressed their songwriting and musicianship to show they were singing their truth.
  • Zac Hanson told Songfacts how the track came together. "That song started out as the background part for another song," he said. "We were making our first independent album and we were trying to come up with a background part. We started singing a slightly different incarnation of what is now the chorus of 'MMMBop.' That sort of stuck in our heads but never really worked as a background part. Over a couple of years, we really crafted the rest of the song - the verses and bridge and so on. It was something we almost stumbled upon."
  • What do Hanson have in common with Beastie Boys? They both have hits produced by the Dust Brothers (Michael Simpson and John King), who helmed "MMMbop" as well as Beastie Boys' 1989 Paul's Boutique album - the one with "Hey Ladies." Dust Brothers also produced Beck's Odelay. That scratching in "MMMbop" is one of their hallmarks.
  • "MMMbop" is by far their biggest song, but Hanson are no one-hit wonders. "I Will Come To You," also on the Middle Of Nowhere album, went to #9 in the US. In the UK, one of many territories where "MMMbop" went to #1, they had seven more Top 40 hits.
  • Growing up, the Hanson brothers listened to a lot of '50s and '60s music. Says Zac, "If anything, 'MMMBop' was inspired by The Beach Boys and vocal groups of that era - using your voice as almost a doo-wop kind of thing."
  • This song was nominated for a Grammy for Record Of The Year, making Zac the youngest person ever nominated for a songwriting Grammy. Hanson performed it at the ceremony in 1998.
  • Hanson performed "MMMbop" on a bunch of TV shows, including both Leno and Letterman. They also performed it on Saturday Night Live, where they took part in a skit where they were kidnapped in an elevator and forced to listen to the song over and over until they snapped. Says Zac, "You've got to take yourself lightly, there's always something funny or stupid that you do, and when it comes to performing on a live comedy show, I think if you didn't poke fun at yourself, you need to question who you think you are."
  • The band was surprised when this song became a phenomenon. "Nobody expected it to have that much success," Zac told Songfacts. "You're proud of everything you do and you're confident in everything you do, but you never know how other people are going to react. You just put your whole self into it and hopefully you can be successful."
  • Hanson got some help from outside songwriters and session musicians, but on their debut album, Middle Of Nowhere, they played their own instruments and wrote or co-wrote all the songs. This gave them lots of credibility but made it hard to complete another album - they couldn't just show up in the studio and sings a bunch of songs written by hired guns.

    So, when "MMMbop" ignited HansonMania in 1997, their record company, Mercury, tried to hold fans over with a Christmas album (Snowed In, 1997), a live album (Live From Albertane, 1998), and a collection of outtakes (3 Car Garage, 1998). By the time they released their next studio album, This Time Around in 2000, most of their audience had moved on. The title track was a minor hit, but there were no more throngs of screaming fans.

    They started releasing music on their own label, 3CG Records, with diminishing returns, but they never broke up and remained a big draw as a live act.
  • Tamra Davis directed the music video, which shows the boys performing the song in their studio, larking about on busses, and doing some rollerblading. For most fans, it was their first look at Hanson, so it was important to show them in their element and establish their personalities. The video was a huge hit on MTV; their show Total Request Live didn't do on the air until the following year, but it's a safe bet this one would have set some records.

    As for Davis, in addition to directing videos by Bonnie Raitt ("Nick Of Time"), Bangles ("In Your Room"), and The Smiths ("Sheila Take A Bow"), she also directed the 1995 Adam Sandler movie Billy Madison.

    Hey! Here's another "MMMbop"-Beastie Boys connection: Davis was married to group member Mike D, and they had two children together.
  • Hanson took a cue from Kiss when it comes marketing, and set up their own brand distributing an assortment of products, including the Hansonopoly board game and Shout It Out guitar picks. In 2011, they announced that they would be selling an India Pale Ale beer called... MMMHop.
  • Zac Hanson has a co-writing credit on the track. He was just 11 years and 7 months old when the song topped the Hot 100, making him the youngest group member to co-write and perform on a US #1 single.
  • Several acts, including One Direction and The Vamps, have done their own versions of "MMMbop," but Hanson reckon they have yet to hear a good cover version of their classic hit. Isaac Hanson explained to Vulture in 2016: "You know why? People can't sing the chorus right. Most of the time they syncopate it wrong."
  • The Hansons were fruitful and multiplied: Last we checked, they had 15 children between them, Taylor with nine, Zac with five, and Isaac with 3.
  • Hanson consider this song a blessing and have never stopped performing it at their shows. Taylor explained to People in 2022: "'MMMbop,' is something that wasn't false, and it wasn't somebody else's message. The relationship with the fans that we made with that song continued for years after. We always aspired to have longevity."

Comments: 28

  • Hifijohn from IllinoisOne of those songs everyone listened to but no one publicly admitted it. They were insanely popular and on just about every talk show.
  • Jenn from CanadaWell everyone who only know Hanson for Mmmbop or maybe a bit of there stuff that came out in the few years following that, go check out some of their current music. They haven't stopped making music since then and just released a new single this week (June 2021)!
  • Cyberpope from Richmond, CanadaEvil earworm!
  • Angela from Olmsted , Ilthese guys are so sweet in person, they truley are gifted boys. They do have alot more talent, and people need to look past mmmbop and see what they are doing now, which is amazing! Taylor once told a fan(heard it with my own ears) :"if somone gives you s--t for likeing us, just tell them to kiss your ass" :) ITZ Roxs!
  • Alec from Mechanicsburg, SdWe had a fundraising thing at school where they played this song really loud at lunch and wouldn't stop it until we raised $100. It got really annoying.
  • Doctor Gregory House from Princeton-plainsboro, NjHenry from Bedrock,In:Yes in one episode of House a snipet of the song was used as a ringtone. Go to the official House/Fox sight and you can watch the clip where House tells Wilson that is his ringtone.
  • Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnI was obsessed with this song - well what do you expect I was in junior high when it was released.
  • Henry from Bedrock, InI think (think, mind you) that this is Dr. House's ring tone on "House". Can anyone confirm this?
  • Jess from Cobram, Australiai used to be soooo in love with the hanson boys when i was little. i thought they were all so cute with their long hair!! hahahahaha
    MMMBop never fails to get u up and dancing and sinnging along which is what all great hits should do!!!
    u cant help but love this song
  • Bertrand from Paris, FranceThe Hanson brothers brought back bubblegum pop in all of its glory. "MMMBop" is catchy, sugary sweet, and irresistible. Just try to avoid singing along.
  • Mark from Worcester, MiDominick Great post. I'm the same. Zep-Stones-Aerosmith etc etc etc This is just a fun song. Fantastic rythm, and I bet most people don't change the station when it comes on if they're alone.
  • Jeff from Austin, TxThis song is a great example of what the definition of a great pop song is. After listening to it once, whether you love it or hate it, you can sing (or at least hum) the chorus. I never would call myself a "Hanson fan" by any means, but I did always acknowledge that this was a great pop song.
  • Dominick from New York, NyI just wanted to add my two cents. I see a lot of girls have responded that they liked this song a lot when they were very young. The other side of the coin is that some people think the song is ridiculous.

    I'm part of the Woodstock generation. I mostly like Classic Rock, such as the Doors, Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, etc. I just wanted to add that I like this song. So the song is not just for young girls. It's a good song with a catchy melody and good vocals.
  • Madison from Norway, MeDidn't Weird Al have something to do with this song? I'm pretty sure he appears in the video for a second.
  • Bubba Zanetti from Austin, TxThe lyrics to this song are about as deep as the shallow end of the kiddie pool.
  • Kevan from Ashtabula, OhI remember when this song came out in 1996-1997 i was 5 goin on 6 and me and my twin brother got the cd and we would sing all the songs on the cd and no every word and MmmmBop was our favorite actually in the past week ive looked up all Hanson songs and found the ones ive listend to and remembered those days and almost cried cause i miss those days so much actually i wish everybodys music was like Hanson they have a really good voice all their songs cheer me up when ever im down and make me happy their new songs are good too!
  • Jaclyn from Buffalo, NyNo matter what anybody says, MMMBop is with out a doubt a "feel-good" song. It'll get you pumped before a hockey game or cheer you up if your boyfriend's acting like a jerk. It just makes you happy; you don't even need to understand all the words
  • Victoria from Tucson, AzI can't believe this was such a big hit.It's cracks me up.
  • Michaela from Shropshire, Englandthis song rocks!!!!!!
  • Heather from Waukesha, WiHanson is the best band in the world for their experience level and ages. And if people can't appreciate that, then they don't know good music. Instead of turning away from them just because of a bad first impression, why can't people just listen to their new music? It would save a lot of frustration and a lot of unwanted tears on my part just to get people to give them a chance. This song is one of the best they ever wrote and I wish people would realize that. The lyrics are meaningful and I can relate to the song a lot. I love their new songs too, it just keeps better each year. They are a very talented band who deserves more respect than they're getting right now. I'm a proud fan and I'll never stop being one either. So, people, are you listening? Check out this amazing band and be mesemerized by the lyrics.
  • Marlow from Perthwho couldnt have a cd released. if your parents were rich enough to pay for the complete recording of the bloody thing... this family were already billionairs from oil...
  • Heather from Cave City, KyI think the song is awesome when I was 11 and hearing it on the L&E cd was just as great. These guys are full of talent, just some people don't recognize that cause they are so used to listening to CRAP that they wouldn't know good music anyway!
  • Brianna from New Richmond, WiI have liked HANSON for 7 or 8 years...and they just keep gettin' better! MmmBop is still the best song...but they're new stuff (The Underneath Album, and the Live and Electric Album) is awesome too.
  • Lauren from Atcoq, NjIsaac, Taylor and Zac are all amazing songwriters and artists - this song is full of deeper lyrics than most people realize, and was just a launchpad for all of the future hits to come. This song came out when I was about 16, and almost 9 years later it still brings a smile to my face. I've had the opportunity to see the guys perform this song live 3 times (it will be 4 in October) and it's amazing to be in the crowd when everyone is singing so loud that you can barely even hear the guys singing this song! Hanson fan always :-)
  • Jonathan from Bradford, MaThis song was on their album "Middle of Nowhere", said to have been their third album.
  • Madeline from Melbourne, AustraliaThis song is awesome, regardless of what anyone else says. They were like 8 when they wrote this, while most kids were playing with GI Joes so good on them. To this day MMMBop still puts a smile on my face!
  • Aria from Omaha, Neafter this song was released to the world, nothing was ever the same
  • Aria from Omaha, Nethat got a lot more talent then people give them credit for
see more comments

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