Heartspark Dollarsign

"Heartspark Dollarsign" is the third single released from American rock band Everclear's second studio album, Sparkle and Fade. Lead singer Art Alexakis wrote the song before Everclear formed, while he was in the band Colorfinger. The song was then recorded by Everclear in 1994 and included on Sparkle and Fade, which was released in May 1995. The lyrics describe an interracial relationship, an activity Alexakis engaged in frequently during his youth.

"Heartspark Dollarsign"
Single by Everclear
from the album Sparkle and Fade
Released1996
Recorded1994
Length2:53
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Art Alexakis
Everclear singles chronology
"Santa Monica"
(1995)		 "Heartspark Dollarsign"
(1996)		 "You Make Me Feel Like a Whore"
(1996)

"Heartspark Dollarsign" was released as a single in spring 1996. Although less successful the band's international breakthrough hit, "Santa Monica," the song reached the top 50 on the music charts of Australia and the United Kingdom. In the United States the single became Everclear's first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 85 in June 1996, and it also reached number 13 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 29 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. In Canada the song peaked at number 12 on the RPM Alternative 30.

Background and lyrics

Everclear lead singer Art Alexakis explained during an interview with Spin magazine that he first wrote and performed the song—originally titled "Colorblind"—while he was working with his third music project, Colorfinger, but it did not appear on their sole album, Deep in the Heart of the Beast in the Sun.[1] Alexakis explained the song is "just embracing the value of love and passion — your heart."[2]

The lyrics of the song describe an interracial relationship that no one approves. In the Spin interview, Alexakis revealed that when he was young, he dated women of many races, including black women, Asian women, and a Jewish girl.[2] One of his relationships with a black woman did not earn the approval from either of their mothers, and both adolescents were too young to stand up for their relationship, which ended about three weeks after it started.[2]

Chart performance

On the US Billboard Hot 100, "Heartspark Dollarsign" debuted at number 92 on the week dated May 18, 1996.[3] Four weeks later, on June 8, it reached its peak of number 85,[4] and it dropped off the Hot 100 from number 98 on July 6.[5] Additionally, the single peaked at number 13 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 29 on the Mainstream Rock chart.[6][7] It was also an alternative hit in Canada, debuting at number 29 on the RPM Alternative 30 on May 18,[8] then reaching its peak of number 12 five weeks later, on June 17.[9]

Outside North America, the song managed to reach the top 50 in the United Kingdom and Australia. In the former country, "Heartspark Dollarsign" was released before "Santa Monica", becoming Everclear's first single to chart in the UK. It debuted and peaked at number 48 on the UK Singles Chart on May 26,[10] dropped to number 75 the following week,[11] then left the top 100 on June 9. In Australia, the song debuted at number 40–its peak position–and stayed in the top 50 for two more weeks.[12]

Track listings

Charts
Chart (1996) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[12] 40
Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[9] 12
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[14] 93
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[15] 59
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[10] 48
US Billboard Hot 100[4] 85
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[6] 13
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[7] 29
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References
  1. "Colorfinger – Deep in the Heart of the Beast in the Sun Overview". AllMusic. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  2. Brodsky, Rachel (June 11, 2015). "Everclear's Art Alexakis: "Sparkle and Fade' Was My Escape Route'". Spin. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  3. "The Hot 100 – The Week of May 18, 1996". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  4. "Everclear Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  5. "The Hot 100 – The Week of July 6, 1996". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  6. "Everclear Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  7. "Everclear Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  8. "RPM Alternative 30 – May 13, 1996". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  9. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3003." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  10. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  11. "Official Singles Chart Top 100 02 June 1996 – 08 June 1996". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  12. "Australian-charts.com – Everclear – Heartspark Dollarsign". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  13. "Everclear – Heartspark Dollarsign [CD1]". AllMusic. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  14. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13 no. 23. June 8, 1996. p. 16. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  15. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
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