Feel Good Inc.

"Feel Good Inc." is a song by British virtual band Gorillaz, featuring American hip-hop group De La Soul. The song was released as the lead single from the band's second studio album Demon Days on 9 May 2005. The single peaked at No. 2 in the United Kingdom and No. 14 in the United States and made the US Billboard year-end top songs chart in 2005 and 2006. It also topped Billboard's Alternative Songs chart in the U.S. for eight consecutive weeks, a first for the band. This is the only song in Damon Albarn's career to reach the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked in the top 10 in 17 countries, reaching No. 1 in Spain and Greece. It surpassed "Clint Eastwood" to become Gorillaz's most successful single worldwide. "Feel Good Inc." has been certified platinum in Australia and double-platinum in the United Kingdom.

"Feel Good Inc."
Single by Gorillaz featuring De La Soul
from the album Demon Days
B-side	"Spitting Out the Demons" "Bill Murray" "68 State"
Released	9 May 2005
Recorded	2004
Genre	Alternative rock[1] hip hop[2] funk rock[3]
Length	3:41
Label	Parlophone Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Damon Albarn Brian Burton David Jolicoeur Jamie Hewlett
Producer(s)	Danger Mouse Gorillaz
Gorillaz singles chronology
"Lil' Dub Chefin'" (2002) "Feel Good Inc." (2005) "Dare" (2005)
De La Soul singles chronology
"Shopping Bags (She Got from You)" (2004) "Feel Good Inc." (2005) "Superfast Jellyfish" (2010)
Audio sample
file help
Music video
"Feel Good Inc." on YouTube

The song was listed in Pitchfork Media and Rolling Stone's Best Songs of the 2000s. It was nominated for three Grammys at the 2006 Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year, but winning for Best Pop Collaboration.[4] Popdose ranked it 26th on their list of 100 best songs of the decade.[5]

Music video

At the beginning of the video, while the camera is rising up from the Feel Good Inc. tower, a sample of the Spacemonkeyz dub of "Clint Eastwood" entitled "A Fistful of Peanuts" can be heard. The main themes of the video are intellectual freedom and the media's dumbing down of mass culture.[6]

In the video, 2-D yearns for the freedom to join Noodle on her floating island. The characters lying on the floor represent those who have already been "dumbed down", while the band members are the ones who have awakened. 2-D is trying to wake all the people from their half-dead state by yelling at them through his megaphone, in the style of a political activist.[7] Jamie Hewlett said in an interview that the inspiration for some scenes in the video came from Hayao Miyazaki; specifically, the windmill-powered landmass, which has been compared to that of Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky.[8] The floating island is chased by ominous helicopters, which closely resemble Korean War era Bell H-13s, monitoring the behaviour inside and ensuring that no one escapes. It is unclear whether they are preventing Noodle's escape or are chasing her away.[9] Back in the tower, De La Soul appear as larger-than life, seemingly omnipotent images on surrounding television screens, laughing at the Gorillaz band members.[10] Their taunting drives 2-D into a wild, hypnotic frenzy as he tries to resist the urge to be dumbed down. At the end of the video, 2-D appears beaten by his surroundings, and returns to the state he was in when the video began, repeating the words "Feel good" until the video finally ends, in an exact reversal of the intro. The repetition of "Feel good" represents that 2-D is convincing himself that everything is OK (as if he is brainwashing himself to believe it), instead of facing the harsh truth of the situation.[11] The music video for "El Mañana" is a continuation of this video, depicting two helicopter gunships catching up to Noodle's floating windmill island and attacking it.

Usage In Media

The track was included in Grand Theft Auto V's soundtrack, and was additionally utilized in one of Apple’s “Silhouette style” iPod adverts.

Track listings

UK CD single

1. "Feel Good Inc." – 3:41
2. "Spitting Out the Demons" – 5:10

UK DVD single

1. "Feel Good Inc." (Video) – 4:15
2. "Spitting Out the Demons" – 5:10
3. "Bill Murray" – 3:53

UK 7-inch single

1. "Feel Good Inc." – 3:41
2. "68 State" – 4:48

UK digital download

1. "Feel Good Inc." – 3:41
2. "Spitting Out the Demons" – 5:10
3. "Bill Murray" – 3:53

European CD single

1. "Feel Good Inc." – 3:41
2. "Spitting Out the Demons" – 5:10
3. "Bill Murray" – 3:53
4. "Feel Good Inc." (Video) – 4:15

Japanese CD single

1. "Feel Good Inc." – 3:41
2. "Spitting Out the Demons" – 5:10
3. "Bill Murray" – 3:53
4. "Murdoc Is God" – 2:26
5. "Feel Good Inc." (Video) – 4:15

US digital EP[12]

1. "Feel Good Inc." – 3:41
2. "Spitting Out the Demons" – 5:10
3. "Bill Murray" – 3:53
4. "DARE" (Soulwax Remix) – 5:44
5. "Feel Good Inc." (Video) – 4:15

Personnel

• Damon Albarn: vocals, acoustic guitars, synthesizers
• David Jude Jolicoeur: rap
• Maseo: laugh
• Jason Cox: bass guitar, production
• Simon Tong: electric guitar
• James Dring: drums, drum programming
• Danger Mouse: production, handclaps, drum programming

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2005–2006) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[13] 3 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[14] 4 Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[15] 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[16] 36 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[17] 6 Canada Rock Top 30 (Radio & Records)[18] 26 Denmark (Tracklisten)[19] 19 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[20] 2 France (SNEP)[21] 26 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[22] 4 Germany (Official German Charts)[23] 8 Greece (IFPI)[24] 1 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[25] 27 Hungary (Dance Top 40)[26] 28 Hungary (Single Top 40)[27] 7 Ireland (IRMA)[28] 4 Ireland Dance (IRMA)[29] 1 Italy (FIMI)[30] 5 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[31] 87 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[32] 2 Norway (VG-lista)[33] 4 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[34] 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[35] 14 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[36] 12 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[37] 2 US Billboard Hot 100[38] 14 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[39] 18 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[40] 1 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[41] 4 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[42] 13

Year-end charts Chart (2005) Position Australia (ARIA)[43] 9 Australia Urban (ARIA)[44] 6 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[45] 25 CIS (Tophit)[46] 42 Germany (Official German Charts)[47] 43 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[48] 16 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[49] 100 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[50] 71 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[51] 14 US Billboard Hot 100[52] 37 US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[53] 4 Chart (2006) Position US Billboard Hot 100[54] 97

Sales and certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[55]	Platinum	70,000^^
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[56]	Gold	45,000
Italy (FIMI)[57]	Platinum	50,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[58]	2× Platinum	1,200,000
United States (RIAA)[59]	Gold	500,000^^
^^shipments figures based on certification alone sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Awards and nominations

Awards

• 2005 MTV Video Music Award
  • Breakthrough Video
  • Best Visual Effects
• 2006 Grammy Award
  • Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals

Nominations

• 2006 Grammy Award
  • Record of the Year
  • Best Music Video

References

1. The following cite the song as "alternative rock":
   • "Ranking: Every Alternative Rock No. 1 Hit From Worst to Best – Consequence of Sound". Consequenceofsound.net. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
   • "11 essential Gorillaz tracks". Time Out Dubai. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
2. Frere-Jones, Sasha (28 November 2005). "Damon's Day". The New Yorker. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
3. "They're coming back: Gorillaz' greatest tracks, ranked". Gigwise. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
4. "Grammy Award Winners 2005". Grammy.com. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
5. "The popdose 100: 100 best songs of the decade". Popdose. 24 November 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
6. Browne, Cass. "Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre", Riverhead Books Inc., 2006, p. 213.
7. Browne, Cass. "Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre", Riverhead Books Inc., 2006, p. 214.
8. Kermode, Mark (19 July 2008). "The interview: Jamie Howlett". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
9. Browne, Cass. "Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre", Riverhead Books Inc., 2006, p. 215.
10. Rambarran, Shara (2016). "Feel Good" with Gorillaz and "Reject False Icons": The Fantasy Worlds of the Virtual Group and Their Creators. The Oxford Handbook of Music & Virtuality edited by Sheila Whiteley and Shara Rambarran. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 148–170. ISBN 9780199321285.
11. Browne, Cass. "Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre", Riverhead Books Inc., 2006, p. 216.
12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
13. "Australian-charts.com – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
14. "Austriancharts.at – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
15. "Ultratop.be – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
16. "Ultratop.be – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc" (in French). Ultratop 50.
17. "Gorillaz Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
18. "RR Canada Rock Top 30" (PDF). p. 69. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
19. "Danishcharts.com – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc". Tracklisten.
20. "Hits of the World – Eurocharts" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 117 no. 22. 28 May 2005. p. 51. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
21. "Lescharts.com – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc" (in French). Les classement single.
22. "Gorillaz: Feel Good Inc" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
23. "Offiziellecharts.de – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
24. "IFPI Greece Archive Top 50 Singles". Archived from the original on 17 June 2005. Retrieved 17 June 2005.
25. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
26. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
27. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
28. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Feel Good Inc". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
29. "Top 10 Dance Singles, Week Ending 12 May 2005". GfK Chart-Track. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
30. "Italiancharts.com – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc". Top Digital Download.
31. "Dutchcharts.nl – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
32. "Charts.nz – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc". Top 40 Singles.
33. "Norwegiancharts.com – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc". VG-lista.
34. "Spanishcharts.com – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc" Canciones Top 50.
35. "Swedishcharts.com – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc". Singles Top 100.
36. "Swisscharts.com – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc". Swiss Singles Chart.
37. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
38. "Gorillaz Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
39. "Gorillaz Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
40. "Gorillaz Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
41. "Gorillaz Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
42. "Gorillaz Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
43. "ARIA End of Year Singles 2005". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
44. "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Urban Singles 2005". ARIA. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
45. "Jahreshitparade Singles 2005" (in German). Retrieved 20 June 2019.
46. "CIS Year-End Radio Hits (2005)". Tophit. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
47. "Top 100 Singles – Jahrescharts 2005" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
48. "Top Selling Singles of 2005 The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
49. "Årslista Singlar – År 2005" (in Swedish). Hitlistan. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
50. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2005" (in German). Retrieved 20 June 2019.
51. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2005". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
52. "Billboard Top 100 - 2005". Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
53. Duffy, Tom (24 December 2005). "Billboard 2005 The Year in Music & Touring" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 117 no. 52. p. YE-70. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
54. "Hot 100: Year End 2006". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
55. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
56. "Danish single certifications – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc". IFPI Denmark. Scroll through the page-list below until year 2017 to obtain certification.
57. "Italian single certifications – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Feel Good Inc." in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli online" under "Sezione".
58. "British single certifications – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc". British Phonographic Industry.
59. "American single certifications – Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 

External links

• Pitchfork Media review 3/25/2005
• Music video from official fansite
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics