Cumbersome

"Cumbersome" is a song by American rock band Seven Mary Three and the lead single from their breakthrough album, American Standard (1995). It was originally included on their independently released debut, Churn, in 1994. The single was released in 1996 and became the band's most popular and well-known song. "Cumbersome" reached number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks, number seven on the Modern Rock Tracks, number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, and on their list of Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks of the Year, the song ranked in at number five for 1996.[3] An acoustic version of the song is included on the "Cumbersome" and "Water's Edge" CD singles. A live version appears on Live in the X Lounge IV, released in 2001.

"Cumbersome"
Single by Seven Mary Three
from the album American Standard
ReleasedJanuary 9, 1996
RecordedJune–July 1995
StudioMorrisound Recording (Tampa, Florida)
Genre
Length3:59
LabelMammoth
Songwriter(s)Jason Ross, Jason Pollock
Producer(s)Jason Ross, Jason Pollock, Tom Morris
Seven Mary Three singles chronology
"Cumbersome"
(1996)		 "Water's Edge"
(1996)
Music video
"Cumbersome" on YouTube

Background

The original six-minute version of "Cumbersome" served as the opening track to Churn. After airing on a Florida radio station and generating a great response, the song propelled Seven Mary Three to a record deal with Mammoth Records. The band then re-recorded "Cumbersome" for their Mammoth label debut album, American Standard, and the song catapulted the album to platinum status.[4]

In a 1996 interview, Jason Pollock said the overriding theme on the songs from American Standard "is one of people dealing with things in life, dealing with your feelings, dealing with your fellow man, dealing with women ... and how you really have to work at it."[5]

Music and lyrics

The lyrics describe regret over a couple's separation, particularly a woman's disinterest in her significant other. It also arguably highlights the group's songwriting abilities.[6] The song opens with guitar chords which are strummed conventionally and then strummed muted between every chord transition. This pattern carries on throughout the song. A prominent bassline is highlighted during the bridge.

Legacy

Despite proving commercially successful, as the band's debut single and most popular song, "Cumbersome" has, according to some observers, pigeon-holed Seven Mary Three among the one-hit wonders of the 1990s. In a 2005 interview, drummer Giti Khalsa called the song "a blessing and a curse." He added, "It definitely was the beginning of our success. We were able to sell a lot of records because of that song and a couple of others on that first record. But, at the same time, with each record that we've made - it's like the 'monkey on the back.'"[7] This was reinforced in 2003 when the band opened for 3 Doors Down on tour. The latter group, having surpassed Seven Mary Three in popularity, claimed to have covered "Cumbersome" among other Seven Mary Three songs during their early days. Khalsa also expressed disappointment in a 2003 interview where he stated that a considerable number of people leave their shows after "Cumbersome" is performed.[8]

As of 2021, "Cumbersome" allegedly receives over 150 plays a week on popular radio.[9]

Music video

The "Cumbersome" video was produced by MMG and directed by Julie Hermelin. A stripped-down performance video with little-to-no story concept or special effects; it revolves entirely around the band playing the song in a bar during the day.

Track listings
  1. "Cumbersome" (LP version)
  2. "Cumbersome" (acoustic version)

Charts
Chart (1995–1996) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[10] 80
Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[11] 8
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12] 31
US Billboard Hot 100[13] 39
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[14] 1
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[14] 7

References
  1. "The 96 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1996". Spin. August 31, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  2. Yglesias, Matthew (May 21, 2007). "The Ultimate Nineties Alt-Rock Playlist". The Atlantic. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  3. "Billboard Year End - Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks" (PDF). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. December 28, 1996. p. 120. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  4. Ferguson, Jason (January 11, 2016). "20 Years Later: Seven Mary Three - "Cumbersome"". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  5. Sciortino, Lisa (May 24, 1996). "Seven Mary Three on the rise". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  6. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas Seven Mary Three - American Standard AllMusic. Retrieved on September 10, 2018.
  7. Singer, Kristi Seven Mary Three comes to SpeedPark Archived 2006-10-28 at the Wayback Machine The Sun News (June 24, 2005). Retrieved on September 7, 2008.
  8. Cartwright, Keith Ryan Giti Khalsa of Seven Mary Three TheyWillRockYou.com (November 2003). Retrieved on September 7, 2008.
  9. Best of 2008: Seven Mary Three Ryan's Smashing Life (September 6, 2008). Retrieved on September 7, 2008.
  10. "The Australian ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 02 Jun 1996". ARIA. Retrieved December 11, 2017 – via Imgur. N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.
  11. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 2821." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  12. "Seven Mary Three – Cumbersome". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  13. "US Billboard Hot 100 Chart 1996-03-02". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  14. "Billboard Rock Charts – January 6, 1996" (PDF). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
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