Metropolis (The Church song)

"Metropolis" is a song by Australian alternative rock band the Church. It was released as the lead single from their sixth album, Gold Afternoon Fix (1990), and the songwriting credits were given to all four members of the band. The song topped the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and reached number 19 in Australia. A music video directed by David Hogan and produced by Chris O'Brien was made for the song.[2]

"Metropolis"
Single by the Church
from the album Gold Afternoon Fix
B-side
  • "Much Too Much"
  • "Ride into the Sunset"
  • "Monday Morning"
Released26 February 1990 (1990-02-26)[1]
StudioOcean Way (Los Angeles)
Length4:47
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
The Church singles chronology
"Destination"
(1988)		 "Metropolis"
(1990)		 "Russian Autumn Heart"
(1990)

Background and composition

Marty Willson-Piper, Peter Koppes, Richard Ploog, and Steve Kilbey were all credited with writing the song. The lead guitar produced a quickly falling then softly ascending melody. A complicated web of guitar overdubs appears later in the song, and a soft, mandolin-sounding melody was added as an additional hook.[3]

Release and reception

"Metropolis" peaked at number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 11 on the Album Rock Tracks chart in 1990.[4][5] In addition, it peaked at number 19 in Australia and number 41 in New Zealand.[6][7] Critically, Ned Raggett of AllMusic praised "the almost desperate edge in Steve Kilbey's vocals" as a testament to the song's quality. Raggett added that the Church's "ear for a triumphant yet somehow downbeat ending [makes] this an underrated gem in the band's body of work."[3]

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the Australian 7-inch single and Gold Afternoon Fix liner notes.[8][13]

Studio

Personnel

  • The Church – production
    • Steve Kilbey – writing, vocals, bass, keyboards
    • Marty Willson-Piper – writing, guitar
    • Peter Koppes – writing, guitar
    • Richard Ploog – writing, drums
  • Waddy Wachtel – production, mixing
  • Shep Lonsdale – mixing, engineering
  • Joe Schiff – assistant engineering
  • Greg Fulginiti – mastering

Charts
Chart (1990) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[6] 19
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[7] 41
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[4] 1
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[5] 11

Acoustic versions

The band performed the song, as well as "Under the Milky Way", for MTV Unplugged on 30 January 1990 at the National Video Center in New York City. The episode aired 18 March 1990.[14] An acoustic version was included on the 2004 album El Momento Descuidado.

References
  1. Christman, Ed (3 March 1990). "CD-5 Picks Up Steam as Labels Boost Commitment" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 8. p. 84. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  2. "Video Track" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 8. 24 February 1990. p. 48. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  3. Raggett, Ned. "Metropolis Review". AllMusic. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  4. "The Church Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  5. "The Church Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  6. "The Church – Metropolis". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  7. "The Church – Metropolis". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  8. Metropolis (Australian 7-inch single sleeve). The Church. Mushroom Records. 1990. K 1070.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. Metropolis (US 7-inch single sleeve). The Church. Arista Records. 1990. AS 2027.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. Metropolis (Australian maxi-CD single liner notes). The Church. Mushroom Records. 1990. D1070.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. Metropolis (UK 7-inch single sleeve). The Church. Arista Records. 1990. 113 086.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. Metropolis (UK & European maxi-CD single liner notes). The Church. Arista Records. 1990. 663 086.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Gold Afternoon Fix (US CD album liner notes). The Church. Arista Records. 1990. ARCD-8579.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. "Sinead O'Connor with The Church". tv.com. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
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