Up the Creek (song)

"Up the Creek" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, released as a single in 1984 from the soundtrack of the 1984 film Up the Creek.[1] The song was written by Rick Nielsen and Randy Bishop, and produced by Spencer Proffer.[2]

"Up the Creek"
Single by Cheap Trick
from the album Up the Creek soundtrack
B-side"Up the Creek (Acappella Intro)"
Released1984
GenreRock
Power Pop
Length3:03 (single)
3:58 (album)
LabelEpic Records
Songwriter(s)Rick Nielsen
Randy Bishop
Producer(s)Spencer Proffer
Cheap Trick singles chronology
"Spring Break"
(1984)		 "Up the Creek"
(1984)		 "Tonight It's You"
(1985)

Background

Years after its release, both Nielsen and drummer Bun E. Carlos have been critical of the song. Nielsen told John Krewson of The A.V. Club in 1997: "Now that was a bad song! I co-wrote that... no, wait, let's see... I can't remember. Maybe I actually wrote that whole thing. Man! I must've been high. That was one of the worst songs - put it this way, it was one of the worst movies that's ever been out. Song-wise, it fit right in with the movie."[3] Carlos was once asked why the song had not appeared on a Cheap Trick compilation, to which he replied "'cause it sucks."[4]

Music video

A music video was filmed in Los Angeles to promote the single. It was directed by Dominic Orlando and achieved light rotation on MTV.[5][6] In his 1997 interview with The A.V. Club, Nielsen said: "[The] video was the worst we've ever done. We've done some bad, bad ones, but that took the cake."[3]

Critical reception

Upon release, Jim Bohen of Daily Record described the song as a "decent hard rocker".[7] Bob Andelman of St. Petersburg Times commented that the songs contributed by Cheap Trick, the Beach Boys and Heart "all have appealing hooks but are surrounded by prattle."[8] Lawrence Van Gelder of The News-Press wrote: "Neither the music by the likes of Cheap Trick and the Beach Boys can elevate this movie from the ranks of failed derivations."[9]

In a review of the film, The Morning Call described the song as "awful".[10] In a retrospective review of the film's soundtrack, Doug Stone of AllMusic described the song as "ridiculous" and added: "Even these distinguished junk dealers abandoned this piece."[4] In his 2017 book Still Competition: The Listener's Guide to Cheap Trick, Robert Lawson described the song as one with "all the hallmarks of a decent Cheap Trick tune - goofy lyrics, a catchy chorus, and a terrific vocal from Zander."[11]

Track listing
7" single
  1. "Up the Creek" - 3:03
  2. "Up the Creek (Acappella Intro)" - 3:48
12" single
  1. "Up the Creek" - 3:03
  2. "Up the Creek (Acappella Intro)" - 3:48

Chart performance
Chart (1984) Peak
position
US Billboard Top Rock Tracks[12] 36

Personnel
  • Robin Zander - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, arranger
  • Rick Nielsen - lead guitar, backing vocals, arranger
  • Jon Brant - bass, backing vocals, arranger
  • Bun E. Carlos - drums, percussion, arranger

Additional personnel

  • Spencer Proffer - producer, arranger

References
  1. "Various - Up The Creek - Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  2. "Up the Creek (1984) - IMDb". IMDb.
  3. Krewson, John (1997-03-12). "Cheap Trick | Interview". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  4. Stone, Doug. "Up the Creek - Original Soundtrack". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  5. "Robin Zander From Cheap Trick Filming A Video To The Song… News Photo | Getty Images Ireland | 90418977". Gettyimages.ie. 1984-01-01. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  6. Billboard magazine - Video Music Programming - MTV Adds & Rotation - April 21, 1984 - page 20
  7. Daily Record - Music notes - Jim Bohen - July 6, 1984 - page 24
  8. St. Petersburg Times - Records - Bob Andelman - June 3, 1984 - page 2E
  9. Fort Myer News-Press - This time it's 'Up the Creek' without a reason - Lawrence Van Gelder - April 15, 1984 - page 10E
  10. Paul willistein (1984-05-19). "Up The Creek' Without A Cinematic Paddle Movie Review". Morning Call. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
  11. Lawson, Robert (2017-11-13). Still Competition: The Listener's Guide to Cheap Trick. ISBN 9781525512261.
  12. "Cheap Trick". Billboard.
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