Herculean (song)
Encyclopedia
"Herculean" is the first single (and first-ever release) by The Good, the Bad and the Queen
, an alternative
rock band
fronted by Damon Albarn
. Though Albarn later claimed that the band was unnamed, and that "The Good, The Bad & The Queen" was merely the name of band's first album, this single clearly credits the artist as "The Good, The Bad & The Queen", and was released several months in advance of the album. At the time, neither Albarn nor anyone else was claiming the band was unnamed.
"Herculean" was first released as the band's debut single
on 30 October 2006, following the band's performance at The Roundhouse
in Camden
on 26 October as part of the BBC
's Electric Proms (see 2006 in British music
). The single peaked at number 22 in the UK Singles Chart
upon release, and was later released as the fifth track on the band's 2007 debut album
The Good, the Bad and the Queen
.
The song was released to the iTunes Store
on 9 October 2006, and a stream of the song is available on the band's website. In a Time Out poll of the best songs about London, the song placed at #50. The artwork for the single was created by the band's bassist
Paul Simonon
.
at #22 in its first week of physical release (2006-11-05). The next week it retained a spot in the Top 75, at #72, but dropped out entirely the following week.
The Good, the Bad and the Queen
The Good, the Bad & the Queen is the album by an ostensibly unnamed British alternative rock supergroup also commonly referred to as The Good, The Bad & The Queen, and made up of Damon Albarn, Paul Simonon, Simon Tong and Tony Allen. The album was released in January 2007...
, an alternative
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
fronted by Damon Albarn
Damon Albarn
Damon Albarn is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who has been involved in many high profile projects, coming to prominence as the frontman and primary songwriter of Britpop band Blur...
. Though Albarn later claimed that the band was unnamed, and that "The Good, The Bad & The Queen" was merely the name of band's first album, this single clearly credits the artist as "The Good, The Bad & The Queen", and was released several months in advance of the album. At the time, neither Albarn nor anyone else was claiming the band was unnamed.
"Herculean" was first released as the band's debut single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on 30 October 2006, following the band's performance at The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse is a Grade II* listed former railway engine shed in Chalk Farm, London, England, which has been converted into a performing arts and concert venue. It was originally built in 1847 as a roundhouse , a circular building containing a railway turntable, but was only used for railway...
in Camden
Camden Town
-Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in...
on 26 October as part of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's Electric Proms (see 2006 in British music
2006 in British music
This is a summary of 2006 in music in the United Kingdom including the official single and album charts.-Summary:*At both ends of the year, the chart was dominated by acts from series 2 and series 3 of the television show The X Factor...
). The single peaked at number 22 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
upon release, and was later released as the fifth track on the band's 2007 debut album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
The Good, the Bad and the Queen
The Good, the Bad and the Queen
The Good, the Bad & the Queen is the album by an ostensibly unnamed British alternative rock supergroup also commonly referred to as The Good, The Bad & The Queen, and made up of Damon Albarn, Paul Simonon, Simon Tong and Tony Allen. The album was released in January 2007...
.
The song was released to the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
on 9 October 2006, and a stream of the song is available on the band's website. In a Time Out poll of the best songs about London, the song placed at #50. The artwork for the single was created by the band's bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Paul Simonon
Paul Simonon
Paul Gustave Simonon is an English musician and artist best known as the bass guitarist for punk rock band The Clash. Recent work includes his involvement in the album The Good, the Bad & the Queen with Damon Albarn, Simon Tong and Tony Allen, released in January 2007...
.
Track listings
- Promo CD
- "Herculean" (radio edit)
- "Herculean" (album version)
- 7" R6722
- "Herculean" - 4:03
- "Mr. Whippy" (featuring Eslam JawaadEslam JawaadWissam Khodur , better known as Eslam Jawaad , is a rapper of Lebanese-Syrian origin. His debut album, The Mammoth Tusk, was released in 2009.-Career:...
) - 3:15- Digipak Maxi-CD CDR6722
- "Herculean" - 4:03
- "Back in the Day" - 5:33
- "Mr. Whippy" (featuring Eslam Jawaad) - 3:15
Chart performance
"Herculean" entered the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at #22 in its first week of physical release (2006-11-05). The next week it retained a spot in the Top 75, at #72, but dropped out entirely the following week.
| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart |
External links
- "Herculean" songography page at The Good, The Bad & The Queen unofficial fansite.
- "Herculean" discography page at The Good, The Bad & The Queen unofficial fansite.