Sixteen Stone
Encyclopedia
Sixteen Stone is the debut album of British rock
band Bush
. Released in 1994 through Trauma Records
, it boasted numerous successful singles
and is widely regarded as the band's most popular album.
, a stone
is a unit of weight that equals 14 pounds
. Therefore, sixteen stone means 224 pounds or about 102 kilogram
s. When asked why lead singer Gavin Rossdale
chose the name "Sixteen Stone" for the name of their album, he said: "Once upon a time there was a lonely man... my friend, who called a phone number
advertising a '21 year old Scandinavia
n beauty, new in town.' When she arrived, she was forty years old and sixteen stone..."
and Pearl Jam
. In later years Bush would distance themselves from the familiar grunge sounds with experimental releases such as The Science of Things
, and Deconstructed
.
let of Sixteen Stone, there is a heart and a dedication to Rupert and Julie, two of Gavin's friends who died in a boating accident along the Thames in England.
The cover insert has a picture of what looks like a bush or mop head flying through the air. This is actually Gavin's dog named Winston. A Puli
, a breed of dog with dreadlock-like cords, that has been tossed in the air or is jumping. Beck
used the same effect in 1996 with a Komondor
, another Hungarian dog breed that has similar fur to the Puli, on his album Odelay
which looks like a mop jumping a hurdle.
.
Early pressings of the album do not list "Alien" on the back cover (there is a blank space where the title should be). "Monkey" is also missing from the inside cover, but both songs have lyrics printed and appear on the album.
Subsequent pressings also include an acoustic version of "Comedown" and a second CD of live tracks, "Swim," "Alien," "Bomb," and "Little Things." Rather than actually being acoustic, the bonus "comedown" track is actually Rossdale singing and playing guitar with more effects. This version is also slower paced, has violins added and has no drums or bass guitar.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Bush
Bush (band)
Bush are an alternative rock band formed in London in 1992 shortly after vocalist/guitarist Gavin Rossdale and guitarist Nigel Pulsford met in a London nightclub. Realising they shared a love for such diverse artists as the Pixies, Bob Marley, The Jesus Lizard, MC5, Nirvana, Hüsker Dü, and Big...
. Released in 1994 through Trauma Records
Trauma Records
Trauma Records is a Los Angeles independent record label created in 1993 by Paul Palmer and Rob Kahane. Trauma Records had a Joint Venture Agreement with Interscope Records that included financing and distribution through Interscope Records....
, it boasted numerous successful singles
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...
and is widely regarded as the band's most popular album.
Title
In the UKUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, a stone
Stone (weight)
The stone is a units of measurement that was used in many North European countries until the advent of metrication. It value, which ranged from 3 kg to 12 kg, varied from city to city and also often from commodity to commodity...
is a unit of weight that equals 14 pounds
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
. Therefore, sixteen stone means 224 pounds or about 102 kilogram
Kilogram
The kilogram or kilogramme , also known as the kilo, is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units and is defined as being equal to the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram , which is almost exactly equal to the mass of one liter of water...
s. When asked why lead singer Gavin Rossdale
Gavin Rossdale
Gavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
chose the name "Sixteen Stone" for the name of their album, he said: "Once upon a time there was a lonely man... my friend, who called a phone number
Personal advertisement
A personal or personal ad is an item or notice traditionally in the newspaper, similar to a classified ad but in nature. In British English it is also commonly known as an advert in a lonely hearts column. With its rise in popularity, the World Wide Web has also become a common medium for...
advertising a '21 year old Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n beauty, new in town.' When she arrived, she was forty years old and sixteen stone..."
Commercial performance
On the Billboard Music Charts (North America), Sixteen Stone peaked at #4 on the Heatseekers and Billboard 200 charts. The album spawned two Top 40 singles. After about 6 months of promotion for Sixteen Stone, the album began to sell wildly, once "Comedown" and "Glycerine" struck America. U.S. sales for Sixteen Stone finally passed the six million mark in 2010.Critical reception
The album overall had fairly good reception, although one critic mentions that the band sounds too much like Seattle rockers NirvanaNirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
and Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
. In later years Bush would distance themselves from the familiar grunge sounds with experimental releases such as The Science of Things
The Science of Things
The Science Of Things is the third studio album by British post-grunge band Bush. Released in 1999, it was the last Bush album under Trauma Records...
, and Deconstructed
Deconstructed (Bush album)
Deconstructed is a remix album by British post-grunge band Bush. It did not feature any truly new material more so than it was a collaborative effort between the band and various producers working in the electronic genre of music which showcased complete remixes of the band's previous songs,...
.
Misc
In the bookBook
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
let of Sixteen Stone, there is a heart and a dedication to Rupert and Julie, two of Gavin's friends who died in a boating accident along the Thames in England.
The cover insert has a picture of what looks like a bush or mop head flying through the air. This is actually Gavin's dog named Winston. A Puli
Puli
The Puli is a medium-big breed of Hungarian herding and livestock guarding dog known for its long, corded coat. The tight curls of the coat, similar to dreadlocks, make it virtually waterproof. A similar looking, but much larger Hungarian dog breed is called Komondor.- Appearance :The Puli is a...
, a breed of dog with dreadlock-like cords, that has been tossed in the air or is jumping. Beck
Beck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
used the same effect in 1996 with a Komondor
Komondor
The Komondor is a large, white-colored Hungarian breed of livestock guardian dog with a long, corded coat....
, another Hungarian dog breed that has similar fur to the Puli, on his album Odelay
Odelay
Odelay is the fifth studio album by American alternative rock artist Beck, originally released on June 18, 1996, by DGC Records.After the mainstream success of "Loser", Odelay featured several hit singles, including "Where It's At", "Devils Haircut", and "The New Pollution"...
which looks like a mop jumping a hurdle.
Track listing
All tracks written by Gavin RossdaleGavin Rossdale
Gavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
.
- "Everything ZenEverything Zen"Everything Zen" is the debut single released by British alternative rock band Bush in early 1995 from their debut album Sixteen Stone.-Music video:...
" - 4:38 - "Swim" - 4:56
- "Bomb" - 3:23
- "Little ThingsLittle Things (Bush song)"Little Things" is a song from rock band Bush released from their successful 1994 album, Sixteen Stone. Although it was a big hit, it did not reach the heights of "Glycerine," "Comedown," or "Swallowed."-Plagiarism:...
" - 4:24 - "ComedownComedown (song)"Comedown" is a single by British rock band Bush from their first album Sixteen Stone. It was released as the third single from the album in 1995.-Music video:The music video was directed by Jake Scott from the 19th to 21 June 1995 in Los Angeles...
" - 5:27 - "Body" - 5:43
- "MachineheadMachinehead (song)"Machinehead" is a hit single from rock band Bush, released in 1996 from their debut album Sixteen Stone.-Music video:The music video was directed by Shawn Mortensen on November 21, 1995 in London and Portmouth. If you watch closely you can see sections of Shepherd's Bush, were the band members...
" - 4:16 - "Testosterone" - 4:20
- "Monkey" - 4:01
- "GlycerineGlycerine (song)"Glycerine" is the fourth single from British grunge/alternative rock band Bush's debut album Sixteen Stone. The song is notable for not featuring any drums, but instead features cellos .-Music video:The music video for "Glycerine" was notable for being shot in a very short time period when the band...
" - 4:27 - "Alien" - 6:34
- "X-Girlfriend" - 0:45
Early pressings of the album do not list "Alien" on the back cover (there is a blank space where the title should be). "Monkey" is also missing from the inside cover, but both songs have lyrics printed and appear on the album.
Subsequent pressings also include an acoustic version of "Comedown" and a second CD of live tracks, "Swim," "Alien," "Bomb," and "Little Things." Rather than actually being acoustic, the bonus "comedown" track is actually Rossdale singing and playing guitar with more effects. This version is also slower paced, has violins added and has no drums or bass guitar.
Personnel
- Clive LangerClive LangerClive Langer is a British record producer active from the mid 1970s onwards. He usually works with Alan Winstanley. He composed the music for the films Still Crazy and Brothers of the Head. Prior to his record producing career he was a guitarist with the British cult band Deaf SchoolLanger...
– producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, engineer, mixing - Paul Cohen – photography, cover photo
- Caroline Dale – celloCelloThe cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
- Robin GoodridgeRobin GoodridgeRobin Goodridge is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the rock band Bush.-Biography:...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - David J. Holman – mixing
- Paul Palmer – mixing
- Danton Supple – assistant engineer
- Robert Vosgien – mastering
- Alan WinstanleyAlan WinstanleyAlan Kenneth Winstanley is a British record producer active from the mid-1970s onwards. He usually works with Clive Langer.-Notable studio albums produced by Alan Winstanley and Clive Langer:* One Step Beyond... – Madness...
– producer, engineer, mixing - Winston – vocals
- Gavyn WrightGavyn WrightGavyn Wright is a British violinist and orchestra leader with the London Session Orchestra and Penguin Cafe Orchestra, best known for his orchestral arrangements on pop productions as well as numerous TV and movie soundtracks Gavyn Wright is a British violinist and orchestra leader with the London...
– violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, violaViolaThe viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average... - Bush – producer, engineer
- Dave ParsonsDave ParsonsDave Parsons is a British bass guitarist, most notable as a member of The Partisans, Bush and Transvision Vamp.-With Transvision Vamp:*Pop Art *Velveteen...
– BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Vincas Bundza – harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
- Jasmine Lewis – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Nigel PulsfordNigel PulsfordNigel Pulsford is a British guitarist, best known as the original lead guitarist of the alternative rock band Bush.-Early life:...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, string arrangements - Gavin RossdaleGavin RossdaleGavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
– guitar, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Alessandro Vittorio Tateo – vocals
- Mark Lebon – photography
- Debra Burley – coordination
- Jackie Holland – coordination
- Gillian Spitchuk – paintings
Charting singles
Billboard Music Charts (North America)| Year | Song | Chart | Spot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Everything Zen | Modern Rock Tracks | No. 2 |
| 1995 | Everything Zen | Mainstream Rock Tracks | No. 5 |
| 1995 | Little Things | Modern Rock Tracks | No. 4 |
| 1995 | Little Things | Mainstream Rock Tracks | No. 6 |
| 1995 | Comedown | Modern Rock Tracks | No. 1 |
| 1995 | Comedown | Billboard Hot 100 | No. 30 |
| 1995 | Glycerine | Modern Rock Tracks | No. 1 |
| 1995 | Glycerine | Mainstream Rock Tracks | No. 4 |
| 1995 | Glycerine | Billboard Hot 100 | No. 28 |
| 1995 | Glycerine | Top 40 Mainstream | No. 28 |
| 1996 | Machinehead | Modern Rock Tracks | No. 4 |
| 1996 | Machinehead | Mainstream Rock Tracks | No. 4 |
| 1996 | Machinehead | Billboard Hot 100 | No. 43 |
Charts
| Chart (1990–1999) | Position |
|---|---|
| Top Pop Albums of the 90's | 59 |
| U.S Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
4 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
42 |
| ARIA Charts ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
5 |
| Ultratop Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... |
14 |
| Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
7 |
| Media Control Charts Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
68 |
| Megacharts MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
20 |
| RIANZ | 2 |