The Nobodies (song)
Encyclopedia
"The Nobodies" is a song by American industrial rock
band Marilyn Manson
. It is the third and final single
from their fourth studio album
, Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)
, released in 2001.
As early as February 10, 2001, Manson had made indications that the song would be chosen as the album's third single. The third single was released in physical format, on September 3, 2001, in the UK and, on October 6, 2001, in the US.
A remixed version of the song would later appear in the 2001 Johnny Depp
film From Hell
. Also, despite its usage of harsh vocals, the band has performed an acoustic
version of the song.
for "The Nobodies" was directed by Paul Fedor. It premiered on MTV
in June 2001. Technical presentation of the video uses shaking camera techniques, varying perspective shots, closeups, and fast scene shot changes.
Originally, the frontman expressed desire to film the music video in Russia "because the atmosphere, the desolation, the coldness, and the architecture would really suit the song." Another concept called for the incorporation of the MTV stunt and prank reality TV series, Jackass
, due to the song's inclusion in the Jackass soundtrack. However, this idea was abandoned after the show began drawing the ire of U.S. Senator
Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.), who was among the politicians who targeted Marilyn Manson for blame after the Columbine High School massacre
. Marilyn Manson explained the idea for the music video:
, the shooters of the April 20, 1999 Columbine High School massacre
. Manson harshly criticizes the media circus in the aftermath of the killings, singing "You should have seen the ratings that day."
After the shootings, the media widely reported that listening to Manson's music drove the boys to kill, though in fact they didn't appear to be fans of the band. An interview with him about the Columbine shootings was featured in the 2002 Michael Moore
documentary Bowling for Columbine
. When Moore asked what he would say to the students at Columbine
, Manson replied, "I wouldn't say a single word. I would listen to what they have to say and that's what no one did." Also in the film, an acoustic instrumental version of the song is played during a montage of security camera footage and emergency phone calls.
's Against All Gods world tour, and to radio in the United States in conjunction with the compilation album, Lest We Forget
; only the original album version is present on the compilation.
Industrial rock
Industrial rock is a musical genre that fuses industrial music and specific rock subgenres. Industrial rock spawned industrial metal, with which it is often confused...
band Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson (band)
Marilyn Manson is an American metal band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by Brian Warner and Scott Putesky, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their uniquely theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early '90s. This attention...
. It is the third and final 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...
from their fourth studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)
Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)
Holy Wood is the fourth studio album by American rock band Marilyn Manson, released in November 2000 through Nothing and Interscope Records. The album marked a return to the industrial and alternative metal style of the band's earlier efforts, after the modernized glam rock sound of Mechanical...
, released in 2001.
As early as February 10, 2001, Manson had made indications that the song would be chosen as the album's third single. The third single was released in physical format, on September 3, 2001, in the UK and, on October 6, 2001, in the US.
A remixed version of the song would later appear in the 2001 Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol...
film From Hell
From Hell (film)
From Hell is a 2001 American crime drama horror mystery film directed by the Hughes brothers. It is an adaptation of the comic book series of the same name by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell about the Jack the Ripper murders.-Plot:...
. Also, despite its usage of harsh vocals, the band has performed an acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
version of the song.
Track listing
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "The Nobodies" was directed by Paul Fedor. It premiered on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
in June 2001. Technical presentation of the video uses shaking camera techniques, varying perspective shots, closeups, and fast scene shot changes.
Originally, the frontman expressed desire to film the music video in Russia "because the atmosphere, the desolation, the coldness, and the architecture would really suit the song." Another concept called for the incorporation of the MTV stunt and prank reality TV series, Jackass
Jackass (TV series)
jackass is an American reality series, originally shown on MTV from 2000 to 2002, featuring people performing various dangerous, crude, ridiculous, self-injuring stunts and pranks...
, due to the song's inclusion in the Jackass soundtrack. However, this idea was abandoned after the show began drawing the ire of U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.), who was among the politicians who targeted Marilyn Manson for blame after the Columbine High School massacre
Columbine High School massacre
The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine, an unincorporated area of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton. Two senior students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12...
. Marilyn Manson explained the idea for the music video:
The Columbine connection
The lyrics refer to Eric Harris and Dylan KleboldEric Harris and Dylan Klebold
Eric David Harris and Dylan Bennet Klebold were American high school seniors who committed the Columbine High School massacre. They killed 13 people—including teacher Dave Sanders—and injured 24 others, three of whom were injured as they escaped the attack...
, the shooters of the April 20, 1999 Columbine High School massacre
Columbine High School massacre
The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine, an unincorporated area of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton. Two senior students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12...
. Manson harshly criticizes the media circus in the aftermath of the killings, singing "You should have seen the ratings that day."
After the shootings, the media widely reported that listening to Manson's music drove the boys to kill, though in fact they didn't appear to be fans of the band. An interview with him about the Columbine shootings was featured in the 2002 Michael Moore
Michael Moore
Michael Francis Moore is an American filmmaker, author, social critic and activist. He is the director and producer of Fahrenheit 9/11, which is the highest-grossing documentary of all time. His films Bowling for Columbine and Sicko also place in the top ten highest-grossing documentaries...
documentary Bowling for Columbine
Bowling for Columbine
Bowling for Columbine is a 2002 documentary film written, directed, produced, and narrated by Michael Moore. The film explores what Michael Moore suggests are the causes for the Columbine High School massacre and other acts of violence with guns...
. When Moore asked what he would say to the students at Columbine
Columbine High School
Columbine High School or CHS is a high school in unincorporated Jefferson County, Colorado, United States.- History :Columbine High School opened in the fall of 1973. There was no senior class in its first year. The school's first graduating class was the class of 1975...
, Manson replied, "I wouldn't say a single word. I would listen to what they have to say and that's what no one did." Also in the film, an acoustic instrumental version of the song is played during a montage of security camera footage and emergency phone calls.
Chart positions
| Chart (2001) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| 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 ... |
34 |
| Italian Singles Charts Italy Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and... |
17 |
| French Singles Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
94 |
| Austrian Singles Chart Austria Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the... |
56 |
| German Singles Chart 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... |
65 |
| Spanish Singles Chart Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... |
8 |
Against All Gods Mix
"The Nobodies: 2005 Against All Gods Mix" was released in Europe and Asia as a stand-alone single in conjunction with Marilyn MansonMarilyn Manson (band)
Marilyn Manson is an American metal band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by Brian Warner and Scott Putesky, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their uniquely theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early '90s. This attention...
's Against All Gods world tour, and to radio in the United States in conjunction with the compilation album, Lest We Forget
Lest We Forget (album)
-Notes:*Tracks 1, 4, 8 and 14 are from Holy Wood *Track 2 previously unreleased*Tracks 3, 7 and 18 are from The Golden Age of Grotesque*Track 5 is from the Not Another Teen Movie ...
; only the original album version is present on the compilation.
Track listing
External links
- "The Nobodies: Against All Gods Remix" on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....