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Everywhere (Michelle Branch song)

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"Everywhere"
A woman with dark hair stares out of a wood-paneled window to the right. Toward the bottom right is writing that says "michelle branch", and under it, "everywhere".
Single by Michelle Branch
from the album The Spirit Room
B-side
ReleasedJuly 10, 2001 (2001-07-10)
RecordedJanuary–February 2001
Studio
GenrePop rock
Length3:36
LabelMaverick
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)John Shanks
Michelle Branch singles chronology
"Everywhere"
(2001) 		"All You Wanted"
(2002)
Music video
"Everywhere" on YouTube

"Everywhere" is a song by American singer-songwriter Michelle Branch, co-written by Branch and American record producer John Shanks, who also produced the track. "Everywhere" is a pop rock song with ambiguous lyrics about having a crush on someone, with several music critics having compared the song's composition to works by Canadian singer Alanis Morissette. Branch originally wrote the song in a more acoustic form, but at Shanks' suggestion, she recorded a more up-tempo version of the track in January and February 2001. "Everywhere" was released on July 10, 2001, in the United States as Branch's debut single and the lead single from her first major-label studio album, The Spirit Room (2001). The single was also released in Australia and Europe throughout 2001 and 2002.

"Everywhere" received positive reviews from music critics, who called it a standout track from The Spirit Room due to its lively composition and catchy lyrics. The track has also aged well, with retrospective reviews giving similar praise to the song's composition and its chorus being ranked the 77th greatest of the 21st century by Billboard magazine in 2017. Commercially, "Everywhere" peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100, reached the top 20 in Australia and the United Kingdom, and achieved top-five placings in the Netherlands and New Zealand. A music video directed by Liz Friedlander was also created for the single, featuring Branch stalking a man in an apartment building. The video won the Viewer's Choice Award at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards. "Everywhere" remains Branch's most well-known song.

Background and release

[edit]

Living with her parents in Sedona, Arizona, Michelle Branch wrote "Everywhere" when she was 15 years old, originally composing it as an acoustic love song.[1][2] After she turned 17, Danny Strick, the executive A&R manager of Maverick Records, saw her performing as an opening act for pop rock band Hanson. Noticing that the crowd responded well to her music, he decided to sign her to the label in July 2000. She then played the song for John Shanks, who agreed to produce the track, and they recorded it from January to February 2001 at three studios in Hollywood, California: Sunset Sound, Henson Recording Studios, and Ananda Studios.[3][4] Additional musicians who contributed to the song include keyboardist Patrick Warren and drummers Kenny Aronoff and Vinnie Colaiuta.[4]

Once Branch finished recording "Everywhere", Maverick promoted the track on US hot adult contemporary and contemporary hit radio, where the song was officially serviced on July 10, 2001, eight days after Branch's 18th birthday.[5][6] The Spirit Room was released on August 14, 2001, on which the song appears as the opening track.[7][8] In Australia, "Everywhere" was released as a CD single on September 24, 2001, through Maverick and Warner Music Australia.[9] This CD contains acoustic versions of Branch's future singles "All You Wanted" and "Goodbye to You".[10] In Japan, Warner Music Japan released the song as a double A-side with the original version of "All You Wanted" on January 23, 2002.[11][12] Three months later, on April 1, 2002, Maverick issued the single across Europe and in the United Kingdom.[13][14] In the UK, it was released on CD and cassette. The CD contains the acoustic versions of "All You Wanted" and "Everywhere" plus an enhanced element featuring the song's video, and the cassette contains the acoustic version of "Goodbye to You" only.[15][16] The European CD single features the same tracks as the UK cassette.[17] A lesser known fact is that the song is about the University of Illinois Chicago, as demonstrated by the lyric “and when I close my eyes it’s UIC.”

Composition

[edit]
"Everywhere" (2001)
A 21-second sample of "Everywhere", illustrating its pop-rock sound.[18] Michelle Branch intentionally left the romantic lyrics ambiguous, as she did not write the song from her own experiences and wanted her listeners to form their own interpretations.[19][20]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The original version of "Everywhere" was written by Branch alone, while Shanks, who produced the track, provided additional writing for the final recording. A vocally fervent love song, the track is written in common time with a moderate tempo of 98 beats per minute and was composed in the key of D♭ major.[21][22] According to Branch, she wrote the chorus a half step lower than the album version with falsetto vocals, but Shanks convinced her to raise the tone and sing as vigorously as she could.[1] Stephanie Garr of online magazine The Dowsers described the song's essence as a combination of "moody post-grunge rock and breezy Y2K pop" and likened Branch's vocals to an optimistic Alanis Morissette, who was also signed to Maverick.[2][23]

The lyrical content of the song, described by Billboard as "ultra-romantic", was left intentionally ambiguous by Branch, who did not write the song from personal experience.[1][20] In 2001, Branch told MTV that she prefers her songs having ambiguous themes so that anyone can relate to it without recalling specific events.[19] The song's hook was described by Patrick Crowley of Billboard as a "beast of a glossy pop-rock hook" and responsible for the song's catchiness.[18] Branch later commented that the she had written better refrains since then but remains proud of her work.[1] In retrospective comments, Branch said that the material of her first two albums, including "Everywhere", is "hopelessly romantic" compared with her later work and composed of "a lot of [...] teenage rhyme".[1][24]

Critical reception

[edit]
A woman with orange hair sings into a wireless orange microphone. She is wearing a black jacket, opened to show a black-and-white shirt. An earpiece can be seen in her left ear.
One music critic noted that "Everywhere" served as an influence for future female pop stars, including Hayley Williams of Paramore (pictured in 2013).[2]

Billboard editor Chuck Taylor likened the song to a "shot of tequila" when compared with other pop music of the time, praising its mood, lyrics, and production.[7] Chris Edge of Raleigh-Durham radio station WDCG said that the track conveys Branch's passion through its "incredible hook" and lyrics and praised its relatability.[3] In Hasselt, Belgium, FM Limburg head of music Sandra Boussu labeled the track "cool and hip", comparing Branch to Morissette and Dutch singer Sita.[13] AllMusic's Liana Jonas described the song "a lively and heartfelt song with electric-guitar power chords, spirited vocal delivery, and catchy chorus".[8] Sputnikmusic reviewed the song, calling it the album's standout track.[25] IGN Music called the song "definitely catchy".[26] Sean Richardson of the Boston Phoenix described the song's intro as "glossy", going on to label the chorus as "unforgettable dream-pop" and comparing the track to Vanessa Carlton's debut single, "A Thousand Miles".[27] British chart commentator James Masterton wrote that the song charted in the UK on its own merits and noted Branch's "tremendous" voice as well as the "uplifting" lyrics.[28]

Retrospectively, in 2017, Billboard ranked the song's chorus as the 77th-best of the 21st century, referring to the second half as a "testament" to the entire refrain.[18] Garr noted that "Everywhere" marked the end of the "'90s angst" era and served as an influence for future female pop stars such as Kelly Clarkson, KT Tunstall, Sara Bareilles, and Hayley Williams of Paramore.[2] In September 2022, Emily Yahr of The Washington Post commented on the song's nostalgia factor, writing that it "transport[s] a significant portion of the population back to the simpler times of watching MTV after school, dramatic AIM away messages and piling friends into a car fresh off getting a driver's license and cranking up the radio".[29]

Chart performance

[edit]

On the US Billboard Hot 100, "Everywhere" debuted at number 62 on September 1, 2001, becoming that week's highest-charting new song.[30] Ten weeks later, on November 10, the song peaked at number 12, giving Branch her first of four top-20 singles in the US. The song spent a total of 20 weeks on the Hot 100, last charting at number 63 on January 7, 2002.[31][32] On other Billboard charts, the song achieved its highest position on the Mainstream Top 40, where it peaked at number five and spent 26 weeks on the ranking.[33] The song also reached the top 10 on the Adult Top 40 and Top 40 Tracks listings, reaching numbers nine and six, respectively.[34][35] The track appeared on the Adult Top 40 year-end chart for 2001, ranking in at number 26.[36]

In Australia, "Everywhere" debuted at number 100 on the ARIA Singles Chart in November 2001, rising into the top 50 on January 13, 2002.[37][38] In late March, the song rose into the top 20 and peaked at number 19, becoming Branch's highest-charting single in Australia and staying inside the top 50 for 15 weeks.[38] At the end of 2002, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) ranked the song at number 87 on their year-end chart.[39] In New Zealand, the single first appeared at number 45 on the RIANZ Singles Chart in November 2001. Over the next six weeks, the track rose up the top 50, eventually peaking at number two on December 16. Spending 16 weeks within the top 50, it remains Branch's highest-charting single in New Zealand.[40]

"Everywhere" also charted in several European countries, achieving a peak of number 84 on the Eurochart Hot 100 in April 2002.[41] In the United Kingdom, the single debuted and peaked at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart the same month, totaling six weeks in the top 100. It is Branch's second-highest-peaking single in the UK, after "The Game of Love", her collaboration with rock band Santana.[42] On the Netherlands' Dutch Top 40 chart, "Everywhere" became a top-five hit, reaching number five in March 2002, while on the country's Single Top 100 chart, it reached number 28.[43][44] According to the Dutch Top 40, "Everywhere" was the Netherlands' 84th-best-performing hit of 2002.[45] In Italy, the track reached number 28 on the FIMI Singles Chart.[46] Elsewhere in Europe, the single peaked at number 46 in Switzerland and charted below the top 50 in France, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland.[47][48]

Music video

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A dark haired woman in profile hangs an instant photograph of a man on a white wall. Approximately 20 other photographs of the man shot from different angles and settings also populate the wall.
In this scene from the music video, Branch hangs an instant photograph of her love interest on the wall. Branch later admitted that her character had been a "peeping Tom" in the video.[24]

The music video for "Everywhere" was directed by Liz Friedlander and was filmed after the song began broadcasting on radio.[24][49] The video shows Branch spying on a man in the opposite apartment building while she takes several photographs of him and plays her guitar in an empty room. He also glimpses back at her, and at the end of the video, the two finally meet.[50] Branch was involved in the selection of the actor portraying her love interest; she told MTV in a 2001 interview that when the producers showed her a photo of Jake Muxworthy, she told them, "This is it. He has to be in it."[19] Playing opposite Muxworthy proved to be difficult for Branch, who reportedly had a "little crush" on him, and she admitted in 2017 that she was a "peeping Tom" in the video.[19][24]

The video aired on Fox Family, Nickelodeon, and VH1 before its intended release date, and it was also popular on MTV's Total Request Live (TRL), where Branch performed the song live on August 24, 2001.[51] At the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, the video won the Viewer's Choice Award.[52]

Track listings

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Credits and personnel

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Credits are lifted from The Spirit Room album booklet.[4]

Studios

  • Recorded at Sunset Sound, Henson Recording Studios, and Ananda Studios (Hollywood, California)
  • Mixed at Image Recorders (Hollywood, California)
  • Mastered at Marcussen Mastering (Los Angeles)

Personnel

Charts

[edit]

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Everywhere"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States July 10, 2001 Contemporary hit radio Maverick [5]
Australia September 24, 2001 CD
[9]
Japan January 23, 2002 CD with "All You Wanted" Warner Music Japan [12]
Europe April 1, 2002 CD Maverick [13]
United Kingdom
  • CD
  • cassette
 [14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Lipshutz, Jason (April 27, 2017). "Michelle Branch's Friends Send Her Drunken Karaoke Videos of the 'Everywhere' Chorus". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Garr, Stephanie (July 10, 2018). "Echoes: The Impact of Michelle Branch's 'Everywhere'". The Dowsers. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Wonsiewicz, Steve (July 20, 2001). "Branch Sprouts 'Everywhere'". Radio & Records. No. 1411. p. 42.
  4. ^ a b c The Spirit Room (US CD album booklet). Michelle Branch. Maverick Records. 2001. 9 47985-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ a b "CHR/Pop: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1409. July 6, 2001. p. 36. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  6. ^ "Introducing Maverick's Rising Star... Michelle Branch". Gavin Report. No. 2346. July 20, 2001. p. 24.
  7. ^ a b Taylor, Chuck (July 28, 2001). Taylor, Chuck (ed.). "Reviews & Previews: Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 30. p. 24.
  8. ^ a b Jonas, Lianas. "The Spirit Room Review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
  9. ^ a b "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 24th September 2001" (PDF). ARIA. September 24, 2001. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2002. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Everywhere (Australia maxi-CD single liner notes). Michelle Branch. Maverick Records, Warner Music Australia. 2001. 9362424092.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ a b All You Wanted / Everywhere (Japanese CD single liner notes). Michelle Branch. Maverick Records. 2001. WPCR-11187.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ a b "New Release" (in Japanese). Warner Music Japan. Archived from the original on June 28, 2003. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  13. ^ a b c Hubner, Miriam (March 30, 2002). "Airborne" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 14. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 25, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  14. ^ a b "New Releases – For Week Starting 1 April 2002: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. March 30, 2002. p. 31. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021. The cassette single (W 577C) is mislabeled as another CD.
  15. ^ a b Everywhere (UK CD single liner notes). Michelle Branch. Maverick Records. 2002. W577CDX, 9362 42427 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ a b Everywhere (UK cassette single sleeve). Michelle Branch. Maverick Records. 2002. W577C, 5439 16718 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ a b Everywhere (European CD single liner notes). Michelle Branch. Maverick Records. 2002. 5439 16718 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ a b c "The 100 Greatest Choruses of the 21st Century". Billboard. April 24, 2017. Archived from the original on August 19, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  19. ^ a b c d "Michelle Branch: "She's Everywhere"". MTV. 2001. Archived from the original on September 28, 2008. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  20. ^ a b "Single Stories: Michelle Branch, 'Everywhere'". Rhino. July 18, 2018. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  21. ^ Aminosharei, Nojan (April 5, 2007). "What Happened to Michelle Branch?". Elle. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  22. ^ "'Everywhere' by Michelle Branch – Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing Co. September 25, 2001. MN0040470. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  23. ^ Reese, Lori. "Alanis Morissette Resolves Her Dispute with Madonna's Label". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  24. ^ a b c d Lakshmin, Deepa (April 7, 2017). "Michelle Branch Finally Realizes She Was a 'Stalker' in the 'Everywhere' Music Video". MTV. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  25. ^ tinathefatlard (June 1, 2009). "Michelle Branch The Spirit Room". Sputnikmusic. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  26. ^ McGrath, James (September 4, 2003). "The Spirit Room Review". IGN Music. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
  27. ^ Richardson, Sean (May 16, 2002). "DIY divas: Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton". Boston Phoenix. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  28. ^ Masterton, James (April 7, 2002). "Week Ending April 13th 2002". Chart Watch UK. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  29. ^ Yahr, Emily (September 26, 2022). "Michelle Branch and Millennials, the Unbreakable Bond". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  30. ^ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. September 1, 2001. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  31. ^ a b "Michelle Branch Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  32. ^ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. January 7, 2002. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Michelle Branch Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  34. ^ a b "Michelle Branch Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  35. ^ a b "Top 40 Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 44. November 3, 2001. p. 101.
  36. ^ a b "The Year in Music 2001: Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-82.
  37. ^ "The ARIA Report: ARIA Top 100 Singles – Week Commencing 19th November 2001" (PDF). ARIA. November 19, 2001. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  38. ^ a b c "Michelle Branch – Everywhere". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  39. ^ a b "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2002". ARIA. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  40. ^ a b "Michelle Branch – Everywhere". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  41. ^ a b "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 17. April 20, 2002. p. 11. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  42. ^ a b "Michelle Branch: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  43. ^ a b "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 9, 2002" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  44. ^ a b "Michelle Branch – Everywhere" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  45. ^ a b "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2002". Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  46. ^ a b "Michelle Branch – Everywhere". Top Digital Download. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  47. ^ a b "Michelle Branch – Everywhere" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  48. ^ a b "Michelle Branch – Everywhere" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  49. ^ Leopold, Todd (February 20, 2002). "Michelle Branch: 'Everywhere' She Wants to Be". CNN. Archived from the original on July 5, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  50. ^ Friedlander, Liz (director); Branch, Michelle (actor); Muxworthy, Jake (actor) (2001). Everywhere (Music video). Warner Music Group, Maverick Records.
  51. ^ Mayfield, Geoff (September 1, 2001). "Over the Counter". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 35. p. 65.
  52. ^ "2002 Nominees: Viewer's Choice". MTV. Archived from the original on October 15, 2002. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  53. ^ "Michelle Branch – Everywhere" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  54. ^ "Canadian Top 20 in 2001" (PDF). Cross Canada Countdown. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2005. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  55. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  56. ^ "Michelle Branch – Everywhere". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  57. ^ "Michelle Branch – Everywhere". Singles Top 100. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  58. ^ "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2001". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. December 21, 2001. p. 60.
  59. ^ "Most-Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 16.
  60. ^ "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 12.
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