View source for Feel Good Hit of the Summer

{{short description|2000 single by Queens of the Stone Age}}
{{Infobox song
| name       = Feel Good Hit of the Summer
| cover      = Feel Good Hit of the Summer.jpg
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Queens of the Stone Age]]
| album      = [[Rated R (Queens of the Stone Age album)|Rated R]]
| released   = November 27, 2000
| recorded   = 2000
| studio     =
| genre      =
*[[Stoner rock]]
*[[punk rock]]
| length     = 2:43
| label      = [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]
| writer     =
*[[Josh Homme]]
*[[Nick Oliveri]]
| producer   =
*Josh Homme
*[[Chris Goss]]
| prev_title = [[The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret]]
| prev_year  = 2000
| next_title = [[No One Knows]]
| next_year  = 2002
| misc       = {{Audio sample
 | type        = single
 | file        = Queens of the Stone Age - Feel Good Hit of the Summer.ogg
 | description = "Feel Good Hit of the Summer"
}}
}}

"'''Feel Good Hit of the Summer'''" is a song by American [[rock music|rock]] band [[Queens of the Stone Age]] and written by band members [[Josh Homme]] and [[Nick Oliveri]]. It is the opening track of their second album, ''[[Rated R (Queens of the Stone Age album)|Rated R]]'', and the second single to be released from it.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.discogs.com/Queens-Of-The-Stone-Age-Feel-Good-Hit-Of-The-Summer/master/3136 | title = Queens Of The Stone Age - Feel Good Hit Of The Summer | publisher = Discogs | access-date = 2010-03-21 }}</ref> The song also accompanied the UK release of the album on a separate CD entitled ''[[Rated R (Queens of the Stone Age album)#Special edition|Rated U]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.discogs.com/Queens-Of-The-Stone-Age-R/release/1053498 | title = Queens Of The Stone Age - R | publisher = Discogs | access-date = 2010-03-21 }}</ref> [[Judas Priest]] vocalist [[Rob Halford]], at the time fronting his [[Halford (band)|solo band]], contributed backing vocals on the song. Upon the album's release, "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" had particular attention drawn to it due to the song's focus on drugs. Despite this, critical reception to the song was generally positive, with various critics considering it a highlight of the album.

==Background and writing==

Josh Homme claimed the song was conceived after his three-day Millennium party. The song's lyrics are merely a list of drugs repeated throughout. The drugs listed in the verses are [[nicotine]], [[diazepam|Valium]], [[hydrocodone/paracetamol|Vicodin]], [[cannabis (drug)|marijuana]], [[MDMA|ecstasy]] and [[alcohol (drug)|alcohol]], with [[cocaine]] mentioned throughout the chorus.<ref name="WEIRD"/> Homme has hinted that the song is a direct reference to the band's [[stoner rock]] label:

<blockquote>
["Feel Good Hit of the Summer"] might be like a knife in the neck of stoner rock. It's hard to tell, and I think that's the good part about it. Look, you're always going to get labeled with something. Stoner rock is kind of a dumbing-down label, and that's why I don't gravitate toward it.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://thefade.net/oldsite/articles/gw0011xx.html | title = High Times | publisher = Guitar World | access-date = 2010-03-21 | date = November 2006 }}</ref></blockquote>

On multiple occasions, Homme has also referred to the song as a "social experiment" in regards to how the public would approach it.<ref name="QOTSA">{{cite book | last = McIver | first = Joel | title = No One Knows: The Queens of the Stone Age story | publisher = Omnibus Press | year = 2005 | isbn = 1-84449-955-3 | page = 82}}</ref> He has also stated that despite the heavy drugs content in the track, the band's stance was left ambiguous, stating that "there's no endorsement" and that "[the song] doesn't say yes or no".<ref name="QOTSA"/><ref name="TOUR">{{cite web | url = http://qotsa.mskiteonline.com/site.php?page=article21 | title = Queens of the Stone Age Feel Good About Foos Tour | publisher = Rolling Stone | access-date = 2010-03-21 | date = 2000-10-20 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090501194509/http://qotsa.mskiteonline.com/site.php?page=article21 | archive-date = 2009-05-01 }}</ref> [[Chris Goss]], who co-produced ''Rated R'' with Homme under the pseudonym [[Fififf Teeners|The 5:15ers]], later stated that the track was intended to be a "joke" and a "funny song". He also commented that it was originally recorded as a chant at the end of the album, but its effectiveness resulted in its expansion into a full song and usage as the opener.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/001696.html | title = Chris Goss Interview | publisher = Modern Guitars | access-date = 2010-03-21 | date = 2006-03-09 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091015215029/http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/001696.html | archive-date = 2009-10-15 }}</ref>

Though it was Josh Homme who provided lead vocals, there are several other vocalists present on the track.<ref name="QOTSA2">{{cite book | last = McIver | first = Joel | title = No One Knows: The Queens of the Stone Age story | publisher = Omnibus Press | year = 2005 | isbn = 1-84449-955-3 | page = 81}}</ref> [[Judas Priest]] lead singer [[Rob Halford]] was in a neighbouring studio when this song was first recorded and ended up singing backing vocals at the band's request, calling the lyrics a "rock and roll cocktail".<ref name="WEIRD">{{cite web | url = http://qotsa.mskiteonline.com/site.php?page=article112 | title = Queens of the Stone Age - The weirdest band on Ozzfest | publisher = Rolling Stone | access-date = 2010-03-21 | date = September 2000 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090501194505/http://qotsa.mskiteonline.com/site.php?page=article112 | archive-date = 2009-05-01 }}</ref> Halford's performance was only used in the final chorus of the track,<ref name="QOTSA2"/> though this was enough to have him credited alongside Nick Oliveri, [[Wendy Rae Fowler|Wendy Ray Moan]] and Nick Eldorado as providing backing vocals.<ref name="LINER"/> The song features again on ''Rated R'' as a [[reprise]] after the eighth track "In the Fade".<ref name="ALLMUSIC">{{cite web | url = {{Allmusic|class=album|id=r479243/review|pure_url=yes}} | title = R review | publisher = Allmusic | access-date = 2010-03-21 }}</ref>

==Reception==
Due to the frequency and blatant nature of the drug references in "Feel Good Hit of the Summer", a number of radio stations refused to play it. [[Wal-Mart]] initially refused to sell ''Rated R'' unless the song was removed from the album or a warning label placed upon it, though the band successfully argued that the cover and name of the album were warnings in themselves.<ref name="TOUR"/>

Critically, the song fared well and was chosen as a highlight of ''Rated R'' by ''[[The Guardian]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/friday_review/story/0,,355525,00.html | title = Pop roundup | work = The Guardian | access-date = 2010-03-21 | date = 2000-08-18 }}</ref> [[Robert Christgau]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=2125 | title = Queens of the Stone Age | publisher = Robert Christgau | access-date = 2010-03-21 }}</ref> and numerous others. In reference to the song, ''[[NME]]'' said in their review of the album that "Among modern American rock moments, it stands alongside "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]" or [[Rage Against the Machine|RATM]]'s "[[Killing in the Name]]", such is its irresistible, instant impact", also labelling it an "anthem".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.nme.com/reviews/queens-of-the-stone-age/2357 | title = 'Rated R' | date = 12 September 2005 | publisher = NME | access-date = 2010-03-21 }}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' similarly likened the track to "unreleased [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/queensofthestoneage/albums/album/233746/review/5943680/rated_r | title = Queens of the Stone Age - Rated R | publisher = Rolling Stone | access-date = 2010-03-21 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090430200925/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/queensofthestoneage/albums/album/233746/review/5943680/rated_r | archive-date = 2009-04-30 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Steve Huey of [[Allmusic]] wasn't so taken with the song, branding it "tiresome" and chastising its usage for a reprisal.<ref name="ALLMUSIC"/>

"Feel Good Hit of the Summer" was featured in a number of prominent end-of-year lists for best song, including Robert Christgau's [[Pazz & Jop|Pazz & Jop critics poll]] which placed the song at number 26.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres00.php | title = The 2000 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll | publisher = Robert Christgau | access-date = 2010-03-21 | year = 2000 }}</ref> It also reached number six on NME's list, two places below fellow ''Rated R'' single "[[The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret]]".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/2000.html | title = NME Recordings Of 2000 | publisher = NME | access-date = 2010-03-21 | year = 2000 | archive-date = 2016-03-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205439/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/2000.html | url-status = usurped }}</ref> The song was also included on the CD release of the [[Triple J Hottest 100]] for 2000, despite not featuring on the actual list.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/product.asp?productid=326098 | title = Triple J Hottest 100 | publisher = ABC | access-date = 2010-03-21 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100526071125/http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/product.asp?productid=326098 | archive-date = 2010-05-26 }}</ref>  In October 2011, ''[[NME]]'' placed it at number 82 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/list/150-best-tracks-of-the-past-15-years/248648/page/7 |title=150 Best Tracks Of The Past 15 Years |date=6 October 2011 |publisher=Nme.Com |access-date=2014-05-19}}</ref> ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Louder Sound]]'' and ''[[Kerrang!|Kerrang]]'' both named it the fifth-best Queens of the Stone Age song.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-top-10-best-queens-of-the-stone-age-songs|title=The top 10 best Queens Of The Stone Age songs|first=Paul|last=Brannigan|website=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Louder Sound]]|date=June 22, 2016|accessdate=December 31, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-20-greatest-queens-of-the-stone-age-songs-ranked|title=The 20 greatest Queens Of The Stone Age songs – ranked|first=Sam|last=Law|website=[[Kerrang!|Kerrang]]|date=July 26, 2021|accessdate=December 31, 2023}}</ref>

==Legacy==
The band reprise the track on their follow-up to '' Rated R'', ''[[Songs for the Deaf]]'', following the song "A Song for the Deaf". Though the music sounds similar, the lyrics are replaced by rhythmic laughing (it was entitled ''Feel Good Hit of Haha'').<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/4vhj | title = Queens of the Stone Age Songs For The Deaf Review | publisher = BBC | access-date = 2010-03-21 | date = 2002-11-20 }}</ref> Queens of the Stone Age have frequently performed "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" live since the release of ''Rated R'' and whilst touring subsequent albums. On the band's tour for their 2007 album ''[[Era Vulgaris (album)|Era Vulgaris]]'', the song was extended with numerous [[Jam session|jams]] and new segments frequently taking it past the six-minute mark.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeL8G53GmPw | title = Queens Of The Stone Age - Feel Good Hit Of The Summer (RW07) | publisher = Youtube | access-date = 2010-03-21 | date = 2007-07-25 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CWRgbr8i8s | title = Qotsa - Feel Good Hit Of The Summer @ Live Hove 07 | publisher = Youtube | access-date = 2010-03-21 | date = 2007-10-28 }}</ref> It was on this tour that the band used the track as the opener for what was intended to be a six-song gig at an undisclosed [[Los Angeles]] [[Drug rehabilitation|rehab clinic]]. Due to the song's lyrics, the set was cut short and the band were escorted from the premises by security.<ref name="NME">{{cite web | url = https://www.nme.com/news/queens-of-the-stone-age/32517 | title = Queens Of The Stone Age thrown out of rehab  | publisher = NME | access-date = 2010-03-21 | date = 2007-11-14 }}</ref> "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" is used in videos by the Colorado Police Department to demonstrate the dangers of drunk driving,<ref name="NME"/> one of two Queens of the Stone Age tracks to be used in such a way (the other being "Better Living Through Chemistry" which is used in a similar way by the [[San Diego County Sheriff's Office]]).<ref>{{cite book | last = McIver | first = Joel | title = No One Knows: The Queens of the Stone Age story | publisher = Omnibus Press | year = 2005 | isbn = 1-84449-955-3 | page = 83}}</ref>

"Feel Good Hit of the Summer" was used in the 2000 film ''[[Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0229260/soundtrack | title = Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000) | publisher = IMDb | access-date = 2010-03-21 }}</ref> with the track also being included on its soundtrack release.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000050HPF | title = Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000 Film) Soundtrack | publisher = Amazon | access-date = 2010-03-21 }}</ref> [[Alternative rock]] band [[Yourcodenameis:milo]] performed a version of the track on the cover album ''Higher Voltage'', given away free with issue 1164 of ''[[Kerrang!]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www2.kerrang.com/2007/06/get_ready_for_higher_voltage.html | title = Get ready for 'Higher Voltage'! | publisher = Kerrang! | access-date = 2010-03-21 | date = 2007-06-20 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090803005841/http://www2.kerrang.com/2007/06/get_ready_for_higher_voltage.html | archive-date = 2009-08-03 }}</ref> The song has also been covered live by [[Placebo (band)|Placebo]], [[Foo Fighters (band)|Foo Fighters]] and [[Machine Head (band)|Machine Head]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpYsbV9BrAA | title = Machine head - feel good hit of the summer | publisher = Youtube | access-date = 2010-03-21 | date = 2007-06-16 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiZuglCRJnQ | title = Placebo - Feel Good Hit Of The Summer (HD) (Olympia 2000) | publisher = Youtube | access-date = 2010-03-21 | date = 2007-05-10 }}</ref> Rap duo [[Atmosphere (music group)|Atmosphere]] entitled a drug themed song off their 2009 EP ''[[Leak at Will]]'', "Feel Good Hit of the Summer Part 2" in reference to this track.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifthelementonline.com/music/allmusic/atmosphere-leak-at-will.html |title=Atmosphere "Leak at Will" |publisher=Fifth Element Online |access-date=2010-03-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328140135/http://www.fifthelementonline.com/music/allmusic/atmosphere-leak-at-will.html |archive-date=March 28, 2010 }}</ref> Atmosphere member [[Slug (rapper)|Slug]] had previously stated his appreciation of Queens of the Stone Age.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.music-critic.com/interviews/atmosphere_slug.htm | title = Sittin' Down With Slug | publisher = Music-Critic | access-date = 2010-03-21 | date = 2002-09-10 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101124113757/http://www.music-critic.com/interviews/atmosphere_slug.htm | archive-date = 2010-11-24 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==Artwork==
The single's cover art features the title spelled out with various drugs, many of which are mentioned within the song. The song also heavily influenced the choices made for the title, cover and accompanying booklet of ''Rated R''. Themes included drugs and censorship, with the [[Motion Picture Association of America|MPAA]]'s [[PG-Rating|rating system]] targeted specifically. Continuing as such, the album's liner notes contain several worded warnings for each song, akin to parents' guides most commonly seen on the covers for [[DVD]]s. Those listed for "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" include 'Adult Situations, 'Consumption' and 'Illegal Substances', referencing the drug-related content of the song.<ref name="LINER">{{cite AV media notes | title = Rated R | others = Queens of the Stone Age | year = 2000 | first = Francesca | last = Restrepo | publisher = Interscope Records }}</ref> All of this would seem portentous considering the controversy the track subsequently caused.<ref name="TOUR"/>

==Music video==
[[File:Feel Good Hit of the Summer.png|thumb|right|A screenshot of the music video]]
The video also puts significant focus on the subject of the song. Created as an animation, it has a loose plot following a man driving under what appears to be the influence of some form of hallucinogenic drug. This is demonstrated by colour becoming more varied and vibrant in the song's chorus, with numerous literal representations of drugs featured throughout. The band are also shown performing the song through the technique of [[rotoscoping]], which they would again use in the video for their 2003 single "[[Go With the Flow]]".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471193/20030410/queens_stone_age.jhtml | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030602062520/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471193/20030410/queens_stone_age.jhtml | url-status = dead | archive-date = June 2, 2003 | title = Lens Recap: The Story Behind Queens Of The Stone Age's 'Go With The Flow' | publisher = MTV | access-date = 2010-03-21 | date = 2003-04-11 }}</ref> The video culminates in the man's vehicle driving off into the distance and exploding into a mushroom cloud upon reaching the horizon. <!-- Shouldn't there be a mention of the video's heavily-pornographic ending? It is a great fucking song.-->

==Track listing==

All tracks by [[Joshua Homme]] and [[Nick Oliveri]], except where noted.

{{tracklist
| total_length    = 15:57
| title1          = Feel Good Hit of the Summer
| length1         = 2:43
| title2          = [[Never Say Never (Romeo Void song)|Never Say Never]]
| length2         = 4:22
| writer2         = Benjamin Bossi, Debora Iyall, Frank Zincavage, Larry Carter, Pete Woods
| note2           = [[Romeo Void]] cover
| title3          = You're So Vague
| length3         = 3:40
| note3           = A spoof of [[Carly Simon]]'s hit "[[You're So Vain]]"
| title4          = Who'll Be the Next in Line
| length4         = 2:29
| writer4         = [[Ray Davies]]
| note4           = [[The Kinks]] cover
| title5          = Feel Good Hit of the Summer
| length5         = 2:43
| note5           = CD-ROM Video
}}

As part of [[Record Store Day|Record Store Day 2010]], the band allowed the single to be released on [[Gramophone record|vinyl]] for the first time. The record is a 10" picture disc and contains all the songs available on the European and Australian release.<ref>{{cite web|year=2010|title=RSD 2010 Releases|url=http://forum.rekordsrekords.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=40663&st=0http://www.recordstoreday.com/Page/836|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715171900/http://forum.rekordsrekords.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=40663&st=0http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recordstoreday.com%2FPage%2F836|archive-date=2011-07-15|access-date=2010-03-21|publisher=Official Record Store Day site}}</ref>

==Personnel==
* [[Joshua Homme]] – guitar, lead vocals
* [[Nick Oliveri]] – bass, backing vocals
* [[Gene Trautmann]] – drums
* [[Dave Catching]] – electric piano, lap steel
* [[Rob Halford]] – backing vocals
* [[Wendy Rae Fowler|Wendy Ray Moan]] – backing vocals
* Nick Eldorado – backing vocals
* [[Chris Goss]] – grand piano, percussion

==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Chart (2001)
! Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Australia ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue574.pdf|title=The ARIA Report Issue 574 – Week Commencing 26th February 2001|page=4|publisher=[[Australian Web Archive]] (original document published by [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]])|access-date=2017-04-29|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020220130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/issue574.pdf|archive-date=2002-02-20}} {{cbignore|bot=medic}}N.B. The HP column displays the single's highest position on the chart.</ref><ref>{{cite Ryan|page=228}}</ref><br />{{small|''with "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret"''}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 75
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Chart (2010)
! Peak<br>position
|-
! scope="row"| UK Physical Singles Sales ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite news |date=May 1, 2010 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/physical-singles-chart/20100425/1/ |title=Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100 - 25 April 2010 - 1 May 2010 |website=officialcharts.com |access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 39
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
*{{youtube|bAXPUN2z2CE|"Feel Good Hit of the Summer" Official music video}}

{{Queens of the Stone Age}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Feel Good Hit Of The Summer}}
[[Category:Queens of the Stone Age songs]]
[[Category:2000 singles]]
[[Category:Songs about alcohol]]
[[Category:Songs about cannabis]]
[[Category:Songs about cocaine]]
[[Category:Songs written by Josh Homme]]
[[Category:Songs written by Nick Oliveri]]
[[Category:Interscope Records singles]]
[[Category:2000 songs]]