50ft Queenie
"50ft Queenie" is the third single by the English singer-songwriter PJ Harvey, and the first from her second studio album Rid of Me. It is performed by Harvey's trio, consisting of Harvey on vocals and guitar, Rob Ellis on drums and Steve Vaughan on bass. Released in April 1993, the song charted in the United Kingdom and was a Top 30 hit, but failed to chart in the United States. A promotional music video directed by Maria Mochnacz was also filmed.
"50 Ft Queenie" | ||||
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Single by PJ Harvey | ||||
from the album Rid of Me | ||||
Released | April 1993 | |||
Format | CD single, 12", 7" | |||
Recorded | December 1992 at Pachyderm Studio, Cannon Falls, Minnesota, US | |||
Genre | Alternative rock, punk blues, lo-fi | |||
Length | 2:26 | |||
Label | Island | |||
Songwriter(s) | PJ Harvey | |||
Producer(s) | Steve Albini | |||
PJ Harvey singles chronology | ||||
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Background and history
The song was recorded at Pachyderm Studios with Steve Albini, who had previously produced albums for Pixies and The Breeders. Harvey praised Albini's work because she thought "the instruments on the album sound like they're breathing and real".
Track listing
All songs written by PJ Harvey.
UK CD and European 12" single (Island Records, CID 538, 862 037–2 / 12IS 538, 862 037–1)[1]
- 50 ft Queenie – 2:26
- Reeling – 2:39
- Man-Size (demo) – 3:24
- Hook (demo) – 4:33
Tracks 1 and 2 recorded by Steve Albini. Tracks 3 and 4 recorded by PJ Harvey.
The demo version of "Hook" later appeared on 4-Track Demos.
UK 7" single (Island Records, IS 538, 862 037–7)[2]
- 50 ft Queenie – 2:26
- Reeling – 2:39
- Man-Size (demo) – 3:24
Music video
Directed by Maria Mochnaz, the music video for the song shows PJ Harvey performing the song, with the small leopard skin coat as seen in the single's inlay artwork. The backdrop of the video reads "HEY I'M ONE BIG QUEENIE". It was later used on Beavis and Butt-Head.
Chart positions
Chart (1993) | Peak position |
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UK Singles Chart[3] | 27 |
Australian ARIA Singles Chart[4] | 179 |
References
- "PJ Harvey – 50ft Queenie (CD, Maxi)", discogs.com. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- "PJ Harvey – 50ft Queenie (12", Single)", discogs.com. Retrieved 30 April 2010. - PJ Harvey – 50ft Queenie (7")", discogs.com. Retrieved from 30 April 2010.
- "PJ HARVEY". UK Singles Chart. 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry (submitted to charts.mail@aria.com.au), received 15 July 2015". imgur.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.