Graduate (song)

"Graduate" is a song by American alternative rock group Third Eye Blind. It was released in August 1997 as the second single from their 1997 self-titled debut album. It was written by Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan. The B-side, "Horror Show", was later released on "How's It Going to Be". It reached number 26 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in the U.S, and number 14 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. Additionally, it was featured in the 1998 film Can't Hardly Wait starring Seth Green and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

"Graduate"
Single by Third Eye Blind
from the album Third Eye Blind
B-side"Horror Show"
ReleasedAugust 1997 (1997-08)
Recorded1995-1996
Studio
Toast Studios, Skywalker Ranch and H.O.S. (San Francisco)
Genre
Length3:08
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Third Eye Blind singles chronology
"Semi-Charmed Life"
(1997)		 "Graduate"
(1997)		 "How's It Going to Be"
(1997)

The band played the song at the 25th Annual American Music Awards, changing some of the lyrics to "can I masturbate" in place of "can I graduate." In 2011 former Third Eye Blind members Cadogan and Arion Salazar performed the song and made an unofficial video.[1]

Writing and inspiration

"Graduate" was written by frontman Stephan Jenkins and guitarist Kevin Cadogan. According to Cadogan, the song originated from a bandmate jokingly saying the phrase "It's ready to roll!!", with Jenkins then crafting the lyrics "can I graduate?" in the same style. In an interview with Billboard, Jenkins said that the concept of the song was developed through the band's experience as they tried to get signed by a major record label.[2] He further explained the meaning of the song:

"Graduate" is about after we got signed, and it’s the process of getting signed. I’m still standing in front of some suit at a record company asking permission. I felt like some kind of lap-dancer, some student again, like I was still in high school. Can I get my grade on my paper? What it's really saying is "I’m not really asking if i can graduate. I'm not asking for your permission. I'm beyond your permission. I'm beyond your control.[2]

Composition

According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Publishing, the song is written in the key of D major and is set in time signature of common time with a tempo of 141 beats per minute.[3] Jenkins’s vocal range spans one octave, from A4 to B5.[3]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Graduate" peaked at number 26 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.

Live performances

The song was performed at the 25th Annual American Music Awards, with the band substituting the lyric "can I graduate" with "can I masturbate".[4] Third Eye Blind performed the song alongside Billy Idol at the 1998 KROQ Weenie Roast.[5] In January 2020, the band performed the song as a duet with Yungblud at the Roxy Theatre. [6]

The song was featured in the film and on the soundtrack to the 1998 American teen romantic comedy film Can't Hardly Wait.[7]

Track listings and formats

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel adapted from Third Eye Blind album liner notes.[12]

Charts
Chart (1997) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 87
Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[14] 6
UK Singles (OCC)[15] 83
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[16] 14
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[17] 26

References
  1. "Graduate : Backline". web.archive.org. June 25, 2015.
  2. "'There Was No Overnight Success': An Oral History of Third Eye Blind's Self-Titled Debut". Billboard. April 6, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  3. Third Eye Blind (1997). "Third Eye Blind 'Graduate' Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  4. Miller, Kirk (May 27, 2009). "Damn the man". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  5. "Billy Idol Helps Third Eye Blind "Graduate" at Weenie Roast". MTV. June 23, 1998. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  6. Krol, Charlotte (January 27, 2020). "Yungblud performs 'Graduate' with Third Eye Blind at surprise Grammys week gig". NME. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  7. "Missy Elliott, Third Eye Blind, Smash Mouth "Can't Hardly Wait" for Soundtrack". MTV. April 9, 1998. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  8. Graduate (EU CD Single liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra Records. 1997. 7559-63883-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
  9. Graduate (AUS CD Single liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra Records. 1997. 7559638892.CS1 maint: others (link)
  10. Graduate (JP CD Single liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra Records. 1997. AMCY-2329.CS1 maint: others (link)
  11. Graduate (7–inch liner notes). Third Eye Blind. Elektra Records. 1997. E3883.CS1 maint: others (link)
  12. Third Eye Blind (Inlay cover). Third Eye Blind. Elektra. 1997. 62012-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
  13. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  14. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3354." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  15. "Third Eye Blind: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  16. "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
  17. "Third Eye Blind Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
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