Follow Me (Uncle Kracker song)
"Follow Me" | ||||
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Single by Uncle Kracker | ||||
from the album Double Wide | ||||
B-side | "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" | |||
Released | November 6, 2000 | |||
Length | 3:35 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Uncle Kracker singles chronology | ||||
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"Follow Me" is the debut single of American musician Uncle Kracker. It was released on November 6, 2000, as the lead single from his debut studio album, Double Wide (2000). It was written by Kracker and Michael Bradford and was produced by Bradford and Kid Rock. According to Kracker, the song has multiple meanings, with people speculating that it could be about drugs or infidelity.
"Follow Me" became a worldwide hit in mid to late 2001. The song reached number one in eight countries: Australia, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, and Sweden. In the United States, it peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult Top 40 listing. It additionally became a top-10 hit in Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom and peaked within the top 40 in several other European countries.
Meaning
In a 2001 interview with MTV News, Uncle Kracker stated that "Follow Me" was "definitely different" from other songs on Double Wide:
"[W]hen we first started recording that song, with us being from Detroit, that song was supposed to be this doo-wop/Motown song — something different, because every song's got its own little twist. And this song was supposed to have that, but after we recorded it, I was like, 'Man, that could be something for radio,' so we switched it back. [The song] takes on a couple of different meanings. I've heard some people think that I'm talking about drugs, or some people think I'm talking about cheating. I guess it's kinda both. I would never want to say anything that would get myself in trouble, being married with a couple of kids. That song is like a dirty picture painted with a pretty brush."[1]
Chart performance
The song went to number one in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, and Sweden. In the United States, it peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week of June 9, 2001, and is Uncle Kracker's highest-charting single release to date.[2] The single also reached number seven on the adult contemporary chart. In the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart in September 2001. Following the release of the album Double Wide on iTunes, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart on August 26, 2012, at number 64 and reached number 44.
Music video
The music video was directed by Nick Egan and premiered the week of November 20, 2000. It featured Mark McGrath, lead singer of Sugar Ray. It is a popular belief that CeeLo Green appears in the video, but it is actually the co-writer and co-producer of this track Michael Bradford, who bears a passing resemblance to Green.[3] Bradford was also a member of Kid Rock's band at the time, where he played bass.
Track listings
US 7-inch single[4]
Australian CD single[5]
European CD single[6]
|
UK CD single[7]
UK cassette single[8]
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Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[55] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[56] | Gold | 20,000* |
Germany (BVMI)[57] | Gold | 250,000^ |
Sweden (GLF)[58] | Platinum | 30,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[59] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref(s). |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | November 6, 2000 | [60] | ||
November 7, 2000 | Contemporary hit radio | [60][61] | ||
April 23, 2001 | Adult contemporary radio | [62] | ||
Australia | May 21, 2001 | CD | [63] | |
United Kingdom | August 27, 2001 | [64] |
Appearances and covers
This song was featured in the movies Coyote Ugly, 3000 Miles to Graceland, The Animal, The Blind Side and the TV series Roswell High. In 2011, the song was covered by the German rock and roll cover band the Baseballs. The song appeared on their second album, Strings 'N' Stripes. A live version of "Follow Me" can be found on David Allan Coe's 2003 album Live at Billy Bob's Texas.
References
- ^ D'Angelo, Joe (April 26, 2001). "MTV News: 7 Questions With Uncle Kracker". MTV News. Archived from the original on March 10, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (8 ed.). Billboard Publications.
- ^ London, Amanda (October 11, 2021). ""Follow Me" by Uncle Kracker". Song Meanings and Facts. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
- ^ Follow Me (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Uncle Kracker. Lava Records, Atlantic Records, Top Dog Records. 2001. 7-85184.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Follow Me (Australian CD single liner notes). Uncle Kracker. Lava Records, Atlantic Records, Top Dog Records. 2000. 7567851082.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Follow Me (European CD single liner notes). Uncle Kracker. Lava Records, Atlantic Records, Top Dog Records. 2000. 7567-85123-2.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Follow Me (UK CD single liner notes). Uncle Kracker. Atlantic Records, Lava Records, Top Dog Records. 2000. AT0108CD, 7567-85137-2.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Follow Me (UK cassette single sleeve). Uncle Kracker. Lava Records, Atlantic Records, Top Dog Records. 2000. 7567-85138-4.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Uncle Kracker – Follow Me". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker – Follow Me" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker – Follow Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker – Follow Me" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Radio2 Top 30: Uncle Kracker – Follow Me | Radio2" (in Dutch). Top 30. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Canadian Top 20 in 2001" (PDF). Cross Canada Countdown. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2005. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker – Follow Me". Tracklisten. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 18, no. 38. September 15, 2001. p. 9. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker – Follow Me" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker – Follow Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Follow Me". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 46, 2001" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker – Follow Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker – Follow Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker – Follow Me". VG-lista. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay – Week 33/2001" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 19, no. 33. August 11, 2001. p. 19. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker – Follow Me". Singles Top 100. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker – Follow Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
- ^ "Uncle Kracker Chart History (Rock Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2015. Select Rock Digital Song Sales from the drop-down list.
- ^ "Top 40 Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 24. June 16, 2001. p. 84.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2001". ARIA. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2001" (in German). Retrieved December 15, 2018.
- ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2001". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
- ^ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001 (200–101)". Jam!. Archived from the original on July 26, 2002. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ "BDS CHART : Top 100 of 2001". Jam!. Archived from the original on July 1, 2002. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
- ^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2001" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 18, no. 52. December 22, 2001. p. 14. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts 2001" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
- ^ "Best of Singles 2001". IRMA. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
- ^ "Dutch Top 40 Jaarlijsten 2001" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "End of Year Charts 2001". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar, 2001" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2001" (in German). Retrieved May 23, 2018.
- ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2001". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ "The Year in Music 2001: Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-81. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
- ^ a b "The Year in Music 2001". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-82. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
- ^ "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2001". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. December 21, 2001. p. 60.
- ^ "Most-Played AC Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 19.
- ^ "Gratis: 'Hits des neuen Jahrtausend'-Liste" [Free: 'Hits of the New Millennium' List] (in German). RTL. 2010. Archived from the original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – Uncle Kracker – Follow Me" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Uncle Kracker; 'Follow Me')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2001" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011.
- ^ "British single certifications – Uncle Kracker – Follow Me". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ a b "Impact Dates". Gavin Report. No. 2329. November 3, 2000. pp. 7, 25.
- ^ "CHR/Pop: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1375. November 3, 2000. p. 48. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ "AC: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1398. April 20, 2001. p. 89. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: ARIA New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 21st May 2001" (PDF). ARIA. May 21, 2001. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2002. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting August 27, 2001: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. August 25, 2001. p. 31. Retrieved August 16, 2021.