Run That Back: Third Eye Blind - Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind's Semi-Charmed Life is guaranteed to be included on any impromptu road trip soundtrack. While that single illustrates and romanticizes reckless abandonment, Third Eye Blind document the highs and lows encountered while taking a final grasp and youth and freedom. Their self-titled album tackles the question of whether growing-up is a gift or a curse.

One Final Grasp at Reckless Abandonment

Not many events provide the unique freedom and discovery as a spring break road trip, whereadhering to rules, instituting structure, and accepting judgment, are not on the itinerary. In fact this journey, which has Third Eye Blind’s song Semi-Charmed Life as its theme song, is almost guaranteed to have no schedule! Many post college road trips represent a final grasp at complete reckless abandonment, because as college days become more distant in the rearview mirror, a push for societal conformity increases.

Third Eye Blind’s self-titled album is the soundtrack for this type of venture, and the album’s overall sound is reminiscent of a simpler time, characterized by more freedom and less responsibility. The rapid drums, which are present through many of the album’s instrumentals, are a musical translation of youthful excitement. The whaling electric guitar represents courage inspired from a perceived sense of invincibility. The airiness of the voice of lead singer, Stephan Jenkins, communicates the impromptu shenanigans, such as doing drugs, chasing women, and challenging authority. As expected from an impromptu road trip soundtrack, the album features a charming lack of structure with irregular pacing, and general imperfection. On the second track, Narcolepsy, the instrumental changes pace two separate times during the four-minute track.

The rebellious anthem, Graduate, and Burning Man, a song about testing the limits, bolster that general tone of reckless abandonment throughout Third Eye Blind. Although, Stephan Jenkins and friends do not spend the entire album run-time romanticizing this lifestyle, as they include songs communicating the difficulties of youth. Jumper tackles the issue of suicide and How’s It Going to Be mourns the loss of a long-time relationship. Even though Jenkin’s lyrics clearly wrestle with the sustainability of his reckless abandonment, the lyrics in Motorcycle Drive By show the unconscious comfort Jenkins has in that lifestyle, as he is shocked a girlfriend does not take to his actions. Third Eye Blind represents that final grasp to reckless abandonment, which can move to tense places, as the lyrics question whether growing up is a gift or a curse.

Backround

The San Francisco based rock band, Third Eye Blind, has been known to break down barriers in the structured music industry. In 1996, Stephan Jenkins, challenged an Epic Records executive to land the band as an opening act for Oasis, where Third Eye Blind impressed the crowd into “encore” chants. Jenkin’s also produced The Braids’ cover of the Queen hit, Bohemian Rhapsody, which caught the attention of record labels. This led to a bidding war between labels, which helped the band secure what was at the time the largest publishing deal for an unsigned artist.

Third Eye Blind’s recording of their self-titled album was filled with honest lyrics, unapologetic themes, and an unconventional music style. These factors led to artistic disagreements, centering on the album’s promotion and release. Since it was not representative of the entire album, Stephan Jenkins did not want to release Semi-Charmed Life as the lead single. Despite his hesitation, Jenkins saw the song peak at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. The album spawned two other top-10 singles, remained on the charts for over 100 weeks, and Third Eye blind carved out their place as an iconic 90s band.

“Everything is quiet, Since you're not around, And I live in the numbness now. I do the things we did before, I walk Haight Street to the store, And they say where's that crazy girl? You don't get drunk on red wine, and fight no more, 'Cause I don't see you anymore” - In the Backround

High Note: In the Backround

The moment the fusion of a faint guitar and a ghostly synthesizer introduce In the Backround, the song immediately mesmerizes. As a light guitar and simple drumbeat continue an airy but spellbinding instrumental, Stephan Jenkins serenades about carefree memories with a separated girlfriend. As the entrancing five-minute song concludes, the question left is whether Jenkins is lamenting an estranged girlfriend or relinquishing his carefree youth.

Under the Radar: Losing a Whole Year

With a combination of guitar and drums providing a punk rock tone, Stephan Jenkins croons the story of introducing a wealthy girl to his lifestyle of reckless abandonment. The lyrics start off innocently by describing them laying around in bed, but the song hits a sharp turn as Jenkins describes her plunging into a life filled with drug use, car wrecks, and drama. Right after an engaging electric guitar solo, Jenkins renounces the turbulent relationship, but not after losing a whole year.

Very Vintage: Casual listeners not realizing Semi-Charmed Life is about crystal meth addiction

Semi-Charmed Life, the archetype of the 90s rock sound mesmerized audiences with its fun guitar riffs, rapid drum beat, and Jenkins inserting his “doo-doo-doo” sound at the end of the chorus. The song was so popular it became inescapable, being played at school dances, church events, and even community picnics. Sure listeners sang along with Jenkins as he stated, “and then I bumped up, I took the hit that I was give, then I bumped again”, not knowing the reference in the moment. Although the line where he states, “I’m taking sips up into my nose”, should have caused more apprehension about playing Semi-Charmed Life during family night at the ballpark.

“And I won't get enough 'Till my legs are broken, The stars they shine. In an empty void. Life is not to fear, life is to enjoy.” - Burning Man

Hitting the Point Home

Despite the apprehension to continue living in reckless abandonment, which is constantly present in the album Third Eye Blind, Stephan Jenkins and the band attempt to hang onto their youthful freedom and excitement. This motive is clearly stated on the above lyrics from Burning Man. When figures representing structure and establishment are presented, such as the wealthy girl mentioned on Losing a Whole Year or an ambitious city girl Jeknins references on Motorcycle Drive By, these figures are either convinced to indulge in shenanigans or distanced for not partaking in the fun.

Third Eye Blind does communicate a road trip with potholes and detours, none more glaring than the suicidal thoughts presented in Jumper, which is hardly the only rocky road traveled. London features a lack of interest by Jenkins in associating with a girl, who takes reckless abandonment to the extreme. How’s It Going to Be presents a turbulent and unhealthy relationship that Jenkins is ready to leave. At the point where God of Wine, the album’s final track, somberly presents two lovers fighting a relationship of alcohol addiction, a road trip of reckless abandonment seems to have eroded the perceived sense of invincibility.

Top of the Charts

Third Eye Blind debuted at number 135 on the Billboard 200, but would eventually peak at number twenty-five and spend over 100 weeks on the album charts. Powered by three top-10 singles, including the iconic Semi-Chared Life, the album would eventually sell over 6 million copies. Although the band had a successful follow-up album, Blue, their self-titled album would represent the peak of Third Eye Blind’s career.

The sound Third Eye Blind delivered would be considered the embodiment of rock for this era. The bands first single, Semi-Chared Life, would be eventually designated one of the anthems from the 90’s. It was featured in countless movies, including Excess Baggage, American Pie, and Dirty Work.

The Crescendo

As with an impromptu road-trip, Third Eye Blind is an album with no itinerary, which delivers interesting experiences, honest reflection, and a journey filled with peaks and valleys. Whether it was the literary English backround of Stephan Jenkins at work or just pure happenstance, the songs on Third Eye Blind flow with an organic progression that seems natural. Following their journey, the band does arrive at a fulfilling destination as wisdom is gained.

Even though Third Eye Blind clutches at their youthful excitement, limited responsibility, and reckless abandonment throughout their album, they’re worn out from that final grasp of their youthful freedom as life starts hitting hard. The epiphany to grow-up is never fun or easy but necessary. Three decades later some listeners may no longer identify directly with the reckless abandonment Third Eye Blind presents, but a revisit certainly stokes memories of the honest epiphanies gained from that impromptu road trip!