Worst Song Of the 1990s Was At The End: Vertical Horizon, "Everything You Want"

[Splicer]

I'll preface my criticism by saying that musically the song is decent Pop/Alt-Rock. It's catchy. It's got a good beat. The production is good. The song was a hit and I suppose presented as some sort of unrequited love song. However, the lyrics* are horrendous.

Here's a quote from singer Matt Scannell about the song:

"I was in love with this girl, and she was just a broken person. She kept turning to everyone except me for love and acceptance, and I wanted so much to help her. I wanted to be the one to give her everything she wanted, but I couldn’t. She just couldn’t accept it from me, and it was that pain, that led me to creating the song."

There is nothing beautiful or loving about these feelings. This dude has what in modern terms would be called incel-stalker vibes. In other words, pathetic. My dude, just leave her alone. She don't want you. Get over it. Being "in love" with her just to fulfill your need to be a rescuing hero is not love. You're a creepy guy and no wonder she doesn't want you. As for her being "broken" - look in the mirror.

Maybe it's just me that can't stand whiny guy songs but I was reminded of this one because there is a current TV commercial for iPhone featuring the song "Way Too Long" by Doe Boy that brought to mind the Vertical Horizon atrocity.

*Lyrics
Somewhere, there's speaking, it's already coming in
Oh, and it's rising at the back of your mind
You never could get it unless you were fed it
Now you're here and you don't know why
But under skinned knees and the skid marks
Past the places where you used to learn
You howl and listen, listen and wait for the
Echoes of angels who won't return
He's everything you want, he's everything you need
He's everything inside of you that you wish you could be
He says all the right things at exactly the right time
But he means nothing to you and you don't know why
You're waiting for someone to put you together
You're waiting for someone to push you away
There's always another wound to discover
There's always something more you wish he'd say
He's everything you want, he's everything you need
He's everything inside of you that you wish you could be
He says all the right things at exactly the right time
But he means nothing to you, and you don't know why
But you'll just sit tight and watch it unwind
It's only what you're asking for
And you'll be just fine with all of your time
It's only what you're waiting for
Out of the island, into the highway
Past the places where you might have turned
You never did notice, but you still hide away
Anger of angels who won't return
He's everything you want, he's everything you need
He's everything inside of you that you wish you could be
He says all the right things at exactly the right time
But he means nothing to you, and you don't know why
I am everything you want, I am everything you need
I am everything inside of you that you wish you could be
I say all the right things at exactly the right time
But I mean nothing to you and I don't know why
And I don't know why
Why?
I don't know

[Digital_Man]

Not a bad song but kind of weak for a number one single. I guess it shows you the state of music at the time. I must have heard this song at some point but it was probably a long time ago.

[dropforge]

I'm sure we can find something worse from the Nineties. No question!

[JKL2000]

I'll preface my criticism by saying that musically the song is decent Pop/Alt-Rock. It's catchy. It's got a good beat. The production is good. The song was a hit and I suppose presented as some sort of unrequited love song. However, the lyrics* are horrendous.

Here's a quote from singer Matt Scannell about the song:



There is nothing beautiful or loving about these feelings. This dude has what in modern terms would be called incel-stalker vibes. In other words, pathetic. My dude, just leave her alone. She don't want you. Get over it. Being "in love" with her just to fulfill your need to be a rescuing hero is not love. You're a creepy guy and no wonder she doesn't want you. As for her being "broken" - look in the mirror.

Maybe it's just me that can't stand whiny guy songs but I was reminded of this one because there is a current TV commercial for iPhone featuring the song "Way Too Long" by Doe Boy that brought to mind the Vertical Horizon atrocity.

*Lyrics
Somewhere, there's speaking, it's already coming in
Oh, and it's rising at the back of your mind
You never could get it unless you were fed it
Now you're here and you don't know why
But under skinned knees and the skid marks
Past the places where you used to learn
You howl and listen, listen and wait for the
Echoes of angels who won't return
He's everything you want, he's everything you need
He's everything inside of you that you wish you could be
He says all the right things at exactly the right time
But he means nothing to you and you don't know why
You're waiting for someone to put you together
You're waiting for someone to push you away
There's always another wound to discover
There's always something more you wish he'd say
He's everything you want, he's everything you need
He's everything inside of you that you wish you could be
He says all the right things at exactly the right time
But he means nothing to you, and you don't know why
But you'll just sit tight and watch it unwind
It's only what you're asking for
And you'll be just fine with all of your time
It's only what you're waiting for
Out of the island, into the highway
Past the places where you might have turned
You never did notice, but you still hide away
Anger of angels who won't return
He's everything you want, he's everything you need
He's everything inside of you that you wish you could be
He says all the right things at exactly the right time
But he means nothing to you, and you don't know why
I am everything you want, I am everything you need
I am everything inside of you that you wish you could be
I say all the right things at exactly the right time
But I mean nothing to you and I don't know why
And I don't know why
Why?
I don't know

Hold on, I have to finish weeping and swaying…

I’ve never heard of anyone you mentioned in your post, BTW.

[Rarebird]

Alas the video is not available, where I live.

[Rarebird]

I'm not sure, but I think there are a lot of old songs, that now sound a bit creepy, lyricwise.

[MudShark22]

Run for Your Life - The Beatles

[Brad 2 the Bone]

I'm sure we can find something worse from the Nineties. No question!

I'll open the bidding with:
Marcy Playground - Sex and Candy
Harvey Danger - Flagpole Sitta

[Dave (in MA)]

Run for Your Life - The Beatles

Could have sworn that was earlier than the 1990s. It seems like longer ago. I'll have to check to make sure.

[Rarebird]

Could have sworn that was earlier than the 1990s. It seems like longer ago. I'll have to check to make sure.

Well in defence of MudShark, I was aiming at songs from all ages with lyrics, we now would feel to be a bit creepy.

[Czyszy]

Video unavailable
The uploader has not made this video available in your country

Well, dear uploader, you actually spared my fellow citizens of Poland from listening to this garbage. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[MudShark22]

Well in defence of MudShark, I was aiming at songs from all ages with lyrics, we now would feel to be a bit creepy.

Yeah I don't always quote the post I am responding to when it seems obvious....

[IncogNeato]

This song is like an unsalted saltine cracker.

[Dave (in MA)]

The most surprising thing to me about this thread is that the song sounds familiar.

[Rarebird]

Well, dear uploader, you actually spared my fellow citizens of Poland from listening to this garbage. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I found the song on YouTube and it doesn't sound familiar, just a bit creepy.

[dropforge]

I'll open the bidding with:
Marcy Playground - Sex and Candy
Harvey Danger - Flagpole Sitta

"Real, Real, Real" by Jesus Jones!

[SteveSly]

I don't remember ever hearing that song before. I don't think it is that bad. A bit generic sounding, but there are much worse things that came out of the 90's.

BTW former touring Porcupine Tree member and Marillion cohort John Wesley is now a member of Vertical Horizon. That is the only reason I have even heard of these guys.

[Geoff O'Donoghue]

I remember hearing and liking the song at the time of its release. I consider the lyrics to be be more observational and reflective - until the last bit where the use of the first person moves into "why don't you love me" territory.

[pb2015]

I seem to remember Neil Peart wrote in one of his books about liking the band and exchanging letters with Matt or one of the other members. The only thing that has made me curious about them.

[Geoff O'Donoghue]

I seem to remember Neil Peart wrote in one of his books about liking the band and exchanging letters with Matt or one of the other members. The only thing that has made me curious about them.

I wonder if John Wesley met Matt Scannell (leading to the Vertical Horizon gig) through Neil as JW also became a friend of Neil's.

[dropforge]

I seem to remember Neil Peart wrote in one of his books about liking the band and exchanging letters with Matt or one of the other members. The only thing that has made me curious about them.