More Than Words: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox song |
{{Infobox song |
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| name = More Than Words |
| name = More Than Words |
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| cover = More than words.jpg |
| cover = More than words.jpg |
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| type = single |
| type = single |
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| artist = [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]] |
| artist = [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]] |
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| album = [[Pornograffitti]] |
| album = [[Pornograffitti]] |
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| B-side = {{hlist|"Nice Place to Visit"|"Kid Ego"}} |
| B-side = {{hlist|"Nice Place to Visit"|"Kid Ego"}} |
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| released = {{Start date|1991|3|12}} |
| released = {{Start date|1991|3|12}} |
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| recorded = |
| recorded = |
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| genre = {{hlist|[[ |
| genre = *[[ Glam metal]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.liveabout.com/best-hair-metal-ballads-1752387|title=20 Best Hair Metal Ballads of the '80s and '90s|date= 5 May 2024|website= liveaboutdotcom|access-date=23 May 2024}}</ref> |
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{{hlist|[[soft rock]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/5507/40_most_softsational_softrock_songs/franchises/list/|title=VH1's 40 Most Softsational Soft-Rock Songs|date=May 31, 2007|website=[[Stereogum]]|publisher=SpinMedia|access-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref>|[[acoustic rock]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.guitarworld.com/acoustic-nation-barsoat-best-acoustic-rock-song-all-time-more-than-words-vs-layla-unplugged|title= Best Acoustic Rock Song of All Time Poll: "More Than Words" Vs. "Layla (Unplugged)" |date=July 18, 2015 |website=[[Guitar World]] |publisher=NewBay Media |access-date=September 8, 2016}}</ref>}}<!-- Hair Metal is sourced in the article, but it should remain out of the infobox, it will only cause controversy. --> |
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| length = {{unbulleted list|5:33 (album version)|4:09 ([[radio edit]])}} |
| length = {{unbulleted list|5:33 (album version)|4:09 ([[radio edit]])}} |
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| label = [[A&M Records|A&M]] |
| label = [[A&M Records|A&M]] |
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| writer = {{hlist|[[Gary Cherone]]|[[Nuno Bettencourt]]}} |
| writer = {{hlist|[[Gary Cherone]]|[[Nuno Bettencourt]]}} |
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| producer = [[Michael Wagener]] |
| producer = [[Michael Wagener]] |
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| prev_title = [[Get the Funk Out]] |
| prev_title = [[Get the Funk Out]] |
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| prev_year = 1991 |
| prev_year = 1991 |
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| next_title = [[Hole Hearted]] |
| next_title = [[Hole Hearted]] |
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| next_year = 1991 |
| next_year = 1991 |
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| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|UrIiLvg58SY|"More Than Words"}}}} |
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|UrIiLvg58SY|"More Than Words"}}}} |
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}} |
}} |
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"'''More Than Words'''" is a song by American [[rock music|rock]] band [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]]. |
"'''More Than Words'''" is a song by American [[rock music|rock]] band [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]]. It is a ballad featuring acoustic guitar work by [[Nuno Bettencourt]] and the vocals of [[Gary Cherone]] (with harmony vocals from Bettencourt). They both wrote the song, which was produced by [[Michael Wagener]] and represented a departure from the band's usual funk metal style.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/extreme-more-than-words-reaction/|title=How Extreme Finally Moved Past the Stigma of 'More Than Words'|last=Wardlaw|first=Matt|date=June 14, 2023|website=Ultimate Classic Rock}}</ref> "More Than Words" was released as the third single from the band's second album, ''[[Pornograffitti]]'' (1990), on March 12, 1991 by [[A&M Records]]. It was a number one hit in the United States, where it was certified gold, as well as in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand. The music video for the song was directed by [[Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris]]. |
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==Content== |
==Content== |
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⚫ | The song is an acoustic ballad in which the singer wants his lover to do more than simply saying "I love you" to demonstrate her love for him. Bettencourt described it as a warning that the phrase was becoming meaningless: "People use it so easily and so lightly that they think you can say that and fix everything, or you can say that and everything's OK. Sometimes you have to do more and you have to show it—there's other ways to say 'I love you'".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DjBDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2983,3179561&dq=extreme+pornographitti&hl=en |title=Extreme: Boston Group Riding the Funk-O-Metal Machine|first= Kira L.|last= Billik|work= Albany Herald|date=June 20, 1991 |access-date=June 27, 2011}}</ref> |
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"More Than Words" is a [[ballad]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/extreme-more-than-words-25-years-nuno-bettencourt-7517921/|title='More Than Words' at 25: Nuno Bettencourt Recalls Battle to Release Extreme's No. 1 Hit|magazine=Billboard|first=Katy|last=Kroll|date=September 21, 2016}}</ref> It features acoustic guitar work by [[Nuno Bettencourt]] and vocals by [[Gary Cherone]] (with harmony vocals from Bettencourt).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/22170145-Extreme-More-Than-Words|title=Extreme - More Than Words|date=July 10, 1990|via=www.discogs.com}}</ref> |
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⚫ | |||
==Release== |
==Release== |
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The band fought with their record company to get "More Than Words" released as a single. At one point, Bettencourt even quit the band over the issue. In 2016, Bettencourt told ''Billboard'': "'Our label at the time [A&M Records] didn't want to release "More Than Words" as a single because there was nothing on the radio like that at the time. The label said, "Who's going to play it?" Everybody was doing big power ballads at the time, and this was more like an Everly Brothers or Beatles track. But we fought for it'".<ref name="auto1"/> |
The band fought with their record company to get "More Than Words" released as a single. At one point, Bettencourt even quit the band over the issue. In 2016, Bettencourt told ''Billboard'': "'Our label at the time [A&M Records] didn't want to release "More Than Words" as a single because there was nothing on the radio like that at the time. The label said, "Who's going to play it?" Everybody was doing big power ballads at the time, and this was more like an [[The Everly Brothers|Everly Brothers]] or [[The Beatles|Beatles]] track. But we fought for it'".<ref name="auto1">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/extreme-more-than-words-25-years-nuno-bettencourt-7517921/|title='More Than Words' at 25: Nuno Bettencourt Recalls Battle to Release Extreme's No. 1 Hit|magazine=Billboard|first=Katy|last=Kroll|date=September 21, 2016}}</ref> |
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{{Quote box|width= |
{{Quote box|width=23%|align=right|quote="It became a monster. It took a life of its own and we couldn't kill it. ... I think it'll pass the test of time."|source=—[[Gary Cherone]] talking about the song.<ref name="auto">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jSRCAAAAIBAJ|title=The tree sides of Extreme's own story|magazine=[[Middlesboro Daily News|The Daily News]]|date=October 10, 1992|page=15|access-date=March 13, 2020}}</ref> |
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==Critical reception== |
==Critical reception== |
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[[AllMusic]] editor William Ruhlmann noted that on the song, the [[Extreme (band)|band]] pursued "acoustic balladry".<ref>{{cite web|first=William|last=Ruhlmann|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/20th-century-masters-the-millennium-collection-best-of-extreme-mw0000658568|title=Extreme - 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best of Extreme|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=March 23, 2020}}</ref> Kira L. Billik from ''[[Associated Press]]'' described "More Than Words" as a "sweet, pure acoustic [[ballad]]" "whose message is that the words 'I love you' are becoming meaningless".<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Kira L.|last=Billik|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D1MvAAAAIBAJ|title='Funk-o-metal' band hits it big with acoustic ballad|work=Rome News-Tribune|date=July 12, 1991|page=11|access-date=March 13, 2020}}</ref> The song was also labeled as a "nontraditional love song".<ref name="auto"/> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' |
[[AllMusic]] editor William Ruhlmann noted that on the song, the [[Extreme (band)|band]] pursued "acoustic balladry".<ref>{{cite web|first=William|last=Ruhlmann|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/20th-century-masters-the-millennium-collection-best-of-extreme-mw0000658568|title=Extreme - 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best of Extreme|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=March 23, 2020}}</ref> Kira L. Billik from ''[[Associated Press]]'' described "More Than Words" as a "sweet, pure acoustic [[ballad]]", "whose message is that the words 'I love you' are becoming meaningless".<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Kira L.|last=Billik|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D1MvAAAAIBAJ|title='Funk-o-metal' band hits it big with acoustic ballad|work=Rome News-Tribune|date=July 12, 1991|page=11|access-date=March 13, 2020}}</ref> The song was also labeled as a "nontraditional love song".<ref name="auto"/> [[Larry Flick]] from ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' felt that this "tender, sparsely produced [[rock music|rock]]/love ballad proves that sometimes less really is more. The spotlight here is on the band's striking vocal harmonies, as well as its shimmering acoustic guitar work".<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Larry|last=Flick|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1991/BB-1991-03-23.pdf|title=Single Reviews|magazine=Billboard|date=March 23, 1991|page=75|access-date=January 25, 2018|author-link=Larry Flick}}</ref> The Daily Vault's Sean McCarthy called it a "beautiful, minimal acoustic number [that] made the band huge" and concluded that "for the band, 'More Than Words' is the song that will still get airplay."<ref>{{cite web|first=Sean|last=McCarthy|url=http://dailyvault.com/toc.php5?review=203|title=Extreme - Extreme II: Pornograffitti|website=The Daily Vault|date=August 8, 1997|access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref> [[Diane Cardwell]] from ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' called it "a simple, almost [[folk music|folkie]] ballad using just two voices and a single acoustic guitar."<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Diane |last= Cardwell |title= Extreme: More than metal |magazine= Entertainment Weekly |date= August 2, 1991 |access-date= November 11, 2020 |url= https://ew.com/article/1991/08/02/extreme-more-metal/ |author-link= Diane Cardwell}}</ref> Kirsten Frickle from ''El Paisano'' described it as an "all-acoustic ballad that is so beautiful it will make your hair stand on end".<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Kirsten |last= Frickle |title= 'Pornograffiti' takes rock music to all extremes |magazine= El Paisano |date= November 9, 1990 |page= 10 |access-date= April 24, 2020 |url= https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=ELP19901109.2.2}}</ref> |
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Pan-European magazine ''[[Music & Media]]'' labeled the song as "folky"<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Previews: Albums - Album Of The Week |magazine= [[Music & Media]] |date= November 3, 1990 |page= 19 |access-date= November 3, 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1990/MM-1990-11-03.pdf}}</ref> and "a calming piece of music, aptly produced by [[Michael Wagener]]." They added, "It shows the band from a totally different angle. And it must be said, they handle this ballad extremely well."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-04-27.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music & Media|date=April 27, 1991|page=11|access-date=February 22, 2018}}</ref> Alan Jones from ''[[Music Week]]'' |
Pan-European magazine ''[[Music & Media]]'' labeled the song as "folky"<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Previews: Albums - Album Of The Week |magazine= [[Music & Media]] |date= November 3, 1990 |page= 19 |access-date= November 3, 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1990/MM-1990-11-03.pdf}}</ref> and "a calming piece of music, aptly produced by [[Michael Wagener]]." They added, "It shows the band from a totally different angle. And it must be said, they handle this ballad extremely well."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-04-27.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music & Media|date=April 27, 1991|page=11|access-date=February 22, 2018}}</ref> Alan Jones from ''[[Music Week]]'' named it Pick of the Week, remarking that it is "a subdued, lilting acoustic workout that suggests nothing more than [[Simon & Garfunkel]] in its more angelic passages."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Alan|last=Jones|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-07-20.pdf |title= Mainstream: Singles - Pick of the Week |magazine= [[Music Week]] |date= July 20, 1991 |page= 10 |access-date= October 3, 2020}}</ref> Carrie Borzillo from ''[[Record-Journal]]'' called it an "[[Everly Brothers]]-style" song.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Carrie|last=Borzillo|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ilIAAAAIBAJ|title='More Than Words' small part of what Extreme is all about|magazine=Record-Journal|date=June 28, 1991|access-date=March 13, 2020}}</ref> A reviewer from ''Sandwell Evening Mail'' wrote, "If ever a song could be unrepresentative of a band's output, Extreme's worldwide smash hit ballad "More Than Words" is it."<ref>''Sandwell Evening Mail''. November 18, 1991. p. 22.</ref> Marc Andrews from ''[[Smash Hits]]'' found it "eye-moistening".<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Marc|last=Andrews|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/smashhits90s/34501437810/in/album-72157681394953612/|title=Reviews: LPs|magazine=Smash Hits|issue=330|page=46|date=July 24, 1991|access-date=March 8, 2020}}</ref> Tom Nordlie from ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' viewed it as "a love ballad that sounds like the Everly Brothers or early [[Beatles]]." He added, "Singer [[Gary Cherone]] harmonizes with himself as guitar-friend [[Nuno Bettencourt]] strums clean, jazzy chord accompaniment, and that's it. No sudden escalation to bombast in the middle, no reneging on the song's original promise."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Tom|last=Nordlie|title=Spins|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yVNtVrHdIasC|magazine=Spin|date=November 1990|page=79|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref> Chad Bowar writing for LiveAbout placed the song on his list of the "Best 20 Hair Metal Ballads of the '80s and '90s".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bowar|first=Chad|title=Best 20 Hair Metal Ballads of the '80s and '90s|url=https://www.liveabout.com/best-hair-metal-ballads-1752387|access-date=February 24, 2021|website=LiveAbout|language=en}}</ref> |
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==Chart performance== |
==Chart performance== |
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==Music video== |
==Music video== |
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The song's |
The song's music video<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrIiLvg58SY |title=More Than Words |website=YouTube |access-date=July 9, 2023}}</ref> was filmed in black and white<ref name="auto1"/> and was produced and directed by American film and music video directors [[Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris]]. It starts with [[Pat Badger]] turning off his amplifier and putting down his bass, and [[Paul Geary]] putting down his drumsticks. Nuno and Gary are then seen performing the song, while the other band members are shown in front of them, holding up their [[lighters]]. In the video's music rendition, the song ends abruptly before Nuno's final solo and coda. |
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==Track listings== |
==Track listings== |
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'''CD maxi''' |
* '''CD maxi''' |
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# "More Than Words" — 5:33 |
# "More Than Words" — 5:33 |
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# "Kid Ego" — 4:04 |
# "Kid Ego" — 4:04 |
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# "Nice Place to Visit" — 3:16 |
# "Nice Place to Visit" — 3:16 |
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'''7-inch single''' |
* '''7-inch single''' |
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# "More Than Words" (Remix) — 3:43 |
# "More Than Words" (Remix) — 3:43 |
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# "Nice Place to Visit" — 3:16 |
# "Nice Place to Visit" — 3:16 |
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{{single chart|Flanders|1|artist=Extreme|song=More Than Words|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Flanders|1|artist=Extreme|song=More Than Words|rowheader=true}} |
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!scope="row"|Canada (''[[The Record (magazine)|The Record]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Hits of the World: Canada|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=103|issue=24|page=60|date=June 15, 1991}}</ref> |
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|1 |
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{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=1540|rowheader=true|access-date=April 28, 2020}} |
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=1540|rowheader=true|access-date=April 28, 2020}} |
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{{single chart|UK|2|date=19910803|rowheader=true|access-date=April 28, 2020}} |
{{single chart|UK|2|date=19910803|rowheader=true|access-date=April 28, 2020}} |
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!scope="row"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1991-06-08/|title=Billboard Hot 100|magazine= |
!scope="row"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1991-06-08/|title=Billboard Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|date=June 8, 1991|access-date=June 17, 2023}}</ref> |
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|1 |
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!scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-12-21.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 1991|magazine=Music & Media|via=World Radio History|volume=8|issue=51–52|page=21|date=December 21, 1991|access-date=January 17, 2020}}</ref> |
!scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-12-21.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 1991|magazine=Music & Media|via=World Radio History|volume=8|issue=51–52|page=21|date=December 21, 1991|access-date=January 17, 2020}}</ref> |
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|15 |
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!scope="row"|Europe (European Hit Radio)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-12-21.pdf|title=EHR Year-End Top 100|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=8|issue=51–52|page=20|date=December 21, 1991|access-date=February 16, 2024}}</ref> |
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|17 |
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!scope="row"|Germany (Official German Charts)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1991|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1991|publisher=GfK Entertainment|language=de|access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> |
!scope="row"|Germany (Official German Charts)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1991|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1991|publisher=GfK Entertainment|language=de|access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> |
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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "More Than Words"}} |
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "More Than Words"}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1991|certyear=1991|certref=<ref name="ausye"/>|access-date=April 28, 2020}} |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1991|certyear=1991|certref=<ref name="ausye"/>|access-date=April 28, 2020}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|artist=Extreme|title=More Than Words|award=Platinum|relyear=1991|certyear=2024|access-date=June 16, 2024}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Extreme|title=More Than Words|award=Platinum|relyear=1991|certyear=1991|access-date=April 28, 2020}} |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Extreme|title=More Than Words|award=Platinum|relyear=1991|certyear=1991|access-date=April 28, 2020}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Extreme|title=More Than Words|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1991|certyear=2020|id=9199|access-date=October 5, 2021}} |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Extreme|title=More Than Words|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1991|certyear=2020|id=9199|access-date=October 5, 2021}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Extreme|title=More Than Words|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1991|certyear=2021|access-date=September 13, 2022}} |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Extreme|title=More Than Words|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1991|certyear=2021|id=8165|access-date=September 13, 2022}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|type=single|artist=Extreme|title=More Than Words|award=Gold|relyear=1991|certyear=1991|access-date=April 28, 2020}} |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|type=single|artist=Extreme|title=More Than Words|award=Gold|relyear=1991|certyear=1991|access-date=April 28, 2020}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|artist=Extreme|title=More Than Words|award=Platinum|relyear=1991|certyear=2024|access-date=June 16, 2024}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1991|certyear=1991|access-date=April 28, 2020}} |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1991|certyear=1991|access-date=April 28, 2020}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Extreme|title=More Than Words|award= |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Extreme|title=More Than Words|award=Platinum|relyear=1991|certyear=2024|id=4365-994-1|access-date=January 5, 2024}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Extreme II|title=More Than Words|award=Gold|relyear=1991|certyear=1991|access-date=April 28, 2020|refname="riaa"}} |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Extreme II|title=More Than Words|award=Gold|relyear=1991|certyear=1991|access-date=April 28, 2020|refname="riaa"}} |
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{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}} |
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}} |
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== Further reading == |
== Further reading == |
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*{{Cite magazine |last=Johnston |first=Maura |date=2015-02-06 |title=Extreme's 'More Than Words': The Oral History |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/extremes-more-than-words-the-oral-history-of-1991s-iconic-ballad-90106/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} |
*{{Cite magazine |last=Johnston |first=Maura |author-link=Maura Johnston |date=2015-02-06 |title=Extreme's 'More Than Words': The Oral History |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/extremes-more-than-words-the-oral-history-of-1991s-iconic-ballad-90106/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} |
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{{Extreme}} |
{{Extreme}} |
Revision as of 19:13, 7 August 2024
"More Than Words" | ||||
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Single by Extreme | ||||
from the album Pornograffitti | ||||
B-side |
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Released | March 12, 1991 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | A&M | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Michael Wagener | |||
Extreme singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"More Than Words" on YouTube |
"More Than Words" is a song by American rock band Extreme. It is a ballad featuring acoustic guitar work by Nuno Bettencourt and the vocals of Gary Cherone (with harmony vocals from Bettencourt). They both wrote the song, which was produced by Michael Wagener and represented a departure from the band's usual funk metal style.[4] "More Than Words" was released as the third single from the band's second album, Pornograffitti (1990), on March 12, 1991 by A&M Records. It was a number one hit in the United States, where it was certified gold, as well as in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand. The music video for the song was directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.
Content
The song is an acoustic ballad in which the singer wants his lover to do more than simply saying "I love you" to demonstrate her love for him. Bettencourt described it as a warning that the phrase was becoming meaningless: "People use it so easily and so lightly that they think you can say that and fix everything, or you can say that and everything's OK. Sometimes you have to do more and you have to show it—there's other ways to say 'I love you'".[5]
Release
The band fought with their record company to get "More Than Words" released as a single. At one point, Bettencourt even quit the band over the issue. In 2016, Bettencourt told Billboard: "'Our label at the time [A&M Records] didn't want to release "More Than Words" as a single because there was nothing on the radio like that at the time. The label said, "Who's going to play it?" Everybody was doing big power ballads at the time, and this was more like an Everly Brothers or Beatles track. But we fought for it'".[6]
"It became a monster. It took a life of its own and we couldn't kill it. ... I think it'll pass the test of time."
—Gary Cherone talking about the song.[7]
"That song gave us the freedom to make the record we really wanted to make when we started recording our third disc," Cherone told KNAC. "It got us doing huge tours all over the states and around the world... As the nineties went on, however, we really started to resent the song. We were tagged 'the More Than Words guys'. We didn't like the perception the song created about the band. I remember being on tour with Aerosmith in Poland... it was on that tour we decided we would not play the song. We just didn't do it. A couple nights into the tour, Steven Tyler writes in big letters on our dressing room door, 'Play the fucking song!' His attitude was almost father-like. He was like, 'Look, this is your first time in Poland. When do you think you will be back? They want to hear it, so play it!'"[8]
Critical reception
AllMusic editor William Ruhlmann noted that on the song, the band pursued "acoustic balladry".[9] Kira L. Billik from Associated Press described "More Than Words" as a "sweet, pure acoustic ballad", "whose message is that the words 'I love you' are becoming meaningless".[10] The song was also labeled as a "nontraditional love song".[7] Larry Flick from Billboard felt that this "tender, sparsely produced rock/love ballad proves that sometimes less really is more. The spotlight here is on the band's striking vocal harmonies, as well as its shimmering acoustic guitar work".[11] The Daily Vault's Sean McCarthy called it a "beautiful, minimal acoustic number [that] made the band huge" and concluded that "for the band, 'More Than Words' is the song that will still get airplay."[12] Diane Cardwell from Entertainment Weekly called it "a simple, almost folkie ballad using just two voices and a single acoustic guitar."[13] Kirsten Frickle from El Paisano described it as an "all-acoustic ballad that is so beautiful it will make your hair stand on end".[14]
Pan-European magazine Music & Media labeled the song as "folky"[15] and "a calming piece of music, aptly produced by Michael Wagener." They added, "It shows the band from a totally different angle. And it must be said, they handle this ballad extremely well."[16] Alan Jones from Music Week named it Pick of the Week, remarking that it is "a subdued, lilting acoustic workout that suggests nothing more than Simon & Garfunkel in its more angelic passages."[17] Carrie Borzillo from Record-Journal called it an "Everly Brothers-style" song.[18] A reviewer from Sandwell Evening Mail wrote, "If ever a song could be unrepresentative of a band's output, Extreme's worldwide smash hit ballad "More Than Words" is it."[19] Marc Andrews from Smash Hits found it "eye-moistening".[20] Tom Nordlie from Spin viewed it as "a love ballad that sounds like the Everly Brothers or early Beatles." He added, "Singer Gary Cherone harmonizes with himself as guitar-friend Nuno Bettencourt strums clean, jazzy chord accompaniment, and that's it. No sudden escalation to bombast in the middle, no reneging on the song's original promise."[21] Chad Bowar writing for LiveAbout placed the song on his list of the "Best 20 Hair Metal Ballads of the '80s and '90s".[22]
Chart performance
On March 23, 1991, "More Than Words" entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 81 and soon after reached number one. It also reached number two in the United Kingdom and reached number one in four other countries.
Music video
The song's music video[23] was filmed in black and white[6] and was produced and directed by American film and music video directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. It starts with Pat Badger turning off his amplifier and putting down his bass, and Paul Geary putting down his drumsticks. Nuno and Gary are then seen performing the song, while the other band members are shown in front of them, holding up their lighters. In the video's music rendition, the song ends abruptly before Nuno's final solo and coda.
Track listings
- CD maxi
- "More Than Words" — 5:33
- "Kid Ego" — 4:04
- "Nice Place to Visit" — 3:16
- 7-inch single
- "More Than Words" (Remix) — 3:43
- "Nice Place to Visit" — 3:16
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[46] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[61] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[62] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[63] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[64] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
Netherlands (NVPI)[65] | Gold | 75,000^ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[66] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
Sweden (GLF)[67] | Gold | 25,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[68] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[69] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | March 12, 1991 | Cassette | A&M | [69] |
Japan | June 5, 1991 | Mini-CD | [70] | |
United Kingdom | July 15, 1991 |
|
[71] |
References
- ^ "20 Best Hair Metal Ballads of the '80s and '90s". liveaboutdotcom. May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ "VH1's 40 Most Softsational Soft-Rock Songs". Stereogum. SpinMedia. May 31, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- ^ "Best Acoustic Rock Song of All Time Poll: "More Than Words" Vs. "Layla (Unplugged)"". Guitar World. NewBay Media. July 18, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ Wardlaw, Matt (June 14, 2023). "How Extreme Finally Moved Past the Stigma of 'More Than Words'". Ultimate Classic Rock.
- ^ Billik, Kira L. (June 20, 1991). "Extreme: Boston Group Riding the Funk-O-Metal Machine". Albany Herald. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ a b Kroll, Katy (September 21, 2016). "'More Than Words' at 25: Nuno Bettencourt Recalls Battle to Release Extreme's No. 1 Hit". Billboard.
- ^ a b "The tree sides of Extreme's own story". The Daily News. October 10, 1992. p. 15. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ Carr, David; KNAC.com; July 16, 2009
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Extreme - 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best of Extreme". AllMusic. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- ^ Billik, Kira L. (July 12, 1991). "'Funk-o-metal' band hits it big with acoustic ballad". Rome News-Tribune. p. 11. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ Flick, Larry (March 23, 1991). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 75. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ McCarthy, Sean (August 8, 1997). "Extreme - Extreme II: Pornograffitti". The Daily Vault. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
- ^ Cardwell, Diane (August 2, 1991). "Extreme: More than metal". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- ^ Frickle, Kirsten (November 9, 1990). "'Pornograffiti' takes rock music to all extremes". El Paisano. p. 10. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Previews: Albums - Album Of The Week" (PDF). Music & Media. November 3, 1990. p. 19. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. April 27, 1991. p. 11. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
- ^ Jones, Alan (July 20, 1991). "Mainstream: Singles - Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
- ^ Borzillo, Carrie (June 28, 1991). "'More Than Words' small part of what Extreme is all about". Record-Journal. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ Sandwell Evening Mail. November 18, 1991. p. 22.
- ^ Andrews, Marc (July 24, 1991). "Reviews: LPs". Smash Hits. No. 330. p. 46. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ Nordlie, Tom (November 1990). "Spins". Spin. p. 79. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
- ^ Bowar, Chad. "Best 20 Hair Metal Ballads of the '80s and '90s". LiveAbout. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
- ^ "More Than Words". YouTube. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
- ^ "Extreme – More Than Words". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Extreme – More Than Words" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ "Extreme – More Than Words" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Hits of the World: Canada". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 24. June 15, 1991. p. 60.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1540." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1553." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 34. August 24, 1991. p. 24. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
- ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
- ^ "Extreme – More Than Words" (in French). Les classement single.
- ^ "Extreme – More Than Words" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – More Than Words". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Extreme" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "Extreme – More Than Words" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Extreme – More Than Words". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Extreme – More Than Words". VG-lista.
- ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 48. November 30, 1991. p. 22. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
- ^ "Extreme – More Than Words". Singles Top 100.
- ^ "Extreme – More Than Words". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. June 8, 1991. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
- ^ "Adult Contemporary". Billboard. June 29, 1991. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
- ^ "Mainstream Rock Airplay". Billboard. June 1, 1991. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
- ^ a b "1991 ARIA Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1991" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "RPM 100 Hit Tracks of 1991". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
- ^ "RPM 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1991". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 1991" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. December 21, 1991. p. 21. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "EHR Year-End Top 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. December 21, 1991. p. 20. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1991" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "Single top 100 over 1991" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1991" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "End of Year Charts 1991". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1991" (in German). Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "1991 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. January 11, 1992. p. 20.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1991". Retrieved September 15, 2009.
- ^ "1991 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-36. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ Lwin, Nanda. "Top 100 singles of the 1990s". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 29, 2000. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Extreme – More Than Words" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Extreme – More Than Words". Music Canada. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Extreme – More Than Words". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Extreme – More Than Words" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
- ^ "Dutch single certifications – Extreme – More Than Words" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved April 28, 2020. Enter More Than Words in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1991 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
- ^ "Spanish single certifications – Extreme – More Than Words". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "British single certifications – Extreme – More Than Words". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ a b "American single certifications – Extreme II – More Than Words". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "モア・ザン・ワーズ | エクストリーム" [More Than Words | Extreme] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. July 13, 1991. p. 19.
Further reading
- Johnston, Maura (February 6, 2015). "Extreme's 'More Than Words': The Oral History". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- 1990 songs
- 1990s ballads
- 1991 singles
- 2002 singles
- A&M Records singles
- American soft rock songs
- Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
- Black-and-white music videos
- Cashbox number-one singles
- Dutch Top 40 number-one singles
- Extreme (band) songs
- Glam metal ballads
- Frankie J songs
- Music videos directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
- Number-one singles in New Zealand
- Rock ballads
- RPM Top Singles number-one singles
- Songs written by Gary Cherone
- Songs written by Nuno Bettencourt
- Sony BMG singles