“Hey Jealousy”
Writers: Doug Hopkins
Original Release Date: June 1993
There’s something so soothing about early nineties pop and alternative, and this hit from Gin Blossoms is no exception.
Gin Blossoms are still active (in fact, they’re currently on tour, if you’re interested) but their most well known song, “Hey Jealousy”, is 3 minutes, 40 seconds of pure pop pleasure that’s over twenty years old. Despite lyrics that allude to then-guitarist Doug Hopkins’ alcoholism, the melody is surprisingly sunny, and it makes me want to get into a car and drive around with the windows down. That’s part of what makes the song such a hit, even after all these years: The content is depressing, but that hook digs in deep and stays with you long after the final chord plays out.
Hit the Lights’ take on “Hey Jealousy” is actually one of my favorite covers in general. It has such an intoxicating mix of nostalgia and new pop-punk that the first time I heard it, I immediately hit replay. It has the same bones as the original but it’s a little faster; more suited to a sweaty flailing club than a mellow Gin Blossoms show. The best part is towards the end where they slow it down, before throwing themselves into the final chorus with gusto.
Like I said, the Hit the Lights cover is one of my favorites of all time, so if I had to choose, I’d throw on Punk Goes 90’s instead of New Miserable Experience.
