"Crash and Burn" is a song by Australian pop group Savage Garden from their second album, Affirmation, released as the album's fourth single (third in the UK) on 20 March 2000. It reached the top 20 in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, as well as number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming their last hit on the chart.
| "Crash and Burn" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Savage Garden | ||||
| from the album Affirmation | ||||
| B-side | "Two Beds and a Coffee Machine" | |||
| Released | 20 March 2000 | |||
| Length |
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| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Savage Garden singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Crash and Burn" on YouTube | ||||
Background
The song's lyrics describe the difficult search for solace and meaningful relationships in a cold world, peaking in a chorus that argues it is fine to "crash and burn" during tough times in order to get over heartache and pain. In a June 2017 interview, singer Darren Hayes described it as one of his favourite Savage Garden songs: "Musically it’s a dear song to me, because it’s all the words I wished someone would have said to me during the period after the first Savage Garden album."[1]
Music video
The video is shot in a partially fantastical theme, featuring scenes of troubled young adults interspersed with scenes of the group singing in a warehouse. Messages such as "stay connected" and lyrics from the song, such as "fall apart" appear on the screen. At the end of the video, Hayes uses Auslan to sing the last lyrics of the song.
Track listings and formats
Credits and personnel
Credits and personnel are adapted from the Affirmation album liner notes.[8]
- Darren Hayes – writer, co-producer, lead vocals, background vocals
- Daniel Jones – writer, co-producer, keyboards, synthesizers, drum and rhythm programming, electric guitars
- Walter Afanasieff – producer, keyboards, synthesizers, drum and rhythm programming
- Greg Bieck – Macintosh and digital programming
- Michael Thompson – electric guitars
- Dean Parks – acoustic guitars
- Nathan East – bass
- Dave Way – mixing at Wallyworld Studios (Marin County)
- Dave Frazer – vocals engineering at Wallyworld Studios, guitars engineering at Wallyworld Studios and Andora Studios (Hollywood)
- Kent Matcke – track engineering
- Luis Quine – assistant engineer
- Tony Rambo – assistant engineer
- Pete Krawiec – assistant engineer
- Mark Gregory – assistant engineer
Charts
Certifications and sales
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[32] | Gold | 35,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 13 March 2000 | Columbia | [33][34] | |
| 14 March 2000 | Contemporary hit radio | |||
| United Kingdom | 20 March 2000 |
| [35] |