Absolutely (Story of a Girl)

Infobox Single |
Name = Absolutely (Story of a Girl)


Artist = Nine Days
from Album = The Madding Crowd
Released = flagicon|USA January 3, 2000
flagicon|World January 3, 2000
Format = CD single, digital download
Recorded = Long Island, New York (U.S.)
Genre = Power pop
Length = 3:12 (Album/Single Version) 3:08 (Video Version)
Label = Sony Records
Writer = John Hampson
Producer = Nick DiDia
Certification = Gold (RIAA; 2000–2001)
Last single =
This single = "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)"
(2005)
Next single = "If I Am"
(2005)

"Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" is a power pop song written by John Hampson for Nine Days' debut solo album "The Madding Crowd" (2000). The song's musical-style and production were heavily inspired by power pop from the 1970s, and its lyrics describe a man's declaration of love towards a girl who has metaphorically cried a river and appears sad in photographs but still loves her. "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" received praise from power pop music critics, and the media have drawn parallels between the song's lyrical content and the romantic relationship that John Hampson has with Teresa Savino, his wife at the time.

The song was released as the album's first single in early 2000 and entered the top ten on the majority of the charts it appeared on, including the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart in the US, where it reached #6.

Background and writing

The lyrics of "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" reflect Hampson's relationship with his wife at the time Teresa Savino. Although their romantic relationship continues on to the present, Hampson's lyrics portray his attitude that it despite this girl is crying and looking sad he absolutely loves her. Hampson's relationships with people including himself had provided the inspiration for Nine Day's "The In Crowd" (2003), [Information on the inspiration for "The In Crowd". October 20, 2005. [http://www.reyno-roxx.com/ninedays.htm] . Retrieved September 14, 2008.] and while "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" presents an undying declaration of love between him and his wife at the time, [ [http://www.ink19.com/issues/december2003/interviews/johnHampson.html Retrieved September 14, 2008.] Hampson and his wife at the time supply the basis for the characters.

John Hampson started working on "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" after reading the Thomas Hardy novel Far from the Madding Crowd. [http://www.angelfire.com/biz5/TOtheNIZ5/NineDays.html] In writing the song, John worked with fellow band member Brian Desveaux in Hampson’s apartment in Deer Park to co-write songs that ultimately appeared on The Madding Crowd. [ http://www.hiponline.com/music-artists/nine-days/ ] John, Brian, and the rest of the members of Nine days recorded "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" at Cloud 9 recording studio located in Long Island, New York. [http://www.cloud9recording.com/pages/whosoncloudnine.html] "After ‘Absolutely’ was written everything fell into place, creatively, and we recorded a three-song demo," Desveaux said. [http://reviews.modernrock.com/79]