Burden in My Hand

Infobox Single
Name = Burden in My Hand


Caption =
Artist = Soundgarden
from Album = Down on the Upside
A-side =
B-side = "Karaoke"
Released = September 18, 1996
Format = CD single, Vinyl
Recorded = November 1995 – February 1996
Genre = Grunge
Length = 4:50
Label = A&M
Writer = Chris Cornell
Producer = Soundgarden
Certification =
Last single = "Pretty Noose" (1996)
This single = "Burden in My Hand" (1996)
Next single = "Blow Up the Outside World" (1996)
Misc = Extra tracklisting
Album = Down on the Upside
Type = studio
prev_track = "Blow Up the Outside World"
prev_no = Track 6
this_track = "Burden in My Hand"
track_no = Track 7
next_track = "Never Named"
next_no = Track 8Audiosample
Upper caption = Audio sample
Audio file = BurdenInMyHand.OGG"Burden in My Hand" is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden, released on September 18, 1996 as the second single from the band's fifth studio album, "Down on the Upside" (1996). It became a number one hit on the "Billboard" Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for five weeks. It would later appear on the band's greatest hits album "A-Sides".

Origin and recording

The song was written by frontman Chris Cornell. It was written in C-G-C-G-G-E tuning. [Leonard, Michael. [http://web.stargate.net/soundgarden/articles/theguitar_12-96.shtml "Unknown Pleasures"] . "The Guitar Magazine". December 1996.]

Lyrics

The song itself seems to deal with murder and guilt. Cornell chants the chorus "I shot my love today, would you cry for me?" and "I left her in the sand, just a burden in my hand." He also sings "Just a burden in my hand, just an anchor on my heart..." which seems to imply that the song's character is suffering from his conscience. Guitarist Kim Thayil, in an ironic manner, called the song "the "Hey Joe" of the '90s." [Watts, Ted. [http://www.pub.umich.edu/daily/1996/nov/11-12-96/arts/arts1.html "Soundgarden spins back to Detroit"] . "Michigan Daily". November 12, 1996.]

Release and reception

It appeared on "Billboard" magazine's Hot 100 Airplay chart, reaching the top 40. "Burden in My Hand" became the most successful song from "Down on the Upside" on the American rock charts. The song peaked at number one on the "Billboard" Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number two on the "Billboard" Modern Rock Tracks chart.

Outside of the United States, the single was released in Australia and the United Kingdom. In Canada, the song reached the top ten on the Canadian Singles Chart, and later it charted on the Alternative Top 30 chart where it reached number one and became the second single to top that chart. "Burden in My Hand" also reached number one on the Canadian Year End Alternative Top 50.

Music video

. The video was released in June 1996.Cite web|url=http://www.mvdbase.com/artist.php?last=Soundgarden&first=&sortord=1=|title=Soundgarden music videos|accessdate=2008-02-22|publisher=Music Video Database]

Live performances

The song was performed on "Saturday Night Live" in May 1996 in support of "Down on the Upside".

Track listing

;European CD #1 and 7"
#"Burden in My Hand" (Chris Cornell) – 4:50
#"Karaoke"

;European CD #2
#"Burden in My Hand" (Cornell) – 4:50
#"Bleed Together" (Cornell) – 3:54
#"She's a Politician" (Cornell) – 1:48
#Chris Cornell Interview
#*The 7:40 long interview segment with Chris Cornell is conducted by Tom Russell and was recorded in April 1996. Chris talks about the canceled "Superunknown" tour dates in the UK ("My voice just crapped out"), the pressure to release a record that will sell well ("The pressure comes from us"), publishing companies ("We didn't need that"), and the band's sense of humor ("We don't take ourselves seriously").;Australian CD
#"Burden in My Hand" (Cornell) – 4:50
#"Karaoke"
#"Bleed Together" (Cornell) – 3:54
#"Birth Ritual" (demo) (Cornell, Matt Cameron, Kim Thayil)

;UK Club Promo CD
#"Burden in My Hand" (Cornell) – 4:50

*The club promo CD is a limited edition of 300 in a clear plastic sleeve, sealed with a blue sticker that doubles as the liner notes.

;Radio Promo CD
#"Burden in My Hand" (Cornell) – 4:50
#"Burden in My Hand" (edit) (Cornell)

Chart positions

References

External links

*YouTube | id = xDRZtMkeRbY | title = Music video for "Burden in My Hand"