Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)

"Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)"
Single by Train
from the album Drops of Jupiter
A-side	"Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)"
B-side	"It's Love" "This Is Not Your Life" "Sharks"
Released	February 20, 2001 (2001-02-20)
Format	CD single
Recorded	2001
Genre	Pop rock, piano rock
Length	4:20
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	Train
Producer	Brendan O'Brien
Certification	Gold
Train singles chronology
"Ramble On" (2001) "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" (2001) "Something More" (2001)
Audio sample file info · help

"Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" (or shortened to "Drops of Jupiter") is the title of a song written and recorded by American rock band Train. It was released in February 2001 as the lead single from their second album Drops of Jupiter (2001). The song hit the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and also charting in the Top 40 for 29 weeks.^[1] The single from Europe had tracks "It's Love", "This Is Not Your Life", and "Sharks" as its B-sides.

Background and writing

Lead singer Pat Monahan has stated that the song was inspired by the death of his mother, and that the opening lines came to him in a dream.^[2] At a performance and open forum questions and answers session, for listeners of radio station KPRI in San Diego, CA, he confirmed the inspiration during his conversation with the audience.^{[citation needed]}

Content

The song wonders whether a lady's journey to find herself still leaves room for the man she left behind. ^[3]

Music video

There are two music videos for this song. The first one shows the band performing it on a stage, with a large banner reading "TRAIN" in the green-lit background. Clips of a woman performing various actions in various backgrounds related to the lyrics (e.g., Jupiter, holding her hands out in the rain) are inserted into various parts of the song.

The second, and most remembered video, shows Pat Monahan performing the song on a stage, backed by the band and a strings group. As the video progresses, people come in to watch the song being performed. It was directed by Nigel Dick.

Track listing

1. "Drops of Jupiter"
2. "It's Love"
3. "This Is Not Your Life"
4. "Drops of Jupiter" (Video Version)

Critical reception

Chuck Taylor, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that it "demonstrates a truly artistic lyrical bent that merits instant acceptance of this credible rock-edged song." He sums up the review that saying that "add piano, a splendid orchestral backdrop, and a vocal shimmering with passion and personality, and this is a runaway track for Train."^[3]

Reception

"Drops of Jupiter" ascended to the top 10 of the Adult Contemporary chart in its 49th week, marking the longest climb to the top 10 on that tally by any act.^[4] The song has spent over 100 weeks on the Adult Contemporary charts, and is still charting on the Recurrents chart. Although the song was released years before digital download became commonplace, the song has sold over 1,000,000 downloads (it was also certified Gold by the RIAA), and hit the top 50 of the Digital Downloads charts five years after its release due to Ace Young singing it on the fifth season of American Idol.

The song was nominated for 5 Grammy Awards, including also Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and won 2 for "Best Rock Song" and "Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)".

Charts

Chart (2001) [5]	Peak position
Argentina Singles Chart	14
Australian Singles Chart	5
Austria Singles Chart	38
Belgium Singles Chart	5
Denmark Airplay (Tracklisten)[6]	8
Dutch Top 40	3
Canada Top 40	1
Irish Singles Chart	1
Italy Singles Chart	7
Netherlands Singles Chart	5
New Zealand Singles Chart	5
Portugal Singles Chart	3
Switzerland Singles Chart	30
Taiwan Singles Chart	3
UK Singles Chart	10
U.S. Adult Top 40	1
U.S. Top 40 Mainstream	3
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	5
U.S. Adult Contemporary	8
U.S. Modern Rock Tracks	11
U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks	19
Chart (2006)	Peak position
U.S. Hot Digital Songs	41
Chart (2009)	Peak position
U.S. Hot Digital Songs	56

In popular culture

• The song was featured in American TV ads for the 2001 film K-PAX

Covers

• Judy Collins released a cover version of the song on her 2005 album, Portrait of an American Girl. The song was also included on the soundtrack for the 2009 film All About Steve.
• The Latency released a cover version of the song on their website in 2007.
• Taylor Swift released a cover of the song on her 2011 album, "Speak Now World Tour Live". The song is also included on the concert DVD that comes with the album.

Drinks

• A wine called "Drops of Jupiter" was made and named after this song.

References

1. ^ Billboard Drops of Jupiter Facts
2. ^ Video on YouTube
3. ^ ^{a b} Billboard, February 3, 2001 - Vol. 113, No. 5, Page 38.
4. ^ Drops of Jupiter Songfacts
5. ^ http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=249&sort=chartid
6. ^ "Train – Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) Hitlisten.nu" (in Danish). Tracklisten. IFPI Danmark & Nielsen Music Control.

External links

• "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" Official music video on YouTube