"Erase/Rewind" is a song written by Peter Svensson and Nina Persson for the Cardigans' fourth studio album, Gran Turismo (1998). The song is the album's second track and was released as its second single in January 1999, reaching number three in Iceland, number seven in Italy and the United Kingdom, and number 12 in Sweden. It was featured in the 1999 film The Thirteenth Floor during the ending credits. It was also featured in the 1999 film Never Been Kissed[4] when Josie (Drew Barrymore) dances with her prom date Guy (Jeremy Jordan).

"Erase/Rewind"
CD Single, part 1
Single by the Cardigans
from the album Gran Turismo
Released20 January 1999 (1999-01-20)[1]
Genre
Length3:35
LabelStockholm, Polydor
Songwriter(s)Peter Svensson, Nina Persson
Producer(s)Tore Johansson
The Cardigans singles chronology
"My Favourite Game"
(1998)
"Erase/Rewind"
(1999)
"Hanging Around"
(1999)
Alternative cover
CD single part 2
Music video
"Erase/Rewind" on YouTube

Critical reception edit

Birmingham Evening Mail wrote, "The Swedish five-piece decrease the tempo slightly for this lilting ballad which is not quite as catchy as 'My Favourite Game' - which spent a massive three months in the UK top 40 - but should still confirm the band as being back in the big time."[5]

Music video edit

The official music video was directed by Swedish director Adam Berg. It features science-fiction references to Star Wars and 2001: A Space Odyssey.[6]

At least three versions of the video exist. In one version, the walls which close on the band while performing nearly crush them before a camera pointing at them shuts down. Another version shows the walls stopping and a door opening in front of them. A variant of the latter shows several clips from The Thirteenth Floor during the video.

The music video contains an Easter egg in braille; the title, "Erase/Rewind" is encoded on the wall in yellow dots, with "Ut" in Swedish, or out, above the door.

At the end of the video, the band members begin to destroy their musical instruments.

Credits and personnel edit

Charts edit

Chart (1999) Peak
position
Denmark (IFPI)[7] 17
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[8] 23
France (SNEP)[9] 60
Germany (Official German Charts)[10] 71
Greece (IFPI)[11] 10
Hungary (Mahasz)[12] 9
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[13] 3
Ireland (IRMA)[14] 16
Italy (Musica e dischi)[15] 7
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[16] 62
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[17] 36
Norway (VG-lista)[18] 14
Scotland (OCC)[19] 10
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[20] 12
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[21] 39
UK Singles (OCC)[22] 7

Release history edit

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Japan 20 January 1999 CD Stockholm [1]
United Kingdom 22 February 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
[23]
United States 19 April 1999 Modern rock radio Stockholm [24]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "イレイス/リワインド・プラス・ライヴ | カーディガンズ" [Erase/Rewind Plus Live | Cardigans] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  2. ^ Harrison, Quentin (14 October 2023). "The Cardigans' 'Gran Turismo' Turns 25 - Album Anniversary". Albumism. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  3. ^ Sawyer, Terry (20 May 2004). "THE CARDIGANS: LONE GONE BEFORE DAYLIGHT". PopMatters. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  4. ^ Kaplan, Illana (9 April 2019). "'Never Been Kissed' Turns 20: Pucker Up for Its 6 Best Music Moments". Billboard.
  5. ^ "Singles Pick of the Week". Birmingham Evening Mail. 23 February 1999. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  6. ^ Henry Keazor/Thorsten Wuebbena: Video Thrills the Radio Star, Bielefeld 2011³, p. 129/140.
  7. ^ Danish Singles Chart 26 February 1999
  8. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 11. 13 March 1999. p. 14. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  9. ^ "The Cardigans – Erase/Rewind" (in French). Les classement single.
  10. ^ "The Cardigans – Erase/Rewind" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  11. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 19. 8 May 1999. p. 10. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 17. 24 April 1999. p. 14. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  13. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 308 Vikuna 29.1. – 5.2. 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 29 January 1999. p. 10. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  14. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Erase / Rewind". Irish Singles Chart.
  15. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 16. 17 April 1999. p. 9. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  16. ^ "The Cardigans – Erase/Rewind" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  17. ^ "The Cardigans – Erase/Rewind". Top 40 Singles.
  18. ^ "The Cardigans – Erase/Rewind". VG-lista.
  19. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  20. ^ "The Cardigans – Erase/Rewind". Singles Top 100.
  21. ^ "The Cardigans – Erase/Rewind". Swiss Singles Chart.
  22. ^ "The Cardigans: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  23. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 22 February, 1999: Singles". Music Week. 20 February 1999. p. 31.
  24. ^ "Upcoming New Releases". Hits. Vol. 13, no. 638. 9 April 1999. p. 36.

External links edit