Draft:Creatures (For a While)



"Creatures (For a While)"
Single by 311
from the album Evolver
ReleasedJuly 2003[1]
RecordedJanuary–April 2003
StudioThe Hive
GenreRock
Length
  • 4:27 (album version)
  • 4:13 (radio edit)
LabelVolcano Entertainment
Producer(s)
311 singles chronology
"Amber"
(2002)
"Creatures (For a While)"
(2003)
"Beyond the Grey Skies"
(2003)
Music video
"Creatures (For a While)" on YouTube

"Creatures (For a While)" is a song by the American rock band 311 from their 2003 album Evolver. The song is the most streamed song on the album on Spotify.[2]

Origin edit

Nick Hexum got the idea for the song when he saw a poster advertising a punk rock concert that said, "A few drinks, a few smokes, and then... creatures for a while."[3] Nick Hexum also had surgery for tonsillitis in between From Chaos and Evolver.

Background edit

The song had started out with a guitar riff that Hexum had played into a mini recorder he had owned. He asked Tim Mahoney to write a second part, so he gave him a Pro Tools file to see what he was working on. He sent back a funky, bouncy riff that was the bass line. He used the same effects that he used on Champagne. Hexum then proceeded to finish the song during a seven-hour session in his home studio. Martinez wrote some raps that fit with the lyrics of the song, Hexum wanted the bridge to go into a different direction with some swirling synths that were reminiscent of early Pink Floyd music.[4]

Lyrics edit

The lyric "It's been a wild ride, I wouldn't change a minute" talks about the band's long time making music.[5]

Reception edit

AllMusic said it was Evolver's "Come Original".[6] Punknews said it had a fun chorus with a great bass line in the verses.[7] IGN said it “proves to be a strong start to the album”[8] Sputnik Music said it was “really catchy on this song, as are the lyrics”[9]

Music video edit

The music video, directed by the Malloy Brothers, who previously directed the music video for Amber, shows the band playing the song.

Live performances edit

The song was a popular live closer for many 311 tours.

Personnel edit

Taken from the Evolver CD liner notes[10]

  • Nick Hexum – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Doug "S.A." Martinez – vocals (rapping), turntables
  • Chad Sexton – drums
  • Tim Mahoney – lead guitar
  • Aaron "P-Nut" Wills – bass

References edit

  1. ^ "311 Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF.
  2. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  3. ^ Hexum, Nick. "Creatures (For a While) by 311". Songfacts.
  4. ^ "EVOLVER Biography". 311 Archive. 2022-11-23. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  5. ^ Moriarty, Colin (2003-12-02). "Evolver". IGN. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  6. ^ 311 - Evolver Album Reviews, Songs & More, AllMusic, retrieved 2023-12-03
  7. ^ Punknews.org (2003-08-01). "311 - Evolver". www.punknews.org. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  8. ^ Moriarty, Colin (2003-12-02). "Evolver". IGN. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  9. ^ "311 - Evolver (album review ) | Sputnikmusic". www.sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  10. ^ 311 - Evolver, Discogs, 2003-07-22, retrieved 2023-11-18