Just Like a Pill
"Just Like a Pill" | ||||
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Single by Pink | ||||
from the album Missundaztood | ||||
Released | June 10, 2002 | |||
Genre | Pop rock[1][2] | |||
Length | 3:57 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Dallas Austin | |||
Pink singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Just like a Pill" on YouTube |
"Just Like a Pill" is a song by American singer Pink. It was written by Pink and Dallas Austin and produced by the latter for the singer's second studio album, Missundaztood. The lyrics of the song deal with getting out of painful relationships, with a subtheme about drug abuse.[3]
The song was released worldwide as the third single from Missundaztood in June 2002 and was a commercial success, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. It also performed well internationally, reaching number one in the United Kingdom and Scotland and the top ten in twelve additional countries.
Background and writing[]
"Just like a Pill" was written by Pink and Dallas Austin, who also produced and arranged the song.[4] Pink said in an interview that the song shows "part of who I am", referring to her documented problems with drugs.[5]
Composition[]
"Just like a Pill" is set in the key of A major[6] with a tempo of 102 beats per minute in common time. The song follows a chord progression of A5–F♯m–D5–E5, and Pink's vocals span from E3 to C♯5.[7][8]
Reception[]
Critical response[]
The song was generally well received by contemporary music critics. NME called it "the third best track off her killer last album".[9] Drowned In Sound's Robert Luckett commented that it is "a fascinating record...this is a record with a[n] edge, a kind of pot boiling over at any moment, ready to go off at any time vibe." He also wrote "it obeys the pop industry's well-dusted rules for a hit."[10] Stylus Magazine's Todd Burns, in his review of the album, compared "Just like a Pill" to the other singles from the album, "Don't Let Me Get Me" and "Get the Party Started", writing "The guitars... sound much more integrated into the work and the overall song works far better."[11]
The song was shortlisted by Digital Spy as a nominee for the best single of 2002, finishing third in the vote to Red Hot Chili Peppers' "By the Way" and Liberty X's "Just a Little".[12]
Chart performance[]
In the UK, the song scored Pink her second number-one single in that country, whilst peaking at number two in Austria, Ireland and New Zealand, and within the top 10 in many countries across the world including Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium. It peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.[13] In Australia, the song was a radio-only single in hopes of rising album sales. Although it was a number-one radio hit, a physical release never eventuated; however, it did appear as the B-side to the Australian release of "Family Portrait".[14] In late June 2009, the song charted at number 97 on downloads, most likely due to Pink's national tour.[citation needed]
Music video[]
The video for "Just like a Pill" was directed by Francis Lawrence for LaFace Records.[15] The video is considerably different from Pink's previous videos. "Get the Party Started" and "Don't Let Me Get Me" were lighter in nature than the dark atmosphere which is reflected in the video for "Just like a Pill", an example of which is the fact that Pink can be seen throughout the whole video wearing black outfits with naked arms and legs and wearing black hair. Commenting on the different style of video, Pink said: "This one's very dark and artsy, and I have black hair, which is very fun. I loved it. It's another part that I haven't concentrated on before."[16]
In the first scene, Pink lies on the floor. In the chorus she sings in front of her band. She is also featured in another scene with white rabbits around her in a room, and in another scene, she is seen with an elephant. There are also scenes with Pink singing in front of and amongst various people. In the latter half of the video, she runs in a hall whilst lip-synching the song, before disappearing into a bright doorway atop a staircase at the conclusion of the video.[15]
After the elephant scene Pink decided to stop using animals for her videos. In an interview, she explained: "This poor elephant...a huge elephant, it's so cute, and I could see how painful it was for it to get down on its hands and knees, ... I didn't like it. I won't do that again. [...] No more animals."[16]
Cover versions[]
![]() | This section needs additional citations for verification. (November 2017) |
- Maaike Vos performed this song on the third season of the Dutch version of the X Factor during the 7th week of competition as a contestant
- The American rock band Perfect World covered Just like a Pill on their 2003 debut album, Perfect World.[17]
- Canadian duo Tegan and Sara performed the song live for Pink at Billboard Women In Music 2013.
- Cascada released a cover for Natalie Horler's album Perfect Day in 2007
Track listings[]
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Charts and certifications[]
Weekly charts[]
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Year-end charts[]
Certifications[]
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Release history[]
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
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United States | June 10, 2002 | Contemporary hit radio | Arista | [66] |
United Kingdom | September 16, 2002 |
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[67] |
See also[]
- List of number-one singles from the 2000s (UK)
References[]
- ^ "Just like a Pill (song) by Pink review". reviewstream.com. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- ^ "Review of Pink, "Missundaztood" (2001)". truthaboutnursing.org. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- ^ Sheffield, Rob. "CD Review - M!ssundaztood". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
- ^ Soghomonian, Talia. "Archive of song reviews". all-reviews.com. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^ "Interview: Pink". musicOMH. Archived from the original on March 31, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^ Dallas, Austin; Alecia, Moore; Pink (June 30, 2009). "Just Like a Pill". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ Austin, Dallas. "Pink "Just Like a Pill" Sheet Music in A Major (transposable) - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ "Just Like a Pill - P!nk - Spot On Track". www.spotontrack.com. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ Wells, Steven (August 22, 2002). "Track reviews - Pink: Just like a Pill". NME. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^ Luckett, Robert (September 21, 2002). "Pink: Just like a Pill". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^ Burns, Todd (September 1, 2003). "Pink - M!ssundaztood - Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^ Wilkes, Neil (January 1, 2003). "BBC big winner in DS Awards". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^ a b "Pink Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ a b "Issue 1009" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ a b "Pink Just like a Pill Music Video on Yahoo! Music". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^ a b Perry, Rachel. "Pink: Party started, pill swallowed, elephant spared". VH1. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^ Perfect World "Perfect World" Label: Frontier Records Released:2004
- ^ Just Like a Pill (US CD single liner notes). Pink. Arista Records. 2002. 07822 15186-2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ Just Like a Pill (Canadian CD single liner notes). Pink. Arista Records. 2002. 74321-95020-2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ Just Like a Pill (UK CD single liner notes). Pink. Arista Records. 2002. 74321 95965 2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ Just Like a Pill (UK cassette single sleeve). Pink. Arista Records. 2002. 74321 95965 4.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ Just Like a Pill (European CD single liner notes). Pink. Arista Records. 2002. 74321962062.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ "Pink – Just like a Pill" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ "Pink – Just like a Pill" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ "Pink – Just like a Pill" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on October 5, 2002. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ "Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden" (in Czech). IFPI Czech. Archived from the original on October 17, 2002. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- ^ "Pink – Just like a Pill". Tracklisten. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20 no. 9. October 19, 2002. p. 43. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ "Pink: Just like a Pill" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ "Pink – Just like a Pill" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ "Pink – Just like a Pill" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
- ^ "Top 50 Singles" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on December 1, 2002. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Just like a Pill". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 43, 2002" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Pink – Just like a Pill" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ "Pink – Just like a Pill". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ "Pink – Just like a Pill". VG-lista. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 50, saptamina 16.12-22.12, 2002" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on May 14, 2005. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
- ^ "Pink – Just like a Pill". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ "Pink – Just like a Pill". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
- ^ "Pink Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Pink Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Pink Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2002" (in German). Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2002" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
- ^ "Year in Review – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2002" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21 no. 2–3. January 11, 2003. p. 14. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2002" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2002". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2002" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
- ^ "End of Year Charts 2002". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar, 2002" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2002" (in German). Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
- ^ "2002". Longbored Surfer. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – Pink – Just Like a Pill" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Pink – Just Like A Pill". Music Canada. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ Copsey, Rob (April 26, 2021). "Pink's Official Top 20 biggest songs". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ "British single certifications – Pink – Just Like a Pill". British Phonographic Industry.
- ^ "Pink's latest greatest hit". Billboard. October 2, 2010.
- ^ "Radio & Records" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. June 7, 2002. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 16 September 2002: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. September 14, 2002. p. 23. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
- 2001 songs
- 2002 singles
- Cascada songs
- Music videos directed by Francis Lawrence
- Number-one singles in Scotland
- Pink (singer) songs
- Song recordings produced by Dallas Austin
- Songs about drugs
- Songs written by Dallas Austin
- Songs written by Pink (singer)
- UK Singles Chart number-one singles
- Songs composed in A major