Virginia Is for Lovers
Tourism and travel slogan of the U.S. commonwealth of Virginia
"Virginia is for Lovers" is the tourism and travel slogan of the U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. Used since 1969, it has become a well-recognized and often imitated part of American jargon. In 2012, "Advertising Age" magazine called "Virginia is for Lovers" "one of the most iconic ad campaigns in the past 50 years."
History.
A team led by David N. Martin and George Woltz of Martin and Woltz Inc. of Richmond, Virginia created the slogan after winning the Virginia State Travel account in 1968. Originally, they had come up with history ads, "Virginia is for History Lovers"; beach ads, "Virginia is for Beach Lovers"; and mountain ads, "Virginia is for Mountain Lovers". This approach was eventually discarded as too limiting, and the qualifiers were dropped. Martin and Woltz Inc. eventually gained prominence and grew to become The Martin Agency. The Martin Agency says that, contrary to some claims, the slogan is not a reference to the United States Supreme Court's 1967 ruling in "Loving v. Virginia", which legalized interracial marriage in the United States.
In 1969, the Virginia State Travel Service (now the Virginia Tourism Corporation) adopted the "Virginia is for Lovers" slogan and the first ad campaign using the tagline appeared in March 1969, in an issue of "Modern Bride".
Accolades.
In 2009, "Virginia is for Lovers" was inducted into the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame, a creation of Advertising Week, the largest collection of advertising, marketing and media professionals in North America. These inductees were also included in the Advertising Icon Museum. Also in 2009, "Virginia is for Lovers" was acknowledged as one of the top ten tourism marketing campaigns of all time by "Forbes.com".
In 2016, the Virginia Tourism Corporation began its first-ever LGBTQ+ marketing efforts. It made available the iconic Virginia is for Lovers logo, filling the red heart with a rainbow pride version. Coordinating with statewide Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), LGBT organizations and Queer-owned businesses, the Virginial.org/lgbt website and corresponding @visitgayva Instagram channel were created, sharing LGBTQ+ and Queer-centric visitor experiences, and linking to LGBT and Ally-owned lodging, events, dining and attractions. Also, the state began it VA State Pride Guide and blog series, and selling pride apparel and gear on the Virginia is for Lovers merchandise website.
The slogan began appearing on the state's license plates in 2014 and the state's welcome signs in 2015.
In popular culture.
The slogan has been mentioned by a variety of artists over the years. In 2005, post-hardcore band Hawthorne Heights alluded to the phrase in the title of their single "Ohio Is for Lovers", which would become widely regarded as an anthem of the early 2000’s emo music scene. "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks recorded a song called "Virginia is for Lovers" in 2007, which was featured as a bonus track on her self-titled debut album. The slogan is mentioned in The Hold Steady song "Killer Parties", and Willie Adler, guitarist for Lamb of God, has the slogan printed on the neck of his custom guitars. The slogan is also mentioned in the Kenny Chesney song "Get Along". The slogan is also mentioned in the Fountains of Wayne song "I-95", from their 2007 album Traffic and Weather, singing "They've got most of / the Barney DVDs / and coffee mugs and tees / that say Virginia is for lovers, but it's not." Virginia Beach-based rap group Clipse include the slogan in their song "Virginia," from their 2002 album Lord Willin', proclaiming: "Virginia's for lovers, but trust there's hate here / For out-of-towners, who think they're gon' move weight here." Space travel company Rocket Lab launched their first US based space flight in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) LC-2 launch pad (the first use of that launch pad overall) on Wallops Island, Virginia in 2023. The slogan was referenced by Rocket Lab with the title they gave the launch "Virginia Is For Launch Lovers" which used the Rocket Lab developed Electron rocket.
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David N. Martin
David N. Martin (April 19, 1930 – October 2, 2012) was an American advertising executive. In 1965, Martin and his business partner, George Woltz, co-founded The Martin Agency, an advertising agency headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Martin also created the iconic tourism advertising slogan, "Virginia is for Lovers", to market the U.S. state of Virginia as a tourist destination. In 2012, "Advertising Age" called "Virginia is for Lovers", which was first unveiled in 1969, "one of the most iconic ad campaigns in the past 50 years." The advertising campaign is still used by Virginia as of 2016.
Biography.
Early life.
Martin was born in Tucson, Arizona, on April 19, 1930. His father, Hawley Phillips Martin, worked as the director of advertising and communications for the Southern States Cooperative and later became the Richmond branch of a Washington D.C. ad agency. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond. Martin obtained his bachelor's degree in social science in 1952 from Hampden–Sydney College in Hampden Sydney, Virginia.
Career.
Martin's career after college began as an editorial cartoonist for a newspaper published once a week. He then joined the staff of VanSant Dugdale, an ad agency based in Baltimore, where he drew storyboards and wrote scripts for television commercials. He briefly worked in New York City during his early career, where he worked as a television producer, creating live content for "The Today Show" and "The Tonight Show" on NBC.
He moved back to Richmond, Virginia, in 1956 to take a position with Cargill & Wilson. Martin was promoted to partner and vice president of account services within the company.
Martin and business partner, George Woltz, founded their ad agency, Martin & Woltz, in 1965. In 1975, Martin and Woltz agreed to divide the firm, which Martin renamed The Martin Agency. His company Martin's until 1986, when The Martin Agency was sold to Scali, McCabe, Sloves. (In turn, Scali, McCabe, Sloves was later acquired by the Interpublic Group of Companies). David Martin retired from The Martin Agency in 1988, two years after selling the ad agency.
Martin is perhaps best known as the "brainchild" behind the famous "Virginia is for Lovers" tourism campaign, which was first launched in 1969. He was a member of the team which created the slogan. Martin publicly credited Robin McLaughlin, an advertising copyeditor, with writing the original tagline, "Virginia is for history lovers." Martin approved of McLaughlin's work, but suggested that they omit the word "history" from the slogan. The rest of the advertising team agreed with Martin's suggestion, leading to the iconic "Virginia is for Lovers" campaign.
He remained in advertising after leaving The Martin Agency. He soon opened a new agency, Hawley Martin Partners, with his brother, Stephen H. "Steve" Martin. The firm was named for their father. Martin served the agency's creative plans director and chairman, while Steve Martin was the company's president and CEO. Interpublic Group acquired Hawley Martin Partners in 1993. Interpublic merged it with Fahlgren and renamed the new agency, which was based in Atlanta, as Fahlgren Martin. Fahlgren Martin was next purchased by Arnold Worldwide in 1995, which combined it Finnegan & Agee, another acquisition, to create Arnold Finnegan Martin.
While Martin largely retired from advertising in 1995 to pursue writing and painting, he continued to partner with his sons for other ventures. In 1999, Martin co-founded and served as the chairman of Martin Branding Worldwide with his son, Rob Martin. One year later, Martin launched another company, BrandSync, with his younger son, Dave H. Martin, in 2000.
He also served as a regional head for Associated Actors and Artistes of America (4As), a performing arts trade union federation.
Martin died from cancer on October 2, 2012, at the age of 82. He was survived by his wife, Ann Louise; four children - Sarah Martin Herguner, Susan Mitchell, Robert Martin and David Martin; and nine grandchildren.
Recognitions.
Martin received many awards and recognitions during his career. The Richmond Ad Club named him "Advertising Person of the Year" in 1969, the same year that the "Virginia is for Lovers" ad campaign was launched. Virginia Commonwealth University also inducted him into its Mass Communications Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2012, a portrait of Martin by Louis Briel, an artist from Richmond, was added to the collection of the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C.
Painting and writing.
Martin also pursued writing. He published two books specifically dealing with marketing and branding - "Romancing the Brand" and "Be the Brand: How to Find a Powerful Identity and Use It to Drive Sales." He also wrote and released two novels, "Under a Lemon Moon" and "Where the Whores Dance at Midnight."
He also began painting after working with painter and illustrator Norman Rockwell on an ad campaign for Colonial Williamsburg. Martin painted approximately eighty pieces during his life.
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List of city nicknames in Virginia
This partial list of city nicknames in Virginia compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities in the U.S. state of Virginia are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce.
City nicknames can establish a civic identity, help outsiders recognize a community, attract people to a community because of its nickname, promote civic pride, and build community unity. Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. This value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.
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Virginia Slims
American cigarette brand
Virginia Slims is an American brand of cigarettes owned by Altria. It is manufactured by Philip Morris USA (in the United States) and Philip Morris International (outside the United States).
Virginia Slims are narrower ( circumference) than standard cigarettes (hence, "Slims"), and are also longer than normal "king-sized" cigarettes (which are ). They are sold only in longer lengths, to afford the cigarettes a more "elegant" appearance and ostensibly to reduce the amount of smoke that they produce. They are also sold in "Superslims", "Lights" (now called "Gold"), and "Ultra Lights" (now called "Silver") varieties. All varieties are available in both menthol and non-menthol flavors. The original packaging was designed by Walter Landor and was white with colored stripes running lengthwise along the left side. In 2016, the packaging design was updated to replace the stripes with a more floral, mottled appearance.
History.
Philip Morris introduced Virginia Slims on July 22, 1968 and marketed the brand as a female-oriented spinoff of the company's Benson & Hedges brand. The blends, flavorings, color scheme and overall marketing concepts closely followed the Benson & Hedges model. Early packs (1968-1978) read "Benson and Hedges Park Avenue New York" near the bottom.
The first test market was San Francisco. Originally scheduled for six months, it was cut short after seven weeks because of the success of the introduction. Distribution and marketing was implemented nationwide, and by September 30, 1968, the entire U.S. was covered. Then, in 1976, a full-flavor packing was test-marketed in Fresno, California. Designed to compete with R. J. Reynolds' More brand, the test ultimately failed and the product was withdrawn.
Virginia Slims Lights were successfully introduced in 1978. Although early marketing concepts depicted soft packs, Philip Morris decided to use a box-pack design only. During the 1970s and early 1980s, Virginia Slims Lights' sales were so significant that competitors began introducing their own slim, female-oriented brands (such as American Tobacco Company's Misty, Brown & Williamson's Capri, Liggett's Eve, and R. J. Reynolds' Dawn). In 1984, Virginia Slims Ovals were test-marketed in Rochester, Birmingham and Las Vegas, but were unsuccessful and withdrawn. Ovals were light and had an oval-shaped cross section.
In 1985, Virginia Slims Luxury Lights 120's were introduced - a length packaging intended to better compete with R. J. Reynolds' More brand, as well as other 120's on the market. After successfully test marketing in Portland, Oregon and Nashville, the new style was rolled out nationally. While there was initial concern that 120's might cannibalize customers from other packings (especially Lights), this proved to be unfounded, as the 120's appeared to attract a slightly older demographic. The packing has since become a mainstay of the smoking glamour community. It is arguable as to whether Virginia Slims Luxury Lights 120's are truly "light," as their strength compares closely with that of full-flavor cigarettes.
In 1987, Ultra Lights 100's were introduced, in keeping with changing consumer tastes, other competitive entries and the Benson & Hedges model. Marginally successful, this packing remains on the market today.
In 1989, Superslims 100's (both menthol and non-menthol) were introduced in response to ultra-thin ( circumference) competition and consumer demand for an "ultra low-tar" and "low-smoke" product entry. These were also marginally successful, and remain on the market today.
In 1993, a 10-pack version of Lights 100's was introduced, with 10 cigarettes per pack, costing approximately half the price of a 20-pack. This entry had limited success and came under attack from critics; it was ultimately withdrawn.
In 1994, Virginia Slims Kings ( length) were designed as a discount entry and possibly to compete with other king-size entries such as R. J. Reynolds' Camel brand. It is not clear whether Kings were ever test-marketed, but they were never introduced on a nationwide basis.
In 2003, a box pack was introduced for full flavor 100's in response to consumer demand. This packing is steadily displacing the classic soft pack. Also in 2003, the package graphics were slightly altered, changing the colors and striping along the edge.
In 2004, Luxury Ultra Lights 120's (both menthol and non-menthol) were introduced with marginal success. It is likely that this packing will continue to be supported.
In 2008, Virginia Slims Superslims were introduced in a smaller-sized "Purse Pack."
In 2016, the package graphics for all styles were slightly altered, changing the stripes along the edge to a more mottled and floral-like appearance.
All packings were simultaneously introduced in both menthol and non-menthol varieties. Unlike with most other brands, menthol represents 40–55% of the total sales of Virginia Slims (vs. 25–35% for other brands).
In all, there have been 11 packings introduced or test marketed in the U.S., of which seven remain on the market. There are other varieties marketed in the Asia-Pacific region (including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam), Russia and South Africa. Virginia Slims has never had a significant European or South American presence.
Marketing.
From inception, Virginia Slims have been designed and marketed as a female-oriented fashion brand, generally targeted to a younger demographic (18- to 35-year-olds). While various themes emerged in the marketing campaigns over the years, the basic threads have been independence, liberation, slimness, attractiveness, glamour, style, taste and a contrast to men's cigarettes. Thus, Virginia Slims functioned to implement a female-centered marketing strategy, also known as "femvertising".
A report by the Surgeon General of the United States has interpreted these marketing strategies as attempting to link smoking "to women's freedom, emancipation, and empowerment." This report also tied the increase of smoking among teenage girls to rises in sales of Virginia Slims and other "niche" brands marketed directly to women.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the themes of feminism and women's liberation, with the "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" slogan, were often used in advertising for Virginia Slims. These ads often featured anecdotes about women in the early 20th century who were punished for smoking, usually by their husbands or other men, as compared to the present day when women had equal rights such as the right to vote. Later campaigns have used the slogan "It's a Woman Thing" in the 1990s and "Find Your Voice" in the 2000s.
Television and print ads often featured well-known models and designer fashions. Print ads were generally placed in women's magazines, and formed the mainstay of the marketing campaign, supplemented with billboards and point-of-purchase displays. From 1969 until cigarette advertising on television was prohibited in 1971, television advertising was an important component. The commercials would begin with actors in period costumes reenacting the early 20th century anecdotes in comedic fashion, followed by a glamorous modern-day model smoking the product while dressed in the latest fashions, accompanied by "You've Come a Long Way, Baby," an up-tempo, catchy pop-rock jingle:
<poem>You've come a long way, baby
To get where you've got to today
You've got your own cigarette now, baby
You've come a long, long way
</poem>
On January 1, 1971 at 11:59 p.m, an ad for Virginia Slims was aired during "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" that became notable as the final cigarette advertisement to air on television before the implementation of the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act, which prohibited the radio and television advertising of all cigarettes in the United States.
Several other, less important, marketing vehicles were employed, such as the Virginia Slims Book of Days (a day timer/calendar book), fashion shows and an extensive line of products, apparel and accessories.
The "Find Your Voice" ad campaign was criticized as offensive to those who have lost their voices to throat cancer from smoking, especially in light of the well-publicized laryngectomy of Janet Sackman, a former model for another cigarette brand who developed throat and lung cancer. The campaign was an attempt to associate the brand with themes of empowerment, independence, women's rights and sexual allure. The campaign was also criticized for targeting minority women. The campaign was also criticized for the slogan "NEVER let the goody two shoes get you down," which uses reactance to promote product use. It has also been suggested that it urges smokers to disregard health warnings. The campaign also featured a model using a throat-touching gesture, which echoes earlier ads that made more explicit claims of voice box benefits.
The Leo Burnett advertising agency handled the Virginia Slims account throughout most of the product lifetime.
Market share.
From its inception until 1978, Virginia Slims saw a steady increase in market share to 1.75% (3.9% of all female smokers). With the introduction of Lights in 1978, the market share increased to 2.5%. Other packings, including 120's, Ultra Lights, and Superslims helped push the market share to a peak of 3.1% (nearly 7% of female smokers) in 1989. With increased competition from other brands, notably Capri and Misty, the brand lost ground but stabilized at around 2.4% though 2003. Since then, it has lost about 0.1% per year, and was 2.0% in 2007 and 1.8% in 2009. This slow but steady decline is expected to continue, since the brand is no longer heavily promoted. Despite this, brand loyalty is well above average, and is still one of the highest in the industry.
Markets.
Virginia Slims are mainly sold in the United States, but also were or still are sold in the British Virgin Islands, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Cyprus, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and Australia.
Sponsorship.
Women's tennis.
Virginia Slims sponsored the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour from 1971 to 1978 and again from 1983 to 1994. This sponsorship is sometimes credited for the growth and success of women's tennis during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Virginia Slims also sponsored the Virginia Slims Circuit, a tennis tour consisting of a group of originally nine female professional players. Formed in 1970, the Virginia Slims Circuit eventually became the basis for the later WTA Tour. The players, dubbed the Original 9, rebelled against the United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA) because of the wide inequality between the prize money paid to male and female tennis players.
Magazine publisher and former tennis pro Gladys Heldman, with the assistance of Joe Cullman of Philip Morris, paid $5,000 out of her own pocket to allow the "Original 9" to sign token $1 contracts and set up their own tour of eight professional tournaments in 1970, sponsored by Virginia Slims. This independent women's professional tennis circuit provided more prize money than had been provided previously by the USLTA and other organizations. Despite the USLTA's suspension of the "Original 9" from its tournaments, by the end of the year, the Virginia Slims Circuit was able to boost its numbers from nine to 40 members, which helped pave the way for the first full year season of the circuit in 1971. In the aftermath of the creation of the WTA in 1973, the Virginia Slims Circuit would eventually absorb the ILTF's Women's Grand Prix circuit and become the WTA Tour.
In popular culture.
Music.
"You've Come a Long Way, Baby" is the name of the second album of the electronic musician Fatboy Slim, released in 1998. The Black Lips' song "Dog Years" references Virginia Slims Ultra Lights. Greyson Chance references Virginia Slims as his mother's favorite brand and mentions it multiple times on his 'Portraits' album.
Outkast’s “Elevators (Me and You)” makes specific references to the cigarette and its famous tag line in the last verse, when André 3000 raps, “ Yes, we done come a long way like them slim-ass cigarettes. From Virginia...”
Singer Britney Spears admits in her book “The Woman in Me” that this is the brand of cigarettes she usually smokes. In chapter 4 of the book she says: "My mom was a typical young Southern mom, often gossiping, always smoking cigarettes with her friends at the bar (she smoked Virginia Slims, the same cigarettes I smoke now) or talking with them on the phone."
Television.
Episode 66 of the animated television show "Duckman" is titled "You've Come a Wrong Way, Baby" and its plot involves the tobacco industry.
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Bristol Virginia-Tennessee Slogan Sign
The Bristol Virginia-Tennessee Slogan Sign is a landmark in the twin cities of Bristol, Virginia and Bristol, Tennessee, United States. The sign is positioned over State Street, a roadway along the border separating the two states. Although the landmark is technically located in both Tennessee and Virginia, the National Register considers the location as Tennessee.
History.
In 1901, the center of Main Street was officially designated as the state line separating Tennessee and Virginia by the United States Congress. The street has since been renamed State Street.
According to the Bristol Historical Association's booklet "The Historical Bristol Sign", the Bristol Gas and Electric Company donated and erected the sign atop a hardware store in 1910 to advertise the city. The sign originally contained the lighted slogan "PUSH! - THAT'S BRISTOL" referring to the hopes of continued growth and future prosperity for the two cities. In 1915, the sign was moved to its current location. In 1921, a contest was held in order to select a new slogan. The winning slogan, "A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE", has remained the slogan ever since. The sign is featured at the beginning of a 2016 commercial for GEICO insurance.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Technical details.
The lighted sign currently contains 1,332 light bulbs.
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List of city nicknames in West Virginia
This partial list of city nicknames in West Virginia compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities in West Virginia are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity. Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. Their economic value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.
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The Martin Agency
Advertising agency based in Richmond, Virginia
The Martin Agency is one of the top American creative advertising agencies. A holding of the Interpublic Group of Companies, Martin is long-known for helping brands "impact culture" in the United States and internationally. The company's chief executive officer is Danny Robinson and its chief creative officer is Jerry Hoak.
History.
The Martin Agency was founded as Martin & Woltz in Richmond, Virginia in 1965 by David N. Martin and George Woltz.
The development of the "Virginia is for Lovers" tagline, one of the most recognized taglines in the tourism industry and beyond, launched the trajectory of the agency. Written in 1969 by copywriter Robin McLaughlin, the slogan entered the Madison Avenue Walk of Fame in 2009.
Martin and Woltz divided the firm in 1975 and Martin renamed the company The Martin Agency.
In 1986, Scali, McCabe, Sloves purchased a majority interest in The Martin Agency. Scali, McCabe, Sloves was acquired by Lowe Group in 1993. The Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG) bought controlling interest in The Martin Agency in 1994. The Martin Agency was previously under McCann Worldgroup and is currently part of the MullenLowe network at IPG.
The agency’s current client roster (as of February 2024) includes GEICO (since 1995), OREO, Bud Light Seltzer, UPS, Google, Gold Bond, Hanes, Papa Johns, Unilever’s AXE brand, RITZ, DoorDash, CarMax, Hanes, TIAA, Royal Caribbean, Gap Inc.’s Old Navy, Sanofi, ScottsMiracle-Gro, Virginia Tourism, Busch Light, Nerf, Clue, Santander, Donate Life America (pro-bono), Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Timberland PRO, UScellular, and others.
The Martin Agency and GEICO are credited with pioneering a new way of advertising in the insurance category in the early 1990s, spawning a list of imitators in the category.
Previous agency clients include: Walmart, Buffalo Wild Wings, Discover, NASCAR, Mercedes-Benz, Pizza Hut, Saab, Wrangler, CarFax, Subway, The Learning Channel, the American Cancer Society and others.
In 2009, "Adweek" named The Martin Agency as its "U.S. Agency of the Year."
In 2020, "Adweek" again named The Martin Agency as its "U.S. Agency of the Year.". Danny Robinson became the Agency's Chief Creative Officer in this year as well.
In 2021, "Adweek" named The Martin Agency as its "U.S. Agency of the Year," only the third agency to win the honor in back-to-back years. "Ad Age" named The Martin Agency #8 on its annual A-List.
In 2023, "Ad Age" named The Martin Agency as its "Agency of the Year."
Coinbase Super Bowl ad controversy.
In February 2022, former Martin Agency CEO Kristen Cavallo criticized Coinbase CEO Brian Robinson for not acknowledging the role that agencies had played in the creation of its Super Bowl ad.
The incident prompted a wider dialogue within the industry about how agencies are treated.
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List of city nicknames in the United States
This partial list of city nicknames in the United States compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce.
City nicknames can help establish a civic identity, help outsiders recognize a community, attract people to a community because of its nickname, promote civic pride, and build community unity. Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. This value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.
In 2005 the consultancy Tagline Guru conducted a small survey of professionals in the fields of branding, marketing, and advertising aimed at identifying the "best" U.S. city slogans and nicknames. Participants were asked to evaluate about 800 nicknames and 400 slogans, considering several criteria in their assessments. The assigned criteria were: whether the nickname or slogan expresses the "brand character, affinity, style, and personality" of the city, whether it "tells a story in a clever, fun, and memorable way," uniqueness and originality, and whether it "inspires you to visit there, live there, or learn more."
The top-ranked nickname in the survey was New York City's "The Big Apple," followed by "Sin City" (Las Vegas), "The Big Easy" (New Orleans), "Motor City" (Detroit), and "The Windy City" (Chicago). In addition to the number-two nickname, Las Vegas had the top-rated slogan: "What Happens Here, Stays Here." The second- through fifth-place slogans were "So Very Virginia" (Charlottesville, Virginia), "Always Turned On" (Atlantic City, New Jersey), "Cleveland Rocks!" (Cleveland, Ohio), and "The Sweetest Place on Earth" (Hershey, Pennsylvania).
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.
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See also.
General:
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Virginia Beach, Virginia
Largest city in Virginia, United States
Virginia Beach (colloquially VB) is the most populous city in the U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 459,470 at the 2020 census. Located on the southeastern coast of Virginia, it is the sixth-most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic and the 42nd-most populous city in the U.S. Located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is a principal city in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area which has more than 1.8 million inhabitants and is the 37th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S.
Virginia Beach is a resort city with miles of beaches and hundreds of hotels, motels, and restaurants along its oceanfront. Near the point where the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meet, Cape Henry was the site of the first landing of the English colonists who eventually settled in Jamestown; modern Virginia Beach was established in 1906. It is home to several state parks, protected beaches, and military bases. Virginia Wesleyan University, Regent University, Christian Broadcasting Network, the U.S. headquarters of Stihl, and the Association for Research and Enlightenment are based in Virginia Beach. It also hosts the annual East Coast Surfing Championships and Neptune Festival.
The city is listed in the "Guinness Book of Records" as having the longest pleasure beach in the world. It is located at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which was the world's longest bridge-tunnel complex until the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge opened in 2018.
History.
The Chesepian were the historic indigenous people of the area now known as Tidewater in Virginia at the time of European encounter. Little is known about them but archeological evidence suggests they may have been related to the Carolina Algonquian, or Pamlico people. They would have spoken one of the Algonquian languages. These were common among the numerous tribes of the coastal area, who made up the loose Powhatan Confederacy, numbering in the tens of thousands in population. The Chesepian occupied an area which is now defined as the independent cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach.
In 1607, after a voyage of 144 days, three ships headed by Captain Christopher Newport, and carrying 105 men and boys, made their first landfall in the New World on the mainland, where the southern mouth of the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. They named it Cape Henry, after Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of King James I of England. These English colonists of the Virginia Company of London moved on from this area, as they were under orders to seek a site further inland, which would be more sheltered from ships of competing European countries. They created their first permanent settlement on the north side of the James River at Jamestown.
Adam Thoroughgood (1604–1640) of King's Lynn, Norfolk, England is one of the earliest Englishmen to settle in this area, which was developed as Virginia Beach. At the age of 18, he had contracted as an indentured servant to pay for passage to the Virginia Colony in the hopes of bettering his life. He earned his freedom after several years and became a leading citizen of the area. In 1629, he was elected to the House of Burgesses for Elizabeth Cittie ["sic"], one of four "cities" (or incorporations) which were subdivided areas established in 1619.
In 1634, the Colony was divided


The Last Song I'll Write for You
"The Last Song I'll Write for You" is a song recorded by "American Idol" season 7 winner and singer-songwriter David Cook. It was released independently as a single through Cook's imprint Analog Heart Music on May 4, 2012, following his departure from RCA Records.
Content.
"The Last Song I'll Write for You" is a mid-tempo rock ballad that draws on elements of both pop rock and alternative rock. Kevin Rutherford of "Billboard" described the song's style as "adult alternative." Its lyrics describe a breakup and moving on from a relationship that is no longer healthy, which, given the timing of its release, has led critics to speculate that the song refers to Cook's split from his record label. Cook, however, has dismissed this theory, explaining to Yahoo! Music that the ballad was inspired by "an ex from long, long, long ago."
Background and release.
"The Last Song I'll Write for You" was written by Cook, Andy Skib, and Daniel James, and was produced by John Fields. It was released to digital retailers on May 4, 2012 before Cook premiered the song on the May 10, 2012 episode of the eleventh season of "American Idol".
Reception.
Commercial performance.
The single sold 15,000 copies in its first week of release, debuting and peaking at number 45 on the "Billboard" Pop Digital Songs chart.
Critical reception.
Grady Smith of "Entertainment Weekly" says "the slow-burn hook on this self-released breakup ballad is earnestly catchy."
References.
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I'll Stand by You
1994 single by the Pretenders
"I'll Stand by You" is a song recorded by English-American rock band the Pretenders from their sixth studio album, "Last of the Independents" (1994). The song was written by Chrissie Hynde and the songwriting team of Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg, and produced by Ian Stanley. The song is a ballad in which the singer pledges love and faithful assistance to a loved one in times of personal darkness.
Released on April 11, 1994, "I'll Stand by You" reached the top 20 in several countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The accompanying music video was directed by London-based director Zanna, featuring Hynde taking care of an ill man in a hut. "I'll Stand by You" also became a major hit for British girl group Girls Aloud in late 2004 and American country singer Carrie Underwood in early 2007, both times recorded as a charity single. Colombian singer Shakira performed the song for the live charity telethon "Hope for Haiti Now" in early 2010; her cover version was released on the charity benefit album, which was also entitled "Hope for Haiti Now".
Release and commercial reception.
"I'll Stand by You" was released as the second single from the album "Last of the Independents" (1994), and it reached number 16 on the US "Billboard" Hot 100, number 21 on "Billboard"'s Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number 10 in the United Kingdom. It charted higher in the UK and the US than "Night in My Veins", the album's first single. The music video for "I'll Stand by You" was released in 1994 and features Chrissie Hynde caring for an ill man. On the long-running BBC program Songwriters Circle, Hynde mentions her embarrassment at having set out to write a "hit." She goes on to say that she felt better about the song after Noel Gallagher said "he wished he'd written it.". Since 2010 the song has been used in an appeal advert for the NSPCC, and also the Girls Aloud version was used in an advert for Aptamil follow-on milk.
Critical reception.
Larry Flick from "Billboard" wrote that Chrissie Hynde "returns with a worn, but warm vocal that evokes a powerful, moving presence." Steve Baltin from "Cashbox" felt that "from the opening note, this song oozes "nice". Hard to believe this is the same Chrissie Hynde who, in the song "Precious", once told the world to "fuck off". Fourteen years ago, what drew people to her was the conviction she sang with. Though this song has a decidedly different tone, the feeling is as strong as ever. In addition, Hynde's singing has grown to where she can wail with the best of them, as she does here against a backdrop that increases perfectly with the rising emotion in her voice." Ken Tucker from "Entertainment Weekly" stated that the singer "matches form with content again and again" on the album, noting that she is "pledging solemn faithfulness to a loved one on the somber anthem". Irish "Evening Herald" opined that the song "showcases an updated Pretenders' sound." Linda Ryan from the "Gavin Report" declared it one of the album's "beautiful, heart-stopping ballads", adding that it "will be a monster hit in a variety of formats." Caroline Sullivan from "The Guardian" remarked its "simple vow".
Chuck Campbell from "Knoxville News Sentinel" viewed it as "straightforward and endearing". In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote, "Stand by to have your heartstrings tugged." He explained that it is "a gorgeous ballad of the kind Ms Hynde can churn out easily if she puts her mind to it. A potential classic to rival "2000 Miles" and the ode to motherhood that was their last chart hit, the track may well rise further." Caren Myers from "Melody Maker" deemed it "an unsurprising single which works better as a humble track", while Paul Mathur called it the "worst track" of the album. Pan-European magazine "Music & Media" named it "this spring's biggest ballad", adding, "Such symmetry between big time sensuality, kitsch, pathos and wall of sound!" Alan Jones from "Music Week" gave it four out of five and named it Pick of the Week, writing, "Unlike Pretenders' hits of the past it is slightly formulaic but it nonetheless a seductively swaying rock anthem." A reviewer from "People Magazine" felt it's the "weakest track" of the album, describing it as "an anthem of blind support." "Sandwell Evening Mail" viewed it as "excellent". Paul Evans from "Rolling Stone" stated that Hynde "nails devotion" on the song, "and like any master, makes it all seem easy." Roy Wilkinson from "Select" wrote that it "may have a lighter-wielding tendency that should keep a few OPEC members smiling".
Music video.
A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by London-based director Zanna. It takes place in an old wooden hut, featuring Hynde singing the song towards a man who is in a worried state. Throughout the video, Hynde tries to comfort and take care of him. When he arrives in the beginning, she greets him and knocks over a glass of milk before singing in his direction. It is unclear whether the man hears her or is even aware of her presence. The man, obviously worried, holds a bullet in his hand. He also looks into a map. Other times he plays with a coin or a card deck. Hynde tries to comfort him. She holds her arms around him, and also mends his clothes with needle and sewing thread. She helps him with tools when he tries to fix a machine. Later after struggling with awakening him, she carries the ill man to a bath tub, where she washes and nurses him. In the end, the man, now fully dressed again, leaves the hut, while Hynde watches him. On the table lies an ace card with a knife stuck through it. Zanna also previously directed the video for the band's previous single, "Night in My Veins".
Legacy.
"Idolator" included "I'll Stand by You" in their ranking of "The 50 Best Pop Singles of 1994" in 2014. An editor, Jonathan Riggs, said, "Regardless of how representative of Hynde's oeuvre with the Pretenders it really was, "I'll Stand By You" continues to resonate decades later."
Personnel.
Additional musicians
Charts.
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Girls Aloud versions.
In 2004, British-Irish all-female pop group Girls Aloud recorded a cover of "I'll Stand by You" as the official charity single for the 2004 Children in Need fundraising campaign. Their version was produced by Brian Higgins and his production team Xenomania. The track was announced a single just ten days before its November 15, 2004, release. It became Girls Aloud's second number one on the UK Singles Chart, spending two weeks at the top position and receiving a silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry. The song appears on Girls Aloud's second studio album "What Will the Neighbours Say?" (2004).
The music video, directed by Trudy Bellinger, saw Girls Aloud stranded in a desert as they "stand by" each other. "I'll Stand by You" was promoted through various live appearances and has since been performed on a number of the group's concert tours. Despite its success, Girls Aloud's cover of the song was largely panned by contemporary music critics.
A new version of the song, I'll Stand By You (Sarah's Version), was released on the 20th anniversary of its original release on November 15, 2024. This version features lead vocals from Sarah Harding in tribute to the singer who died in 2021. It will once again raise money for Children in Need 2024.
Background and release.
The first version of "I'll Stand by You" that Xenomania created was described as a "weird, modernist breakbeat version", which was scrapped upon deciding an updated version of the original song would be better suited for Children in Need. The track's release was announced a single just ten days before its release date. Nicola Roberts said, "Hopefully if our single does well it's a lot of money going to the charity."
The single was released on November 15, 2004, in the UK, the week of the Children in Need 2004 telethon. It was available on two different CD singles. The first disc includes "Real Life", a song taken from Girls Aloud's second album "What Will the Neighbours Say?". The second CD format featured a medley of songs taken from the album, as well as the Tony Lamezma's Club Romp remix of the track. The Gravitas Vocal Dub Mix Edit of "I'll Stand by You" appears on the "Wake Me Up" single.
In order to promote the release, Girls Aloud toured radio stations across the United Kingdom and performed an acoustic arrangement of "I'll Stand by You" that they arranged themselves. They also visited children's hospitals.
Critical reception.
Girls Aloud's version of "I'll Stand By You" was largely panned by music critics. It was called "a particular soggy area" on Girls Aloud's album. Alexis Petridis of "The Guardian", who praised Girls Aloud's album, said that "I'll Stand by You" was "a thing of death-dealing tedium." BBC Music felt it was "arguable whether this cover adds much to the Pretenders' original." Sam Shepherd of musicOMH bluntly stated "perhaps the children most in need, are those that part with their pocket money for this drivel [...] This is a sub-karaoke version, limp, tired, and uninspired."
However, Stylus Magazine actually commended the song, comparing it to Shakespears Sister and calling it "far, far better than anyone gives it credit for."
Chart performance.
"I'll Stand by You" debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart on November 21, 2004, becoming Girls Aloud's second single to do so. Despite competition from four new top ten entries, the song also remained at the top for a second week. It slipped to number four in its third week, making way for Band Aid 20's take on "Do They Know It's Christmas?". Girls Aloud spent a fourth week in the top five. The single spent two further weeks in the top ten, holding on at number nine. Overall, "I'll Stand by You" spent fourteen weeks in the top 75, including nine weeks in the top forty. The single was ranked thirty-fourth on the year-end chart (see 2004 in British music). It was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry. Following Sarah Harding's death in September 2021, the song had a resurgence in popularity with a surge of 1068%.
The song entered the Irish Singles Chart at number four. It spent a second week at number four, before rising to number three. It spent three more consecutive weeks at number three. It then slipped back down to number four, and spent two more weeks in the top five.
Music video.
The video for Girls Aloud's version of "I'll Stand by You" was directed by Trudy Bellinger. It begins with each member of the group lying or sitting motionless in a parched desert. At the song's climax, a thunderstorm begins, and the members of Girls Aloud come together and stand in a circle. A special "Children in Need" version of the video depicts the group members holding "Pudsey" teddy bears, the mascot of the organisation, towards the end of the video.
Live performances.
Girls Aloud toured radio stations across the United Kingdom and performed an acoustic arrangement of "I'll Stand by You" that they arranged themselves. As the charity's official single of the year, the song was showcased as the Children in Need 2004 telethon. They also performed the song on television programmes such as "Blue Peter", "", "Countdown", "Diggin' It", "GMTV", "Ministry of Mayhem", "Popbusters", "Top of the Pops", and "Xchange". In 2005, Girls Aloud performed "I'll Stand by You" at Dublin's ChildLine Concert and on the TV show "All Time Greatest Love Songs". In 2006, they performed the song on Australia's "Sunrise". The group also performed the cover version on their 2005 MTV special (as seen on the "Girls on Film" DVD) and ITV1's "The Girls Aloud Party" (2008).
"I'll Stand by You" has been performed by Girls Aloud on most of their concert tours. For 2005's What Will the Neighbours Say...? Tour, Girls Aloud's first tour, they sang the song in colorful, simple evening gowns. It was also included on 2006's and 2007's The Greatest Hits Tour. "I'll Stand by You" was included on a ballad section on 2008's Tangled Up Tour, in which Girls Aloud walk along a catwalk which reaches the middle of the crowd.
Track listings and formats.
These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "I'll Stand by You".
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Charts.
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Carrie Underwood version.
"I'll Stand by You" was covered in 2007 by Carrie Underwood as a charity single, recorded for the "American Idol" special, "Idol Gives Back" which aired on April 25, 2007.
Carrie Underwood performed the song during her visit to Africa. The song was used as the soundtrack for a video vignette where Underwood is seen singing to children and doing various activities with them. The single and the video were released on the U.S. iTunes Store on April 26, 2007. Ryan Seacrest announced that all money made on digital downloads would be donated to charity to help millions of poor children at the time.
On its first few days of release, the song sold 124,496 digital downloads, prompting a debut on the U.S. "Billboard" Hot 100 at number six, Underwood's highest Hot 100 position since her 2005 debut single "Inside Your Heaven", which debuted at number one.
It was eventually removed from iTunes, leading the single to have one of the biggest falls in Hot 100 history. The single collected over 300,000 digital downloads in the time it was available for download. As announced, all profits from the sale of the single were donated to charity. The single also received unsolicited airplay on U.S. country music radio stations, despite not being officially released to country radio.
During one of the elimination episodes of "American Idol" Season 6, the song was used as the send-off song for contestant Phil Stacey (the first of two eliminated contestants that week) instead of Daughtry's "Home," the show's main send-off song that season. Underwood performed the song during the Idol Finale on May 23, 2007.
Music video.
The music video was filmed in Africa. Underwood is seen singing to young children and helping them with different art projects, such as painting. At one point in the video, she is seen walking into a cemetery with a girl in her arms, and a boy by her hand who is carrying flowers. Underwood is also seen crying towards the end of the video when she is helping an ill person. This music video was made available for download on the U.S. iTunes Store.
Shakira version.
Colombian singer Shakira covered "I'll Stand by You" in 2010 as a promotional charity single for the Hope for Haiti Now campaign and was released on January 23, 2010, in the wake of the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake. Recorded live on the charity telethon "" on January 22, 2010, in New York City. She performed the song during the program, exactly before Wyclef Jean's speech and after Reese Witherspoon's call on the phone bank. The song is found on the charity benefit album, "Hope for Haiti Now".
Track listing.
Album version
Other notable covers.
For BBC Children in Need in 2014, 1,685 children sang the song live in unison live from 10 towns across the UK. The choirs performed the song and starting in the studio it cut between the choirs, in real time, giving each choir about 15–20 seconds on air. The choirs sang from: Elstree at Elstree Studios the studio just outside London where the main telethon was held, Bradford at Bradford College, Norwich at The Millennium Library in The Forum, Newport at The Newport Centre, Birmingham at Think Tank, Belfast at BBC Blackstaff House, Plymouth at Plymouth Life Centre, Blackpool at The Blackpool Tower Circus, Chatham at Chatham Historic Dockyard and Glasgow at BBC Pacific Quay
References.
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Última (song)
2024 song by Shakira
"Última" () is a Latin pop song by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira. The song was released on 22 March 2024 as a part of Shakira's twelfth studio album "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran".
Background and release.
"Última" was initially announced on 29 February 2024, when Shakira shared the tracklist of her twelfth studio album "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran" on her social media accounts. The song is one of the two piano ballads on the album, the other one being "Acróstico", and the last song she wrote for the album. Shakira shared that creating the album was an "alchemical process" and that she "rebuilt herself" writing each song: "As I sang them, my tears were transformed into diamonds and my vulnerability into resilience".
"Última" is written about Shakira's ex-partner Gerard Piqué, who she was in a relationship with for 11 years and who she separated from following his infidelity. Lyrically the song is a heartfelt ballad in which she bids a final farewell to the retired soccer player. She said in an interview that she hopes it's the last song she'll write about him. Before creating the song she felt that she had to create it: "I have to spit it out or I won't be able to do it, you know,  I'll choke". Being able to finish the song was "a great relief" for her.
On 19 March, Shakira posted a preview of the song on her social media accounts. Based on the preview, Judith del Rio from "La Vanguardia" called the song "the final farewell to her great love". "Europa FM" emphasized how in the song Shakira "shows that all the pain that [Piqué] has caused her is definitively behind her".
During an interview with Zane Lowe on "Apple Music 1", Shakira discussed why "Última" will be the last song she writes about Piqué: despite pressure from her record label to finish her album "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran", Shakira insisted on including the song and ultimately recorded and mixed it in one afternoon. When she shared the song with Sony Latin, the head of marketing cried, leading Shakira to reflect that the song is not just about her, and how music can have a universal connection and emotional impact on people.
Reception.
Pablo Gil from "El Mundo" described the song as a "piano ballad with a soap opera echo", adding that it's perhaps the most 'morbid' song on the album. Thania Garcia from "Variety" depicted how the 'confessional' "Última" is one of the two "most vulnerable songs" on the album alongside "Acróstico". Lucas Villa from "NME" emphasized that "Shakira is one of Latin music’s most prolific and poetic songwriters, and she offers the most insight into her breakup with Piqué on the heartbreaking ballad", outlining how she "sounds like she’s on the verge of tears as she reflects on what went wrong" on the song.
On 23 June 2024, "Rolling Stone" included "Última" on their list of great songs of 2024 by Spanish-speaking artists that far.
Music video.
On 30 March 2024, Shakira was seen filming the music video for "Última" in the New York City Subway at nighttime. Wearing a black coat, she was shivering in the cold wind yet appeared dedicated to her work. The music video, co-directed by Shakira and Jaume de la Iguana, was released on 22 March 2025, a year after the album's release.
References.
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I'll Try Anything
"I'll Try Anything" is a 1967 single by Dusty Springfield which reached the UK Top 20 and the US Top 40."I'll Try Anything" was co-written by Mark Barkan and Vic [aka Victor] Millrose.
In the US "I'll Try Anything" peaked at #40 in April 1967 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 – with peaks in "Cashbox" and "Record World" of respectively #29 and #34 – making it the sixth of Springfield's ten US Top 40 solo hits.
"I'll Try Anything" reached #38 in Australia and #19 in Canada. The track had its strongest chart impact in Singapore with a #6 peak in June 1967.
Background.
Barkan had written the hits "I'm Gonna Be Warm This Winter" for Connie Francis and "I Don't Wanna Be a Loser" for Lesley Gore, while Millrose had written the Gene Pitney hit "Last Chance to Turn Around" and would later write "This Girl Is a Woman Now" for Gary Puckett & the Union Gap. Barkan, intending to write a song for Dusty Springfield, had already written the chorus for "I'll Try Anything" when Millrose came on board to co-write the verses. Springfield visited Barkan's residence to hear the song which Barkan sang to her while playing the piano, and although Springfield reacted favorably to the song she still wanted to hear a demo, and Barkan obliged by prepping a demo with Ellie Greenwich as vocalist.
Springfield began recording "I'll Try Anything" in a December 1966 session at the CBS Recording Studios (NYC) produced by Herb Bernstein: Barkan, who was present, recalls that the session lasted for nine hours with the first eight spent on Springfield recording another song: "The Morning After the Night Before", and the last hour spent on her recording "I'll Try Anything". On 22 January 1967 Springfield and Bernstein had another session at CBS Recording Studios which yielded a completed master of "I'll Try Anything": however Springfield elected to have the master's rhythm track extracted and used as the basis for a new recording of the song made at the Philips Studios in Stanhope Place in a 29 January 1967 session.
Since making her solo debut in 1963 with the upbeat "I Only Want to Be With You" Springfield had subsequently shifted her musical focus to a softer sound as exemplified by her 1966 career record "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me". "I'll Try Anything" was largely a return to Springfield's original upbeat sound and might have been a more substantial hit for her somewhat earlier. "Billboard" described the song as a change of pace for Springfield and a "strong rocker served up in the best emotional Springfield manner." However, by 1967 the track had a markedly out-of-date sound and in its UK release peaked at #13 breaking a Top Ten streak for Springfield which had lasted for three hits.
Other versions.
Apart from Springfield's version, the only evident recordings of the song are two non-English renderings:
References.
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The Last Time (The Script song)
"The Last Time" is a song by Irish rock band The Script, released through Sony Music UK as the lead single from their sixth studio album, "Sunsets & Full Moons", on 20 September 2019.
Background.
Frontman Danny O'Donoghue said the song was written "about the intense feelings you experience when you realise you may be seeing the one you love [...] for the last time".
Critical reception.
Mike Wass of "Idolator" wrote that the track is a "throwback to the anthemic stadium-rock of "Science & Faith" and "No Sound Without Silence"" as well as a "bruised and battered breakup song" and "relatable and instantly catchy". Beth Casteel of "Substream Magazine" described it as a "poignant little number".
Music video.
The music video was released the same day as the song and directed by Charles Mehling. It was filmed in London and stars Polish model Anna Jagodzińska.
References.
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The Last Song (The All-American Rejects song)
"The Last Song" is a song by American rock band The All-American Rejects, released as the second single from their self-titled debut studio album on April 21, 2003.
Background and composition.
"The Last Song" was written by Nick Wheeler and Tyson Ritter. According to Ritter, after breaking up with his girlfriend, he "got inspired to write something that wasn't about an all-girl topic", he explained, "[it's] about leaving your town and making something of yourself. Every other song [on the band's self-titled debut] is about one girl, so to put a song on the album that wasn't about her, that made it a little extra special."
"The Last Song" begins with the sound of a radio in mid-tune, followed by a string arrangement that slips into a chugging guitar line with the help of an electronic segue. Ritter doesn't really know how or why he and Wheeler came up with the distinct structure that's unlike anything else on the album. "it just comes out of nowhere," and "when two songwriters get into the studio, you don't know what the hell is going to come out. It's just one of the many surprises, like stuttering electronic beats, flourishes of majestic organs and a dance-inspired thump, that pepper the album."
Ritter also commented that "The Last Song" is his favorite song off of the band's debut album.
Reception.
Critical reception.
The song received mixed reviews from music critics. musicOMH stated "'The Last Song' is very much the slice of teen heartache that 'Swing, Swing' was. It lacks, however, the catchy hook or sing-along chorus. The band chug their way through a pop-punk ditty that simply won't match their previous success, and, unfortunately, that only fans will remember the track seems a distinct likelihood."
Rockfeedback rated the song 3 out of 5 stars and reviewed saying that the song is "convenient" and "[the band's] Pretty In Pink-soundtrack, signature-riffage is evident yet again on the Rejects' "The Last Song"; poppy, melodic, 80's fun, scattered with tales of rejection, break-up and sceptical self-analysis. This is four minutes of unstoppably lurching melodies and soppy, accompanying lyrics "This may be the last thing I write for love"' simply curdling the sickly sweet taste in your mouth. Another hit no doubt. CityLife describes the track as "About half way between Busted and Limp Bizkit on the "turn that bloody racket down" scale." and commented saying "After the slow, considered start it quickly descends into something much more apt for fans of the skate punk sound. But at the same time it manages to maintain a respectable feel."
Chart performance.
"The Last Song" spent eight weeks on the "Billboard" Modern Rock Tracks chart in the United States from May 24 to July 12, 2003, as well as one week on the UK Singles Chart in November, 2003.
Music video.
The music video for "The Last Song" was directed by Charles Jensen and shot in April 2003 in Pasadena, California and was released the following month on May 13. It involves the band first driving around an abandoned city, then performing the song in the middle of the Rose Bowl Stadium without an audience. Shots of each band member - appearing to be enjoying the isolation - are overlapped through the video; lead guitarist Nick Wheeler is seen in a grocery store - roaming the aisles with a trolley and putting any food he can gain to it - and consuming some of the groceries, while rhythm guitarist Mike Kennerty and drummer Chris Gaylor leisure in a golf park in easy chairs with refreshments and lead vocalist and bassist Tyson Ritter ditches his car for a convertible and performs doughnuts in a parking lot. Towards the end of the video, people appear at the locations of where each band member is, all looking bewildered to what they are doing.
According to Ritter, the plot of the video is about "leaving home to encompass a much broader concept: the rest of the world leaving them. It's a dream come true for every child who's ever imagined they were the last ones on Earth. Without anyone to stop them."
"I race a car around like hell, and do doughnuts in the parking lot," he continues, "It's this badass car, like a '73 cherry-red convertible Ford Mustang. I couldn't believe it ... I got to tear ass in a hot rod. I worked with a stuntman, but my dad used to drag cars, so I know how to drive all right, so he just let me do what I want. It was crazy, man. I couldn't believe the DreamWorks reps let me do that, 'cause I was doing some crazy shit. It was awesome."
Track listing.
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Charts and awards.
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References.
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I'll Be on My Way
Song written by Lennon–McCartney
"I'll Be on My Way" is a song written by Paul McCartney, credited to Lennon–McCartney, first released on 26 April 1963 by Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas as the B-side of their hit debut single "Do You Want to Know a Secret", a song also written by Lennon–McCartney. The single reached number two in the UK charts while "From Me to You" by the Beatles occupied the number 1 position. The Beatles recorded a version of the song on 4 April 1963 for BBC radio, first released on the 1994 compilation album "Live at the BBC".
Composition.
John Lennon explained "I'll Be on My Way" "was early Paul." Credited to Lennon–McCartney, Paul McCartney wrote the song in the first half of 1959. Author Todd Compton attributes it to "McCartney–Lennon." McCartney wrote the song on his first guitar, a Framus Zenith acoustic guitar. In "The Beatles Anthology", McCartney recalls, "All my first songs... were written on the Zenith; songs like 'Michelle' and 'I Saw Her Standing There'. It was on this guitar that I learnt 'Twenty Flight Rock', the song that later got me into the group The Quarry Men." When first written, the song had little beyond its melody. The song was fleshed out years later after the Beatles added it to their live repertoire.
The song is heavily inspired by Buddy Holly. Musicologist and writer Ian MacDonald writes, "Played a little faster, the song reveals its debt to Buddy Holly's simple three-chords schemes. (Imagine each chorus finishing 'I'll be on my way ah-hey-hey'.)" Everett agrees, writing the song "has strong Holly ties, especially in the duet refrain," as does Lewisohn who calls the song "Hollyesque." The rising and falling chromatic line of the guitar intro comes from the Crickets' cover of "Don't Ever Change", especially the augmented E chord. After measure 11, McCartney's vocal part moves to a descant in parallel thirds above Lennon's, a technique derivative of Holly's normal double-tracked vocal patterns.
Though Lennon sang the lead vocal as a harmony duet with McCartney, he never liked the song. Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn writes that while performing it, "when they got to the line 'this way will I go'—[Lennon] pulled a crip face and hunched himself Quasimodo-like around the microphone. Paul had no choice but to ride the laughter."
Recording.
McCartney made a demo of the song prior to Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas recording it. Dakotas guitarist Mike Maxfield claims that he still owns the acetate and that all of the Beatles play on it, though this claim has never been substantiated.
The Beatles recorded the song on 4 April 1963 at the BBC Paris Theatre, London, and broadcast on the BBC radio show "Side by Side" on 24 June 1963. Everett writes that George Harrison's guitar solo features "the clash of bent unison double-stops", similar to those of Scotty Moore in Elvis Presley's "Just Because" and "Jailhouse Rock" and in Jerry Lee Lewis's "Livin' Lovin' Wreck".
Release and reception.
Everett suggests the Beatles recorded a rendition of the song only to help promote Kramer's record. The Beatles released their version on the 1994 album "Live at the BBC". It is the only non-cover song on the album that was previously unreleased.
MacDonald describes the lyrics and music as "almost derisively naive". Lewisohn singles out the lyric "When the June light turns to moonlight" as the kind Lennon and McCartney "usually spurned" in others. McCartney reflected on the work in his official biography, "", saying "It's a little bit too June-moon for me, but these were very early songs and they worked out quite well." In 1980, John Lennon said of the song, "That's Paul, through and through. Doesn't it sound like him? Tra la la la la [laughs]. Yeah, that's Paul on the voids (joys) of driving through the country." Everett writes the "this way I will go" lyrics, "are too closely related, in an innocent way, to those of "I'll Follow the Sun." He concludes that the chord transitions are ultimately uninteresting.
Personnel.
According to Ian MacDonald:
The Billy J. Kramer version.
Kramer and