Lump (song)

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1995 single by the Presidents of the United States of America

title: "Lump (song)" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1995-singles", "1995-songs", "music-videos-directed-by-roman-coppola", "post-grunge-songs", "the-presidents-of-the-united-states-of-america-(band)-songs", "songs-written-by-chris-ballew"] description: "1995 single by the Presidents of the United States of America" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lump_(song)" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary 1995 single by the Presidents of the United States of America ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox song"]

FieldValue
nameLump
coverPotUSA - Lump.jpg
borderyes
typesingle
artistthe Presidents of the United States of America
albumThe Presidents of the United States of America
released
studioEgg (Brooklyn)
length
labelColumbia
prev_titleKitty
prev_year1995
next_titlePeaches
next_year1996
misc
::

| name = Lump | cover = PotUSA - Lump.jpg | alt = | border = yes | type = single | artist = the Presidents of the United States of America | album = The Presidents of the United States of America | B-side = | released = | recorded = | studio = Egg (Brooklyn) | genre =

"Lump" is a song by alternative rock band the Presidents of the United States of America. It was released in August 1995 by Columbia Records and included on their album The Presidents of the United States of America (1995). The song reached number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart the same year. Composer Chris Ballew said that the lyrics combined his own history of having a benign tumor in the head with a vision he had of a woman in a swamp, while employing the word "lump" because Ballew was fond of it. The musical part was described by Ballew as him "trying to write a Buzzcocks song". Ballew considers it his favorite composition. The music video for the song was directed by Roman Coppola. "Lump" has been covered or remade by several artists, including the Johnstones and "Weird Al" Yankovic.

Musical style

Musically, Lump is mainly a post-grunge and alternative rock song. It has also been described as pop-punk with influences of grunge and pop rock.

Critical reception

Andrew Mueller from Melody Maker said, "'Lump' is a frantically grinning, gurning, hyperactive lurch that evokes nothing more than visions of retribution involving a plank with a nail through one end." Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "Taken from the band's debut album, 'Lump' clocks in at just over two minutes. And it's so cool you could play it twice in place of those dismal four-minute rock operas churned out by other US-rockers. Full points to Chris Ballew's tongue-in cheek vocals–one of the best things to happen to alternative rock this year." Mark Beaumont from NME remarked "the hook-smattered stoopidity" of tunes like 'Lump'. He also named it Single of the Week, praising it as "pure, perfect, dumbass hedonistic pop." David Sinclair from The Times commented, "An intriguing amalgamation of Nirvana-influenced riffs and Weezer-ish harmony vocals, it is a post-grunge formula served up with lashings of oddball humour in place of the usual angst: Lump sat alone in a boggy marsh/Totally motionless except for her heart/Mud flowed up into Lump's pyjamas/She totally confused all the passing piranhas."

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Lump", directed by American filmmaker Roman Coppola, takes place in a "boggy marsh" (as the lyrics state). The video shows the band singing in a swamp as well as on the stern of a large barge in Elliott Bay interspersed with a silhouette scene of the band performing.

Another video was also made for the song. This version, commonly referred to as "Lump 2", was considered too disturbing and dark to be aired on MTV (reflecting the band's grunge and post-grunge origins). It features the band performing on a dark stage while various people lip sync the lines "She's lump!" during the chorus. This version can be found on "Ten Year Super Bonus Special Anniversary Edition" of the Presidents of the United States of America's debut album, and on their YouTube channel.

In 2023, both versions were re-uploaded to YouTube in high-definition, as well as the other videos from the debut album.

Track listings and formats

  • European maxi-CD single
  1. "Lump" – 2:12
  2. "Carolyn's Bootie" – 2:15
  3. "Candy Cigarette" – 2:00
  • Australian CD single
  1. "Lump" – 2:12
  2. "Carolyn's Bootie" – 2:15
  3. "Candy Cigarette" – 2:00
  4. "Twig in the Wind" – 2:54
  • UK 7-inch and cassette single
  1. "Lump" – 2:12
  2. "Wake Up" – 2:37
  • European CD single and Dutch 12-inch vinyl
  1. "Lump" – 2:12
  2. "Carolyn's Bootie" – 2:15

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel are adapted from the "Lump" US promo CD liner notes.

Charts

Weekly charts

::data[format=table] | Chart (1995–1996) | Peak position | Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) | Netherlands (Single Top 100 Tipparade) | US Hot 100 Airplay (Billboard) | US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard) | US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard) | US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 13 | | | | | | | | | | 19 | | | | | | | | | | 10 | | | | | | | | | | 21 | | | | | | | | | | 7 | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | 26 | | | | | | | | | ::

Year-end charts

::data[format=table]

Chart (1995)PositionFrance (SNEP)US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)
68
12
::

::data[format=table]

Chart (1996)PositionAustralia (ARIA)New Zealand (RIANZ)US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)
86
38
99
::

Certifications

Release history

::data[format=table]

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.AustraliaUnited StatesUnited Kingdom
August 8, 1995CDColumbia
Rock radio
September 26, 1995Contemporary hit radio
December 27, 1995
::

Parodies and covers

  • "Weird Al" Yankovic released a parody version of the song known as "Gump", a joking tribute to Forrest Gump. Notably, the last line of this parody, "and that's all I have to say about that" would later be used by the Presidents of the United States of America in their subsequent live performances of the song. Yankovic would later return the favor by covering "Peaches" on The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour with a special appearance by Ballew.
  • Comedian Brian Posehn recorded a skit for his 2020 comedy metal album Grandpa Metal called "My Phone Call with Weird Al", featuring Yankovic, which references both "Lump" and "Gump", in which Posehn is trying to get Yankovic's permission to record a parody called "Trump" about president of the United States of America Donald Trump, and Yankovic unsuccessfully tries to inform Posehn that "Gump" is a parody of the Presidents of the United States of America song "Lump".
  • ApologetiX also recorded a parody entitled "Plump", describing King Eglon and his rule over Israel.
  • Canadian ska punk band the Johnstones covered "Lump" on their 2008 EP SEX.
  • The Blackout also covered "Lump" and it features on the end of the group's album, Hope, released in 2011.

References

References

  1. BROOKS WHITNEY. (May 10, 1996). "Weird Lyrics Come Naturally To The Presidents".
  2. "Interview with Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America".
  3. (August 6, 2015). "The 95 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1995".
  4. Sendra, Tim. "Non Stop '90s Rock".
  5. Elbel, Jeff. (June 30, 2008). "The Presidents of the United States of America: Dischord (Issue 12)".
  6. Loftus, Johnny. "The Presidents of the United States of America - The Presidents of the United States of America {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits".
  7. "50 ESSENTIAL GRUNGE ERA VIDEOS".
  8. West, Danny. (March 16, 2023). "75 Best One Hit Wonders Ever".
  9. Mueller, Andrew. (January 13, 1996). "Singles".
  10. (October 14, 1995). "New Releases: Singles".
  11. Beaumont, Mark. (November 4, 1995). "Long Play".
  12. Beaumont, Mark. (December 16, 1995). "Singles".
  13. Sinclair, David (December 30, 1995). "Pop Single; Recordings". ''[[The Times]]''.
  14. "The Presidents of the United States of America - Lump (Version A) (Official HD Music Video)".
  15. "The Presidents of the United States of America - Lump (Version B) (Official HD Video)".
  16. (1995). "Lump". Columbia Records.
  17. (1995). "Lump". Columbia Records.
  18. (1995). "Lump". Columbia Records.
  19. (1995). "Lump". Columbia Records.
  20. (1995). "Lump". Columbia Records.
  21. (1995). "Lump". Columbia Records.
  22. (1995). "Lump". Columbia Records.
  23. (January 20, 1996). "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles".
  24. "The Presidents of the United States of America – Lump". [[Dutch Top 40]].
  25. "The Presidents of the United States of America – Lump". [[MegaCharts]].
  26. "Hot 100 Airplay - October 28, 1995". [[Nielsen Business Media, Inc.]].
  27. (November 4, 1995). "Album Rock Tracks".
  28. (October 21, 1995). "Modern Rock Tracks".
  29. "The Presidents of the United States of America Chart History (Pop Songs)".
  30. "Tops de L'année {{!}} Top Singles 1995". [[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  31. (December 23, 1995). "The Year in Music: Hot Modern Rock Tracks".
  32. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1996". [[Australian Recording Industry Association.
  33. "End of Year Charts 1996". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
  34. (December 27, 1996). "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Modern Rock Tracks".
  35. (July 28, 1995). "New Singles for August".
  36. (September 22, 1995). "Selected New Releases".
  37. (December 23, 1995). "New Releases: Singles".

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1995-singles1995-songsmusic-videos-directed-by-roman-coppolapost-grunge-songsthe-presidents-of-the-united-states-of-america-(band)-songssongs-written-by-chris-ballew