MMMBop

---

title: "MMMBop" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1996-songs", "1997-debut-singles", "2023-singles", "billboard-hot-100-number-one-singles", "busted-(band)-songs", "european-hot-100-singles-number-one-singles", "hanson-(band)-songs", "irish-singles-chart-number-one-singles", "mercury-records-singles", "music-videos-directed-by-tamra-davis", "number-one-singles-in-australia", "number-one-singles-in-austria", "number-one-singles-in-denmark", "number-one-singles-in-germany", "number-one-singles-in-hungary", "number-one-singles-in-new-zealand", "number-one-singles-in-scotland", "number-one-singles-in-sweden", "number-one-singles-in-switzerland", "rpm-top-singles-number-one-singles", "song-recordings-produced-by-dust-brothers", "songs-written-by-isaac-hanson", "songs-written-by-taylor-hanson", "songs-written-by-zac-hanson", "uk-singles-chart-number-one-singles", "ultratop-50-singles-(flanders)-number-one-singles"] description: "1997 single by Hanson" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMMBop" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary 1997 single by Hanson ::

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

Field	Value
name	MMMBop
cover	Hanson-mmmbop.jpg
type	single
artist	Hanson
B-side	Where's the Love
album	Middle of Nowhere
released
genre	Pop
label	Mercury
next_title	Where's the Love
next_year	1997
misc	{{Audio sample
type	single
file	Hanson - Mmm Bop (Radio Version).ogg
::

::callout[type=note] the song ::

| name = MMMBop | cover = Hanson-mmmbop.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Hanson | B-side = Where's the Love | album = Middle of Nowhere | released = | recorded =

• 1995 (MMMBop, 3 Car Garage version)
• 1996 (Middle of Nowhere version) | venue = | studio = | genre = Pop | length =
• 4:28 (album version)
• 3:58 (single version) | label = Mercury | writer =
• Isaac Hanson
• Taylor Hanson
• Zac Hanson | producer =
• Dust Brothers
• Stephen Lironi | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = Where's the Love | next_year = 1997 | misc = {{Audio sample | type = single | file = Hanson - Mmm Bop (Radio Version).ogg

"MMMBop" is a song written and performed by American pop rock band Hanson. It was released on March 24, 1997, by Mercury Records as the lead single from their first full-length studio album, Middle of Nowhere (1997). The song is the band's most successful single to date and was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. "MMMBop" was a major success worldwide, reaching number one in at least 12 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Its music video was directed by Tamra Davis.

The song was voted the best single of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll, while also topping critics' polls from such media as Rolling Stone, Spin, and VH1, and was ranked number 20 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s", as well as number 98 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the Past 25 Years". In 2023, Hanson released a new version of "MMMBop", entitled "MMMBop 2.0", in collaboration with English pop punk band Busted.

Background and composition

::quote

::

The song "MMMBop" originally appeared on Hanson's 1996 independent album MMMBop with a slower tempo, but was reworked as an upbeat pop track by producers the Dust Brothers. This became the hit version. In an August 2004 interview with Songfacts, Zac Hanson explained the song's origins:

What that song talks about is, you've got to hold on to the things that really matter. "MMMbop" represents a frame of time or the futility of life. Things are going to be gone, whether it's your age and your youth, or maybe the money you have, or whatever it is, and all that's going to be left are the people you've nurtured and have really built to be your backbone and your support system.

They [the lyrics] weren't inspired by one artist in particular. The first music that we got into was '50s and '60s music. If anything, "MMMbop" was inspired by The Beach Boys and vocal groups of that era – using your voice as almost a doo-wop kind of thing. It was something we almost stumbled upon.}}

"MMMBop" is written and composed in the key of A major.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "The rush of youth-driven acts on radio accelerates with the onset of this candy-coated pop confection. Try to imagine what the Jackson 5 might sound like with the accompaniment of a skittling funk beat and scratchy faux-grunge guitars, and you will have a clear picture of where Hanson is coming from. Initially it's a mildly jarring combination, but it's ultimately quite cool. Factor in an instantly catchy chorus, and you have the making of a runaway smash." A reviewer from Scottish Daily Record noted, "They're about half the age of the Spice Girls, but Hanson can sing, play their own instruments and string a sentence together. It must be their American upbringing." Sara Scribner from Los Angeles Times named it "a lighthearted dollop of nonsensical pop." A reviewer from Music Week gave the song four out of five, stating that "media attention is sky high for these three Tulsa brothers, aged 11, 14 and 16. And this cutesy, catchy pop song is the ideal debut single to cash in on that interest."

Chuck Eddy of Rolling Stone felt it "sticks in your brain like Trident in your shag carpet." He explained, "Built on a turntable-scratch update of the soul rhythms that served as turn-of-the-'70s bubblegum rock's secret weapon, the song is as unintelligible as it is indelible. Its hooks suburbanize the Jackson 5 as expertly as the Osmonds used to, but whether its quivering lyrics really deal with chewing (a favorite bubble entendre since the Ohio Express' "Chewy Chewy") is anybody's guess." Ben Knowles from Smash Hits said "MMMBop" sounded like "a one-off, tasty, unbelievably ear-tingling, perfect pop treat." Ian Hyland from Sunday Mirror gave the song eight out of ten, commenting, "Teenage brothers from America who sound a bit like Sheryl Crow on helium. You'll love this at first, but in a few weeks you'll be kicking the TV in whenever their smiley faces appear." David Sinclair from The Times concluded, "No 1 in America and all over British radio like a rash, it sounds like a gilt-edged pop standard already."

"MMMBop" was voted the best single of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll, while also topping critics' polls from such media as Rolling Stone, Spin, and VH1, and was ranked number 20 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s", as well as number 98 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the Past 25 Years". In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked it as the ninth-best boy band song of all time.

Chart performance

On the chart dated May 3, 1997, "MMMBop" debuted at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100. On the chart dated May 10, 1997, the song rose to No. 6. It continued to rise the next week, reaching No. 2. On the chart dated May 24, 1997, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100, staying there for three weeks before falling to No. 2.

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by American film, television and music video director Tamra Davis. It features the Hanson brothers singing and playing their instruments in a suburban living room. In between, there are clips of them entering a cave, ending up on a beach. Other scenes show them playing around in a city, dancing on the Moon, driving a car or appearing in old footage of Albert Einstein.

Track listings

All songs were written by Isaac Hanson, Taylor Hanson, and Zac Hanson. Additional songwriters are noted in parentheses.

• US and Australian CD and cassette singleUS formats:
• Australian formats:

1. "MMMBop" (radio version) – 3:50
2. "MMMBop" (Dust Brothers mix) – 4:29

• US 7-inch single :A. "MMMBop" – 4:27 :B. "Where's the Love" (Mark Hudson, Sander Salover) – 4:12

• US 12-inch single :A1. "MMMBop" (Berman Brothers club mix) – 5:14 :A2. "MMMBop" (Berman Brothers club instrumental) – 5:14 :B1. "MMMBop" (soulful club mix) – 5:27 :B2. "MMMBop" (Berman Brothers radio mix) – 3:17 :B3. "MMMBop" – 4:27

• UK CD single

1. "MMMBop" (single version) – 3:50
2. "MMMBop" (album version) – 4:27
3. "MMMBop" (Dust Brothers mix) – 4:29
4. "MMMBop" (Hex mix) – 3:25

• UK cassette single and European CD single

1. "MMMBop" (single version) – 3:50
2. "MMMBop" (album version) – 4:27

• Japanese CD single

1. "MMMBop" (single version) – 3:59
2. "MMMBop" (album version) – 4:27
3. "MMMBop" (Dust Brothers mix) – 4:29
4. "MMMBop" (dub mix) – 4:20

Charts

Weekly charts

::data[format=table] | Chart (1997) | Peak position | Denmark (IFPI) | Estonia (Eesti Top 20) | Europe (European Hot 100) | Europe (European Hit Radio) | Hungary (Mahasz) | Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) | Italy (Musica e dischi) | Italy Airplay (Music & Media) | Latvia (Latvijas Top 20) | Poland (Music & Media) | Spain (AFYVE) | UK Airplay (Music Week) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 19 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::

Year-end charts

::data[format=table]

Chart (1997)	Position	Australia (ARIA)	Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)	Brazil (Crowley)	Canada Top Singles (RPM)	Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)	Estonia (Eesti Top 20)	Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)	Europe (European Hit Radio)	France (SNEP)	Germany (Media Control)	Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)	Latvia (Latvijas Top 50)	Lithuania (M-1)	Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	Netherlands (Single Top 100)	New Zealand (RIANZ)	Romania (Romanian Top 100)	Sweden (Topplistan)	Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	UK Singles (OCC)	UK Airplay (Music Week)	US Billboard Hot 100	US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)	US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)	US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard)
5
7
11
14
21
4
39
26
10
2
12
16
76
32
27
18
18
4
31
6
10
11
17
12
22
60
9
::

Decade-end charts

::data[format=table]

Chart (1990–1999)	Position	US Billboard Hot 100
57
::

Certifications

Release history

::data[format=table]

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref(s).	United States	United Kingdom	Japan
March 24, 1997	Top 40 radio	Mercury
April 15, 1997
May 26, 1997
June 4, 1997	Mini-CD
June 20, 1997	CD
::

Notable cover versions

Twenty years after the first recording of "MMMBop", approximately 93,000 cover versions of the song were counted by MTV reporter Patrick Hosken in March 2016, as represented on YouTube. The Hansons told Rebecca Milzoff at Vulture that they had not heard any good cover versions, because "People can't sing the chorus right. Most of the time they syncopate it wrong," according to Isaac Hanson. Later that year, Postmodern Jukebox recorded a cover in the style of 1950s swinging doo-wop with four male singers; In July 2019, the official Hanson Twitter feed shared a video by Scary Pockets, a band founded by keyboardist Jack Conte. The Scary Pockets version was fronted by Lucy Schwartz on lead vocals, and Adam Neely covered the electric bass.

In 2023, English band Busted released a cover version of the song, in collaboration with Hanson, for their album Greatest Hits 2.0. The new version, "MMMBop 2.0", was released as a single worldwide on May 26, 2023. It peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Sales Chart.

References

References

1. Pingitore, Silvia. (May 19, 2022). "From the 1997 world hit MMMBop to 30 years in music: interview with Hanson".
2. "Zac Hanson: Songwriter Interviews".
3. (January 13, 2020). "MMMBop".
4. Flick, Larry. (April 5, 1997). "Reviews & Previews: Singles - New & Noteworthy".
5. "Charts Slot". ''[[Daily Record (Scotland). Daily Record]]''. June 6, 1997.
6. Scribner, Sara. (May 25, 1997). "In Brief". [[Los Angeles Times]].
7. (May 17, 1997). "Reviews: Singles".
8. [[Chuck Eddy. Eddy, Chuck]] (June 26, 1997). "Recordings". ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. Issue 763.
9. Knowles, Ben. (June 4, 1997). "Albums".
10. Hyland, Ian (May 25, 1997). "Tune in to Six of the Best by Radiohead Tune into Six of the Best; Preview: Music". ''[[Sunday Mirror]]''.
11. Sinclair, David (May 31, 1997). "The week's top pop releases; Records". ''[[The Times]]''.
12. "VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s". [[VH1]].
13. (June 12, 2003). "VH1's '100 Greatest Songs of the Past 25 Years'".
14. (July 24, 2020). "75 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time".
15. "May 3, 1997". [[Billboard Hot 100]].
16. "May 10, 1997". [[Billboard Hot 100]].
17. "May 17, 1997". [[Billboard Hot 100]].
18. "May 24, 1997". [[Billboard Hot 100]].
19. "May 31, 1997". [[Billboard Hot 100]].
20. "June 7, 1997". [[Billboard Hot 100]].
21. "June 14, 1997". [[Billboard Hot 100]].
22. "Hanson: MMMBop". [[IMDb]].
23. (October 7, 2009). "Hanson - MMMBop (Official Music Video)". [[YouTube]].
24. (1997). "MMMBop". Mercury Records.
25. (1997). "MMMBop". Mercury Records.
26. (1997). "MMMBop". Mercury Records.
27. (1997). "MMMBop". Mercury Records.
28. (1997). "MMMBop". Mercury Records.
29. (1997). "MMMBop". Mercury Records.
30. (June 14, 1997). "Top National Sellers".
31. (June 3, 1997). "Eesti Top 20". [[Sõnumileht]].
32. (June 14, 1997). "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles".
33. (June 14, 1997). "EHR Top 50".
34. (July 19, 1997). "Top National Sellers".
35. (May 23, 1997). "Íslenski Listinn NR. 222 Vikuna 22.5. '97 – 28.5. '97". Dagblaðið Vísir.
36. (September 20, 1997). "Hits of the World – Italy".
37. (June 28, 1997). "Major Market Airplay: Italy".
38. (July 20, 1997). "The most popular songs in Latvia".
39. (June 7, 1997). "Major Market Airplay – Week 23/1997".
40. Salaverri, Fernando. (September 2005). "Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002". Fundación Autor-SGAE.
41. (June 28, 1997). "The Airplay Chart".
42. "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997". [[Australian Recording Industry Association.
43. "Jahreshitparade Singles 1997".
44. "Jaaroverzichten 1997". [[Ultratop]].
45. "Rapports annuels 1997". Ultratop.
46. (April 3, 2018). "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 1997". [[Crowley Broadcast Analysis]].
47. "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks".
48. "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks".
49. "ESTONIA – Raadio 2 AASTAHITT 1997". Raadio 2.
50. (December 27, 1997). "1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1997".
51. (December 27, 1997). "1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles".
52. "Tops de L'année {{!}} Top Singles 1997". [[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
53. "Top 100 Single – Jahrescharts 1997". [[GfK Entertainment]].
54. (January 2, 1998). "Árslistinn 1997 – Íslenski Listinn – 100 Vinsælustu Lögin". Dagblaðið Vísir.
55. "The 50 most popular songs in Latvia 1997". Lanet.lv.
56. "LITHUANIA – Radio M-1 Top 100 of 1997". M-1.
57. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1997". [[Dutch Top 40]].
58. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997". [[Dutch Charts.
59. "End of Year Charts 1997". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
60. "Romanian Top 100 Singles Airplay – Top of the Year 1997". [[Romanian Top 100]].
61. "Årslista Singlar, 1997". [[Sverigetopplistan]].
62. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1997".
63. (January 17, 1998). "Top 100 Singles 1997".
64. (January 17, 1998). "Airplay Chart of 1997".
65. "Billboard Top 100 – 1997".
66. (December 27, 1997). "The Year in Music 1997: Hot Adult Top 40 Singles & Tracks".
67. (December 28, 1997). "Best of '97: Rhythmic Top 40 Singles".
68. (December 28, 1997). "Best of '97: Top 40/Mainstream Singles".
69. (December 25, 1999). "Hot 100 Singles of the '90s".
70. "Flashback: Hanson's MmmBop was Number 1 19 years ago this week". [[Official Charts Company]].
71. Jeffrey, Don. (January 31, 1998). "Best-Selling Records of 1997".
72. Newman, Melinda. (April 5, 1997). "Mercury Makes Way for Hanson".
73. Unterberger, Andrew. (April 20, 2017). "Coming Around Again Podcast: Remembering Hanson's 'MMMBop' 20 Years After Its Single Release".
74. Sandiford-Waller, Theda. (April 19, 1997). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight".
75. (May 24, 1997). "New Releases: Singles".
76. "キラメキ☆MMM Bop {{!}} ハンソン". [[Oricon]].
77. "キラメキ☆MMM Bop {{!}} ハンソン". Oricon.
78. Hosken, Patrick. (March 22, 2016). "Hanson Have Never Heard a Good Cover of 'MMMBop' – But Here's Who They Think Could Nail It".
79. Milzoff, Rebecca. (March 22, 2016). "Hanson on the 20th Birthday of 'MMMBop'".
80. Purdom, Clayton. (May 5, 2017). "Hanson's ''Middle Of Nowhere'' turns 20 this weekend".
81. "MMMBop ft. @LucySchwartz & @adamneelybass! Full video: http://youtu.be/fiShsfvbFUA".
82. (May 26, 2023). "Busted & Hanson - MMMBop 2.0".
83. (May 23, 2023). "Busted and Hanson team up for new version of 90s classic MMMBop".
84. (May 26, 2023). "Busted team up with Hanson on new version of '90s classic MMMBop".
85. (June 2, 2023). "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". [[Official Charts Company]].

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::