How Fountains of Wayne Changed Music

The Beat Goes On
The Beat Goes On
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Published 2020-04-14
A brief documentary about ‪@FountainsOfWayneVEVO‬. Produced and written by Matt Beat.
My other channel: ‪@iammrbeat‬
My band: open.spotify.com/artist/62BsMJGRfRgX5rmsSPa4b6

All other images and video found in the public domain or fall under fair use guidelines.

A special thanks to the AP Archive for footage for this video.

Listen to the Fountains of Wayne: open.spotify.com/artist/1pgtr4nhBQjp9oCUBPyYWh

Sources/further reading:
www.allmusic.com/artist/fountains-of-wayne-mn00007…
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountains_of_Wayne
www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/mu…
www.concertarchives.org/bands/fountains-of-wayne?p…
msretailer.com/timemachinetuesday-adam-schlesinger…
americansongwriter.com/who-is-chris-collingwood/
www.newyorker.com/culture/postscript/adam-schlesin…
www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/mar/15/cu…
louderthanwar.com/interview-fountains-wayne/


Creative Commons image and video credits:
Rob DiCaterino
Chuckschilling
NPRmusic
Andy Witchger

Today, Fountains of Wayne are mostly just known for “Stacey’s Mom.” This is sad to me, because frankly their entire catalog is brilliant. The songwriting combination of Schlesinger and Collingwood, in particular was pretty darn special. Fountains of Wayne may be known to some as a one hit wonder, but all of their songs could have easily been hits and hopefully more and more folks will realize this in the future.

I know this pandemic is horrible, but I am still in shock that it took one of my songwriting heroes, Adam Schlesinger. Please stay safe out there. Fountains of Wayne was one of those bands I listened to over and over and told as many of my friends about because, for some reason, they just didn’t understand how genius they were like I did. I’ve always been a sucker for power pop, and “Hey Julie” might just be the most perfect song ever written. So what’s your favorite Fountains of Wayne song or album? Which band should I do a brief history of next? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks for watching this dorky video I made.

#fountainsofwayne #powerpop #musicdocumentaries
All Comments (21)
  • @mattbeatgoeson
    Which band or artist should I do a brief history of next?
  • @therobotdevil2284
    My parents played Fountains of Wayne CONSTANTLY when I was growing up, their music gives me so much nostalgia now. "Mexican Wine" is my favorite.
  • @eeshsinger
    R.I.P adam schlesinger he was a great songwriter
  • @ganimhoward2705
    You’re right, “Hey Julie” is probably one of the most perfect pop songs. Discovered it in an episode of Scrubs.
  • @CZsWorld
    I miss these guys. Wish they were together and opening for Weezer. RIP Adam
  • @rickbatulan9535
    Thanks they are one of my favorite groups of all time. I listen to them almost daily at work. RIP Adam. Cemetery Guns salute you.
  • @1958darkstar
    I’m a grown man of 65 and I cried so hard when Schlesinger died. I was “late to the party” having only heard of them after they broke up. Now I have every ITunes album, and some vinyl. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
  • @jeffsadie9496
    They are phenomenal. All of their songs are good and some are downright amazing. "Senator's Daughter" "Firelight Waltz" "Fine Day For a Parade" "Cemetery Guns" "Hung Up on You" all could have been #1 hits. I could go on for hours. All of their music is in regular rotation in my car. In this day and age, we need their music more than ever.
  • @Redhand1949
    I'm so old I remember when "Fountains of Wayne" was still open. The Band's name alone speaks volumes! SO North Jersey. "Bright Future in Sales" is fantastic, especially the live version in Chicago. I just learned about Collingwood's alcohol problems, so the lyrics are "true to life" shall we say. I also like "The girl I can't forget." Such a shame Schlesinger's life was cut short. Thanks for this video down memory lane.
  • @rino09876
    I never knew FoW had such an interesting history. California sex lawyer is my favorite of their songs, but I need to check out their older stuff.
  • @fastted9390
    These guys were the PERFECT band. Lyrically and musically, they are 2nd to none.
  • @rockoutkids
    Welcome interstate managers holds a special place in my heart.
  • @davidtardio9804
    I think it is criminal that some people consider this a one-hit wonder band. Girl I Can't Forget is an absolute classic. Maureen is also great tune, along with so many others (Hackensack, Hey Julie, Valley Winter Song) and I could on and on.
  • @tellthemborissentyou
    Well I didn't see that coming. When you said Adam Schlesinger had died it was like getting hit with something heavy. COVID-19 sucks.
  • @bonecanoe86
    Great video; Fountains of Wayne have always been more than one hit wonders to me. Most people seem to know them as the "Stacy's Mom" band which I think is a bit unfair, even though I really like that song, as it's a bit of an outlier of their sound. I used to date a girl named Julie and would put on "Hey Julie" for her. As far as bands you should cover, I think the time has come for you to talk about Weezer; they're the band to cover and you're the man to do it! When I was a kid I used to wonder why the boomers desperately clung onto their 60s and 70s rock, but now as a 34-year-old man 25 years after the release of the blue album, I finally get it.
  • @captaindingo13
    Thank you for this video. Fountains of Wayne created great songs that are timeless. Every album is wonderful.
  • @JohnDenovus
    Thank you for this video. This is my favorite band.
  • @KodeLiMe
    Been listening to FOW since 1996. I heard Radiation Vibe on the radio and I was obsessed. Great band.