CBS Mornings
August 8, 2022 at 9:37 AM
CBS News
“MMMBop turns 25
If you were alive in 1997, “MMMBop” was everywhere. Hanson’s debut album “Middle of Nowhere” featured the song. It helped sell more than 10,000,000 albums and knocked the Notorious BIG from the top of the charts. The song reached #1 in 27 countries and made Hanson’s kid-musicians into global superstars. No one is more aware of the success story of “MMMBop”, 25 years later than the three brothers who wrote it. Isaac Hanson said, “We all know how catchy this song is.” “It worked. “It was a phenomenon,” stated Zac. “It was, as you know, a cultural tsunami, some kind of tsunami. “Taylor said, “Took its own life. Tony Dokoupil, co-host of CBS Mornings, said that it sounds like a song created in a laboratory specifically designed to attract the attention of the whole world. “People usually feel that way and just say those things out of elation,” Taylor said. “Oh, you are a teen idol, a heartthrob, those kinds of things.” You’re thinking, “That’s great, we wrote that.” Click the video player below to hear Hanson perform “MMMBop.”
Hanson – MMMBop by
HansonVEVO
YouTube
The brothers grew up in Tulsa and formed a band around a collection rock ‘n roll hits from 1958. Isaac said, “It was one these Time-Life compilations and it was advertised TV.” Taylor said, “Very naturally from this, we started to emulate.” “It’s like songwriting begins with imitating something. Then, all of a sudden you start singing along and it becomes your own song. “The chorus for “MMMBop” popped into their heads while they were working on another song. Zac explained, “We were trying out a background part for a song called “Boomerang,” [which] was already syncopated. Bing bang! It hit me like a boomerang. Light turns green, blood starts flowing. We thought it was too complicated. We should add a complicated part underneath it! Isaac admitted that the two parts were just a lotta gumbo when they were combined. “The Hanson brothers Taylor, Isaac, and Zac.
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They eventually separated the songs and, a year or so later, matched that irresistible song to an idea… and a learning opportunity you might have missed. Isaac replied, “It is a time frame.” They’re gone in an MMMBop. They’re not there in an MMMBop. “Zac said, “It’s like that (snaps fingers), you’re going to die.” You will be beyond this moment. You may never have another chance to make the same decision again. “You can only have one or two relationships in your life” “And you’re singing the ravages time?” Zac laughed. “Well, these messages were already coming from our parents. “Hey, you know what? You’ve just got to be you. People won’t always get you. It was a real connection. Although the band recorded other hits (“Where’s the Love,” “This Time Around,” and “If Only”) nothing could compare to the commercial success of “MMMBop.” The brothers found a loyal fan base and a new path to success with their independent record label, 3CG Records. Taylor stated, “At that point in our lives you’re saying, ‘You know what? We will decide what success looks like. This is our chance to make our own destiny. Let’s talk to these fans and see if we can have a #1 Billboard independent record. We did. Isaac said, “It’s what have been doing since then.” “CBS Mornings” met the band at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium while they were on a world tour to promote their new album, “Red Green Blue.” The album features five songs from each brother. Zac stated, “I don’t think there are many bands like that where each member sings, plays, and writes independently, but chooses to do it together.” Click the video player below to see Hanson perform “Write You a Song” from the album “Red Green Blue.”
Official Music Video by
HANSON
YouTube
It is that bond and that sound that continue to attract fans who still crowd theaters to see the band at their best. Twenty-five years ago, the Hanson brothers first sung about holding on to people who care. “Why do you say that?” Dokoupil was curious. “Because we were influenced, just as we were by music that wasn’t from our time. We are a band that is happy outside of our genre. Because it really is all about what we are saying. The story, the message behind the song, is what really matters. “And even if it takes us 25 years to get here, we’ll still have our hearts!” You can listen to Hanson’s “Red Green Blue” album by clicking the embed below.
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First published at 9:37 AM on August 8, 2022
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