Crash and Burn (Savage Garden song)

"Crash and Burn"
Single by Savage Garden
from the album Affirmation
B-side	"Two Beds and a Coffee Machine"
Released	20 March 2000 (2000-03-20)
Genre	Pop rock[1]
Length	4:41 (album version) 3:50 (single version)
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Darren Hayes Daniel Jones
Producer(s)	Walter Afanasieff Daniel Jones Darren Hayes
Savage Garden singles chronology
"Affirmation" (2000) "Crash and Burn" (2000) "Chained to You" (2000)
Music video
"Crash and Burn" on YouTube

"Crash and Burn" is a song by Australian pop duo Savage Garden from their second album Affirmation (1999). It was released as the album's fourth overall single, sent to radio in the United States on March 13, 2000; in that region, it was released as the second single.

The track received positive reception from music critics, and became a decently successful hit for the duo. The track topped the Canadian adult contemporary chart while entering the top ten in Croatia, Czechia, and the US Adult Contemporary chart. In the United States, the track hit number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their last charting single there to date. "Crash and Burn" later received the award "Most Performed Australian Work Overseas" at the APRA Music Awards of 2002.[2]

Content

The song's lyrics describe the difficult search for solace and meaningful relationships in a cold world, peaking in a chorus that argues it is fine to "crash and burn" during tough times in order to get over heartache and pain. According to the sheet music published on Musicnotes.com, the track is written in the key of E major, with the vocals ranging from C#4—B5.[1] In a June 2017 interview, lead singer Darren Hayes named "Crash and Burn" as one of his favourite Savage Garden songs saying, "Musically it’s a dear song to me, because it’s all the words I wished someone would have said to me during the period after the first Savage Garden album."[3]

Critical reception

Chuck Taylor of Billboard magazine reviewed the track positively, writing, "Musical maestro and Savage partner Daniel Jones and producer Walter Afanasieff set the instrumental stage with a barrage of gentle keyboards and a persistent but embracing percussive edge against Hayes' emotional vocal." Taylor ended his review with, "Radio shouldn't hesitate to get this one going for the long haul."[4]

Music video

Yariv Garber directed the music video for "Crash and Burn".[5] The video first made its debut on VH1 for the week ending March 19, 2000.[6] It was then added to MTV for the week ending April 10, 2000.[7]

Synopsis

The video is shot in a partially fantastical theme, featuring actress Abigail Culwell watching scenes of troubled young adults interspersed with scenes of the group singing in a warehouse. Messages such as "stay connected" and lyrics from the song, such as "fall apart" appear on the screen. At the end of the video, Hayes uses Auslan to sing the last lyrics of the song.

Track listings and formats

Australian CD single[8] "Crash and Burn"  – 4:41 "I Knew I Loved You" (12-inch Mini Me mix) – 8:25 "I Knew I Loved You" (club mix) – 6:03 European CD single[9] "Crash and Burn" (radio edit) – 3:50 "I Don't Care" (vocal and drum mix) – 4:10 European maxi-CD single[10] "Crash and Burn"  – 4:41 "I Knew I Loved You" (Eddie's Savage Dance mix) – 5:58 "Gunning Down Romance" (Drum and Bass mix) – 6:05 "I Knew I Loved You" (Eddie's Rhythm radio mix) – 4:24

UK CD1[11] "Crash and Burn"  – 4:41 "I Don't Care" (vocal and drum mix) – 4:10 "Crash and Burn" (instrumental) – 4:42 UK CD2[12] "Crash and Burn" (radio edit) – 3:50 "Two Beds and a Coffee Machine" (vocal and drum mix) – 3:26 "Gunning Down Romance" (drum and bass mix) – 6:05 UK cassette single[13] "Crash and Burn" (radio edit) – 3:50 "Two Beds and a Coffee Machine"  – 3:26

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel are adapted from the Affirmation album liner notes.[14]

Darren Hayes – writer, co-producer, lead vocals, background vocals Daniel Jones – writer, co-producer, keyboards, synthesizers, drum and rhythm programming, electric guitars Walter Afanasieff – producer, keyboards, synthesizers, drum and rhythm programming Greg Bieck – Macintosh and digital programming Michael Thompson – electric guitars Dean Parks – acoustic guitars Nathan East – bass

Dave Way – mixing at Wallyworld Studios (Marin County) Dave Frazer – vocals engineering at Wallyworld Studios, guitars engineering at Wallyworld Studios and Andora Studios (Hollywood) Kent Matcke – track engineering Luis Quine – assistant engineer Tony Rambo – assistant engineer Pete Krawiec – assistant engineer Mark Gregory – assistant engineer

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Crash and Burn" Charts (2000) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[15] 16 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[16] 15 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[17] 12 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[18] 1 Croatia (HRT)[19] 3 Czech Republic (IFPI)[20] 8 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[21] 53 Germany (GfK)[22] 69 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[23] 22 Ireland (IRMA)[24] 41 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[25] 19 Scotland (OCC)[26] 16 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[27] 28 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] 77 UK Singles (OCC)[29] 14 US Billboard Hot 100[30] 24 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[31] 10 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[32] 13 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[33] 14 US Adult Contemporary (Radio & Records)[34] 9 US CHR/Pop (Radio & Records)[35] 12 US Hot AC (Radio & Records)[36] 11 US Pop/Alternative (Radio & Records)[37] 16

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Crash and Burn" Chart (2000) Position US Billboard Hot 100[38] 78 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[39] 24 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[40] 19 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[41] 53 US Adult Contemporary (Radio & Records)[42] 19 US CHR/Pop (Radio & Records)[43] 57 US Hot AC (Radio & Records)[44] 30

Certifications and sales

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[45]	Gold	35,000^^
^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref(s).
United States	13 March 2000	Adult contemporary hot adult contemporary modern adult contemporary radio	Columbia	[46][47]
	14 March 2000	Contemporary hit radio
United Kingdom	20 March 2000	CD cassette		[48]

References

1. Jones, Daniel; Hayes, Darren (25 May 2000). "Savage Garden "Crash and Burn" Sheet Music in E Major — Download and Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
2. Eliezer, Christie (22 June 2002). "APRA Awards Honor Emerging Talent". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 25. Prometheus Global Media. p. 55. ISSN 0006-2510.
3. "Savage Garden's Darren Hayes on Behind-The-Scenes Reactions to His Coming Out, Admiring Michael Jackson & Adam Lambert". Billboard. 19 June 2017.
4. Taylor, Chuck (18 March 2000). "Reviews & Previews: Singles — Spotlights". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 12. Prometheus Global Media. p. 27. ISSN 0006-2510.
5. "Savage Garden: Crash and Burn (Music Video 2000) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
6. "Video Monitor: New Ons". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 14. Prometheus Global Media. 1 April 2000. p. 102. ISSN 0006-2510.
7. "Video Monitor: New Ons". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 17. Prometheus Global Media. 22 April 2000. p. 78. ISSN 0006-2510.
8. Crash and Burn (Australian CD single liner notes). Savage Garden. Roadshow Music. 2000. 102579-2.
9. Crash and Burn (European CD single liner notes). Savage Garden. Columbia Records. 2000. COL 668856 1.
10. Crash and Burn (European maxi-CD single liner notes). Savage Garden. Columbia Records. 2000. COL 668856 2.
11. Crash and Burn (UK CD1 liner notes). Savage Garden. Columbia Records. 2000. 669044 5.
12. Crash and Burn (UK CD2 liner notes). Savage Garden. Columbia Records. 2000. 669044 2.
13. Crash and Burn (UK cassette single liner notes). Savage Garden. Columbia Records. 2000. 669044 4.
14. Affirmation (Inlay cover). Savage Garden. Columbia Records. 1999. CK 63711.
15. "Savage Garden – Crash and Burn". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
16. "Savage Garden – Crash and Burn" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
17. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7282." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
18. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7195." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
19. "HR Top 20 Lista". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on 10 May 2000. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
20. "Hitparada radia - 23/2000" (in Czech). IFPI CR. Archived from the original on 13 June 2000. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
21. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 15. 8 April 2000. p. 17. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
22. "Savage Garden – Crash and Burn" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
23. "Íslenski Listinn Sætin 21 til 40 (16.3– 23.3 2000)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 24 March 2000. p. 12. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
24. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Savage Garden". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
25. "Savage Garden – Crash and Burn". Top 40 Singles.
26. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
27. "Savage Garden – Crash and Burn". Singles Top 100.
28. "Savage Garden – Crash and Burn". Swiss Singles Chart.
29. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
30. "Savage Garden Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
31. "Savage Garden Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
32. "Savage Garden Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
33. "Savage Garden Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
34. "R&R AC Top 30". Radio & Records. No. 1357. 30 June 2000. p. 87.
35. "R&R CHR/Pop Top 50". Radio & Records. No. 1352. 26 May 2000. p. 74.
36. "R&R Hot AC Top 30". Radio & Records. No. 1355. 16 June 2000. p. 130.
37. "R&R Pop/Alternative Top 20". Radio & Records. No. 1357. 30 June 2000. p. 94.
38. "Billboard Top 100 – 2000". Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
39. "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 2000" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. 22 December 2000. p. 48. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
40. "The Best of 2000: Most Played Adult Contemporary Songs" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. 22 December 2000. p. 50. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
41. "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2000" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. 22 December 2000. p. 54. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
42. "Top 100 of 2000: Adult Contemporary". Radio & Records. No. 1381. 15 December 2000. p. 96.
43. "Top 100 of 2000: CHR/Pop". Radio & Records. No. 1381. 15 December 2000. p. 46.
44. "Top 100 of 2000: Hot AC". Radio & Records. No. 1381. 15 December 2000. p. 98.
45. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2000 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
46. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1341. 10 March 2000. pp. 41, 82. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
47. "Impact Dates". Gavin Report. No. 2295. 10 March 2000. pp. 10, 25.
48. "New Releases – For Week Starting March 20, 2000: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 18 March 2000. p. 31. Retrieved 2 August 2021.