The Cali 50- the Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Singles Ever to Emanate From the Golden State

Number 49
"Semi-Charmed Life"
Third Eye Blind, Elektra 1997

Next decade, when the first "Hey, Remember the '90s?" movie is made, look no further for the song to accompany the trailer. Chock full of sex and drug references, "Semi-Charmed Life" is the dirtiest bubblegum smash since Little Richard sang about a certain woman name Molly who sure like to ball. Instant sensation? Not really. Third Eye Blind played this tune for a couple of years to sparse San Francisco club crowds. In fact, I have a three-year old demo tape, on which "Semi-Charmed Life" is buried as the fifth and final track. Yep, it took A&R folks to recognize that "Do do do do do do do" is still a blueprint for a hit song. It's going to take the rest of us a hell of a lot longer to forget it.
- Bill Crandall