Float On (Modest Mouse song)

"Float On"
"Float On"
Single by Modest Mouse
from the album Good News for People Who Love Bad News
B-side	"I've Got It All (Most)"
Released	March 8, 2004
Genre	Indie rock; indie pop; alternative rock;
Length	3:28
Label	Epic
Songwriters	Isaac Brock; Dann Gallucci; Eric Judy; Benjamin Weikel;
Producer	Dennis Herring
Modest Mouse singles chronology
Music video
	"Float On" on YouTube

"Float On" is a song by American rock band Modest Mouse, released on March 8, 2004, as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Good News for People Who Love Bad News (2004). The song topped the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 2005. The music video is portrayed in the style of a pop-up book with the band wearing turn of the century style clothing and in an underwater scene with flotsam suits.

Background and composition

Asked about the song in an interview with The A.V. Club, Brock said that he consciously intended to write something that felt more positive than some of his previous work:

It was a completely conscious thing. I was just kind of fed up with how bad shit had been going, and how dark everything was, with bad news coming from everywhere. Our president George W. Bush is just a fucking daily dose of bad news! Then you've got the well-intentioned scientists telling us that everything is fucked. I just want to feel good for a day.

— Isaac Brock, The A.V. Club, ^[4]

The final few notes of "The World at Large" lead into the opening notes of "Float On".

Release and reception

The song was released to alternative radio on March 8, 2004,^[5] and was the first Modest Mouse song to gain mainstream popularity. Nearly six months after its release, it became the band's first No. 1 hit on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.^[6] It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 70 and peaked at No. 68.^[7] In Australia, the song peaked at No. 94 and was ranked No. 11 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004.^[8]^[9] In 2013, when Triple J created a new list of the Hottest 100 songs of the past 20 years, Float On appeared at No. 45.^[10] In July 2009, it was also voted in at No. 94 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of All Time.^[11] In December 2009, Rolling Stone named it the 39th greatest song of the 2000s.^[12] NME ranked it at No. 351 on their list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2014.^[13] At the 47th Annual Grammy Awards in 2005, "Float On" was nominated for Best Rock Song, losing to U2's "Vertigo".^[14]^[15]

Track listings

US 7-inch and CD single^[16]^[17]

"Float On" – 3:28
"I've Got It All (Most)" – 3:06

Australian CD single^[18]

"Float On" – 3:28
"I've Got It All (Most)" – 3:06
"The Good Times Are Killing Me" (alternative mix version) – 4:11
"Bukowski" (Congleton/Godbey remix) – 4:14

UK 7-inch single^[19]

A. "Float On"

B. "Bukowski" (Congleton/Godbey remix)

UK CD single^[20]

"Float On" – 3:28
"I've Got It All (Most)" – 3:06
"The Good Times Are Killing Me" (alternative mix version) – 4:11
"Float On" (video) – 3:32

European maxi-CD single^[21]

"Float On" – 3:28
"I've Got It All (Most)" – 3:06
"The Good Times Are Killing Me" (alternative mix version) – 4:11
"Bukowski" (Congleton/Godbey remix) – 4:14
"Float On" (video)

Personnel

Isaac Brock – vocals, lead guitar
Eric Judy – bass, backing vocals
Dann Gallucci – rhythm guitar, keyboards, drum loops, backing vocals
Benjamin Weikel – drums, percussion

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2004)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[8]	94
Canada Rock Top 30 (Radio & Records)^[22]	24
UK Singles (OCC)^[23]	46
US Billboard Hot 100^[7]	68
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)^[24]	4
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)^[6]	1
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)^[25]	32

Year-end charts

Chart (2004)	Position
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)^[26]	12
US Triple-A (Billboard)^[27]	40

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)^[28]	3× Platinum	240,000^‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[29]	Gold	15,000^‡
United Kingdom (BPI)^[30]	Silver	200,000^‡
United States (RIAA)^[31]	5× Platinum	5,000,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	March 8, 2004	Alternative radio	Epic	^[5]
	April 26, 2004	Triple A radio		^[32]
	June 14, 2004	Contemporary hit radio		^[33]
United Kingdom	July 12, 2004	CD		^[34]
Australia	September 13, 2004	CD		^[35]

Covers

The song was covered by Ben Lee, whose version can be heard on the soundtrack for the 2006 film John Tucker Must Die.^[36] It was also covered by Mark Kozelek and Goldspot, whose version later appeared on the television series The O.C.^[37]

References

^ Nickoloff, Anne (27 April 2018). "45 Cleveland concerts to check out in May 2018: Jimmy Buffett, Modest Mouse, BROCKHAMPTON, more". cleveland.com. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
^ Rolling Stone Staff (June 17, 2011). "100 Best Songs of the 2000s". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 4, 2022. A snappy, silver-lined indie-pop march that asserts, 'Good news is on the way.'
^ Leimkuehler, Matthew (January 23, 2018). "Modest Mouse announces spring Iowa concert". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
^ Modell, Josh (April 7, 2004). "Modest Mouse interview". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
^ ^a ^b "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1545. March 5, 2004. p. 27. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Modest Mouse Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
^ ^a ^b "Modest Mouse Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
^ ^a ^b "Issue 760" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
^ "Triple J Hottest 100 2004". Australian Broadcasting Company. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
^ "Triple J's Hottest 100 20 Years – The Countdown". Australian Broadcasting Company. 18 April 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
^ "Triple J Hottest 100 of All Time". Australian Broadcasting Company. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
^ "Rolling Stone's 100 Best Albums, Songs of the '00s". Stereogum. December 10, 2009. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
^ Barker, Emily (January 31, 2014). "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time – 400–301". NME. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
^ "Complete List of 2005 Grammy Nominees". December 7, 2004. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
^ "2004 Grammy Winners". Grammy Awards. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
^ Float On (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Modest Mouse. Epic Records. 2004. ES7 58214, 34 76685.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Float On (US CD single liner notes). Modest Mouse. Epic Records. 2004. 34K 76685.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Float On (Australian CD single liner notes). Modest Mouse. Epic Records. 2004. 675187.1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Float On (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Modest Mouse. Epic Records. 2004. 675069 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Float On (UK CD single liner notes). Modest Mouse. Epic Records. 2004. 675069 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Float On (European maxi-CD single liner notes). Modest Mouse. Epic Records. 2004. EPC 674963 2, 6749632000.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ "R&R Canada Rock Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1566. July 30, 2004. p. 75. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
^ "Modest Mouse Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
^ "Modest Mouse Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
^ "Year in Music & Touring: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. December 25, 2004. p. YE-70. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 12, 2022 – via Google Books.
^ "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Triple-A Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 12, no. 51. December 17, 2004. p. 54.
^ "Canadian single certifications – Modest Mouse – Float On". Music Canada. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Modest Mouse – Float On". Radioscope. Retrieved December 27, 2024. Type Float On in the "Search:" field.
^ "British single certifications – Modest Mouse – Float On". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
^ "American single certifications – Modest Mouse – Float On". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1552. April 23, 2004. p. 24. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1559. June 11, 2004. p. 26. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
^ "Float On". Amazon. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
^ "New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 13th September 2004" (PDF). The ARIA Report. No. 759. Australian Recording Industry Association. September 13, 2004. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2004-10-19. Retrieved June 12, 2022 – via Trove.
^ "John Tucker Must Die(2006) – Soundtracks". IMDb. April 7, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
^ Lester, Paul (July 6, 2007). "No 139: Goldspot". The Guardian. Retrieved March 14, 2010.

[1] Nickoloff, Anne (27 April 2018). "45 Cleveland concerts to check out in May 2018: Jimmy Buffett, Modest Mouse, BROCKHAMPTON, more". cleveland.com. Retrieved September 9, 2019.

[2] Rolling Stone Staff (June 17, 2011). "100 Best Songs of the 2000s". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 4, 2022. A snappy, silver-lined indie-pop march that asserts, 'Good news is on the way.'

[3] Leimkuehler, Matthew (January 23, 2018). "Modest Mouse announces spring Iowa concert". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 9, 2019.

[Modell-4] Modell, Josh (April 7, 2004). "Modest Mouse interview". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved October 19, 2009.

[usrel-5] "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1545. March 5, 2004. p. 27. Retrieved May 25, 2021.

[usas-6] "Modest Mouse Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2015.

[hot100-7] "Modest Mouse Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2015.

[aus-8] "Issue 760" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved September 24, 2020.

[9] "Triple J Hottest 100 2004". Australian Broadcasting Company. Retrieved August 27, 2020.

[10] "Triple J's Hottest 100 20 Years – The Countdown". Australian Broadcasting Company. 18 April 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2020.

[11] "Triple J Hottest 100 of All Time". Australian Broadcasting Company. Retrieved August 27, 2020.

[12] "Rolling Stone's 100 Best Albums, Songs of the '00s". Stereogum. December 10, 2009. Retrieved January 20, 2014.

[13] Barker, Emily (January 31, 2014). "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time – 400–301". NME. Retrieved August 27, 2020.

[14] "Complete List of 2005 Grammy Nominees". December 7, 2004. Retrieved August 27, 2020.

[15] "2004 Grammy Winners". Grammy Awards. Retrieved May 25, 2021.

[16] Float On (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Modest Mouse. Epic Records. 2004. ES7 58214, 34 76685.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[17] Float On (US CD single liner notes). Modest Mouse. Epic Records. 2004. 34K 76685.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[18] Float On (Australian CD single liner notes). Modest Mouse. Epic Records. 2004. 675187.1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[19] Float On (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Modest Mouse. Epic Records. 2004. 675069 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[20] Float On (UK CD single liner notes). Modest Mouse. Epic Records. 2004. 675069 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[21] Float On (European maxi-CD single liner notes). Modest Mouse. Epic Records. 2004. EPC 674963 2, 6749632000.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[22] "R&R Canada Rock Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1566. July 30, 2004. p. 75. Retrieved October 7, 2019.

[sc_UK_Modest_Mouse-23] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1, 2021.

[sc_Billboardadultalternativesongs_Modest_Mouse-24] "Modest Mouse Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2022.

[sc_Billboardpopsongs_Modest_Mouse-25] "Modest Mouse Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2015.

[26] "Year in Music & Touring: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. December 25, 2004. p. YE-70. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 12, 2022 – via Google Books.

[27] "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Triple-A Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 12, no. 51. December 17, 2004. p. 54.

[CanadaModest_MouseFloat_OnsingleCertRef-28] "Canadian single certifications – Modest Mouse – Float On". Music Canada. Retrieved December 26, 2024.

[New_ZealandModest_MouseFloat_OnsingleCertRef-29] "New Zealand single certifications – Modest Mouse – Float On". Radioscope. Retrieved December 27, 2024. Type Float On in the "Search:" field.

[United_KingdomModest_MouseFloat_OnsingleCertRef-30] "British single certifications – Modest Mouse – Float On". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 6, 2022.

[United_StatesModest_MouseFloat_OnsingleCertRef-31] "American single certifications – Modest Mouse – Float On". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 7, 2024.

[32] "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1552. April 23, 2004. p. 24. Retrieved May 25, 2021.

[33] "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1559. June 11, 2004. p. 26. Retrieved May 25, 2021.

[34] "Float On". Amazon. Retrieved July 17, 2021.

[35] "New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 13th September 2004" (PDF). The ARIA Report. No. 759. Australian Recording Industry Association. September 13, 2004. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2004-10-19. Retrieved June 12, 2022 – via Trove.

[36] "John Tucker Must Die(2006) – Soundtracks". IMDb. April 7, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2010.

[37] Lester, Paul (July 6, 2007). "No 139: Goldspot". The Guardian. Retrieved March 14, 2010.

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v t e Modest Mouse
Isaac Brock Tom Peloso Ben Massarella Russell Higbee Simon O'Connor Jeremiah Green Eric Judy Dann Gallucci Joe Plummer Johnny Marr Benjamin Weikel Lisa Molinaro Jim Fairchild Davey Brozowski John Wickhart
Studio albums	This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About The Lonesome Crowded West The Moon & Antarctica Good News for People Who Love Bad News We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank Strangers to Ourselves The Golden Casket
EPs	Blue Cadet-3, Do You Connect? Interstate 8 The Fruit That Ate Itself Night on the Sun Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks No One's First, and You're Next
Compilations	Building Nothing Out of Something Sad Sappy Sucker
Live albums	Baron von Bullshit Rides Again
Singles	"Float On" "Ocean Breathes Salty" "The World at Large" "Dashboard" "King Rat" "Missed the Boat" "We've Got Everything" "Satellite Skin" "Lampshades on Fire" "The Ground Walks, with Time in a Box"
Related	Discography Ugly Casanova Brand New/Modest Mouse Tour

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