“Everything You Want” by Vertical Horizon
Romantic relationships are such that one inevitably gets around to analyzing the other person. And as described by Matt Scannell, “Everything You Want” is based on an ex-girlfriend whom he seems to have a pretty good understanding of.
That’s to say that he was able to figure out that she’s a tortured soul, yet one who would seek solace from everyone but himself. Yet the vocalist is the person who is in love with her. So that would be why in the chorus, speaking from the third person perspective, he is asserting that he’s actually ‘everything she wants and needs’, though. And also within that passage, the vocalist reveals that he “means nothing to” her. So underneath all of the fancy metaphors, what we’re dealing with most simply put is the singer believing that his love for the subject is unreciprocated.
Facts about “Everything You Want”
Vertical Horizon released “Everything You Want” in 1999 as a single from their third album of the same name. It was actually the album’s second album.
Matthew Scannell is the official and sole composer of this song.
Upon release, this song me with great success. For example, this tune gave Vertical Horizon a number 1 hit in the United States (Billboard Hot 100).
The song was also a hit in the United Kingdom and Canada. In the latter country, it was a top-10 hit. In the former country, it managed to peak at #42.
Furthermore, this song picked a 2000 Billboard Music Award.
The Album
“Everything You Want”, largely considered as the band’s breakthrough album, was released on June 15 of 1999. It came out as the band’s 3rd studio album.
In 2000, “Everything You Want” (the song) became one of the the most played song in the United States. It is widely regarded as the band’s best performing single.
The album was produced by Mark Endert, David Bendeth, Matt Scannell and Ben Grosse. It came out through Sony Music’s RCA.
In 2001, this project sold over 2 million copies in the United States. This earned it a 2x Platinum certification from the RIAA.
In all, 4 single were used in promoting this album. They are:
- “We Are”
- “Everything You Want”
- “You’re a God”
- “Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)”
