Denise (Fountains of Wayne song)

"Denise"
Single by Fountains of Wayne
from the album Utopia Parkway
ReleasedMarch 8, 1999 (1999-03-08)
Genre
Length2:33
LabelAtlantic
Songwriters
Producers
  • Collingwood
  • Schlesinger
Fountains of Wayne singles chronology
"Leave the Biker"
(1998) 		"Denise"
(1999) 		"Red Dragon Tattoo"
(1999)
Music video
"Denise" on YouTube

"Denise" is a song by American rock band Fountains of Wayne. It was released on March 8, 1999, as the lead single from their second studio album, Utopia Parkway. Though the song only saw minor success in the United States, reaching number 34 on the Alternative Airplay chart, it peaked at number 57 on the UK Singles Chart and number 58 on the Scottish Singles Chart.

Background and composition

"Denise" was written and produced by Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger. The track is described as power pop and rock n' roll.[1][2] Lyrically, the song tells a story about "a cold-hearted travel agent."[3] It is also an ode to Weezer.[4]

According to Collingwood, Schlesinger had a demo version of the song, which he showed to him, featuring the same lyrics, but had a gentle melody, that Collingwood "preferred" over the official recording.[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[6]

Michael Frey of AllMusic called the track a "highlight" from Utopia Parkway, remarking, "Few bands are capable of combining humor and pop hooks to results that reach beyond simple novelty, but, as evidenced on this track, Fountains of Wayne have perfected the art."[6] He also praised the non-album tracks "I'll Do the Driving" and "I Know You Well", praising the melodies, harmonies and hooks.[6] Mike Bederka of Westnet stated the song "breaks the mold and turns up the guitars and distortion a bit."[7] On Billboard's "Adam Schlesinger's 15 Greatest Songs" list, Morgan Enos wrote, "'Denise' is more silly and whimsical than substantial, but it's a great example of how Schlesinger, with seeming effortlessness, could write a power-pop melody that made you weak in the knees."[2]

Chart performance

The song peaked at number 34 on the US Alternative Airplay chart.[8] It also reached number 57 and number 58 on the UK Singles Chart and Scottish Singles Chart, respectively.

Music video

The music video for "Denise" premiered via MTV on April 13, 1999, directed by Tryan George.[9] Centered as a car-wash-themed video,[10] Schlesinger told MTV News the idea behind the video stating, "It sort of ended up being this combination of a Devo video and a Whitesnake video or something. We've got this New Wave look going on and then we've got this really mid-'80s, heavy metal, sexist car-wash dousing."[11]

Actress Jolene Blalock plays "Denise", who according to Schlesinger, stated she "worked about 14 hours straight" on the set.[12]

Track listing

CD single[13]
No.TitleLength
1."Denise"2:33
2."I Know You Well"3:26
3."I'll Do the Driving"3:27

Personnel

Credits for "Denise" retrieved from album's liner notes.[14]

Charts

Chart performance for "Denise"
Chart (1999) Peak
position
Scotland Singles (OCC)[15] 58
UK Singles (OCC)[16] 57
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[17] 34

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Denise"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United Kingdom March 8, 1999 CD Atlantic [13]

References

  1. ^ "Music Reviews: Fountains of Wayne - Utopia Parkway". Ink19. July 6, 1999. Retrieved January 17, 2026. The band brings the fun back to rock n' roll with radio-friendly crusin' tunes like 'Denise'.
  2. ^ a b Enos, Morgan; Unterberger, Andrew; Lynch, Joe (April 1, 2020). "Adam Schlesinger's 15 Greatest Songs: Fountains of Wayne, 'That Thing You Do!,' 'Crazy Ex Girlfriend' & More (Staff Picks)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  3. ^ Powers, Ann (July 9, 1999). "On the Streets of New York with Fountains of Wayne: Urban Minstrels With Roots in Suburbia". The New York Times. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  4. ^ "Voices: Saddened by passing of John Prine, but don't forget Adam Schlesinger". Missoula Current. April 20, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  5. ^ Simon Vozick-Levinson (April 10, 2020). "Fountains of Wayne's Chris Collingwood Remembers Adam Schlesinger, His Best Friend and Bandmate". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  6. ^ a b c Michael Frey. "Denise Review by Michael Frey". AllMusic. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  7. ^ "Fountains of Wayne, Utopia Parkway". Westnet. Archived from the original on June 23, 2002. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  8. ^ Keith Caulfield (April 1, 2020). "Adam Schlesinger's Chart History, From 'That Thing You Do!' to Fountain's of Wayne's 'Stacy's Mom' & More". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  9. ^ "Music Videos: Fountains of Wayne - 'Denise'". MTV. April 13, 1999. Archived from the original on March 11, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  10. ^ "Fountains Of Wayne Discuss Concept Behind 'Utopia Parkway'". MTV. April 27, 1999. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2026. Fountains of Wayne is currently sudsing up the airwaves with the car-wash-themed video for 'Denise,'
  11. ^ "Fountains Of Wayne Channel Devo, Whitesnake For New Video". MTV. April 14, 1999. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  12. ^ "Cruising With Fountains of Wayne". MTV. Archived from the original on March 10, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  13. ^ a b Denise (UK CD booklet). Atlantic. 1999. 7567-84422-2.
  14. ^ Utopia Parkway (booklet). Atlantic. 1999. 83177-2.
  15. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 14/3/1999 – Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  16. ^ "Official Singles Chart on 14/3/1999 – Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  17. ^ "Fountains of Wayne Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
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