"Constant Headache" is a song recorded by American rock band

Joyce Manor Joyce Manor is an American punk rock band formed in Torrance, California, in 2008. The band's current lineup consists of singer-songwriter and guitarist Barry Johnson, guitarist Chase Knobbe, and bassist/backing vocalist Matt Ebert. The band's m ...

. The song was released on January 11, 2011, as part of their self-titled debut album. It was also the namesake of the group's extended play of the same name, first released a year prior. The song is generally considered the band's

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Background

Like many tracks on the band's debut, the song was developed over a period of many years. An early version of the song exists with an additional third verse, though Johnson has joked it would be too unusual to release, given fans' love of the original. He has admitted in an interview that the song's melody was inspired by

the Human League The Human League are an English synth-pop band formed in Sheffield in 1977. Initially an experimental electronic music, electronic outfit, the group signed to Virgin Records in 1979 and later attained widespread commercial success with their t ...

's " Don't You Want Me Baby". Listeners have theorized that the song's lyrics were written from the perspective of a dog, though Johnson has expressed confusion at this: "I can't pin down exactly which line it is that suggests that. Clearly, there's something there because it's too strange of a coincidence."

Reception

"Constant Headache" rapidly became the band's most popular song, a frequent

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at their concerts. Johnson remembered in an interview that the lyrics of the song, combined with

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images from the band's shows, spread on

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sites like

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, including early

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for the act. The song has been covered by

Conor Oberst Conor Mullen Oberst (born February 15, 1980) is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes (band), Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos (band), Desaparecidos, the Faint (previou ...

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. Chris Payne at ''

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'' considered it the album's "biggest anthem," pointing out humorously that while the majority of its songs were fast and short, "Constant Headache" is the only song to stretch to three minutes. ''

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'' contributor Brad Nelson retrospectively dubbed it "still their most enduring song, a knot of feeling shoved forward by its own chord progression, punk as temporary and awesome as a wave on beach." Whitney Shoemaker of ''

Alternative Press Alternative press may refer to: Individual publications * ''Alternative Press'' (magazine), an American music magazine Alternative journalism * Alternative media ** Alternative media (U.S. political left) ** Alternative media (U.S. political r ...

'' recalled it as one of the most distinctive emo songs of 2011.

References

{{authority control 2011 songs