Supermodel (Jill Sobule Song)

"Supermodel" is a song by American singer-songwriter Jill Sobule. It was initially released on the soundtrack to the 1995 film ''Clueless''; that same year, Sobule included it on a reissue of her self-titled second studio album. The song was written by David Baerwald, David Kitay, Brian MacLeod, and Kristen Vigard, and produced by Brad Jones and Robin Eaton. Lava Records released it as the third single from the soundtrack and the second single from Sobule's album on August 22, 1995. The alternative rock song is about a teenage girl's desire to be a supermodel, which was inspired by excerpts from the teen magazine '' Sassy''.

"Supermodel" received positive reception from music critics, who praised the sarcastic nature of its lyrics. In Australia, the song peaked at number 53 on the ARIA Charts. Morgan Lawley directed its music video, which was heavily inspired by the 1976 film '' Carrie''. In 2020, Sobule claimed that she had some regret over the song's single release.

Writing and inspiration

"Supermodel" was written by David Baerwald, David Kitay, Brian MacLeod, and Kristen Vigard for the soundtrack to the 1995 film ''Clueless''. The song was conceptualized after Karyn Rachtman, the film's music supervisor, hired Baerwald to write a "fresher" song as a replacement to David Bowie's "Fashion", which was originally set to play during a makeover scene in the film. The writers intended for "Supermodel" to sound as though "it came out of the mouths of teenage girls," as they were specifically tasked with a writing a song that captured the essence of the world surrounding the film's main character, teenage fashionista Cher Horowitz. In an effort to make the song sound authentic, Baerwald reviewed several issues of the teen magazine '' Sassy'', in which he lifted multiple lines from the letter to the editors for inclusion in "Supermodel". Speaking on the song's lyrics, Baerwald commented: "Every demographic has its way of talking, and I wanted to capture a sense of the rhythm and the kinds of things girls were talking about. I thought ''Sassy'' was really cool!"

In 1995, Rachtman approached Sobule to ask if she would be interested in recording "Supermodel". Sobule was initially hesitant to accept the offer, as she had taken no part in writing the song and she believed ''Clueless'' to be a mindless teen comedy film. Sobule, however, changed her mind after viewing a pre-screening of the film, in which she reevaluated it as a feminist work. Frustrated that her previous single "I Kissed a Girl" was promoted as a novelty song, Sobule agreed to perform "Supermodel" on the condition that she could add her own flair to it. Sobule added a guitar solo and a bridge that referenced her past struggles with an eating disorder. According to Sobule, the bridge was intended to act as a commentary on the beauty-industrial complex. Despite these additions, Sobule did not receive any songwriting credit for "Supermodel". Speaking on being uncredited as a songwriter, Sobule commented: "It doesn’t bother me now, but I think it was kind of shitty and I don’t know if I’ve ever said that. I wish I would have been more proactive and talked to the writers directly."

Release and reception

"Supermodel" was first released on July 18, 1995, on the soundtrack to the film ''Clueless''. Following the release of the soundtrack, Sobule reissued her self-titled second studio album on August 1, 1995, with the addition of "Supermodel". On July 8, 1995, Capitol Records vice president of marketing Tom Corson announced that "Supermodel" would likely be released as the third single from the ''Clueless'' soundtrack. The song was ultimately released to contemporary hit radio as the third single from the soundtrack and the second single from Sobule's album on August 22. Since the song's release, Sobule and other acts involved with the song have voiced their regret over its release as a single. In 1997, Lava Records Chairman Jason Flom stated that he felt as though "Supermodel" was a "smart choice" at the time of release, although he believed it ultimately killed any momentum Sobule had following the success of her previous single, "I Kissed a Girl". Despite Rachtman recruiting Sobule for "Supermodel", she later claimed that the song's release "might have been the death of obule'scareer." Speaking on the song's release as a single, Sobule commented: "I have not always made the best business decisions."

"Supermodel" received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Larry Flick of ''Billboard'' noted the "tongue-in-cheek flair" of the song, in which he commented that "the sarcastic undertone will smack all but the superficial in the face." Also from ''Billboard'', Kenneth Partridge praised the "brisk rocker" and referred to the song's bridge as "the most scathing series of lines in an alt-rock novelty whose sarcasm doesn’t spoil the party." Roch Parisien of AllMusic referred to "Supermodel" as a "wry, deadpan" song, in which he highlighted the song's bridge. Gabriela Tully Claymore of ''Stereogum'' praised "Supermodel" as the most memorable song from the ''Clueless'' soundtrack. She particularly praised Sobule's addition of the bridge, which she believed "turned the track from a defiant jab at superficial teen culture into a pointed critique of body-image standards." Commercially, "Supermodel" achieved minimal success in Australia. On January 14, 1996, the song entered the ARIA Charts where it spent a total of five weeks. "Supermodel" reached a peak position of number 53 on the chart.

Music video

Background

The video was filmed in July 1995 over the course of the 24th and 25th; Sobule had to cancel two tour dates as the director was only available to work on the video over these two dates. Sobule sought control over the video's direction, in which she opted to satirize the 1976 supernatural horror film '' Carrie''. In the video, Sobule takes on a similar role to the film's title character, as she portrays a school outcast that has supernatural powers. The video's only reference to ''Clueless'' is a brief introductory scene featuring two of the film's characters, Cher and Di, walking to class. According to Sobule, Lava Records was unhappy that she did not incorporate more of the film's fashion into the video. In 2020, Sobule acknowledged that she felt not tying the song's video to the movie was a mistake.

Synopsis

The video starts with a brief scene from the film ''Clueless'', in which characters Cher and Di walk side-by-side to class while talking on their cell phones. The video then cuts to Sobule portraying an outcast named Jill White, who is intentionally tripped by a group of gossiping girls in the school hallway. As the first verse begins, the video intercuts between scenes of Sobule performing with a band on stage and her character using supernatural powers to start the fire sprinklers above the group of girls. The video then cuts to White daydreaming about a boy during class. After being scolded by her teacher for doing so, she uses her supernatural powers to throw him across the classroom. As the video continues to intercut between scenes of Sobule playing with her band, the video depicts an advertisement for a "Supermodel of the Future" contest and White finds out she was nominated as a contestant. As the song's bridge begins, the video cuts to the contest in the school's gymnasium, where it is revealed that White won. As she is crowned, however, another student dumps a hidden bucket of blood onto White. In retaliation, White uses her supernatural powers to lock the doors of the gymnasium and set the school on fire.

Track listings and formats

* CD single
# "Supermodel"  – 3:10
# "Trains"  – 3:44
# "Queen of Spades"  – 3:21

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel are adapted from the ''Jill Sobule'' album liner notes.
* Jill Sobule – vocals, guitars
* Brad Jones – producer, mixing, guitar
* Robin Eaton – producer, mixing, bass
* Craig Krampf – drums
* Greg Calbi – mastering

Charts

Release history

References

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1995 singles
1995 songs
American alternative rock songs
Body image in popular culture
Carrie (franchise)
Clueless
Lava Records singles
Music videos directed by Morgan Lawley
Songs about models
Novelty songs
Songs about teenagers
Songs written by Brian MacLeod (U.S. musician)
Songs written by David Baerwald
Songs written for films