Follow Me (Uncle Kracker song)

"Follow Me" is the debut single of American musician Uncle Kracker. It was released on November 6, 2000, as the lead single from his debut studio album, Double Wide (2000). It was written by Kracker and Michael Bradford and was produced by Bradford and Kid Rock. According to Kracker, the song has multiple meanings, with people speculating that it could be about drugs or infidelity.

"Follow Me"
Single by Uncle Kracker
from the album Double Wide
B-side"Yeah, Yeah, Yeah"
ReleasedNovember 6, 2000 (2000-11-06)
Length3:35
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Uncle Kracker singles chronology
"Follow Me"
(2000)		 "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah"
(2001)

"Follow Me" became a worldwide hit in mid to late 2001. The song reached number one in eight countries: Australia, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, and Sweden. In the United States, it peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult Top 40 listing. It additionally became a top-10 hit in Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom and peaked within the top 40 in several other European countries.

Meaning

In a 2001 interview with MTV News, Uncle Kracker stated that "Follow Me" was "definitely different" from other songs on Double Wide:

"[W]hen we first started recording that song, with us being from Detroit, that song was supposed to be this doo-wop/Motown song — something different, because every song's got its own little twist. And this song was supposed to have that, but after we recorded it, I was like, 'Man, that could be something for radio,' so we switched it back. [The song] takes on a couple of different meanings. I've heard some people think that I'm talking about drugs, or some people think I'm talking about cheating. I guess it's kinda both. I would never want to say anything that would get myself in trouble, being married with a couple of kids. That song is like a dirty picture painted with a pretty brush."[1]

Chart performance

The song went to number one in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, and Sweden. In the United States, it peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week of June 9, 2001, and is Uncle Kracker's highest-charting single release to date.[2] The single also reached number seven on the adult contemporary chart. In the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart in September 2001. Following the release of the album Double Wide on iTunes, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart on August 26, 2012, at number 64 and reached number 44.

Music video

The music video was directed by Nick Egan and premiered the week of November 20, 2000. It featured Mark McGrath, lead singer of Sugar Ray. It is a popular belief that CeeLo Green appears in the video, but it is actually the co-writer and co-producer of this track Michael Bradford, who bears a passing resemblance to Green.[3] Bradford was also a member of Kid Rock's band at the time, where he played bass.

Track listings

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[49] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[50] Gold 20,000*
Germany (BVMI)[51] Gold 250,000^
Sweden (GLF)[52] Platinum 30,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[53] Platinum 600,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States November 6, 2000
[54]
November 7, 2000 Contemporary hit radio [54][55]
April 23, 2001 Adult contemporary radio [56]
Australia May 21, 2001 CD [57]
United Kingdom August 27, 2001 [58]

Appearances and covers

This song was featured in the movies Coyote Ugly, 3000 Miles to Graceland, The Animal, The Blind Side and the TV series Roswell High. In 2011, the song was covered by the German rock and roll cover band the Baseballs. The song appeared on their second album, Strings 'N' Stripes. A live version of "Follow Me" can be found on David Allan Coe's 2003 album Live at Billy Bob's Texas.

References
  1. D'Angelo, Joe (April 26, 2001). "MTV News: 7 Questions With Uncle Kracker". MTV News. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (8 ed.). Billboard Publications.
  3. London, Amanda (October 11, 2021). ""Follow Me" by Uncle Kracker". Song Meanings and Facts. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  4. Follow Me (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Uncle Kracker. Lava Records, Atlantic Records, Top Dog Records. 2001. 7-85184.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. Follow Me (Australian CD single liner notes). Uncle Kracker. Lava Records, Atlantic Records, Top Dog Records. 2000. 7567851082.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. Follow Me (European CD single liner notes). Uncle Kracker. Lava Records, Atlantic Records, Top Dog Records. 2000. 7567-85123-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. Follow Me (UK CD single liner notes). Uncle Kracker. Atlantic Records, Lava Records, Top Dog Records. 2000. AT0108CD, 7567-85137-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. Follow Me (UK cassette single sleeve). Uncle Kracker. Lava Records, Atlantic Records, Top Dog Records. 2000. 7567-85138-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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