Man Overboard

"Man Overboard" is a song by the American rock band Blink-182. It was first released on September 2, 2000, through MCA Records as the lead single from the band's live album The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show (The Enema Strikes Back!) (2000). It is the sole studio recording on the release, and was recorded as a bonus track to help promote its release. The song's lyrics, credited to bassist Mark Hoppus and guitarist Tom DeLonge, are about losing their original drummer Scott Raynor to alcohol abuse. In the song, Hoppus repeats the refrain "so sorry it's over," and goes on to highlight occasions in which a friend was too intoxicated to be dependable. The song was originally written during sessions for the band's third album, Enema of the State. Musically, the song is led by a distinctive bass line, accompanied by melodic guitar riffs and straightforward rock drums. Its songwriting was slow to develop, with the group unable to complete its lyrics in time for placement on the album. At their label's suggestion, the trio re-approached the track for inclusion on the live album. Though the band has never officially confirmed its basis, "Man Overboard" has widely been regarded as a reference to former drummer Raynor, who co-founded Blink-182 and had struggled with alcohol dependency in his last years behind the kit, before being dismissed from the band midway through a 1998 tour. The single received positive notices from music critics, many of whom have listed it among the band's best songs. Its music video—a number-one hit on MTV—was directed by Marcos Siega, and parodies the group's past clips with dwarfs in place of the band members. The song was a success on rock charts in North America; it peaked at number two on Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, and within the top 20 on Canada's rock charts compiled by RPM. The song was later included on the band's compilation album Greatest Hits. The song is the namesake of the pop punk act Man Overboard. Background Though officially unconfirmed, "Man Overboard" is generally believed to be written about the group's original drummer Scott Raynor, who performed and recorded with the trio between 1992 and 1998. Raynor and guitarist Tom DeLonge first met in school, and later met bassist Mark Hoppus to form Blink-182. In the interim years, the band recorded independent albums and toured frequently, attracting a following at the peak of punk rock's mainstream popularity.