Yourself or Someone Like You – 1966
Yourself or Someone Like You is the debut album by American rock band Matchbox 20, released in 1996. The album features a sound similar to traditional rock sound and post-grunge. The album features themes of adolescence, loneliness, psychological abuse, humiliation, depression, anger, and alcoholism. The album sold several million copies in the U.S and was certified Diamond, and it was also certified multi-platinum in Australia, Canada and New Zealand. To date, the album has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide
Controversy
In 2005, almost a decade after the album’s release, the band was sued by the subject of the cover, Frank Torres. Torres claimed the band never asked for his permission to use his image on the album’s cover. In the litigation, Torres claimed the photo was taken as he was walking down the street after being asked to pose. He also claimed the photo had caused him mental anguish. Torres justified the delay in suing Matchbox Twenty by claiming he had only seen the album photo within the last two years.
Track listing
All tracks were written by Rob Thomas unless otherwise stated.
“Real World” – 3:50
“Long Day” – 3:45
“3 A.M.” (Thomas, John Leslie Goff, John Joseph Stanley, Brian Yale) – 3:46
“Push” (Thomas, Matt Serletic) – 3:59
“Girl Like That” – 3:45
“Back 2 Good” (Thomas, Serletic) – 5:40
“Damn” – 3:20
“Argue” – 2:58
“Kody” – 4:03
“Busted” – 4:15
“Shame” – 3:35
“Hang” – 3:47
Australian limited edition bonus CD
“Girl Like That” (MTV’s Live from the 10 Spot)
“Kody” (MTV’s Live from the 10 Spot)
“Damn” (MTV’s Live from the 10 Spot)
“Mercy, Mercy Me” (MTV’s Live from the 10 Spot)
“Push” (acoustic)
“3 am” (acoustic)
Personnel
Rob Thomas – lead vocals, acoustic guitar on “Hang”
Kyle Cook – lead guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals in chorus on “Hang”
Adam Gaynor – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Brian Yale – bass guitar
Paul Doucette – drums
Additional musicians
Matt Serletic – keyboards, percussion
Elizabeth Burkhardt – bassoon (on “Back 2 Good”), woodwind leader (on “Back 2 Good”)
Amy Porter – flute (on “Back 2 Good”)
Yvonne Powers – oboe (on “Back 2 Good”)
Ted Gurch – clarinet (on “Back 2 Good”)
Douglas Smith – bass clarinet (on “Back 2 Good”)
Production
The album was reportedly recorded in just an hour and a half
Matt Serletic – producer
Jeff Tomei – engineer
Travis McGehee – engineer/mixing engineer
John Neilson – assistant engineer
Greg Archilla – mixing engineer
Matt Serletic – mixing engineer
Malcolm Springer – assistant mixing engineer
Stephen Marcussen – mastering engineer
Don C. Tyler – digital editing
Tony Adams – drum tech
Craig Poole – guitar tech
Jan Smith – vocal coach
Valerie Wagner – art direction
Valerie Wagner – graphic design
Katrin Thomas – photography
Chris Cuffaro – band photo