Hackensack

Album: Welcome Interstate Managers (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about a guy reminiscing over a girl he knew in his youth - a girl who has since grown up, moved to LA and become famous. The guy still loves the girl and hopes that she may one day return to Hackensack, a city in New Jersey, and to him.

    Group leaders Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger wrote the song, which isn't about a real person. Schlesinger says he didn't have a specific actress in mind when he came up with the lyric.
  • In 2009, this song was covered by Katy Perry on MTV Unplugged. In our interview with Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, he said he was impressed by Perry's version. "Yeah, I think it's great," he said. "I thought it was interesting, because she reversed it so that the melody in the chorus is lower than the melody in the verse, which is the opposite of how we did it. But I think it actually worked out really well, gave the song a different vibe."
  • This song features in 2005 movie, Just Friends, starring Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart.
  • Part of Schlesinger's childhood was spent in Montclair, New Jersey, and he couldn't resist the lure of rhyming "go back" with "Hackensack" in this song. The band is named after Wayne, New Jersey, where there were prominent fountains at a garden center along the main drag.
  • On April 22, 2020, Fountains of Wayne reunited virtually to livestream a performance of this song during the Jersey 4 Jersey benefit concert, which raised money for the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund. Sharon Van Etten filled in for Adam Schlesinger, who was one of the first music celebrities to die from coronavirus, passing away on April 1 at 52. Their performance was released as a single, with proceeds going to the fund.

Comments: 3

  • Steve from New JerseyThe mood of the lyrics, performance and lyrics suggests that the waiting is in vain; she is never coming back to Hackensack.
  • Qwertywhat instruments were used for this song?
  • Christian Cage from Kitchner, OnThis song would have made a good addition to the Garden State soundtrack.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.