“My Sharona”: The Pulsating, Unforgettable Obsession of Power Pop’s Zenith
Ah, the very end of the 1970s. As disco’s glitter ball began its slow, inevitable descent and punk’s raw fury had already ripped through the cultural fabric, a new, vibrant sound emerged, often referred to as “power pop.” It married punk’s stripped-down energy with the melodic hooks of 60s pop, delivering an electrifying, instantly catchy punch. And at the epicenter of this brief but brilliant resurgence stood The Knack, a band whose debut single, “My Sharona,” became an absolute, undeniable phenomenon, a cultural touchstone that perfectly captured the urgent thrill of young obsession.
Released in June 1979 as the lead single from their debut album, ‘Get the Knack’, “My Sharona” wasn’t just a hit; it was a juggernaut. It rocketed up the charts, spending a phenomenal six consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, making it the biggest hit of the summer of ’79 and one of the defining songs of the entire year. It also found massive international success, reaching No. 6 in the UK, and hitting the top of the charts in Canada (No. 1) and Australia (No. 1), among many other countries. For those of us who were coming of age in 1979, the insistent, driving beat and that instantly recognizable guitar riff of “My Sharona” were simply inescapable. It was the sound of youthful energy, of burgeoning desire, and the exhilarating, almost reckless, feeling of being alive.
The story behind “My Sharona” is as direct and intense as the song itself, rooted in the real-life, almost obsessive infatuation of Doug Fieger, The Knack’s lead singer and primary songwriter. In 1978, Fieger, then 25, met Sharona Alperin, a 17-year-old high school student who worked at a clothing store in Los Angeles. He was immediately, overwhelmingly smitten. Their relationship began, and Fieger found himself utterly consumed by her. He wrote “My Sharona” in a white-hot burst of inspiration, reportedly in about 15 minutes, driven solely by his intense feelings for her. The raw, unvarnished lyrics perfectly capture the feverish intensity of a crush, the physical longing, and the singular focus on the object of one’s desire. Sharona Alperin herself features on the single’s iconic cover art, a tangible link between the song and its muse. This real-life connection gave the song an undeniable authenticity, transforming a catchy tune into a deeply personal, almost voyeuristic, glimpse into infatuation.
At its core, “My Sharona” is a primal scream of adolescent (or certainly youthful) desire, a raw, uninhibited expression of intense, almost overwhelming attraction. It’s about being utterly consumed by someone, feeling their presence everywhere, and desperately yearning for physical connection. The insistent, repetitive “M-m-m-my Sharona” isn’t just a stutter; it embodies the stammering, almost frantic energy of someone completely captivated, unable to articulate their feelings smoothly. It captures the impatient, urgent energy of nascent sexuality and the thrilling, dizzying feeling of falling hard and fast. For older readers, this song is a potent trigger for memories of those intense, all-consuming crushes of youth—the sleepless nights, the flushed cheeks, the singular focus on one person who seemed to embody everything desirable. It’s a vivid flashback to a time when emotions were raw, unburdened by cynicism, and life was lived at a breathless pace.
Listening to “My Sharona” today is still an electrifying experience. The opening drum beat from Bruce Gary is immediately iconic, quickly joined by Berton Averre’s lean, jagged guitar riff that powers the entire track. Prescott Niles’s driving bassline anchors the relentless rhythm, while Doug Fieger’s vocals are a perfect blend of urgency and slightly breathless excitement. The production, famously overseen by Mike Chapman, is clean and punchy, stripping away excess to leave only the raw energy of the band. “My Sharona” isn’t just a nostalgic hit; it’s a masterclass in power pop, a song that perfectly bottled the frenetic energy and unadulterated passion of youthful obsession. It continues to pulsate with an irresistible force, reminding us of that time when a single name could set our entire world ablaze, reverberating endlessly: “M-m-m-my Sharona!”