The All-American Rejects reunited in the studio to cover Harvey Danger’s iconic “Flagpole Sitta,” and the resulting record is about as nostalgic as you might think. How do we feel about one of the most nostalgic bands of the early 2000s covering an equally nostalgic 1990s hit? To quote the song, we’re not sick, but we’re not well.
The unusual AAR release was part of the start of SPIN Records, a partnership between Virgin Records and Greater Than Distribution that launched in 2024. AAR’s version of Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta” is a fine tribute to a song that permeated every radio station, mix CD, and muffled mall speaker in the 1990s.
But that doesn’t stop AAR frontman Tyson Ritter from thinking the cover will “p*** off” Harvey Danger frontman Sean Nelson.
All-American Rejects Reunite For Ultra Nostalgic Cover
Lovers of early 2000s rock likely need no introduction for the All-American Rejects. But just in case you weren’t obsessively watching the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown every morning in 2005, let us remind you that AAR is the alt-rock band behind early 2000s classics like “Dirty Little Secret” and “Move Along.” Even if you don’t know the songs by name, you probably know them.
One could say the same thing about Harvey Danger, the American rock band behind the 1998 hit single “Flagpole Sitta.” After its release, “Flagpole Sitta” appeared in countless shows, movies, school dances, mix CDs, malls, and radio stations nationwide. The angsty song captured the tail end of the grunge attitude while looking forward to the more pop-centric rock of the 2000s. And for the All-American Rejects, it was the perfect chance to reconnect in the studio with no strings attached.
“This was a beta test to see if we could all really get along in the studio again,” Ritter told SPIN. “There were no stakes. ‘Oh, is it my song, is it your song, or what?’ We need to write this song, and we need to finish it. Is it good enough?’ all that s***. Well, it was already done. So, for us, it was just walking in the studio, catching a vibe, finding a wave to kind of flow on. Everything we’ve done has been through a major label system. This was really pure in the regard that we could just walk in together, find trust again, and lay it down. I think it was really refreshing that no blood was spilled.”
Tyson Ritter Thinks The Song Might P*** Off The Original Artist
The All-American Rejects’ cover of Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta” coincides perfectly with a national phenomenon as aging millennials everywhere realize the music of their youth is becoming—dare we say it—retro. Two decades after the start of the new millennia, the early 2000s are no less nostalgia-inducing than the 1980s. AAR isn’t avoiding that fact. In fact, they’re leaning into it.
“I remember when “Flagpole Sitta” came out. I remember it was kind of one of those songs that stopped you,” Ritter said. “There are those songs throughout music that are jarring and timeless, and I think, lyrically, so rich, even in today’s climate.” Guitarist Nick Wheeler added that “Flagpole Sitta” was a regular staple in his mix CD collection. And, he said, “I think we can all vividly still see the movie trailer that this song was a part of.”
AAR tried to reach out to Harvey Danger’s Sean Nelson before releasing their über-nostalgic cover, but they couldn’t find the musician. He allegedly lives in Nashville but keeps a low profile on purpose. When SPIN suggested perhaps AAR’s cover would be enough to lure Nelson out of his hidey-hole, Ritter replied, “Yeah, I’m sure it’ll p*** him off.” Even if it does, Nelson doesn’t have much to worry about. Ritter insisted this would be the last time AAR reunited to release a cover. But maybe that will change in another decade?
Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images
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