Everybody Talks
"Everybody Talks" is the lead single from the second studio album, Picture Show, by American rock band Neon Trees. It was released on December 20, 2011, in the United States as a digital download on iTunes. It soon became a sleeper hit. The song made it to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their highest-charting single to date as well as their first Top 10 hit. The song was produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen, engineered by Greg Collins, mixed by Billy Bush, and mastered by Joe LaPorta. As of October 2012, the song has sold over 2 million digital downloads. It also hit No. 7 on the Alternative Songs chart, their first Top 10 hit after "Animal". It also hit No. 1 on the Adult Pop Songs, their first song to do so. In late July 2025, the song hit 1 billion streams on Spotify. This is the band's first ever song to join the Spotify Billions Club. "Everybody Talks" was inspired by early 1960s pop music; Tyler Glenn said that "We fell in love with a lot of like Roy Orbison and the Motown music that my dad listens to." Glenn later revealed via Twitter, during National Coming Out Day in 2020, that he had written the song while closeted about an ex-girlfriend who had spread rumors that he was gay.
| "Everybody Talks" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Neon Trees | ||||
| from the album Picture Show | ||||
| Released | December 20, 2011 | |||
| Recorded | 2011 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:59 | |||
| Label | Mercury, Def Jam | |||
| Songwriters | Tyler Glenn, Tim Pagnotta | |||
| Producer | Justin Meldal-Johnsen | |||
| Neon Trees singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music videos | ||||
"Everybody Talks" is the lead single from the second studio album, Picture Show, by American rock band Neon Trees. It was released on December 20, 2011, in the United States as a digital download on iTunes. It soon became a sleeper hit. The song made it to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their highest-charting single to date as well as their first Top 10 hit. The song was produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen, engineered by Greg Collins, mixed by Billy Bush, and mastered by Joe LaPorta.[1][2]
As of October 2012, the song has sold over 2 million digital downloads.[3] It also hit No. 7 on the Alternative Songs chart, their first Top 10 hit after "Animal". It also hit No. 1 on the Adult Pop Songs, their first song to do so. In late July 2025, the song hit 1 billion streams on Spotify.[4] This is the band's first ever song to join the Spotify Billions Club.
"Everybody Talks" was inspired by early 1960s pop music; Tyler Glenn said that "We fell in love with a lot of like Roy Orbison and the Motown music that my dad listens to."[5] Glenn later revealed via Twitter, during National Coming Out Day in 2020, that he had written the song while closeted about an ex-girlfriend who had spread rumors that he was gay.[6]
Reception
[edit]The song has received generally positive reviews from critics. PopCrush gave it 4 out of 5 stars, stating that "people can relate to 'Everybody Talks'."[7] About.com said it was "a song that will work with a very wide audience".[8]
Music video
[edit]An animated music video to accompany the release of "Everybody Talks" was first released onto YouTube on January 14, 2012, at a total length of three minutes and forty-two seconds.[9]
The live-action music video for "Everybody Talks" was released on VEVO and YouTube on March 8, 2012. It features the band at a 1950s-esque drive-in watching a movie called Zombie Bikers From Hell. In the film, band members are playing music to the song inside a cabin when they are attacked by a group of zombies who are leather-clad motorcycle riders. Lead singer Tyler Glenn is the only one to escape, while the other band members are slaughtered by the zombies, offscreen, to the horror of the audience members at the drive-in.
Meanwhile, in the "real life" drive-in, a girl wearing red sunglasses starts seducing various male patrons. Once she and the men are alone in a secluded area, she reveals herself to be a fire-breathing vampire and eats them. In the film, Glenn hitches a ride from a girl in red-sunglasses. As they drive off in a white van, Glenn's fate remains unknown. However, Glenn and the girl are present at the drive-in. The girl who drove up in the van at the end of the movie is in the same van the band drove up to the cabin in.[10]
In popular culture
[edit]- The song was covered by Jake Puckerman (Jacob Artist) and Kitty Wilde (Becca Tobin) for the 2012 Glee episode, "The Role You Were Born to Play".[11]
- The song appeared in the 2012 movie American Reunion.[12]
- The song was used in a 2012 Buick television commercial promoting the 2012 model of the Verano.[13]
- The song was used in 2012 in the fifth episode of the second season of American TV series Homeland.[14]
- The song was used in 2012 uncredited in the third episode of the third season of American TV series Hawaii Five-0.
- The song was used in 2013 in the ninth episode of the second season of Australian TV series House Husbands.
- In 2014, the song was utilized in television and radio ad campaigns throughout Latin America for services provided by mobile phone operator, Movistar.
- The song appears as a playable track in Guitar Hero Live.[15]
- The song appears as a playable DLC track in Rock Band 4.
- The song appears in the Russian television series Kitchen.
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Everybody Talks" | 2:59 |
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[36] | 2× Platinum | 140,000^ |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[37] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[38] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| Germany (BVMI)[39] | Gold | 150,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[40] | 3× Platinum | 90,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[41] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[42] | 7× Platinum | 7,000,000‡ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
[edit]| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | December 20, 2011- December 25, 2012[43] | Digital download | Mercury |
| April 17, 2012-Summer 2014[44] | Mainstream/Top 40 |
References
[edit]- ^ Picture Show - Neon Trees | Credits | AllMusic, retrieved May 14, 2021
- ^ Billy Bush Discography[permanent dead link]
- ^ Grein, Paul (October 3, 2012). "Week Ending Sept. 30, 2012. Songs: A Real Horserace For No. 1". Chart Watch. Yahoo Music. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
- ^ Armstrong, Sam (July 28, 2025). "Neon Trees' 'Everybody Talks' Joins The Spotify Billions Club". uDiscover Music. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
- ^ "Neon Trees Song Premiere: 'Everybody Talks'". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Glenn, Tyler (October 11, 2020). "Its National Coming Out Day. The first 3 Neon Trees albums I wrote in the closet but I hid queer messages in songs. "Everybody Talks" was about my ex girlfriend spreading rumors that I was gay (Surprise girl) I came out 6 years ago & it was the BEST move for my health & happiness". Twitter. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Neon Trees, "Everybody Talks" – Song Review". Popcrush.com. December 7, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Review: Neon Trees - Everybody Talks". Top40.about.com. January 7, 2014. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ Neon Trees - Everybody Talks (Animated Version). YouTube
- ^ "Where to Watch Music Videos".
- ^ "Glee Cast – MP3 downloads". amazon.com. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
- ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (March 21, 2012). "'American Reunion' Soundtrack Details Plus All The Songs In The Film Including Al Green, 2 Live Crew, R. Kelly, Boyz II Men & More". IndieWire. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ "2012 Buick Verano TV Commercial Ad Tour Bus Featuring The Neon Trees commercial 2019". TV Commercial Ad. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ Thomas, June (October 29, 2012). "What Critics and Commenters Said About Homeland 205, "Q&A"". Slate Magazine. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ Futter, Mike (24 November 2015). "Here Are All Of The Currently Available Guitar Hero Live Tracks". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- ^ "Neon Trees – Everybody Talks". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Neon Trees Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Neon Trees Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2021. [dead link]
- ^ "Neon Trees Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2021. [dead link]
- ^ "Neon Trees Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2021. [dead link]
- ^ "ČNS IFPI – CZ Radio – Top 100 – 50. týden 2012" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI – CZ Singles Digital – Top 100 – 33. týden 2014" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- ^ "Chart Track: Week 07, 2013". Irish Singles Chart. Archived from the original.
- ^ "Neon Trees – Everybody Talks". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Neon Trees Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Neon Trees Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
- ^ "Neon Trees Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Neon Trees Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ^ "Neon Trees Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Best of 2012 - Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
- ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
- ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
- ^ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
- ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2013". ARIA. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Neon Trees – Everybody Talks" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Neon Trees – Everybody Talks". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Neon Trees; 'Everybody Talks')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Neon Trees – Everybody Talks". Radioscope. Retrieved December 6, 2025. Type Everybody Talks in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
- ^ "British single certifications – Neon Trees – Everybody Talks". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 4, 2023. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Everybody Talks Neon Trees in the "Search:" field.
- ^ "American single certifications – Neon Trees – Everybody Talks". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Everybody Talks - Single by Neon Trees". iTunes Store (United States). December 20, 2011. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ "Top 40/Mainstream eWeekly/Add Board Alert". AllAccess. April 10, 2012. Archived from the original on September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
