"December" is a song by American alternative rock band Collective Soul, released on the band's 1995 eponymous album. It was serviced to album rock radio on March 17, 1995. Written by singer and guitarist Ed Roland, it peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart for nine weeks, becoming that chart's most successful song of 1995. In Canada, the song reached number two on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, becoming the band's highest-charting single until "The World I Know" attained the top spot in March 1996.
Composition In a December 2017 interview with Songfacts, lead singer Ed Roland explained the inspiration behind "December":
Track listings US 7-inch single A. "December" – 4:09 B. "Gel" – 2:59
US cassette single "December" (edit) "Where the River Flows" (LP version)
German and Australian CD single "December" (LP version) "Sister Don't Cry" (acoustic) "Where the River Flows" (live) "December" (live) All live tracks were recorded on March 14, 1995, at The Thunderdome (St. Petersburg, Florida)
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1995)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA) N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.97Canada Contemporary Album Radio (The Record)1Quebec Airplay (ADISQ)12
Year-end charts Chart (1995)PositionBrazil (Crowley)66Canada Top Singles (RPM)26Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)11US Billboard Hot 10041US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)1US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)7US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard)21
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesMarch 17, 1995Album rock radioAtlanticMarch 24, 1995Top 40 radioApril 3, 1995Progressive rock radioAustraliaJune 26, 1995
Cover version Burmese rock band Iron Cross has "copied" the song live in concert.
References