| "Losing a Whole Year" | ||||
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| Single by Third Eye Blind | ||||
| from the album Third Eye Blind | ||||
| B-side | "Horror Show" | |||
| Released | December 15, 1997 | |||
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| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
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| Label | Elektra | |||
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| Third Eye Blind singles chronology | ||||
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| "Losing a Whole Year" on YouTube | ||||
"Losing a Whole Year" is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their eponymous debut studio album (1997). Elektra Records released the song in Japan as the album's second single on December 15, 1997, and in the United States on February 23, 1998, as the fourth single from the album. The song was written by frontman Stephan Jenkins and guitarist Kevin Cadogan, while production was helmed by Jenkins and Eric Valentine. According to Jenkins, the song is about lamentation due to the end of a relationship.
The song was recorded in and around San Francisco at Toast Studios, Skywalker Ranch, and H.O.S. by Valentine. Tom Lord-Alge was responsible for the mixing of the track, which was made at South Beach Studios in Miami Beach. An alternative rock song, the song's concept was quickly developed after a band member jokingly used the phrase "losing a whole beer." The instrumentation used in the song includes guitars, drums, and percussion. Third Eye Blind initially planned to release the song as their debut single, although they opted for "Semi-Charmed Life" at the suggestion of Elektra Records.