What I Go to School For

Infobox Single
Name = What I Go to School For


Artist = Busted
from Album =
Released = 2002
Format = CD Single
Recorded =
Genre = Pop punk
Length =
Label = Universal Music
Writer =
Producer =
Chart position =
Reviews =
Last single =
This single = "What I Go to School For"
(2002)
Next single = "Year 3000"
(2003)Extra album cover
Upper caption = CD2 Cover "What I Go to School For" is the debut single by UK pop/rock band, Busted released in 2002. It reached #3 in the UK Singles Chart. It was inspired by a teacher that Busted bassist Matt Willis had a crush on at school. The song was parodied by the Amateur Transplants on their 2004 album, and was later covered by American pop-rock group Jonas Brothers in 2006.

Miss McKenzie

In 2003 the real-life inspiration for the song was revealed to be Matt's former teacher Michelle Blair, who made a surprise appearance on The Frank Skinner Show on UK television's ITV1 channel during an interview with Matt. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/theatre/2003/12/michelle_busted.shtml "BBC, Beds, Herts and Bucks Theatre - Miss McKenzie"] ] Michelle, who was 28 at the time of her appearance on The Frank Skinner Show, and had been married for three years, was Matt's dance teacher at the Sylvia Young Theatre School when Matt was 15. Speaking about the surprise appearance with Matt on the show, Michelle said:

"It was hilarious - he looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up. I only found out the song was about me after it came out - it's really flattering. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20031207/ai_n12881522 "Lawrence, Lucy: "BUSTED'S MATT LUSTED FOR ME", Sunday Mirror, Dec 7, 2003, Quoted from "Find Articles"] ] "

Michelle said that at the time she was not aware of her pupil's crush on her, but that she did remember him from the dance classes:

"He was quite cheeky and charming and always had something to say in class. He used to tell us he was in a band, but I never dreamed they were going to be this big and I certainly hadn't a clue I was going to feature in one of their songs! [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/theatre/2003/12/michelle_busted.shtml "BBC, Beds, Herts and Bucks Theatre - Miss McKenzie"] ] "

Commenting on the veracity of these events as portrayed in the song, Michelle said:

"I think he's used a bit of artistic licence in the song. It was a dance class so we never used any pencils but I suppose he had ample opportunity to look at my bum. There was never any tree outside my bedroom window though - I think I might have noticed a Peeping Tom. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20031207/ai_n12881522 "Lawrence, Lucy: "BUSTED'S MATT LUSTED FOR ME", Sunday Mirror, Dec 7, 2003, Quoted from "Find Articles"] ] "

Reflecting on his time under the tutelage of Miss Blair, Matt had the following to say:

"She was kind of nice and there was always something really sexy about her. [Ibid.] "

Being identified as the object of adolescent lust, and the subject of a pop song, hasn't caused any friction with her husband according to Michelle:

"My husband thinks its hilarious and takes the mickey. I don't think he's really worried I'm going to run off with a pop star. I'm proud of them. Looking back it was obvious Matt had what it takes. [Ibid.] "

Track listing

UK Versions:CD1:
#"What I Go To School For (Single Version)"
#"What I Go To School For (Acoustic Version)"
#"What I Go To School For (Alternative Remix)"
#"What I Go To School For (Instrumental Mix)"

CD2:
#"What I Go To School For (Single Version)"
#"Brown Eyed Girl"
#"Enhanced Interactive Interview"

US Version:
#"What I Go to School For (Radio Version)"
#"What I Go to School For (Album Version)"
#"What I Go to School For (CD-ROM Track)"

Infobox Song
Name = What I Go to School For


Caption =
Type =
Artist = Jonas Brothers
alt Artist =
Album = It's About Time
Published =
Released = 2006
track_no = 1
Recorded =
Genre = Pop rock
Length = 3:33
Writer =
Composer =
Label = Columbia Records
Producer =
Chart position =
Tracks =
prev =
prev_no =
next =
next_no =
Misc = Extra tracklisting
Album = It's About Time
Type = studio
Tracks =
# "What I Go To School For"
# "Time for Me to Fly"
# "Year 3000"
# "One Day at a Time"
# "6 Minutes"
# "Mandy"
# "You Just Don't Know It"
# "I Am What I Am"
# "Underdog"
# "7:05"
# "Please Be Mine"

Jonas Brothers version

The song was also rewritten for the Jonas Brothers' 2006 album, "It's About Time" (one of two Busted songs they have done versions of - the other being "Year 3000"). Some of the lyrics are different from Busted's version to make it more suitable for younger children, such as instead of her being a teacher, she is a senior in high school. The verse that starts out "So she may be 33..." is changed to "Her boyfriend's just turning 19/But that doesn't bother me/He's back in college out of town/I find a reason to go round/I climb a tree outside her home/To make sure that she's alone/She looks up and sees me there/I can't help but stop and stare" That part instead of "She looks up and sees me there" the busted version says "I see her in her underwear". And the chorus, instead of saying "Girlfriends, I've had plenty/But none like Miss McKenzie" says "Girlfriends, I've had plenty/But she's the one that I need." The verse about staring at her bum is completely changed from the original, and instead talks about him being bored in his freshman math class while she's filling out her college applications, and the fact that she would have to drive them to the prom. The Jonas Brothers made more of a 'cleaner' version of the song as they have a clean image to keep up, considering they wear purity rings to symbolise they don't believe in sex before marriage.

References