Stephan Jenkins talking to Kerrang! about the writing process. It's whatever is provoking me at the moment.' I'm not a formulaic writer – I don't have some cookie-cutter method. 'In terms of the dark lyrics and the catchy tune, I was just messing with whatever the paradigm was – I've always had a mischievous nature in that way. The song remains as Third Eye Blind's most successful single, being certified gold by the RIAA and peaking at number 53 on Billboard's all-time US Mainstream Top 40 chart. Internationally, 'Semi-Charmed Life' was a top 40 hit in six countries. The song peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, giving Third Eye Blind their first entry on the chart. Some reviewers, however, felt that the hook was crafted in a manner that would quickly become tiresome. 'Semi-Charmed Life' received positive reviews from music critics, who praised the radio-friendly nature of the song and considered it a quintessential Nineties track.

The concept of the song was developed through Jenkins's observations of friends using crystal meth at a Primus concert.

The instrumentation used in the song includes guitars, brushes, and a drum machine. An alternative rock and power pop song with a rap-influenced singing style, the song's 'doo, doo, doot' refrain was directly inspired by Lou Reed's ' Walk on the Wild Side'. 'Semi-Charmed Life' was one of the first demos recorded for Third Eye Blind and the song went through five iterations before the final version. The song was recorded and mixed in and around San Francisco at Toast Studios, Skywalker Ranch, H.O.S., and The Site by Valentine. According to Jenkins, the song is about a crystal meth addiction and the feeling that 'your life is always about to change and never be reliable'. Production on the song was helmed by Jenkins and Eric Valentine. Frontman Stephan Jenkins is credited as the sole writer of the song, although guitarist Kevin Cadogan has disputed these claims through litigation. It was released to radio as the lead single from the album on February 18, 1997, by Elektra Records. ' Semi-Charmed Life' is a song by American rock band Third Eye Blind from their eponymous debut studio album (1997). 1997 single by Third Eye Blind 'Semi-Charmed Life'

Third eye blind semi charmed life