The Old Apartment

In a 2016 Songfacts interview, Barenaked Ladies frontman Ed Robertson discussed the oft-misunderstood song: "People think that it's a disgruntled ex-partner breaking into the apartment to mess with the current relationship of his ex. But it's actually about the building. The couple has moved on together and the guy is going back and he's pissed off that the people have changed this place that is special to him. So, the anger comes from, 'Hey, this was my home, why did you mess it up by changing all these things?' So, that's what that one's about. A lot of people think that that's about an ex-relationship but it's actually about an ex-abode."

Born On A Pirate Ship was the third Barenaked Ladies album. By this time, they were one of the most popular acts in Canada, but had just a small (albeit fervent) following in America. "The Old Apartment" was the first song to break through in that country, earning them their first Hot 100 appearance as the song reached #88 in May 1997. A live version of "Brian Wilson" was issued later that year, and after relentless touring and a huge promotional push, they hit it big in America in 1998 when "One Week" reached the top spot.

Jason Priestley, a big fan of the group and a fellow Canadian, directed the video. In 1997, Priestley had Barenaked Ladies appear in the "Spring Breakdown" episode of his show Beverly Hills, 90210, where they perform at The Peach Pit. Priestley also directed Barenaked in America, a 1999 documentary of their Stunt tour.