In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the song gained additional exposure and popularity when it was used as the theme song for the American Pie films starring Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott. Whilst only reaching a disappointing 22 in the UK charts, it made serious inroads for the band in the US where it lead to performances on prime-time TV shows such as Letterman, Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno. Originally viewed by the band as a throwaway song and a possible b-side, Brian Eno soon convinced them of the potential of this track. One of the Three, the 'unofficial archive of the band James', has said this of the song:

The song was more successful in the band's native United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 25, becoming the band's ninth top-40 hit. The song peaked at number 61 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, in part due to its cult status as a popular college song in the United States. Today, a number of alternative rock stations, including Boston's RadioBDC (now known as indie617), WBOS, Maryland's WRNR-FM, Chicago's WXRT, Missoula's KDTR-FM and Philadelphia's WRFF will play 'Laid' with the original controversial line. The American release of its music video replaced the ending of its opening lyrics with 'she only sings when she's on top' (although Tim Booth is seen to lip-sync the original line, and is accompanied by a subtitle reading 'hums'). Emotionally evocative and featuring the risqué opening lyrics, 'This bed is on fire with passionate love, the neighbours complain about the noises above, but she only comes when she's on top', it quickly gained popularity on American college radio and remains the group's best-known song in the United States.

Laid in america trailer