| "Perfect Stranger" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Cheap Trick | ||||
| from the album Rockford | ||||
| Released | April 3, 2006 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:41 | |||
| Label | Big3 Records Cheap Trick Unlimited | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Linda Perry | |||
| Cheap Trick singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Perfect Stranger" is a song by the American rock band Cheap Trick, which was released in 2006 as the lead single from their fifteenth studio album Rockford . It was written by Linda Perry, Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson and Bun E. Carlos, and produced by Perry.
"Perfect Stranger" was released as the first single from Rockford, as a promotional-only release aimed at generating airplay. [1] The song impacted radio on April 3, 2006, although many stations had already begun playing the record in advance of the official impact date. [2] "Perfect Stranger" received much attention, [3] and became a radio hit in America. [4]
Speaking of the song's lyrics, Nielsen told Classic Rock Revisited: "It's Linda, Rick and Robin. If you listen to the bridge, we all start as strangers. Everybody does. And, to this day, people that you've known for years, they tell you something that you've never heard from them. Or I have people that I know well that don't know what I'm doing, let alone somebody that doesn't know me telling me what I don't know. That's one of my sentiments on it." [5]
Leading up the album's release, "Perfect Stranger" was made exclusively available via iTunes. [6] It was soon released in the US as a promotional CD-R acetate single through Big3 Records and Cheap Trick Unlimited. In Germany, the song was given a full commercial release through Steamhammer (SPV GmbH). [7] The US release featured "Perfect Stranger" as the sole track, while the German release added the Rockford album track "Welcome to the World" as the B-side. [8] The US release came with a custom printed disc and full colour picture sleeve insert, using a close-up shot of a woman, with the song's title covering her eyes. The German release featured the same artwork. [9]
No music video was created for the single, although the song became part of the band's live set around the time of the album's release and onwards. On June 7, 2006, the band appeared on Rockline , a nationally syndicated radio interview program hosted by Bob Coburn, where the band performed the song live, along with "If It Takes a Lifetime", "I Want You to Want Me" and "Surrender". [10] On June 29, 2006, the band were guests on Late Night With Conan O'Brien , during which the band performed "Perfect Stranger" live. [6]
Upon release, Billboard said: "Cheap Trick's latest single displays all the ingredients long associated with the band. The rhythm section propels the song from the get-go, while yet another quintessential melody is embellished with a Beatlesesque coda to every verse. Rick Nielsen cranks out a riff to kick the song into high gear and then doubles back to sprinkle his falsetto fairy dust over the top of vocals by Robin Zander, who effortlessly proves yet again why he is one of rock's great voices." [11] Andy Johnston of Wales Online stated: "If you're longing for something sunny to melt away Spring's seemingly interminable arctic blast, it most definitely does the er, trick. Miraculously still intact after the strife of the past decade, "Perfect Stranger" is a convincing return to form after 2003's patchy Special One. Nielsen's frenetic guitar drives the song to its infectious, harmony-coated hook anchored by the impeccable rhythm section of Bun E Carlos and Tom Petersson." [12]
The Rome News-Tribune said the song "instantly bores its way into your brain and won't let go, with Robin Zander's plaintive vocals supported by Petersson and Carlos' urgent underpinnings". [13] Pop Matters said: ""Perfect Stranger", in a perfect world, would bring this band back to the forefront of the pop/rock sector of the music industry. You wanna talk about "catchy"? This song has it all, and with its driving beat." [14] Toledo Blade commented: "What makes Rockford most impressive is its leanness and its unapologetic marriage of the Beatles and the Ramones. Tracks like "Perfect Stranger" and "O Claire" could be Beatles outtakes, they're so catchy and perfectly polished." [15] Audio Video Revolution commented: ""Perfect Stranger" throbs in a way that'll make the current crop of power pop purveyors turn red with jealousy." [16]
In a track-by-track review of Rockford by 80's Metal Server, writer Ben Perry gave the song 10 out of 10, stating "Serving up another song that throwsback to that classic sounding Cheap Trick. Chugging guitars, pounding drums, and a sugary sweet voice with a chorus that infects the mind the world over. Yep, Cheap Trick is back with a vengeance." [17] The Columbia Journal of American Studies (CJAS) writer Tim W. Brown noted: "Nielsen particularly shows off his gutsy grunge in "Perfect Stranger." This song reminds you that Nielsen practically invented grunge - the style's heavy guitar sound coupled with snappy melodies started with him." [18] Sea of Tranquility writer Ken Pierce said: "While radio has not seen a Cheap Trick hit since "The Flame", I found "Perfect Stranger" and "If It Takes A Lifetime" would have been perfect material for the medium". Another review by Sea of Tranquility writer Pete Pardo described the song as having "instantly memorable radio savvy". [19] The Lansing State Journal described Rockford as being made up of "pop and party-rock sounds with tunes like "Give It Away" and "Perfect Stranger"." [20]
Spin picked the song as one of two essential songs from Rockford. [21] Jason Keller of Now , in a review of the album, highlighted "Perfect Stranger" as the best track on Rockford. [22] The Boston Herald recommended downloading the song and added that it was "terrific". [23] Boston Globe described the song as "ploddingly up-tempo" and a "not-too-strenuous attempt to wring out a hit". [24] MelodicRock.com described the song as a "melodic rock anthem". [25]
| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Heritage Rock [26] | 18 |
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973 by guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson, lead vocalist Robin Zander and drummer Bun E. Carlos. The current lineup of the band consists of Zander, Nielsen and Petersson. Their work bridged elements of '60s guitar pop, hard rock, and punk rock, and would help set the template for subsequent power pop artists.
Robin Wayne Zander is an American musician, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the rock band Cheap Trick, but is also a solo artist. Zander was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 as a member of Cheap Trick.
Brad M. Carlson, better known by the stage name Bun E. Carlos, is the original drummer for American rock band Cheap Trick. He recorded and performed with the band from 1973 to 2010. Carlos was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 as a member of Cheap Trick.
Richard Alan Nielsen is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist, primary songwriter, and leader of the rock band Cheap Trick. He is well-known for his numerous custom-made guitars from Hamer Guitars, including his famous five-neck guitar.
Rockford is the fifteenth studio album by Cheap Trick, released on June 6, 2006 by Big3. The album's title refers to Rockford, Illinois, the band's hometown.
Woke up with a Monster is the twelfth studio album by Cheap Trick which was released by Warner Bros. Records in 1994. Produced by Ted Templeman, the album peaked at number 123 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It was Cheap Trick's first and only album for Warner Bros., who dropped the band from their roster shortly after its release.
"The Flame" is a power ballad written by British songwriters Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham. The song was released in 1988 by the American rock band Cheap Trick and the first single from their tenth album Lap of Luxury.
"If You Want My Love" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, released in 1982 as the lead single from their sixth studio album One on One. It was written by guitarist Rick Nielsen and produced by Roy Thomas Baker. It reached number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Australian Kent Music Report chart.
"She's Tight" is a song by the American rock band Cheap Trick, which was released in 1982 as the third single from their studio album One on One. It was written by guitarist Rick Nielsen and produced by Roy Thomas Baker. It reached No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
"Ghost Town" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, released in 1988 as the third single from their tenth studio album Lap of Luxury. It was written by Diane Warren and guitarist Rick Nielsen, and produced by Richie Zito. The song reached number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Woke Up with a Monster" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, released in 1994 as the lead single from their twelfth studio album Woke Up with a Monster. It was written by Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander and Tom Petersson, and produced by Ted Templeman. The song was released by Warner Bros. Records as a promotional-only single in the United States, aimed at generating radio play. It reached No. 16 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks and remained on the chart for six weeks.
"Say Goodbye" is a song by the American rock band Cheap Trick, which was released in 1997 as the lead single from their thirteenth studio album Cheap Trick. The song was written by guitarist Rick Nielsen, lead vocalist Robin Zander and bassist Tom Petersson, and was produced by Cheap Trick and Ian Taylor.
"I've Always Got You" is a song by the American singer Robin Zander, released in 1993 as the lead single from his debut solo album Robin Zander. It was written by Mike Campbell, Zander and J.D. Souther, and produced by Jimmy Iovine and Campbell.
"Scent of a Woman" is a single by American rock band Cheap Trick, released as the lead single from their 2003 album Special One. It was the band's first single in four years, from their first studio album in six years.
"If It Takes a Lifetime" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, released in 2006 as the third and final single from their fifteenth studio album Rockford. It was written by Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, Rick Nielsen, Bun E. Carlos and Julian Raymond, and produced by Cheap Trick, with co-production by Raymond.
"My Obsession" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, released in 2003 as the second single from their fourteenth studio album Special One. It was written by Tom Petersson, Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander and Julian Raymond, and produced by Chris Shaw and Cheap Trick.
"Too Much" is a single by American rock band Cheap Trick, released as the third and final single from their 2003 album Special One.
"Didn't Know I Had It" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, released in 1994 as the fifth and final single from their twelfth studio album Woke Up with a Monster. It was written by Rick Nielsen and Todd Cerney, and produced by Ted Templeman.
"Carnival Game" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, released in 1997 as the third and final single from their thirteenth studio album Cheap Trick. It was written by Jerry Dale McFadden, Rick Nielsen, Robert Reynolds, Robin Zander and Tom Petersson, and produced by Cheap Trick and Ian Taylor.
"When I Wake Up Tomorrow" is a song by American rock band Cheap Trick, which was released in 2016 as the second and final single from their seventeenth studio album Bang, Zoom, Crazy... Hello. It was written by Julian Raymond, Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson, and produced by Raymond and Cheap Trick. Released as a promotional single in the United States, "When I Wake Up Tomorrow" reached No. 24 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
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