The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)

Last updated

"The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)"
INXS The Strangest Party.jpg
Single by INXS
from the album The Greatest Hits
Released10 October 1994 (1994-10-10)
Length3:54
Label Mercury
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Chris Thomas
INXS singles chronology
"Freedom Deep"
(1994)		"The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)"
(1994)		"Elegantly Wasted"
(1997)

"The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)" is a song by Australian band INXS. The track was written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence and was included as a new track on their compilation album The Greatest Hits . Released as a single in October 1994, the song reached number 15 on the UK Singles Chart and number 30 on the Australian Singles Chart. The music video for the single features the band performing in a futuristic, black sci-fi like setting.

Contents

Background

The song "The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)", alongside the song "Deliver Me", was recorded for the group's Greatest Hits release with producer Chris Thomas, however, the music for the song was originally written by Andrew Farriss during the recording sessions of the band's previous studio album, Full Moon, Dirty Hearts . During the recording of "Deliver Me", the band wanted to add a second new track on the record, and decided to use the material that Andrew had previously written. The lyrics for the song were later added in by Michael Hutchence.

Lyrics

In one interview during the promotion of their Greatest Hits release, Hutchence described the song as a commentary on the band's lifestyle, particularly the lyrics: "You're part of the solution or part of the problem." He also mentions this in the album's liner notes: "I think this new album and especially the new single, 'The Strangest Party' sums up our time so far with INXS. It's certainly been the strangest party I've ever been to." [1]

B-sides

The B-sides were a selection of remixes of album tracks as well as "Sing Something" a solo composition by guitarist Tim Farriss.

Track listings

INXCD 27 – CD single 1

  1. "The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)"
  2. "The Strangest Party" (Apollo 440 mix)
  3. "Wishing Well" (Courier extended mix)
  4. "Sing Something

INXDD 27 – CD single 2

  1. "The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)" (3:52)
  2. "Need You Tonight" (Big Bump mix) (8:27)
  3. "I'm Only Looking" (Bad Yard club mix) (8:07)

INXS MC 27 – Cassette and 7-inch red vinyl single

  1. "The Strangest Party"
  2. "Wishing Well" (Courier extended mix)

Charts

Chart (1994)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [2] 34
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [3] 25
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [4] 53
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) [5] 21
Scotland (OCC) [6] 15
UK Singles (OCC) [7] 15

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United Kingdom10 October 1994
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Mercury [8]
Australia24 October 1994
  • CD
  • cassette
 [9]
Japan26 November 1994Mini-CD [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">INXS</span> Australian rock band (1977–2012)

INXS were an Australian rock band, formed as the Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. The founding members were bassist Garry Gary Beers, main composer and keyboardist Andrew Farriss, drummer Jon Farriss, guitarist Tim Farriss, lead singer and main lyricist Michael Hutchence, and guitarist and saxophonist Kirk Pengilly. For 20 years, INXS was fronted by Hutchence, whose magnetic stage presence made him the focal point of the band. Initially known for their new wave/pop style, the band later developed a harder pub rock style that included funk and dance elements.

<i>Full Moon, Dirty Hearts</i> 1993 studio album by INXS

Full Moon, Dirty Hearts is the ninth studio album by Australian rock band INXS. It was released on 1 November 1993, through East West Records in Australia and in the United Kingdom by Phonogram's Mercury Records label. It was followed by the Dirty Honeymoon world tour of 1993–1994.

<i>The Greatest Hits</i> (INXS album) 1994 greatest hits album by INXS

The Greatest Hits is a greatest hits compilation released by Australian rock band INXS in 1994. The compilation was a chart success in Australia, peaking at number two, and in the UK, where it reached number three. It stalled at number 112 on the US Billboard 200; however, it was eventually certified platinum. The album included two new songs: "The Strangest Party " and "Deliver Me".

<i>Kick</i> (INXS album) 1987 studio album by INXS

Kick is the sixth studio album by Australian rock band INXS, released on 19 October 1987 through WEA in Australia, Mercury Records in Europe, and Atlantic Records in the United States and Canada. The album was produced by British producer Chris Thomas, recorded by David Nicholas in Sydney and Paris and mixed by Bob Clearmountain at Air Studios in London.

<i>Listen Like Thieves</i> 1985 studio album by INXS

Listen Like Thieves is the fifth studio album by Australian rock band INXS. It was released on 14 October 1985. It spent two weeks at number one on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. Considered an international breakthrough album for the band, it peaked at No. 11 on the United States Billboard 200, No. 24 on the Canadian RPM 100 Albums and in the top 50 in the United Kingdom.

<i>Elegantly Wasted</i> 1997 studio album by INXS

Elegantly Wasted is the tenth studio album by Australian rock band INXS. It was released on 15 April 1997, and is the final album recorded with lead singer Michael Hutchence before his death in November that same year.

<i>X</i> (INXS album) 1990 studio album by INXS

X is the seventh studio album by Australian rock band INXS, released on 25 September 1990 through WEA in Australia, Mercury Records in Europe, and Atlantic Records in the United States and Canada. The follow-up to the massive seller Kick, X scored hits with "Suicide Blonde" and "Disappear". Both singles were later used in the soundtrack to the 1991 American teen comedy Mystery Date. Two other singles from X were "Bitter Tears" and "By My Side" but they had less chart success. A fifth single, "The Stairs", was only issued in the Netherlands to coincide with the release of the Live Baby Live album.

<i>Shabooh Shoobah</i> 1982 studio album by INXS

Shabooh Shoobah is the third studio album by Australian rock band INXS. It was released on 13 October 1982. It peaked at No. 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart and remained on the chart for 94 weeks. It was the band's first album to be released worldwide and appeared on the United States Billboard 200 and on the Hot Pop Albums Chart. The album spawned four singles, "The One Thing", "Don't Change", "To Look at You" and "Black and White". It was produced by Mark Opitz for WEA Australia with most tracks written by band members Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence.

<i>Switch</i> (INXS album) 2005 studio album by INXS

Switch is the eleventh studio album by the Australian rock band INXS, and their last to be composed of entirely new material. It was released on 29 November 2005 and produced by Guy Chambers. It was their first full-length studio album since the 1997 death of vocalist Michael Hutchence, and the only album to feature singer J.D. Fortune.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suicide Blonde</span> 1990 single by INXS

"Suicide Blonde" is the lead single from Australian rock band INXS's seventh studio album, X (1990). It was released on 22 August 1990 in the United States and on 3 September 1990 in the United Kingdom. The song reached number two in Australia, number nine in the United States, and number 11 in the United Kingdom. In Canada and New Zealand, the single peaked at number one for two and three weeks, respectively. At the APRA Music Awards of 1991, "Suicide Blonde" won the award Most Performed Australian Work Overseas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Farriss</span> Australian musician

Andrew Charles Farriss is an Australian rock musician and multi-instrumentalist best known as the keyboardist, backing vocalist, and main composer for rock band INXS. Farriss released his debut studio album in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Need You Tonight</span> 1987 single by INXS

"Need You Tonight" is a song by the Australian rock band INXS, released as the first single from their 1987 album, Kick, as well as the fourth song on the album. It is the only INXS single to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also achieved their highest charting position in the United Kingdom, where the song reached number two on the UK Singles Chart; however, this peak was only reached after a re-release of the single in November 1988. On its first run on the UK charts in October 1987, it stalled at No. 58. It was one of the last songs recorded for the album, yet it would arguably become the band's signature song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taste It</span> 1992 single by INXS

"Taste It" is a song by Australian rock band INXS, released as the fourth single from their eighth album, Welcome to Wherever You Are (1992), in November 1992. The song was written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence. It peaked at No. 36 on the Australian Singles Chart and also charted in New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Sensation</span> 1987 single by INXS

"New Sensation" is a song by Australian rock group INXS. It was the third single released from their sixth studio album, Kick (1987). The music was composed by Andrew Farriss and the lyrics were written by Michael Hutchence. The song features a signature Kirk Pengilly sax solo and lyrics about a partying lifestyle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Original Sin (INXS song)</span> 1983 single by INXS

"Original Sin" is a song by Australian rock group INXS, released as the first single from the band's fourth album, The Swing. It was written by Michael Hutchence and Andrew Farriss, and produced by Nile Rodgers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mystify (song)</span> 1989 single by INXS

"Mystify" is a song by Australian rock band INXS, released the fifth and final single from their sixth studio album, Kick (1987). The song was written by Andrew Farriss, Michael Hutchence and Tim Farriss as part of the first sessions for Kick. The song was first previewed to Australian audiences on the Australian Made tour in January 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">By My Side (INXS song)</span> 1991 single by INXS

"By My Side" is a single by Australian band INXS, the third UK single and fourth Australian single taken from their seventh studio album, X (1990). The song was written by Andrew Farriss, Michael Hutchence and Kirk Pengilly as part of the 1990 sessions for the X album. Record producer Chris Thomas, who produced the album, is also given songwriting credits, specifically contributing to the chorus and arrangement, as explained in the liner notes for the X album special edition in 2002. Farriss has said "By My Side" was written about missing family and friends while touring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bitter Tears (song)</span> 1991 single by INXS

"Bitter Tears" is a song by Australian rock band INXS, released as the third Australian and fourth UK single from their seventh studio album, X (1990). The song was written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence as part of the sessions for the X album. It peaked at number 30 on the UK Singles Chart and number 36 in Australia. The single was released to coincide with the band headlining the SummerXS concert at Wembley Stadium in July 1991, as documented in the Live Baby Live DVD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful Girl (INXS song)</span> 1993 single by INXS

"Beautiful Girl" a song by Australian rock band INXS, released as the fifth international single from their eighth album, Welcome to Wherever You Are (1992), on 1 February 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Please (You Got That ...)</span> 1993 single by INXS

"Please " is a song by Australian rock band INXS, released as the second single from their ninth studio album, Full Moon, Dirty Hearts, on 29 November 1993. The song was written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence and features guest vocals by Ray Charles. In June 2019, a new version of the song was released as the second single from the 2019 documentary film Mystify and lifted from the soundtrack, Mystify: A Musical Journey with Michael Hutchence.

References

  1. ↑ INXS - The Greatest Hits - Liner Notes
  2. ↑ "INXS – The Strangest Party (These Are The Times)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  3. ↑ "INXS – The Strangest Party (These Are The Times)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 45. 5 November 1994. p. 15.
  5. ↑ "Tipparade-lijst van week 49, 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  6. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  7. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  8. ↑ "Single Releases". Music Week . 8 October 1994. p. 25.
  9. ↑ "New Release Summary – Product Available from: 24/10/94 (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 245)" . Retrieved 19 September 2016– via Imgur.
  10. ↑ "ストレンジェスト・パーティ | INXS" [Strangest Party | INXS] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved 9 September 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.