The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)


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

Background

The song "The Strangest Party ", 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."

Critical reception

Upon the release, Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "New tune placed on band's greatest-hits album mines a familiar and somewhat safe field of funk-fortified rock. After the somewhat experimental nature of its last project, this will probably connect with fans who just want to jam. Smarter minds, however, will be fed by the song's clever lyrics, which are craftily delivered through a catchy, accessible melody." A reviewer from Music & Media commented, "The impression you get is of "The Best of INXS" rolled into one track. It's funky like their first singles, but the open dancey production is the "new sensation" here." Alan Jones from Music Week gave it a full score of five out of five and named it Pick of the Week, adding, "A loose, brooding new cut from the band's forthcoming Greatest Hits album is well up to the usual standard, with a powerful vocal from Hutchence and an exciting mix from Apollo 440, which should also give the band a dance hit."

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 "
  2. "The Strangest Party"
  3. "Wishing Well"
  4. "Sing SomethingINXDD 27 – CD single 2
  5. "The Strangest Party "
  6. "Need You Tonight"
  7. "I'm Only Looking" INXS MC 27 – Cassette and 7-inch red vinyl single
  8. "The Strangest Party"
  9. "Wishing Well"