Something So Strong
1987 single by Crowded House
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"Something So Strong" is a song written by Neil Finn and Mitchell Froom and performed by Crowded House for their eponymous debut album (1986). The track was released as the album's fifth and final single in April 1987.[1] The single peaked at No. 18 on the Australian Kent Music Report singles chart, No. 3 in New Zealand, No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and No. 10 on the Canadian RPM 100 Singles chart.
| "Something So Strong" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Artwork used in New Zealand, Australia and North America | ||||
| Single by Crowded House | ||||
| from the album Crowded House | ||||
| B-side | "I Walk Away" | |||
| Released | 1 April 1987 | |||
| Studio | Capitol, Sunset Sound Factory (Los Angeles) | |||
| Length | 2:51 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriters | Neil Finn, Mitchell Froom | |||
| Producer | Mitchell Froom | |||
| Crowded House singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Something So Strong on YouTube | ||||
The track lends its title to the book, Crowded House: Something So Strong (1997), by Australian biographer Chris Bourke, which details the band's career in the 1980s and 1990s.[2] According to Bourke, "Something So Strong" was the first song written by Finn specifically for Crowded House. However, Froom and Finn reworked parts of the song; thus, Froom is credited as a co-writer.[2][3][better source needed]
Music video
A music video was produced to promote the single. The video shows the band singing the song in a barn. A classic American car is parked outside while they perform.[4]
Reception
"Something So Strong" has been described as a "gleaming pop gem"[5] and as a "testament to the transformative power of love".[6] Junkee said the song was "rightfully revered as a staple in the band's discography, but admittedly the shine of the original has worn off somewhat with its dated, reverb-heavy production".[7]
Later uses
The track is included in the various artists' 3× CD, Flood Relief: Artists for the Flood Appeal (January 2011), which raised money for victims of the Queensland floods.[8]
Track listings
"Something So Strong" written by Neil Finn and Mitchell Froom. All other songs written by Finn. All tracks from the album "Crowded House", except the two Live tracks on the UK 12" vinyl single, previously released on the "World Where You Live" US promo CD single.
Standard 7-inch vinyl single
- "Something So Strong" – 2:51
- "I Walk Away" – 3:05
US 12-inch vinyl single
- "Something So Strong" – 2:51
- "Can't Carry On" – 3:57
- "I Walk Away" – 3:05
UK 12-inch vinyl single
- "Something So Strong" – 2:51
- "Something So Strong" – 4:02 (live at King Biscuit Flower Hour, The Trocadero, Philadelphia, 24 March 1987)
- "I Walk Away" – 3:05
- "Don't Dream It's Over" – 5:53 (live at The Roxy, Los Angeles, 26 February 1987)
Personnel
- Neil Finn – lead vocals and backing vocals, electric guitar
- Nick Seymour – bass and backing vocals
- Paul Hester – drums and backing vocals
- Mitchell Froom – piano
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[20] | 2× Platinum | 140,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[21] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Date |
|---|---|
| United States | April 1987 |
| Australia | May 1987 |