Talking to a Stranger (song)
"Talking to a Stranger" | ||||
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Single by Hunters & Collectors | ||||
from the album Hunters & Collectors | ||||
A-side | "Talking to a Stranger (Michael's Version)" | |||
B-side | "Talking to a Stranger (Our Version)" | |||
Released | July 1982 | |||
Recorded | AAV | |||
Genre | Rock | |||
Length | 4:39 (Michael's Version) | |||
Label | Mushroom | |||
Songwriter(s) | Mark Seymour, John Archer, Geoff Crosby, Doug Falconer, Robert Miles, Greg Perano, Ray Tosti-Guerra | |||
Producer(s) | Hunters & Collectors | |||
Hunters & Collectors singles chronology | ||||
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Talking to a Stranger is the second single by Australian pub rock band Hunters & Collectors, released in 1982.[1] It was the only single to be released from Hunters & Collectors debut album. The song reached number 59 on the Australian chart.[2] "Talking to a Stranger", was released ahead of the album on 12 July, and was accompanied by a music video directed by film maker Richard Lowenstein,[3] but it did not reach the Top 50 on the related singles chart.[4]
Background
[edit]Australian pub rockers Hunters & Collectors released "Talking to a Stranger" on 12 July 1982 ahead of their debut studio album,[5] Hunters & Collectors which appeared in July.[6] The track was co-written by band members John Archer on bass guitar, Doug Falconer on drums, Ray Tosti-Guerra on guitar, vocals, Robert Miles on live sound, Mark Seymour on lead vocals and guitar, Greg Perano on percussion, and Geoff Crosby on keyboards. In 2013 a cover version of "Talking to a Stranger" by Birds of Tokyo appeared on the tribute album, Crucible – The Songs of Hunters & Collectors.[7]
Reception
[edit]At the 1982 Countdown Music Awards, the song was nominated for Best Debut Single.[8][9]
Named by Double J as one of the best debut singles of all time, they said, "following in the footsteps of Germany's Krautrock pioneers. With huge horns and metallic percussion, Hunters & Collectors showed few signs of emerging beyond Melbourne's underground. With their debut single soon after, it appeared nothing would change. It was a seven-and-a-half-minute epic with jagged guitars, a thundering rhythm, a barking vocal, and an opening line nicked from Charles Baudelaire."[10]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Talking to a Stranger (Michael's Version)" | Mark Seymour, John Archer, Geoff Crosby, Doug Falconer, Robert Miles, Greg Perano, Ray Tosti-Guerra | 4:39 |
2. | "Talking to a Stranger (Our Version)" | Mark Seymour, John Archer, Geoff Crosby, Doug Falconer, Robert Miles, Greg Perano, Ray Tosti-Guerra | 7:18 |
Personnel
[edit]- Hunters & Collectors members
- John Archer – electric bass
- Geoff Crosby – keyboards
- Doug Falconer – drums
- Robert Miles – live sound, art director
- Greg Perano – percussion
- Mark Seymour – guitar, lead vocals
- Ray Tosti-Guerra – guitar, vocals
Charts
[edit]Chart (1982) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[2] | 59 |
References
[edit]- ^ 45cat – Hunters & Collectors – Talking To A Stranger
- ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ SOUND VISIONS – 50 Best Ever Music Videos: ‘Talking To A Stranger at mossfilm
- ^ Australian Charts – Hunters & Collectors – Talking To A Stranger
- ^ Relph, John (26 October 2013). "Hunters and Collectors Discography: Hunters & Collectors". Idiot-Dog.com. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
- ^ Sutton, Pollyanna (22 May 1986). "The Good Times: Music from Kitchens and Bedrooms". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995). National Library of Australia. p. 10 Supplement: a Supplement to The Canberra Times. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
- ^ Birds Of Tokyo Cover ‘Talking To A Stranger’ For Hunters & Collectors Tribute
- ^ "Australian Music Awards". Ron Jeff. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
- ^ "Final episode of Countdown". 1970scountdown. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ Richard Kingsmill. "The 50 Best Debut Singles". Double J.