"Something So Strong" is a
rock song written by
Neil Finn and
Mitchell Froom and performed by
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, in 1985. Its founding members were New Zealander Neil Finn (vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter) and Australians Paul Hester (drums) and Nick Seymour (bass). Later ban ...
for their
eponymous debut album (June 1986). The track was released as the album's fifth and final single in April 1987. The single peaked at No. 18 on the Australian
Kent Music Report
The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to January 1999. The chart was re-branded the Australian Music Report (AMR) in July ...
Singles Chart,
[ Note: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) created their own charts in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974.] No. 3 in
New Zealand,
No. 7 in the United States
''Billboard'' Hot 100,
and No. 10 on the Canadian
''RPM'' 100.
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 from forming to just after their breakup in 1996.
According to Bourke, "Something So Strong", was the first song written by Finn specifically for Crowded House. However while in the studio, producer, Froom, and Finn reworked parts of the song and as such, Froom is credited as a co-writer.
[ Note: User may have to click 'Search again' and provide details at 'Enter a title:' e.g Something So Strong; &/or at 'Performer:' Crowded Housel] Demos of this song have been linked to Finn's earlier band
Split Enz, from the 1984 ''
See Ya 'Round'' period, potentially making the timeline earlier on this track.
Music video
A music video was produced to promote the single, of the band singing the song in a barn. A classic American car is parked outside while they perform.
Later uses
The song, though in a different version by Crowded House, plays during the end credits of the 1999
Bryan Brown film, ''
Dear Claudia''.
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.
A sample of "Something So Strong" plays during a TV spot of Flood Relief.
Reception
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."
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.
Chart history
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Standard 7" vinyl single
''Released in Australia, Japan, Netherlands, United States and United Kingdom.''
#"Something So Strong" - 2:51
#"I Walk Away" - 3:05
US promotional single
''Released on 7" and 12" vinyl''.
#"Something So Strong" - 2:51
US 12" vinyl single
#"Something So Strong" - 2:51
#"Can't Carry On" - 3:57
#"I Walk Away" - 3:05
UK 12" 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
Studio recordings
*
Neil Finn - lead vocals and backing vocals, electric guitar
*
Nick Seymour
Nicholas More Seymour (born 9 December 1958) is an Australian musician and record producer. He is the founding bass guitarist and a mainstay of the rock group Crowded House, and is the younger brother of Mark Seymour, singer-songwriter-guitari ...
- bass and backing vocals
*
Paul Hester - drums and backing vocals
*
Mitchell Froom - piano
Release history
Notes
External links
*
{{Authority control
1987 singles
Crowded House songs
Songs written by Neil Finn
Songs written by Mitchell Froom
Song recordings produced by Mitchell Froom
1986 songs
Capitol Records singles