The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)

"The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)" is a single by Australian band INXS. The song was written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence. The song was a new track on their compilation album The Greatest Hits.

"The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)"
Single by INXS
from the album The Greatest Hits
Released24 October 1994[1]
GenreAlternative rock
Length3:54
LabelAtlantic and Mercury
Songwriter(s)Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence
Producer(s)Chris Thomas
INXS singles chronology
"Freedom Deep"
(1994)		 "The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)"
(1994)		 "Elegantly Wasted"
(1997)

The song has a catchy drum beat with higher chords and with fingerpickering on certain parts of the song. The song reached #15 on the UK charts and #30 on the Australian charts.

The music video for the single features the band performing in a futuristic, black sci-fi like setting.

The song was also featured in the 1994 film Drop Zone starring Wesley Snipes.

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."[2]

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 & 7" Red Vinyl Single

  1. The Strangest Party
  2. Wishing Well (Courier Extended Mix)

Charts
Chart (1994) Peak
position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart[3] 34
UK Singles Chart[4] 12
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References
  1. "New Release Summary – Product Available from: 24/10/94 (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 245)". Imgur.com. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  2. INXS - The Greatest Hits - Liner Notes
  3. "Australiancharts.com – INXS – The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)". Retrieved April 18th 2016
  4. "Official albums Chart – INXS - The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)". Retrieved April 18th 2016
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