Something So Strong Explained

"Something So Strong" is a rock song written by Neil Finn and Mitchell Froom and performed by Crowded House for their eponymous debut album (June 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,^[2] No. 3 in New Zealand,^[3] No. 7 in the United States Billboard Hot 100,^[4] and No. 10 on the Canadian RPM 100.^[5]

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.^{[6] [7]} 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 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] 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".^[9]

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" vinyl single

Released in Australia, Japan, Netherlands, United States and United Kingdom.

1. "Something So Strong" – 2:51
2. "I Walk Away" – 3:05

US promotional single

Released on 7" and 12" vinyl.

1. "Something So Strong" – 2:51

US 12" vinyl single

1. "Something So Strong" – 2:51
2. "Can't Carry On" – 3:57
3. "I Walk Away" – 3:05

UK 12" vinyl single

1. "Something So Strong" – 2:51
2. "Something So Strong" – 4:02 (live at King Biscuit Flower Hour, The Trocadero, Philadelphia, 24 March 1987)
3. "I Walk Away" – 3:05
4. "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

Chart history

Weekly charts

Chart (1987)!scope="col"

Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)	18
Canada RPM Top Singles	10
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[10]	12
New Zealand (RIANZ)[11]	3
UK Singles Chart	95
US Billboard Hot 100[12]	7
US Billboard Mainstream Rock	10
US Billboard Adult Contemporary[13]	13
US Cash Box Top 100[14]	8

Year-end charts

Chart (1987)!scope="col"

Rank
US Billboard Hot 100[15]	83

Release history

Region! scope="col"

Date
United States	April 1987
Australia	May 1987

Notes and References

1. Bailey, Marck; Comprehensive discography of Crowded House including track listings for all albums and singles. Released 28 March 1995. Retrieved 5 July 2007.
2. Book: . Kent . David . David Kent (historian) . Australian Chart Book Ltd . . 1993 . 0-646-11917-6 . 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.
3. Web site: Crowded House – 'Something so Strong' . New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung) . Hung . Steffen . 10 September 2014 .
4. Web site: Crowded House – Crowded House | Awards . . 10 September 2014 .
5. RPM Top Singles . 46 . 17 . 1 August 1987 . . Library and Archive Canada . 10 September 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121019225123/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0841&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=ddnov84tafb7ommjss43s0he75 . 19 October 2012 . dead .
6. Book: Bourke, Chris . Crowded House: Something So Strong . 1997 . 978-0-7329-0886-7 . Macmillan . South Melbourne, Vic .
7. Web site: Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) . 'In the Metro' at APRA search engine . 27 July 2014 . 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
8. News: Flood Relief: Artists for the Flood Appeal . . 21 January 2011 . 10 September 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141015193921/http://today.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/8199906/flood-relief-artists-for-the-flood-appeal . 15 October 2014 . dmy-all .
9. Web site: Junkee . The Evolution Of Crowded House In 15 Essential Tracks. David James Young. 17 June 2021.
10. Web site: Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada . Collectionscanada.gc.ca . 1987-08-22 . 2018-01-24.
11. Web site: The Official New Zealand Music Chart. Nztop40.co.nz.
12. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 -
13. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn

    . Joel Whitburn . 1993 . Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 . Record Research . 62.

14. Web site: Cash Box Top 100 Singles, July 18, 1987. Tropicalglen.com.
15. Web site: Top 100 Hits of 1987/Top 100 Songs of 1987 . Musicoutfitters.com.