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Talking to a Stranger (song)

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"Talking to a Stranger"
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)"
ReleasedJuly 1982
RecordedAAV
GenreRock
Length4:39 (Michael's Version)
LabelMushroom
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
"World of Stone"
(1982) 		"Talking to a Stranger"
(1982) 		"Lumps of Lead"
(1982)

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

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

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

7" version
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Talking to a Stranger (Michael's Version)"Mark Seymour, John Archer, Geoff Crosby, Doug Falconer, Robert Miles, Greg Perano, Ray Tosti-Guerra4:39
2."Talking to a Stranger (Our Version)"Mark Seymour, John Archer, Geoff Crosby, Doug Falconer, Robert Miles, Greg Perano, Ray Tosti-Guerra7:18

Personnel

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

Chart (1982) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[2] 59

References

  1. ^ 45cat – Hunters & Collectors – Talking To A Stranger
  2. ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  3. ^ SOUND VISIONS – 50 Best Ever Music Videos: ‘Talking To A Stranger at mossfilm
  4. ^ Australian Charts – Hunters & Collectors – Talking To A Stranger
  5. ^ Relph, John (26 October 2013). "Hunters and Collectors Discography: Hunters & Collectors". Idiot-Dog.com. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Birds Of Tokyo Cover ‘Talking To A Stranger’ For Hunters & Collectors Tribute
  8. ^ "Australian Music Awards". Ron Jeff. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  9. ^ "Final episode of Countdown". 1970scountdown. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  10. ^ Richard Kingsmill. "The 50 Best Debut Singles". Double J.
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