I Hate the Music

This article is about the song. For the 2009 compilation album by John Paul Young, see I Hate the Music (album).

"I Hate the Music" is a pop song written by George Young and Harry Vanda and recorded by Australian pop singer John Paul Young. The song was released in March 1976 as the lead single from the singer's second studio album, J.P.Y. (1976). It peaked at number 2 on the Kent Music Report in Australia, remaining on the chart for 20 weeks. It was certified gold in Australia.^[1] It reached number 1 on the South African singles chart.^[2]

"I Hate the Music"
Single by John Paul Young
from the album J.P.Y.
Released	March 1976 (1976-03)
Recorded	1975
Studio	Albert
Genre	Pop
Label	Albert/Ariola
Songwriter(s)	Harry Vanda, George Young
Producer(s)	Harry Vanda, George Young
John Paul Young singles chronology
"The Love Game" (1975) "I Hate the Music" (1976) "Keep On Smilin'" (1976)

In 1998, the song was covered by Ratcat and John Paul Young for the Occasional Coarse Language soundtrack.

Background

The song was inspired by a conversation with George Young and Harry Vanda in the Boomerang House elevator after a day in the studio. The conversation involved George's general frustration with a song that he couldn't get to sound right. The song originally had a banjo introduction but was changed to a piano.^[3]

Reception

Cash Box magazine said "The song is about a man who 'hates the music' because it reminds him of an old love. The melody is fresh and attractive. The chorus is a hook."^[4]

Track listing

7" (AP 11037) (Ariola – 17 220)

• Side A "I Hate the Music" – 3:25
• Side B "My Name is Jack" – 3:25

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1976–77)	Peak position
Australian (Kent Music Report)[5]	2
South Africa [2]	1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[6]	18

Year-end charts

Chart (1976)	Position
Australian (Kent Music Report)[7][8]	18

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[1]	Gold	50,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "MILESAGO: Australasian Music & Popular Culture 1964-1975". Miles Ago. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
2. "South African Rock Lists Website – SA Charts 1969–1989 Acts (Y)". South Africa's Rock Lists. South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
3. John Tait (2012). Vanda and Young: Inside Australia's Hit Factory. UNSW Press. p. 155. ISBN 9781742240107.
4. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 15 May 1976. p. 16. Retrieved 21 November 2021 – via World Radio History.
5. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. p. 346. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
6. "John Paul Young – I Hate the Music". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
7. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. p. 428. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
8. "National Top 100 Singles for 1976". Kent Music Report. 27 December 1976. Retrieved 15 January 2022 – via Imgur.