Something So Strong

"Something So Strong" is a song written by Neil Finn and Mitchell Froom and performed by Crowded House for their eponymous debut album (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, No. 3 in New Zealand, No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and No. 10 on the Canadian RPM 100 Singles chart.

"Something So Strong"
Artwork used in New Zealand, Australia and North America
Single by Crowded House
from the album Crowded House
B-side	"I Walk Away"
Released	1 April 1987 (1987-04-01)
Studio	Capitol, Sunset Sound Factory (Los Angeles)
Length	2:51
Label	Capitol
Songwriter(s)	Neil Finn, Mitchell Froom
Producer(s)	Mitchell Froom
Crowded House singles chronology
"Don't Dream It's Over" (1986) "Something So Strong" (1987) "Better Be Home Soon" (1988)
Music video
"Something So Strong on YouTube

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.^[2] 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.^[3][4] 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.^[5]

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.^[6] 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".^[7]

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-inch vinyl single

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

US 12-inch vinyl single

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

UK 12-inch 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

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Something So Strong" Chart (1987) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[8] 18 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[9] 10 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[10] 12 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[11] 3 UK Singles (OCC)[12] 95 US Billboard Hot 100[13] 7 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[14] 13 US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)[15] 10 US Cash Box Top 100[16] 8

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Something So Strong" Chart (1987) Rank Canada Top Singles (RPM)[17] 65 US Billboard Hot 100[18] 83

Certifications

Certifications for "Something So Strong"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[19]	2× Platinum	140,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[20]	Platinum	30,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for "Something So Strong"

Region	Date
United States	April 1987
Australia	May 1987