Strangers When We Meet (The Smithereens song)

"Strangers When We Meet" is a song by the American alternative rock group The Smithereens, released as a European-only single in 1987. It is the fourth single released in support of their debut album Especially for You.

"Strangers When We Meet"
Single by The Smithereens
from the album Especially for You
B-side	"The Seeker"
Released	August 1987 (August 1987)[1]
Recorded	The Record Plant, New York City
Genre	Power pop, alternative rock
Length	3:35
Label	Enigma
Songwriter(s)	Pat DiNizio
Producer(s)	Don Dixon
The Smithereens singles chronology
"In a Lonely Place" (1986) "Strangers When We Meet" (1987) "Only a Memory" (1988)

Background

According to songwriter Pat DiNizio, the song was his attempt to rewrite the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby", "but in the end it turned into something else altogether", he said. The title was taken from the 1960 film of the same name and the lyrics were directly inspired by the plot.^[2] Written in 1984, the song was considered by the band as the main "pop hit single" candidate on the album.^[3]

Release

In Europe, "Strangers When We Meet" was released as the fourth single from the band's debut album Especially for You. The single reached number 21 on the UK Indie Charts.

Formats and track listing

UK 7" single (Enig 3)

1. "Strangers When We Meet" (Pat DiNizio) – 3:35
2. "The Seeker" (Pete Townshend) – 3:08

UK 12" single (Enig 31)

1. "Strangers When We Meet" (DiNizio) – 3:35
2. "The Seeker" (Townshend) – 3:08
3. "Hang Ten High" (Dominic Frontiere) – 2:14

Charts

Chart (1987)	Peak position
UK Indie Chart[4]	21

Personnel

^[5]

The Smithereens

• Jim Babjak – guitar
• Dennis Diken – drums, percussion, backing vocals
• Pat DiNizio – vocals, guitar
• Mike Mesaros – bass guitar, backing vocals

Additional musicians

• Marshall Crenshaw – Hammond organ, piano on "Strangers When We Meet"

Technical

• Don Dixon – production on "Strangers When We Meet"
• Pat DiNizio – production on "The Seeker"
• Andy Shernoff – production on "Hang Ten High"

Notes

• "Strangers When We Meet" recorded 1985 at the Record Plant, New York City
• "The Seeker" recorded spring 1987 at the Record Plant, New York City
• "Hang Ten High" recorded summer 1982 at Rock Bite Studios, New York City

References

1. "The Smithereens: Strangers When We Meet (UK)". 45cat.com. Retrieved on 19 August 2018.
2. Best of the Smithereens (Guitar Recorded Versions). Hal Leonard Corporation. 1995. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-793-54453-0.
3. Especially for You (CD reissue liner notes). The Smithereens. Capitol Records. 1992.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
4. Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980–1989. Cherry Red Books. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
5. Attack of The Smithereens (CD liner notes). The Smithereens. Capitol Records. 1995.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

External links

• "Strangers When We Meet" at Discogs (list of releases)
• The Smithereens Discography at 45cat. Retrieved on 20 August 2018.