Talking to a Stranger (song)

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]

"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)

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. 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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