Whose Problem?

"Whose Problem?" is a song by American new wave band The Motels, which was released in 1980 as the third and final single from their second studio album Careful. The song was written by Martha Davis and produced by Carter. "Whose Problem?" failed to chart in the US, but reached number 42 in the UK Singles Chart and number 43 in the Australian Kent Music Report chart.[1][2]

"Whose Problem?"
Single by The Motels
from the album Careful
B-side"Envy"
Released1980
Length3:47
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)Martha Davis
Producer(s)Carter
The Motels singles chronology
"Danger"
(1980)		 "Whose Problem?"
(1980)		 "Only the Lonely"
(1982)

Critical reception

On its release, Record World commented, "Davis' lyrics are loaded with imagery and it comes to life vividly through her theatrical vocals. The staging is equally colorful with guitar/sax adds."[3] In the UK, Jim Whiteford of The Kilmarnock Standard praised the song as "a stunning mid-tempo rock number" with "just enough similarities to the Pretenders' recent hit to guarantee success". He added, "Dig the guitar sound and the overall production, very pleasing."[4]

Deanne Pearson of Smash Hits commented that the Motels were "a cut above many of their fellow Californian musicians", but felt that they sound "slightly sleepy and sun-soaked, as if they're not stretching themselves to their full capacity". She added, "Davis has a deep, rich, sultry voice with a fine jazzy edge, but sounds a little too blasé, adding to the general laid-back, nonchalant feel of this record."[5] Pauline McLeod of the Daily Mirror commented, "The Motels, a big success in the States, haven't quite made their mark here yet. I'm not sure if this is the one to do it for them."[6] Mike Nicholls of Record Mirror was more critical of the song, noting that Davis was "trying to sound like Sandie Shaw" over "a mis-matched backing track".[7]

Track listing

7–inch single (US and Canada)[8]

  1. "Whose Problem?" – 3:47
  2. "Envy" – 3:25

7–inch promotional single (US)[9]

  1. "Whose Problem?" – 3:50
  2. "Whose Problem?" – 3:50

7–inch single (UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand)[10][11][12][13]

  1. "Whose Problem?" – 3:47
  2. "Cry Baby" – 3:24

7–inch promotional single (Spain)[14]

  1. "Whose Problem?" – 3:51
  2. "Envy" – 3:25

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the Careful LP inner sleeve notes.[15]

The Motels

  • Martha Davis – vocals, guitar
  • Tim McGovern – guitar
  • Marty Jourard – keyboards, saxophone
  • Michael Goodroe – bass
  • Brian Glascock – drums

Production

  • Carter – producer, engineer
  • Warren Dewey – recording
  • Richard McKernan – assistant engineer

Charts
Chart (1980) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[2] 43
UK Singles (OCC)[16] 42

References
  1. "MOTELS; full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  2. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 209. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  3. "Single Picks". Record World. Vol. 37, no. 1733. October 11, 1980. p. 12. ISSN 0034-1622.
  4. Whiteford, Jim (October 31, 1980). "Records". The Kilmarnock Standard. p. 18.
  5. Pearson, Deanne (September 4, 1980). "Reviews: Singles". Smash Hits. Vol. 2, no. 18. p. 27.
  6. McLeod, Pauline (August 30, 1980). "Reviews Rock Diary". Daily Mirror. p. 25.
  7. Nicholls, Mike (August 30, 1980). "Singles". Record Mirror. p. 12. ISSN 0144-5804.
  8. Whose Problem? (US and Canada 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. 4937.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. Whose Problem? (US 7-inch promotional single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. P-4937.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. Whose Problem? (UK and Ireland 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. CL 16162.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. Whose Problem? (Netherlands 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. 1A 006-86247.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. Whose Problem? (Australia 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. CP-373.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Whose Problem? (New Zealand 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. F 4937.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. Whose Problem? (Spain 7-inch promotional single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. 10C 006-086.299.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. Careful (US vinyl LP inner sleeve notes). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1980. ST-12070.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. "Motels: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
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