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Stranger than Fiction (Joe Jackson song)

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Wikipedia article




"'Stranger than Fiction'" is a song by British singer-songwriter and musician Joe Jackson, which was released in 1991 as the lead single from his ninth studio album 'Laughter & Lust'. It was written by Jackson, and produced by Jackson and Ed Roynesdal. "Stranger than Fiction" reached No. 53 in Germany, No. 71 in the Netherlands, and No. 79 on Canada's 'RPM' 100 Singles chart. A music video was filmed to promote the single.

Critical reception



On its release, Alan Jones of 'Music Week' commented, "Lighter than his latter work, 'Stranger than Fiction' is oddly reminiscent of the Hollies. Probably not a hit, but a mouthwatering taster for Jackson's forthcoming album." 'Music & Media' wrote, "His first Virgin release and what a smash song too! Jackson has returned to pop. The chorus will be whistled from every grocery shop to every petrol station all over Europe."

Barbara Ellen of 'New Musical Express' described the song as "not bad" but added that "yet another whirl around low-rent suburbia is not quite what the 'kids' are into at the moment". Jon Wilde of 'Melody Maker' was critical, calling it "sub-Costello gripe". Andrew Hirst of the 'Huddersfield Daily Examiner' felt the song "lacks the tuneful sting to scratch too deep beneath its cheerfully witty veneer".

In a review of 'Laughter & Lust', 'Billboard' described the song as "Rundgren-esque".Billboard magazine - Album Reviews: Pop - 11 May 1991 - page 74 Tom Long of the 'Santa Cruz Sentinel' felt the song "harkens back" to Jackson's 1979 hit "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" in terms of "sheer listenability". John Everson of the 'Southtown Star' considered it "a sweet ballad with a sleek '60s-ish organ solo that just begs to be played on pop radio". Dan Bennett of the 'North County Blade-Citizen' wrote, "Jackson's wisecracking but still vulnerable take on love and folly is indeed the ultimate single."

Track listing



;7" single

#"Stranger than Fiction" - 3:40

#"Drowning" - 5:09

;12" single

#"Stranger than Fiction" - 3:40

#"Different For Girls (New Recording)" - 3:37

#"Drowning" - 5:09

;Cassette single (US release)

#"Stranger than Fiction" - 3:40

#"Jenny Jenny" - 2:44

;CD single (UK release)

#"Stranger than Fiction" - 3:40

#"Different For Girls (New Recording)" - 3:37

#"Drowning" - 5:09

;CD single (US promo)

#"Stranger than Fiction" - 3:40

;CD single (Japanese promo)

#"Stranger than Fiction" - 3:44

#"Drowning" - 5:10

Personnel



* Joe Jackson - vocals, keyboards

* Tom Teeley - guitar

* Joy Askew - keyboards, backing vocals

* Graham Maby - bass

* Dan Hickey - drums

* Sue Hadjopoulos - drums, percussion

;Production

* Joe Jackson - producer (all tracks)

* Ed Roynesdal - producer on "Stranger than Fiction" and "Drowning"

* Larry Alexander - engineer

* Bob Ludwig - mastering

;Other

* Calef Brown - illustration

* Patrik Andersson - photography

Charts



References



Category:1991 songs

Category:1991 singles

Category:Songs written by Joe Jackson (musician)

Category:Joe Jackson (musician) songs

Category:Virgin Records singles

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