Don't Stop Now
Encyclopedia
"Don't Stop Now" is the first single from Crowded House
's fifth studio album Time on Earth
. It was released in Australia on 16 June 2007; in the United Kingdom, it was released digitally on 18 June 2007 and physically on 25 June 2007.
The song was written by Crowded House frontman Neil Finn
as a solo effort. The song features guitar work from alternative group The Smiths
' former co-songwriter Johnny Marr
. The song was originally destined for Finn's third solo album, but as his third album was converted into the new album for his band Crowded House, the song was released as a Crowded House offering. "Don't Stop Now" is one of only four from the fourteen tracks from Time on Earth that includes the full lineup of Finn, bassist Nick Seymour
, guitarist/keyboardist Mark Hart
and newcomer drummer Matt Sherrod
as Crowded House.
that the song is derived from. This is prominent in that the artwork is made up of newspaper clippings that've been painted to fit the design, in this case appearing to be a green labyrinth with a car and some birds. The difference with this cover is that the song title is hand drawn, where on the album cover, the album title is in newspaper also. The blue dragon from the cover of Time on Earth is also seen hiding within the maze. The music video for "Don't Stop Now" also employs the same artwork and design as the background for the band.
, Crowded House has performed "Don't Stop Now" at all of their performances since reuniting, including the international event Live Earth
on 7 July 2007 and for a promotional performance on the Australian television program Rove on 8 July 2007.
ed in. It features the same design and corporate image
of the cover of its single and the album Time on Earth. The song is performed by the band who appear to be surrounded by illustrated trees and appear to be in an illustrated and animated world. Later, the band appears at the top of an illustrated newspaper building. The music video features a blue dragon (as from the Time on Earth cover) seeking out and devouring a person, just as from the album cover. The dragon is later featured throughout the music video. In parts of the music video, the shot moves to a close up view of newspaper, as is used on the cover of the album, while a small red car drives along the text and the words being sung are expanded to be read. As it is the first single with drummer Matt Sherrod
on drums, it's also the first music video with Crowded House
that he has been featured in. Multi-instrumentalist Mark Hart
is mostly seen on guitar while the band is in view, however is also shown playing piano in other scenes.
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
's fifth studio album Time on Earth
Time on Earth
Time on Earth is the fifth studio album by the pop-rock band Crowded House. Tracks have been produced by both Ethan Johns and Steve Lillywhite and the album was released on 30 June 2007 in Australia, 2 July in the United Kingdom and 10 July in North America...
. It was released in Australia on 16 June 2007; in the United Kingdom, it was released digitally on 18 June 2007 and physically on 25 June 2007.
Background
"Don't Stop Now" was written by Neil Finn shortly after he and his wife, Sharon Finn, moved to Bath, England. The influence of the song came as a result of Finn's wife driving and having difficulty navigating due to her vehicle's GPS system providing incorrect information. To compound her difficulty, this was her first time driving in this area of England, an area known for its narrow roads.The song was written by Crowded House frontman Neil Finn
Neil Finn
Neil Mullane Finn, OBE is a New Zealand Pop recording artist. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House...
as a solo effort. The song features guitar work from alternative group The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
' former co-songwriter Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr is an English musician and songwriter. Marr rose to fame in the 1980s as the guitarist in The Smiths, with whom he formed a prolific songwriting partnership with Morrissey. Marr has been a member of Electronic, The The, and Modest Mouse...
. The song was originally destined for Finn's third solo album, but as his third album was converted into the new album for his band Crowded House, the song was released as a Crowded House offering. "Don't Stop Now" is one of only four from the fourteen tracks from Time on Earth that includes the full lineup of Finn, bassist Nick Seymour
Nick Seymour
Nick Seymour is a musician, painter, and record producer. He is best known for being the bass guitarist in the Australasian rock group Crowded House and brother to Mark Seymour of another successful group; Hunters and Collectors.- Biography :Born in Benalla, Victoria, Australia, Seymour studied...
, guitarist/keyboardist Mark Hart
Mark Hart
Mark Hart , is a multi-instrumentalist best known for his participation as a member of Supertramp and Crowded House....
and newcomer drummer Matt Sherrod
Matt Sherrod
Matt Sherrod is an American drummer, musician, and since 2007, a member of the New Zealand band Crowded House. Sherrod first became known as a musician playing drums for rock artist Beck...
as Crowded House.
Cover art
The cover art of "Don't Stop Now" is all in the same vein as the album Time on EarthTime on Earth
Time on Earth is the fifth studio album by the pop-rock band Crowded House. Tracks have been produced by both Ethan Johns and Steve Lillywhite and the album was released on 30 June 2007 in Australia, 2 July in the United Kingdom and 10 July in North America...
that the song is derived from. This is prominent in that the artwork is made up of newspaper clippings that've been painted to fit the design, in this case appearing to be a green labyrinth with a car and some birds. The difference with this cover is that the song title is hand drawn, where on the album cover, the album title is in newspaper also. The blue dragon from the cover of Time on Earth is also seen hiding within the maze. The music video for "Don't Stop Now" also employs the same artwork and design as the background for the band.
Notable performances
As the lead single for the group's reunion album Time on EarthTime on Earth
Time on Earth is the fifth studio album by the pop-rock band Crowded House. Tracks have been produced by both Ethan Johns and Steve Lillywhite and the album was released on 30 June 2007 in Australia, 2 July in the United Kingdom and 10 July in North America...
, Crowded House has performed "Don't Stop Now" at all of their performances since reuniting, including the international event Live Earth
Live Earth
-Background:Founded by Emmy-winning producer Kevin Wall, in partnership with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Live Earth was built upon the belief that entertainment has the power to transcend social and cultural barriers to move the world community to action...
on 7 July 2007 and for a promotional performance on the Australian television program Rove on 8 July 2007.
Music video
The music video for "Don't Stop Now" is primarily animated with the band blue screenBlue screen
Blue screen may refer to:*Blue Screen of Death, a fatal system error screen in Microsoft Windows*Blue white screen is an assay useful in biotechnology*Blue screen compositing, a technique for combining two still images or video frames...
ed in. It features the same design and corporate image
Corporate image
A corporate image refers to how a corporation is perceived. It is a generally accepted image of what a company stands for. Marketing experts who use public relations and other forms of promotion to suggest a mental picture to the public...
of the cover of its single and the album Time on Earth. The song is performed by the band who appear to be surrounded by illustrated trees and appear to be in an illustrated and animated world. Later, the band appears at the top of an illustrated newspaper building. The music video features a blue dragon (as from the Time on Earth cover) seeking out and devouring a person, just as from the album cover. The dragon is later featured throughout the music video. In parts of the music video, the shot moves to a close up view of newspaper, as is used on the cover of the album, while a small red car drives along the text and the words being sung are expanded to be read. As it is the first single with drummer Matt Sherrod
Matt Sherrod
Matt Sherrod is an American drummer, musician, and since 2007, a member of the New Zealand band Crowded House. Sherrod first became known as a musician playing drums for rock artist Beck...
on drums, it's also the first music video with Crowded House
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
that he has been featured in. Multi-instrumentalist Mark Hart
Mark Hart
Mark Hart , is a multi-instrumentalist best known for his participation as a member of Supertramp and Crowded House....
is mostly seen on guitar while the band is in view, however is also shown playing piano in other scenes.
Track listings
All physical formats vary in their track listings. All songs were written by Neil Finn.Australian CD
Catalogue number 3977592- "Don't Stop Now" – 3:55
- "Lost Island" – 3:19
- "Mean to MeMean to Me (Crowded House song)"Mean to Me" is a 1986 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the first single the band ever released. The single was only released as a 7" vinyl single. It was released two weeks prior to the group's debut album, Crowded House, and appears on the album...
" (Live Real World Sessions Webcast) – 3:24 - "Stare Me Out" – 4:19
UK Enhanced CD
Catalogue number CDRS6743- "Don't Stop Now" – 3:55
- "Heaven That I'm Making" (Live Real World Sessions Webcast) – 4:17
- "Don't Stop Now" (Video) – 3:55
- "Mean to Me" (Live Real World Sessions Webcast) (Video) – 3:19
Personnel
- Neil FinnNeil FinnNeil Mullane Finn, OBE is a New Zealand Pop recording artist. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House...
- Guitars and vocals - Mark HartMark HartMark Hart , is a multi-instrumentalist best known for his participation as a member of Supertramp and Crowded House....
- Piano and backing vocals - Nick SeymourNick SeymourNick Seymour is a musician, painter, and record producer. He is best known for being the bass guitarist in the Australasian rock group Crowded House and brother to Mark Seymour of another successful group; Hunters and Collectors.- Biography :Born in Benalla, Victoria, Australia, Seymour studied...
- Bass guitars and backing vocals - Matt SherrodMatt SherrodMatt Sherrod is an American drummer, musician, and since 2007, a member of the New Zealand band Crowded House. Sherrod first became known as a musician playing drums for rock artist Beck...
- Drums, percussion and backing vocals - Johnny MarrJohnny MarrJohnny Marr is an English musician and songwriter. Marr rose to fame in the 1980s as the guitarist in The Smiths, with whom he formed a prolific songwriting partnership with Morrissey. Marr has been a member of Electronic, The The, and Modest Mouse...
- Additional guitars
Charts
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Charts ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
34 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
41 |
External links
- Listen to "Don't Stop Now" at the Official Crowded House website (WMAWindows Media AudioWindows Media Audio is an audio data compression technology developed by Microsoft. The name can be used to refer to its audio file format or its audio codecs. It is a proprietary technology that forms part of the Windows Media framework. WMA consists of four distinct codecs...
& RMRealMediaRealMedia is a proprietary multimedia container format created by RealNetworks. Its extension is ".rm". It is typically used in conjunction with RealVideo and RealAudio and is used for streaming content over the Internet....
formats).