Not the Girl You Think You Are

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"Not the Girl You Think You Are"
Single by Crowded House
from the album Recurring Dream
ReleasedNovember 1996 (1996-11)
Recorded1996
GenreRock
Length4:08
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)Neil Finn
Producer(s)Mitchell Froom, Neil Finn, Tchad Blake
Crowded House singles chronology
"Instinct"
(1996)
"Not the Girl You Think You Are"
(1996)
"Don't Stop Now"
(2007)

"Not the Girl You Think You Are" is a 1996 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the third and final single released from the group's greatest hits compilation Recurring Dream (1996). According to the songwriter Neil Finn, the song was written as both his homage to The Beatles and his attempt at writing a song like them.[1] It reached No. 37 on the ARIA Singles Chart,[2] No. 41 in New Zealand,[3] and No. 20 on the UK Singles Chart.[4]

Finn mentioned on Twitter in 2016 that the song was recorded using an Optigan.[5]

Music video[edit]

A music video was provided for "Not the Girl You Think You Are", filmed within a hotel featuring the band amongst many mysterious persons. It was directed by Jeff Darling, with production design by Ross Wallace.[6] At the ARIA Music Awards of 1997 it was nominated for "Best Video".[7]

Reception[edit]

Junkee said, "Here, Finn pens his own Beatles homage. It’s another low-key, humble and wholly charming Crowdies moment. There’s also sentimental value attached: These sessions marked Hester’s final time recording with the band."[8]

Track listing[edit]

Live tracks recorded on the Phill Jupitus show, BBC GLR, 21 June 1996, the last live performance of the 1990s by Crowded House in the UK before disbanding.[9]

Disc one[edit]

  1. "Not the Girl You Think You Are" - 4:11
  2. "Instinct" (live)
  3. "Distant Sun" (live)
  4. "Fall at Your Feet" (live)

Disc two[edit]

  1. "Not the Girl You Think You Are" - 4:11
  2. "Private Universe" (live) - 5:34
  3. "Fingers of Love" (live) - 5:19
  4. "Better Be Home Soon" (live) - 3:27

Charts[edit]

Chart (1996) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[10] 20

References[edit]

  1. ^ Bailey, Marck; Comprehensive discography Archived 21 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine of Crowded House including track listings for all albums and singles. Released 28 March 1995. Retrieved 4 July 2007.
  2. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Crowded House – 'Not the Girl You Think You Are'". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  3. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Crowded House – 'Not the Girl You Think You Are'". New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  4. ^ "Crowded House – Full Official Charts History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  5. ^ neil mullane finn [@NeilFinn] (17 December 2016). "It is quite druggy isn't it . I blame the optigon and the drugs" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ^ "Crowded House – "Not the Girl You Think You Are"". mvdbase.com. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  7. ^ ARIA Music Awards for Crowded House:
  8. ^ David James Young. "The Evolution Of Crowded House In 15 Essential Tracks". Junkee.
  9. ^ Not the Girl You Think You Are / Better Be Home Soon by Crowded House. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
  10. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 December 2016.