It's Only Natural (song) explained

It's Only Natural
Cover:	It's Only Natural.JPG
Type:	single
Artist:	Crowded House
Album:	Woodface
B-Side:	Fame Is
Label:	Capitol
Producer:	Mitchell Froom, Neil Finn
Prev Title:	Fall at Your Feet
Prev Year:	1991
Next Title:	Weather with You
Next Year:	1992

"It's Only Natural" is a song by New Zealand-Australian rock group Crowded House from their 1991 album, Woodface. The single was originally issued as a promotional single in June 1991 with the intent to release the song as the lead single for Woodface; however, due to changes made, the single wasn't released until December 1991, when it served as the third single from the album. In the UK, "It's Only Natural" was the fifth Woodface single, released in September 1992. The song reached number 15 in Australia, number 24 on the UK Singles Chart, and number five on the US Modern Rock Chart.

Reception

Junkee said the song was, "deservedly serving as one of [Crowded House's] most revered. Who else but Neil and Tim could put a minor fall after a major lift and still have it sound like pristine pop? Their omnipresent harmonies bolster the song’s already-robust arrangement, creating something thoroughly distinctive and ultimately career-defining."^[1]

Track listings

Australian CD one

1. "It's Only Natural" – 3:31
2. "Dr. Livingstone" – 3:57
3. "Fame Is" – 2:21

Australian CD two

1. "It's Only Natural" – 3:31
2. "Recurring Dream"
3. "Hole in the River" (live)
4. "Better Be Home Soon"
5. "I Walk Away"

1992 European release

1. "It's Only Natural" – 3:31
2. "Fame Is" – 2:21

UK 7-inch and cassette release

1. "It's Only Natural" – 3:31
2. "Chocolate Cake"

UK CD one

1. "It's Only Natural" – 3:31
2. "It's Only Natural" – 6:21 (live, Sheffield City Hall, England 21 June 1992, incl "six months in a leaky boat")
3. "Hole in the River" – 5:58 (live, Cambridge Corn Exchange, England, 6 March 1992)
4. "The Burglar's Song" – 7:21 (medley) around the UK in 7 minutes, (live, at various locations on the Crowded House European Vacation tour, summer '92)

UK CD two

1. "It's Only Natural" – 3:31
2. "Sister Madly" – 5:14 (live, Newcastle City Hall, England, 2 March 1992)
3. "There Goes God" – 5:35 (live, Brighton Centre, England, 7 July 1992)
4. "Chocolate Cake" – 5:45 (live, Wolverhampton Civic Hall, England, 18 June 1992)

German CD

1. "It's Only Natural" – 3:31
2. "Fame Is" – 2:21
3. "Dr. Livingstone" – 3:57

Charts

Chart (1991–1992)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[2]	67
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)^[3]	10
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)^[4]	5

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
Australia	2 December 1991		Capitol	^[5]
United Kingdom	14 September 1992			^[6]

Cover versions

A re-recorded version featuring Tim Finn and Bic Runga appears on Tim Finn's 2009 greatest hits album North, South, East, West...Anthology.

In 2011, Lior and Emma Louise released a version, as a single from the album, They Will Have Their Way.^[7]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Junkee . The Evolution Of Crowded House In 15 Essential Tracks. David James Young.
2. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 9. 41. 39. 10 October 1992. 9 August 2020.
3. Web site: Tipparade-lijst van week 7, 1992. Dutch Top 40. nl. 30 March 2023.
4. Alternative Airplay. Billboard. 14 September 1991. subscription. 26 July 2023.
5. Book: The ARIA Report. 97. 19. 1 December 1991. ARIA.
6. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 19. 12 September 1992.
7. Web site: It's Only Natural - single. Apple Music. July 2011. 19 February 2020.