| The Uninvited Guest | |
| Cover: | Marillion_uninvited.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Marillion |
| Album: | Seasons End |
| Released: | 27 November 1989 (UK) |
| Genre: | Neo-prog |
| Length: |
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| Label: | EMI |
| Producer: |
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| Prev Title: | Hooks In You |
| Prev Year: | 1989 |
| Next Title: | Easter |
| Next Year: | 1989 |
"The Uninvited Guest" is the second single from English band Marillion's fifth studio album Seasons End, released in 1989. It was the band's first single since their debut "Market Square Heroes" in 1982 that did not enter the UK Singles Chart's top 40, peaking at no. 53.
Like most of the songs on Seasons End, the lyrics for "The Uninvited Guest" were written by John Helmer, who was appointed by EMI to write lyrics for the band following the departure of former lyricist Fish. In a 1994 interview with the Marillion fan club newsletter The Web, Helmer revealed the song was inspired by the AIDS epidemic, saying:
Upon single release Melody Maker reviewer Mick Mercer considered that the band's sound became very similar to Peter Gabriel style.[1]
The video shows Hogarth as a man awakened during the night by The Uninvited Guest, also portrayed by Hogarth (often using split screen). The man is pursued around his living room by the guest, who appears and disappears at will while delivering the song's lyrics. The other band members observe proceedings from a table suspended in mid-air.
| Chart (1998) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 53 | |
| Dutch GfK chart | 85 |