| World Party | |
| Artist: | The Waterboys |
| Album: | Fisherman's Blues |
| Released: | 1988 |
| Length: | 4:01 |
| Label: | Chrysalis Ensign |
| Producer: | Mike Scott |
"World Party" is a song by the Scottish-Irish folk rock band The Waterboys, released in 1988 as a track on their fourth studio album Fisherman's Blues. It was written by Mike Scott, Trevor Hutchinson and Karl Wallinger, and produced by Scott.[1] In the United States, the song reached No. 19 on Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and remained on the chart for six weeks.[2] It also peaked at No. 48 on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart.[3]
"World Party" was written in Summer 1985, shortly after the completion of the band's third studio album This Is The Sea. The lyrics were inspired by Live Aid.[4] The song was recorded at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, Ireland on 25 March 1987.[5]
In a review of Fisherman's Blues, Lise Hand of the Sunday Independent described the song as "uplifting".[6] The Post-Star wrote: "The jarring figures on "We Will Not Be Lovers" and "World Party" mirror the urgency of Scott's lyrics far better than a standard rock backing would do."[7] Jim Bohen of the Daily Record considered the song's "pounding piano" to be "reminiscent of the Beatles' White Album".[8]
Gene Armstrong of the Arizona Daily Star commented: "The title song, "We Will Not Be Lovers" and "World Party" nail me every play because they sound like rock 'n' roll but "feel" like centuries-old traditionals."[9] The Palm Beach Post noted the "bouncy title cut" but the reviewer was "more impressed" with the "folk-rockers" "World Party" and "We Will Not Be Lovers", which they described as being "propelled along by locomotive-like fiddles and vocal chants."[10]
Kenneth Johnson of The Star Democrat wrote: "The band does a good job with "World Party". The fiddle shines through and the tune breathes life thanks to it and Scott's piano playing."[11] Steve Terrell of The Santa Fe New Mexican commented: "Steve Wickham's maniacal fiddle distinguishes several cuts on the first side, including "World Party" - which has the same bass line as Michael Jackson's "Beat It"."[12] Mark Lepage of the Montreal Gazette wrote: ""World Party", with its funky R&B piano and caustic riff on the fuzz mandolin, manages to sound completely unlike Hothouse Flowers' upbeat brand of rock 'n' roll."[13]
The Waterboys
Additional personnel
Production
| Chart (1989) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Album Rock Tracks | 48 | |
| US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 19 |