Desert Island Singles: “Message In The Box” by World Party (1990)

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This song was in hot rotation in the summer of 1990 on the legendary Minnesota alternative rock station KJ 104. It brightened up every morning on my commute to work: I’d sing along and rock out on the freeway. I had very tolerant car-poolers, by the way.

When most bands emulate The Beatles, they’re usually styling themselves after Lennon or Sir Paul. In the early 90s a few bands and artists started to emulate George Harrison in song style and mindset. Karl Wallinger of World Party did that with the best of them. (And as you’ll see below, he had a knack for channeling Ringo’s style as well.) This song would have been right at home on “Living In The Material World” or “Somewhere In England.” And the guitar hook is magnetic; everything sticks to it, a skill George used to perfection.

The world says:
Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your love to me
‘Cause I’m waiting right here with my open arms
Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your soul to me
‘Cause I’m waiting to behold your many charms
Is that love in the air?

She says:
Put the message in the box
Put the box into the car
Drive the car around the world
Until you get heard

And as a bonus, here’s the other hit from World Party’s album “Goodbye Jumbo.” As I mentioned to my friend Alan Haber, here Wallinger had written a perfect song for Ringo. I hope he’ll record it someday.