"I Hate the Music" is a pop song written by George Young and

Harry Vanda Johannes Hendrikus Jacob van den Berg (born 22 March 1946), better known as his stage name Harry Vanda, is a Dutch Australian musician, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as lead guitarist of the 1960s Australian rock band the Easy ...

and recorded by Australian pop singer

John Paul Young John Inglis Young, OAM (born 21 June 1950), known professionally as John Paul Young, is a Scottish-born Australian pop singer who had his 1978 worldwide hit with " Love Is in the Air". His career was boosted by regular appearances as a perfor ...

. The song was released in March 1976 as the lead single from the singer's second studio album, ''

J.P.Y. ''J.P.Y.'' is the second studio album recorded by Australian pop singer John Paul Young, released in August 1976. The album was certified platinum in Australia. Singles "I Hate the Music "I Hate the Music" is a pop song written by George ...

'' (1976). It peaked at number 2 on the

Kent Music Report The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to January 1999. The chart was re-branded the Australian Music Report (AMR) in July ...

in Australia, remaining on the chart for 20 weeks. It was certified gold in Australia. It reached number 1 on the South African singles chart. In 1998, the song was covered by

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and

for the ''

Occasional Coarse Language ''Occasional Coarse Language'' is a 1998 Australian romantic comedy film about a young woman who loses her boyfriend and job in the same day and tries to get her life back on track. The film's soundtrack features songs by several notable Australia ...

'' soundtrack.

Background

The song was inspired by a conversation with George Young and Harry Vanda in the Boomerang House elevator after a day in the studio. The conversation involved George's general frustration with a song that he couldn't get to sound right. The song originally had a banjo introduction but was changed to a piano.

Reception

Cash Box magazine ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', was an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...

'' said "The song is about a man who 'hates the music' because it reminds him of an old love. The melody is fresh and attractive. The chorus is a hook."

Track listing

7" (AP 11037) (Ariola – 17 220) *Side A "I Hate the Music" – 3:25 * Side B "My Name is Jack" – 3:25

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

{{authority control 1976 songs 1976 singles 1998 singles John Paul Young songs Songs written by Harry Vanda Songs written by George Young (rock musician) Song recordings produced by Harry Vanda Song recordings produced by George Young (rock musician) Albert Productions singles Ariola Records singles