Lost and Running

Infobox Single
Name = Lost and Running


Caption =
Artist = Powderfinger
from Album = Dream Days at the Hotel Existence
A-side =
B-side = "Down by the Dam"
"The Devil is in the Detail"
Released = flagicon|Australia May 12, 2007
Format = CD Single
Digital download
Recorded = February 2007
Genre = Alternative rock
Length = 3:39
Label = Universal Music Australia
Writer =
Producer = Rob Schnapf
Certification =
Last single = "Bless My Soul"
(2005)
This single = "Lost and Running"
(2007)
Next single = "I Don't Remember"
(2007)
Misc ="Lost and Running" is a song by Australian rock group Powderfinger. It was released as the first single from the group's sixth studio album "Dream Days at the Hotel Existence". It is the band's twenty-second single and peaked at #5 on the Australian chart, the group's second highest charting single after "My Happiness". It made its radio debut on April 13 on Triple J and was released to wide radio play and the band's MySpace on April 16, 2007. The single was officially released on May 12, 2007.

Recording and production

"Lost and Running" was the first song recorded at Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, as part of Powderfinger's "Dream Days at the Hotel Existence" recording sessions. The song was also one of the first to be written during the group's two year hiatus. The band worked with Rob Schnapf for the sessions.cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/review/album/s1932552.htm|title=Dream Days at the Hotel Existence|work=Music Reviews|publisher=Triple J|accessdate=2008-01-07] Lead singer Bernard Fanning said in April 2007 that the song was more positive than many other Powderfinger works, stating "the music is quite up and hopeful sounding and has a breezy feel to it".

Musical structure and style

The song's time goes through a pattern throughout its entirety of one 4:4 bar, one 2:4 bar and then two 4:4 bars. In writing "Lost and Running", the band was influences by bands that they have cited as being influences on their music from early on, including David Bowie, The Rolling Stones and Neil Young. In an interview with The Courier Mail, Fanning noted that the song was a very simple one, stating "the actual style of song is quite different as it has very little movement. There are literally only three chords in the song."" He notes that the song's premise is reflective on how the group approached the recording of "Dream Days at the Hotel Existence", in that they were unsure of what they wanted to do with the album.cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21539036-5003421,00.html|title=Stripped Back and Breezy|publisher=News.com.au|work=The Courier Mail|author=Mathewson, Catriona|date=2007-04-11|accessdate=2008-01-05]

Music video

The music video for "Lost and Running" was directed by Damon Escott and Stephen Lance of "Head Pictures". [cite web|url=http://www.headpictures.com/musicvids.htm |title=Music Videos|publisher=Head Pictures|accessdate=2008-01-07] The video clip premiered in Australia on April 21, 2007.

The video features Bernard Fanning, the band's lead vocalist, walking around dressed as a hotel porter, pushing a hotel luggage trolley as he walks through a hotel singing. As he walks through, he passes the other members of Powderfinger. He eventually walks out of the hotel and finds himself in the desert where a large chandelier can be seen, continuing the theme from the cover art of the single. There are also a few shots of the band playing the song as a group intercut with the "dramatic" scenes. [cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni_QkdyHLUk |title=Lost and Running|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=2008-01-06|date=April 22, 2007 ] [cite web|url=http://music.ninemsn.com.au/MediaPopup.aspx?MediaID=103064&Playlist=2 |title=Lost and Running|publisher=NineMSN|accessdate=2008-01-06]

Release

Having reunited after a two and a half year hiatus, new releases from Powderfinger was highly anticipated. The group announced their intention to release the single in April 2007 in a blog on their MySpace. Following this, the single was released to radio on April 13 and on the band's MySpace music player on April 16.cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21583713-7642,00.html |title=Powderfinger's secret gig|publisher=News.com.au|work=The Courier Mail|date=April 18, 2007|accessdate=2008-01-07] The CD single was then released on May 12. In its week of release, the single reached its peak position of #5 on Australia's ARIA Singles Chart. [cite web|url=http://www.gatago.org/aus/music/45545865.html|title=Australian top 50 singles (21/05/2007 - 27/05/2007)|publisher=Australian Music Charts|date=May 2007|accessdate=2007-08-08] It also became one of the most popular songs on Australian radio.cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21737749-5005364,00.html |title=Powderfinger launch mobbed|publisher=News.com.au|work=PerthNow|date=May 21, 2007|accessdate=2008-01-07]

In support of its release as a single, the music video for "Lost and Running" was included on a special edition DVD of its album "Dream Days at the Hotel Existence" and was the twelfth track on the DVD, dubbed the "Twelfth Man", a cricketing term. All other tracks on the DVD were music videos from throughout the band's career.cite web|url=http://www.play4me.com.au/product/dream_days_at_the_hotel_existence_1489161_11722.html|title=Track listing|work=Dream Days at the Hotel Existence|publisher=play4me.com.au|accessdate=2007-10-04]

The song was performed on television on Australian variety show "Rove" on June 17, 2007. Powderfinger also performed the song with the Sydney Gospel Choir on October 28, 2007 at the ARIA Music Awards of 2007, as it was nominated for "Single of the Year". [cite video|url=http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=pG24V7-UbVc|publisher=YouTube|title=Lost and Running|date=2007-10-28|accessdate=2008-01-05] [cite web|title=Delta Goodrem, Darren Hayes presenters at ARIAs|url=http://www.generationq.net/articles/Delta-Goodrem-Darren-Hayes-presenters-at-ARIAs-00001.html |publisher=GenerationQ|author=Pycroft, Chris|date=2007-10-11|accessdate=2008-01-05]

Reception

"Lost and Running" was earned a mixed response from reviewers. Kathy McCabe of "The Daily Telegraph" noted that it's "an instant singalong anthem which should prove a crowd favourite". McCabe also comments on the band's application of their influences stating that they have "taken a vial of sonic essence from their favourite artists and skilfully distilled the parts into a Powderfinger whole." The song was rated 3.5 stars out of 5.cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21705860-5012327,00.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|publisher=News.com.au|author=McCabe, Kathy|date=2007-05-10|title=Powderfinger Lost And Running|accessdate=2008-01-05]

Meanwhile, Matthias Scherer of NoiseMakesEnemies.co.uk described the song as boring and inoffensive, questioning "Who knew the music scene down under was in this serious a state."cite web|url=http://www.noizemakesenemies.co.uk/2007/12/powderfinger-dream-days-at-hotel-of.html |title=Powderfinger – ‘Dream days at the hotel of existence’ (Album review)|publisher=NoiseMakesEnemies.co.uk|author=Scherer, Matthias|accessdate=2008-01-07]

Sputnikmusic contributor James Bishop stated that the song was an example of Powderfinger trading the "youthful" songs of their past albums for "more mature, earthly cuts". He also noted the Rolling Stones influence, and said the song contained a "laidback approach and simple acoustic charm". Bishop noted that the song divided many long-time fans, who in his opinion "mostly didn’t get it", and summarised by calling the song catchy. [cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=18446 |title=Powderfinger Dream Days At The Hotel Existence|publisher=Sputnikmusic|author=Bishop, James|date=October 13, 2007|accessdate=2008-01-07]

Charts

"Lost and Running" is Powderfinger's second highest charting single, second only to their 2000 release "My Happiness", which gained international attention. "Lost and Running" reached its peak position of #5 on the ARIA Singles Chart on May 27, 2007, its week of release, however failed to chart internationally. It remained in the charts for thirteen consecutive weeks, but re-entered the charts at #46 on November 11 following the group performing the song at the 2007 ARIA Music Awards.cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Powderfinger&titel=Lost+And+Running&cat=s|title=Powderfinger - Lost and Running|publisher=australian-charts.com|accessdate=2008-01-05] The song failed to chart in New Zealand. [cite web|url=http://charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Powderfinger&titel=Lost+And+Running&cat=s |title=Powderfinger - Lost and Running|publisher=charts.org.nz|accessdate=2008-01-06]

Awards

"Lost and Running" was nominated for two ARIA Music Awards in 2007; "Single of the Year" and "Best Video", however both awards were won by Silverchair for their song "Straight Lines".cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-artist.php?letter=P&artist=Powderfinger|title=History: Winners by Artist: Powderfinger|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|accessdate=2008-01-05] "Lost and Running" was the 27^th most played song on Australian radio in 2007, [cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/silverchair-enjoys-a-silver-lining/2008/01/17/1200419973024.html |title=Silverchair enjoys a silver lining|publisher="The Age"|author=Andrew Murfett|date=January 18, 2008|accessdate=2008-01-19] and reached #15 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2007. [cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23114081-7642,00.html |title=Muse tops JJJ countdown|publisher=news.com.au|work=The Courier Mail|author=Sally Browne|date=January 26, 2008|accessdate=2008-01-28]

Track listing

# "Lost and Running" – 3:39 [cite web|url=http://www.sanity.com.au/product/product.asp?sku=2091871|title=Powderfinger / Lost and Running|publisher=Sanity.com.au|work=Track listing|accessdate=2008-01-05]
# "Down by the Dam" – 4:29
# "The Devil is in the Detail" – 2:45

Personnel

Powderfinger

*Bernard Fanning — Guitar and vocals
*John Collins — Bass guitar
*Ian Haug — Guitars
*Darren Middleton — Guitars
*Jon Coghill — Drums

Additional musicians

*Benmont Tench — Piano and keyboards

Production

*Rob Schnapf — Producer
*Doug Boehm — Engineer

References