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World Party — Message In A Box
Album: Goodbye Jumbo
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1387









Released: 1990
Length: 4:09
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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And if you listen now
You might hear
A new sound coming in
As an old one disappears
See the world in just one grain of sand
You better take a closer look
Don't let it slip right thru your hand
Won't hou please hear the call
The world says
CHORUS
Put the message in the box
Put the box into the car
Drive the car around the world
Until you get heard
Now is the moment
Please understand
The road is wide open
To the heart of every man
A few simple words
So a mule could understand
He don't want tomorrow
If it's just crumbling into sand
Won't please hear the call
She says
CHORUS
Until you get heard
The World says
Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your love to me
Cos I'm waiting right here with my open arms
Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your soul to me
Cos I'm waiting to behold your many charms
Is that love in the air?
She says
CHORUS
Until you get heard
Until you get heard
Until you get heard
Until you get heard
Comments (106)add comment
Back in late 89, I tuned into a French station that played a mix of pretty well everything, I was living in a small town about 80km from Bordeaux. It was sometimes difficult to get, the FM  reception a bit flakey. One afternoon, this came on, and stayed in my head for ages. The station had no DJ, so you had no idea who any of the music was by, but I worked it out, eventually, and found what is one of my favourite albums ever.

RIP Philippe, my great friend, whose father programmed all the music.

RIP Karl Wallinger who was basically World Party, and who created all this wonderful music.
Posted 6 months ago by catnip    [ Reply ]
Sigh. RIP Karl.
Posted 7 months ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]
RIP Karl....so many excellent songs...
Posted 8 months ago by xcordie    [ Reply ]
Love it. Always brings a grin and a tapping of toes to the old body
Posted 1 year ago by WilliDoc    [ Reply ]
Holy Blue Rodeo!!!
Posted 1 year ago by hagz21    [ Reply ]
Karl Wallinger is a freakin' genius and a lovely gent.  MORE, please! 
Posted 2 years ago by luminouslass    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:


Amen. It was likely almost never heard on FM, as opposed to the tune of the Cops, which was heard a zillion deadening times.  And World Party's track is a far more upbeat and happy-fying tune. 



I always thought this band and this album in particular didn't get the love they deserved. I love it as much today as when I bought the new release all those years ago.
Posted 3 years ago by Kilgoretrout    [ Reply ]
This reminds me of a time I was on the Boardwalk at Venice Beach years ago. There was always a variety of interesting people selling their wares, playing music, or pitching their cause, asking for donations or hoping for tips. This one time, a homeless guy just decided to skip all pretenses. He placed a box on the sidewalk in front of him and just started screaming over and over, "PUT THE MONEY IN THE BOX...PUT THE MONEY IN THE BOX..." 
Posted 3 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

It's a person wearing a gas mask and elephant ears with tassels draped over them.  I saw someone dressed like that a few days ago coming out of an alchemist's shop.

You were visiting Sunnydale at the time?
Posted 3 years ago by ramsay    [ Reply ]
This is a whole-family sing-along.
Posted 3 years ago by planet_lizard    [ Reply ]
CORRECT TITLE: "Put The Message In The Box"
Posted 3 years ago by jim.stimeck    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by geonuine    [ Reply ]
 bam23 wrote:
For the second time in a week this was my initial response. The Cracker vibe is there, for whatever reason. I recognize that the older version of this website seems not to fill in the comment to which I respond. Rather annoying. Maybe time to jettison the old and get hep.
 
Just copy the text you're replying to and then hit reply. When the box appears empty - paste the text and youre good.

Legacy all the way for me... 
Posted 4 years ago by rtrt    [ Reply ]
That album cover looks like one of those hidden objects games.
Posted 4 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
This inspires me to recreate every song ever - but all other bands wanna do this.
Posted 4 years ago by tazmondpembroke    [ Reply ]
more fun than Mike Scott...
Posted 4 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
 
 
For the second time in a week this was my initial response. The Cracker vibe is there, for whatever reason. I recognize that the older version of this website seems not to fill in the comment to which I respond. Rather annoying. Maybe time to jettison the old and get hep.
Posted 4 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
Ha... 1990, when everything seemed so fresh and innocent.

Great throwback.
Posted 4 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
I know it's not actually about Jumbo the Elephant, but he's worth looking up (especially how he met his unfortunate fate, not far from where I grew up). Great song, though. Love the sound.
Posted 4 years ago by frisbeepilot    [ Reply ]
Is it just me, or does this sound a bit like ELO? Or am I going bonkers?
Posted 5 years ago by Chewie    [ Reply ]
 Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
Do I hear Camper van Beethoven but only earlier?
 
Huh.  Other than the sound of the time period, I don't hear it. 
Posted 5 years ago by kremfresch    [ Reply ]
This song. This album.

This didn't leave my CD player for half a year. Not a dud on the whole disc!
Posted 5 years ago by kremfresch    [ Reply ]
Do I hear Camper van Beethoven but only earlier?
Posted 5 years ago by Dinges,_the_Dude    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
I like Message in a Box better than Message in a Bottle.  ; )
 

Amen. It was likely almost never heard on FM, as opposed to the tune of the Cops, which was heard a zillion deadening times.  And World Party's track is a far more upbeat and happy-fying tune. 
Posted 5 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
I like Message in a Box better than Message in a Bottle.  
  ; )  
Posted 6 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 Alastair wrote:
This is over 30 years old and still sounds really fresh. 
 
Makin' me feel old, are ya?  

This is a terrific song with a very relevant message for today.

Except in 2018, driving your internal combustion engine automobile around the world might not be perceived so well in a few quarters. 
Posted 6 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
This is over 30 years old and still sounds really fresh. 
Posted 6 years ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
more Karl Wallinger / World Party !!
Posted 6 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

It's a person wearing a gas mask and elephant ears with tassels draped over them.  I saw someone dressed like that a few days ago coming out of an alchemist's shop.

 
Are you sure that wasn't Olivander's?  I think they're right next door to each other.
Posted 7 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
 lwilkinson wrote:
Elephant Man?  Halloween's here early?  Indian Shaman dancing around the fire? 

What the hell is that on the album cover?

Good song tho'.

 
It's a person wearing a gas mask and elephant ears with tassels draped over them.  I saw someone dressed like that a few days ago coming out of an alchemist's shop.
Posted 8 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 scraig wrote:

His environmentalism was years ahead of his time.

 
Late 1980s?  1990s?  The environmental movement has been in full swing for a couple of decades or so.  By this time, the Germans Greens are starting to change Germany in significant ways.  Promoting policy that would be adopted to one degree or other by most rich western countries.  

That aside, this is sweet.   
Posted 8 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 freddyb wrote:
A wonderful artist. So glad he recovered after his brain aneurysm. Saw him in concert in a double bill with Steely Dan. Outstanding.

 
......... lucky you :))
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
A wonderful artist. So glad he recovered after his brain aneurysm. Saw him in concert in a double bill with Steely Dan. Outstanding.
Posted 11 years ago by freddyb    [ Reply ]
 ckcotton wrote:

Definitely stands up all these years later.... Bang is also a great album as well
 
His environmentalism was years ahead of his time.
Posted 11 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
 GuiltyFeat wrote:
I remember Q Magazine gave this album coveted five-star review. Still stands up today.
 
Definitely stands up all these years later.... Bang is also a great album as well
Posted 12 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
I remember Q Magazine gave this album coveted five-star review. Still stands up today.
Posted 12 years ago by GuiltyFeat    [ Reply ]
Clunky lyrics
Posted 12 years ago by Capall    [ Reply ]
 As it is 22 years later!

ddog wrote:
21 years later still a good song!
 


Posted 12 years ago by video360    [ Reply ]
21 years later still a good song!
Posted 13 years ago by ddog    [ Reply ]
I stop what I'm doing, turn it up, listen, and feel good. What more could you want from a song?
Posted 13 years ago by RobRyan    [ Reply ]
It's the first of October. The trees are doing their slip-change trick from green to red. The air is heavy with the smell of fires, damp maple leaves, and apple cider. Temps in the upper 80's, no wind, no clouds. It's perfect for this song.  Thanks, RP! {#Sunny}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Elephant Man?  Halloween's here early?  Indian Shaman dancing around the fire? 

What the hell is that on the album cover?

Good song tho'.
Posted 14 years ago by lwilkinson    [ Reply ]
Bravo for playing World Party and "Goodbye to Jumbo" - now if you could play some of the other songs especially "God on my Side" that would be great! {#Dance}
Posted 14 years ago by GriffinMN    [ Reply ]
Leave it to RP to play World Party! I used to love this album and listen to it every day. "I Need Your God on My Side" is a great tune from this album.
Posted 14 years ago by GriffinMN    [ Reply ]
One more reason why I loathe circuses. I sorta love World Party, though - this song makes me tap my feet and wanna dance.{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
ThePoose wrote:

Never foget when the world said goodbye to Jumbo in reality. It was in Saint Thomas, Ontario (Canada—for all you Americans who don't know anything beyond your own border), and the year was 1885 when Jumbo, a huge bush elephant from Sudan who was owned by P. T. Barnum and shown in his circus, was crushed by a locomotive.

Stupid (North, but not too far North) Americans all not knowing anything. I don't know why Canada doesn't just put us out of our misery. I will never fo(r)get, sir.

Posted 14 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
 jeffcourtney wrote:
For many years I thought this was Jeff Lynne and ELO working under another name.

 
 I can hear that, especially in the chorus. I also hear a bit of the Gin Blossoms, oddly enough.  


Posted 15 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
 honu wrote:
This album is fantastic.  Coming out at the end of the 80's, it was a nice breath of fresh air....real instruments and superior and solid song writing with a bent towards heartfelt spiritual thoughts.  Great stuff. 
 
{#Yes}

Posted 15 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
For many years I thought this was Jeff Lynne and ELO working under another name.
This is probably why so many listeners think this sounds like The Traveling Wilburys whom Jeff Lynne was largely responsible for producing. At any rate, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Lynne himself is very derivative. So turn about is fair play. 
Posted 15 years ago by jeffcourtney    [ Reply ]
This album is in the "no desire to ever get it out again, as far as I can reasonably predict" file.  Sounded a LOT better to me back then
Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
 Limpopoking wrote:

It's got quite a Travelling Willbury's sound to it... or maybe vice versa {#Ask}


 

Travelling Willbury's??  yech...never liked 'em.  This song may have that kind of folky rock quality but the other songs on the album were alot more progressive sounding in my opinion.
Posted 15 years ago by honu    [ Reply ]
This album is fantastic.  Coming out at the end of the 80's, it was a nice breath of fresh air....real instruments and superior and solid song writing with a bent towards heartfelt spiritual thoughts.  Great stuff. 
Posted 15 years ago by honu    [ Reply ]
Quoting William Blake in a song, now how cool is that! Lots of wisdom between the lines in this groovy tune....!
Posted 15 years ago by guiguy    [ Reply ]

It's got quite a Travelling Willbury's sound to it... or maybe vice versa {#Ask}


Posted 15 years ago by Limpopoking    [ Reply ]
boy this is really REALLY BAD
Posted 15 years ago by Johnny-smooth    [ Reply ]
Karl is great.  Hope he's doing well.  Heard he had some health probs in the 90's. 
Posted 16 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]

Never forget when the world said goodbye to Jumbo in reality. It was in Saint Thomas, Ontario (Canada—for all you Americans who don't know anything beyond your own border), and the year was 1885 when Jumbo, a huge bush elephant from Sudan who was owned by P. T. Barnum and shown in his circus, was crushed by a locomotive.




Posted 16 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
 smackiepipe wrote:

Dang, usually when I mention World Party to someone in the real world, they've never heard of them (him).

And this is the second WP song I've heard today! Too Cool! Goodbye Jumbo's one of favorite discs.


 
Agreed! Goodbye Jumbo is (was) excellent.  When I listen to it now I only hear what it was to me, I can't hear it w/o that filter, so I assume it's still good to the first time listener.


Posted 16 years ago by flyin_bri    [ Reply ]
Simply a good song
Posted 16 years ago by zubietag    [ Reply ]
NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
That chord progression reminds of something from David Bowie, what is it?
My wife caught a Bowie vibe, too. She sez it reminds her of "Sound and Vision."
Posted 17 years ago by zenrat    [ Reply ]
That chord progression reminds of something from David Bowie, what is it?
Posted 17 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
I could never decide if I liked this or not. Hooky, layered, witty lyrics, but...
Posted 17 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
Good stuff!--- Traveling Willbury-ish
Posted 17 years ago by HonduranRed    [ Reply ]
The intro strikes me as very Jackson Browne-ish. Maybe noticed that because Bill has been playing a goodly dose of JB of late.
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Dang, usually when I mention World Party to someone in the real world, they've never heard of them (him). And this is the second WP song I've heard today! Too Cool! Goodbye Jumbo's one of favorite discs.
Posted 17 years ago by smackiepipe    [ Reply ]
Great choon, great band, quality album
Posted 17 years ago by Jockster    [ Reply ]
eric wrote:
Arghhhh! This song sucks donkey dick.
Donkey Dick in a Box?
Posted 17 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
Fun rocks!
Posted 17 years ago by slowhand    [ Reply ]
Please somebody upload Ship Of Fools!
Posted 18 years ago by crowhog2000    [ Reply ]
W w w what's up with this playlist?
Posted 18 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
Second World Party song today. That's okay with me, esp this song. Good message!
Posted 18 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
A song of hope that puts a smile on my dial every time!
Posted 18 years ago by thefoodoflove    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite albums. I saw World Party at the Wiltern Theater in LA years ago, and it was a great, fun show. I love this album!
Posted 18 years ago by Johnny_Wave    [ Reply ]
Good stuff!
Posted 18 years ago by Sunman    [ Reply ]
Yamson wrote:
Kind of reminds me of a TMBG lyric.
Not nearly goofy enough for TMBG lyrics. Seriously, I wish this one hadn't been so overplayed on the radio. Otherwise I might actually enjoy this.
Posted 18 years ago by queenjill    [ Reply ]
Simply beautiful.
Posted 18 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
good vibrations!
Posted 18 years ago by frank-peter    [ Reply ]
I love this guy. Every time I turn someone on to his music they stick with it....thanks Karl!!!
Posted 18 years ago by jedzep    [ Reply ]
Love World Party!!!!
Posted 18 years ago by ruthless    [ Reply ]
dadofsammy wrote:
I really like the melody and the arrangement on this...but "put the message in the box, put the box into the car, drive the car around the world"?!?!?! I mean, what? gotta laugh, baby....
Kind of reminds me of a TMBG lyric.
Posted 18 years ago by Yamson    [ Reply ]
pretty good from them but Ship Of Fools please!!!
Posted 18 years ago by crowhog2000    [ Reply ]
One of the great underappreciated bands (though it was never much more than a front for Karl). Always reminded me of a less sugary Jeff Lynn (ELO). Super stuff.
Posted 19 years ago by raelic    [ Reply ]
I really like the melody and the arrangement on this...but "put the message in the box, put the box into the car, drive the car around the world"?!?!?! I mean, what? gotta laugh, baby....
Posted 19 years ago by dadofsammy    [ Reply ]
JCJ wrote:
What am i a clown? Do i amuse you?
"All your best one-liners, borrowed from a film" - Neil Finn ;-)
Posted 19 years ago by Mark1970    [ Reply ]
Yeah, Allright!
Posted 19 years ago by lagger    [ Reply ]
Nice tasty jam! 7/10 on spec alone.
Posted 19 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
I always liked this chorus - feelgood music - a great example of a really well written pop song.
Posted 19 years ago by daedalus    [ Reply ]
I love this song and this disc. Kurt Wallinger is fantastic. He can rock or slow it down, either way, his stuff is great.
Posted 19 years ago by MickMan    [ Reply ]
Outstanding song.
Posted 19 years ago by Zarba    [ Reply ]
Almost missed it! Thank you so much for running this track, I see I had not rated it yet... A 9! Good stuff! KUTGW!
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
philarktos wrote:
All right !!! First time I've heard any "World Party" on RP, (although somebody or other was reminding me of Karl Wallinger the other day)
This is an excellent CD.
Posted 19 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
Wow! This is such a nice song!!!
Posted 19 years ago by marie_pain    [ Reply ]
All right !!! First time I\'ve heard any \"World Party\" on RP, (although somebody or other was reminding me of Karl Wallinger the other day)
Posted 21 years ago by philarktos    [ Reply ]
Yay! This is one of my favorite perky songs ever.
Posted 21 years ago by Blackjack    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by mperry: Hey Eric, let's keep the discourse here just a bit above that of the Yahoo! message boards, 'kay? It is a great song, btw :p
Pardon! What I meant to say was Egad! This song fellates equine phallus! :) What I meant to say was Egad! This song fellates equine phallus! :)
Posted 21 years ago by eric    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by eric: Arghhhh! This song sucks donkey dick.
Hey Eric, let's keep the discourse here just a bit above that of the Yahoo! message boards, 'kay? It is a great song, btw :p
Posted 21 years ago by mperry    [ Reply ]
Arghhhh! This song sucks donkey dick.
Posted 21 years ago by eric    [ Reply ]
sweet
Posted 21 years ago by deecee99    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill to remind me this song. What happy memories brings to me!! :)
Posted 21 years ago by qosforever    [ Reply ]
I didn\'t catch the lyrics (another comment was negative about that) but something about this song perked up my ears right away (woof). I\'d like to hear it several more times.
Posted 22 years ago by srn    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Blarg: Until you get heard. Methinks you've missed the message, or dropped it before you could tell everyone! You're funny! It's a very in-your-face song.
Well i still dont like it! Glad to hear you think i'm funny. What am i a clown? Do i amuse you?
Posted 22 years ago by JCJ    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by JCJ: put the message in a box. OK. check. put said box into the car. Now, here's the key - drive that car around the world(?) Hhmm. what a lame song. NEXT
Until you get heard. Methinks you've missed the message, or dropped it before you could tell everyone! You're funny! It's a very in-your-face song.
Posted 22 years ago by Blarg    [ Reply ]
World Party was definitely a hit-or-miss proposition; this one is a miss. How about getting Way Down Now or Is It Like Today? As for the fellow who says this song is overplayed... overplayed where? This is the first time I ever heard this song anywhere except from my own CD player...
Posted 22 years ago by drover    [ Reply ]
What a lame-ass song.
Posted 22 years ago by Enrique    [ Reply ]
put the message in a box. OK. check. put said box into the car. Now, here's the key - drive that car around the world(?) Hhmm. what a lame song. NEXT
Posted 22 years ago by JCJ    [ Reply ]