Released 27 November 1989 (UK) | Genre Neo-progressive rock | |
Format 7" vinyl record, 12" vinyl record, cassette, CD Length 3:52 (album version)3:44 (7" version)5:04 (12" version) | ||
"The Uninvited Guest" is the second single from English band Marillion's fifth studio album Seasons End, released in 1989. It was the band's first single since their debut "Market Square Heroes" in 1982 that did not enter the UK Singles Chart's top 40, peaking at no. 53.
Contents
Overview
Like most of the songs on Seasons End, the lyrics for "The Uninvited Guest" were written by John Helmer, who was appointed by EMI to write lyrics for the band following the departure of former lyricist Fish. In a 1994 interview with the Marillion fan club newsletter The Web, Helmer revealed the song was inspired by the AIDS epidemic, saying:
7" and cassette version
- "The Uninvited Guest" (7" version) – 3:44
- "The Bell in the Sea" - 4:21
12" and CD version
- "The Uninvited Guest" (12" version) - 5:02
- "The Bell in the Sea" - 4:21
- "The Uninvited Guest" (7" version) - 3:44
Single version
- "The Uninvited Guest" - 3:50
Music video
The video shows Hogarth as a man awakened during the night by The Uninvited Guest, also portrayed by Hogarth (often using split screen). The man is pursued around his living room by the guest, who appears and disappears at will while delivering the song's lyrics. The other band members observe proceedings from a table suspended in mid-air.