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"Something for the Weekend" is a song by the Divine Comedy, produced by Darren Allison and Neil Hannon. It was the first single from Casanova and reached number 14 in the UK Singles Chart. The song subsequently became a hit when Chris Evans heard it at a friend's party and had it played on his radio show the following Monday.

The song itself is about a Lothario who is trying to seduce a woman, but she tricks him by asking him to investigate strange noises in the woodshed. Upon entering, he is knocked unconscious by her accomplices who then steal his car and money.

Release

The "Something for the Weekend" single release in the UK came two weeks before Welsh band Super Furry Animals released their own single with the same title, from the album Fuzzy Logic. The latter band changed their title to "Something 4 the Weekend".

Critical reception

In an AllMusic review, critic Matthew Greenwald declared "Something for the Weekend" as "easily one of Hannon's most breezy recordings", noting the song's musical style "has a hit of R&B in the percussion" with "energetic drum and piano pattern." Fellow critic Ned Raggett reviewing Casanova, described the song "at once soaring, cheeky, leering, and truly weird."

Reviewing the album in 2016, Pop Rescue said: "The song has a distinct 60's feeling to it – something that the video indulges in too. The lyrics are slick and somewhat quirky (about something in the wood shed – is that a euphemism?), and the backing vocals sit perfectly under Neil's soft speak-singing style. The constant snare beat makes this song feel like it's galloping along."

Music video

The music video was the band's first and is set in Venice.

References

1. Bradley, Larry (November 4, 2014). "The 1990s: The Divine Comedy - "Something for the Weekend". The Alternative Jukebox. Cassell. p. 208. ISBN 978-1-84403-789-6.
2. ^ A Secret History... The Best of the Divine Comedy (CD booklet). The Divine Comedy. Setanta Records. 1999.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
3. "The Divine Comedy Songs Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF.com. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
4. "A Short Site".
5. Greenwald, Matthew. "The Divine Comedy: 'Something for the Weekend' – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
6. Raggett, Ned. "Casanova – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
7. Rescue, Pop (January 27, 2016). "Review: "Casanova" by The Divine Comedy (CD, 1996)".

External links

• A compilation of press reviews for Casanova and Something For The Weekend at Darren Allison's official website.
• Music video The Divine Comedy - "Something For The Weekend" (Live at Shepherds Bush Empire, 1996) on YouTube

• 1996 singles
• The Divine Comedy (band) songs
• 1996 songs
• Songs written by Neil Hannon
• Setanta Records singles