"Too Many Walls" is a song by British singer-songwriter Cathy Dennis. A midtempo pop ballad, it was co-written by Dennis and Anne Dudley, member of the avant-garde synthpop musical group Art of Noise. The song was originally a composition of Dudley's with strings but no lyrics, until Dennis adapted the song and added words before it appeared on her debut album. The song was then remixed into a more radio-friendly version before being released as a single, first in the United States in June 1991, then in Australia and the United Kingdom that September.
The song became Dennis' fourth top-10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, on which it peaked at number eight and lasted for 20 weeks. "Too Many Walls" also spent two weeks atop the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. In the UK, the song reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart in October, and in Canada, it peaked at number 10 in September. The music video was filmed at the newly opened Stansted airport, and directed by Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel.
Content In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Dennis stated that she thinks the ballad is "the best song on the album, especially in terms of lyrics. The other songs are fun, but they can be quite vacant." She said the song is "about when you want to be together with someone, but other people's opinions and prejudices get in the way."Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of No. 1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications)
Critical reception Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "After a pair of top 10 dance tunes, Dennis drops the tempo for a nicely sung, sugary ballad. Will likely keep popsters in tow, while broadening base to include AC programmers." Mark Frith from Smash Hits commented, "...this is Cathy's big ballad, a perfect end-of-summer song whether you're pining for Pedro from the Spanish swimming pool or that person with the nice eyes you met in Bridlington. 'Too Many Walls' is a lush, low-key ballad that is the high-spot of her album and quite obviously from the heart as well."
Track listings UK CD single "Too Many Walls" "Too Many Walls" (L'autre Mix) "Too Many Walls" (a cappella)
US cassette single "Too Many Walls" (Radio Mix) "Too Many Walls" (a cappella)
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1991) PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA)57Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)51Europe (European Hit Radio)13UK Airplay (Music Week)1US Cash Box Top 100Cash Box Chart Entries 1990-199611
Year-end charts Chart (1991)PositionCanada Top Singles (RPM)72Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)62Europe (European Hit Radio)83US Billboard Hot 10074US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)29
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesJune 1991PolydorAustralia2 September 1991United Kingdom23 September 19917-inch vinylJapan6 November 1991Mini-CD
References