When a writer's strike interrupted a movie they were filming, Chase Hampton and Tiffini Hale were cast as the new generation of Mouseketeers. On the show, Hampton started a music group with fellow cast members, including Albert Fields. Disney, which had started the Hollywood Records label, signed the group, which now consisted of Hampton, Hale, Fields, Damon Pampolina, and Deedee Magno. As part of the promotion for the band, a name-the-band contest was held. The result was "The Party," which is a backronym for "Positive Attitude Reflecting Today's Youth."
Over the next several years, The Party released four albums; The Party (1990), In the Meantime, in Between Time (1991), Free (1992), and The Party's Over...Thanks for Coming (1994). Their albums were a mix of assembly line songs and pop/rock hits such as "Walkin' in the Rain," "My Generation," and "I Know What Boys Like," given a slick dance treatment for public consumption. However, the venture never really translated into major hit songs or platinum-selling sales.
The group did manage to find the charts with four singles, but only one, a version of Dokken's "In My Dreams," cracked the Top 40 reaching number 34. They were given the compilation treatment with a greatest-hits package released in 1997, but the Party was overshadowed by the future success of other Mouseketeers venturing into the pop music world, including Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears.
The Party has released several singles since reuniting in 2013, including their latest single, "Don't Stop" in April 2020.
Free
The Party Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By cutting down on the death stick
'Cause it's getting in the way of living your life
No, I won't question it
Greener pastures have taken their stride
Wonder what caused the drought to subside
Is mother nature taking pity?
I wouldn't be surprised
I don't think a blow to the head fixes suffering
When you say it like that I guess I have to agree
Free will an unpredicted precedence
Old enough to know better, young enough to take a hit
Will you lean on the actual condition or just qualify it a mess
Could go either way I guess
Pressed up against the window
A cellophane silhouetto
Chewy's on the mark again good to see you my old friend
Staying warm? I hope so
This here is a package for me
Kinda funny didn't order anything
No sign upon delivery
Just dumped right here, stuck now
Free will an unpredicted precedence
Old enough to know better, young enough to take a hit
Will you lean on the actual condition or just qualify it a mess
Could go either way I guess
And I could I explain myself better but that isn't what I choose
Condition change my behavior to just tighten up what's loose
To just tighten up what's loose
To just tighten up what's loose
Free will an unpredicted precedence
Old enough to know better, young enough to take a hit
Will you lean on the actual condition or just qualify it a mess
Could go either way I guess
The lyrics to The Party's song Free speak about a person who is trying to improve their life by stopping their death wish or smoking habit, which is getting in the way of living. The lyrics suggest that the person is trying to find greener pastures and wonders what caused their drought to subside. They ask whether mother nature is taking pity, and the response is that they wouldn't be surprised. The lyrics suggest that a "blow to the head" won't fix or end the person's suffering.
The party then discusses the idea of free will, which is an "unpredicted precedence." They acknowledge that they are old enough to know better and young enough to take a hit. They also ask whether the person will lean on the actual condition they are facing or just qualify it as a mess. The lyrics suggest that it could go either way, and they aren't sure what will happen.
The Party then sings about feeling stuck and receiving a package they didn't order. They ask if Chewy is staying warm and comment about being glad to see an old friend. The lyrics suggest that they aren't sure what's going on, but they're hoping for the best.
Overall, the song seems to be about someone who is trying to improve their life and questioning their ability to make changes. The song explores the idea of free will and suggests that it's unpredictable. The lyrics also speak about the idea that things can change unexpectedly, and there's no way to control or predict them.
Line by Line Meaning
Sabotaging your death wish
Stopping self-destructive behavior like smoking cigarettes.
By cutting down on the death stick
Reducing tobacco use to better health.
'Cause it's getting in the way of living your life
Cigarette smoking poses a barrier to living life stress-free and healthy.
No, I won't question it
No objections to anything health-wise.
Greener pastures have taken their stride
New positive possibilities have arisen.
Wonder what caused the drought to subside
Curiosity as to what led to better times.
Is mother nature taking pity?
Is nature offering some relief from previous stresses?
I wouldn't be surprised
Difficulty in dismissing the idea.
I don't think a blow to the head fixes suffering
Physical pain does not heal emotional pain.
When you say it like that I guess I have to agree
Acknowledging the obvious.
Free will an unpredicted precedence
The concept of free will continues to surprise.
Old enough to know better, young enough to take a hit
Being responsible enough while embracing risk-taking as a person.
Will you lean on the actual condition or just qualify it a mess
Choosing to dwell on a problem or to find a solution.
Could go either way I guess
Difficult to predict the outcome.
Pressed up against the window
Looking out from the inside.
A cellophane silhouetto
A shape outlined against the light.
Chewy's on the mark again good to see you my old friend
A friend or acquaintance Chewy is back again, which is heartwarming.
Staying warm? I hope so
Hoping that someone is staying physically and emotionally warm.
This here is a package for me
Something that merits a more serious consideration or attention.
Kinda funny didn't order anything
Amused but confused by the unexpected appearance of something.
No sign upon delivery
No way to tell from where things were unexpected.
Just dumped right here, stuck now
Dealt with now that it is here.
And I could I explain myself better but that isn't what I choose
Could communicate ourselves more effectively, but not choosing to.
Condition change my behavior to just tighten up what's loose
Alteration experienced on behavior and habits to effect change.
To just tighten up what's loose
Making necessary adjustments to create improvement in life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Avery Springer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bernadette Mahoney
They danced their asses off in this video and in That's Why. The most underrated group of the 90s. They were dope and diverse. Love them.
내가찐이야
친구가 생일에 LP사줘서 너무나 좋아하고 많이들었던 더파티 이걸 이제보네... 진짜 추억돋는다ㅠㅠ
iamcasihart
I looooooooove this vid! I have to concur with another comment- The Party had THE BEST HAIR EVER!!! I always looked up to Tiff and she is sooooo beautiful, so lovely...Watching this reminds me how much THE PARTY has always meant to me. Really...they were my EVERYTHING! =)
Sin D'Angelo
I remember... I was 12 and The Party played at the amusement park down the street from my house. I was obsessed with them at the time and my friend called to tell me she was there and they were opening for Color Me Badd. I CRIED SO HARD!!!!! LOL I was such a teeny bopper! But yeah, The Party was with me through my tweens!
T K
Color Me Badd was dope
Jason Hlinka
Brings back memories. I still have my copy of Free on CD.
Ladybug76
OMG! I loved this song back then. I can't believe it came out like 16yrs ago. I feel so old. LOL!
aurayon
Whoa, it's all coming back to me! I had the biggest crush on Damon back then. Thanks for the video :)
Anita
This is probably my fave song by the party...takes me back
Jonathan Ruskin
This video is still amazing 16 years later. Damn, has it really been 16 years! Wow, I'm getting old.