5TH APRIL- WONDERFUL WORLD- Sam Cooke (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/33/Cooke_WonderfulWorld.jpg

 

The lure of "Americana" was seldom stronger in the UK than it was in the mid 80s. The rock N roll invasion of the 50s was the first wave but in the new neo-conservatist times of Reagan and Thatcher and that "special releationship" the american dream was alive and well in the UK. When that collided with the power of the TV advert it was a major success, mind you life of Cooke had everything the stuff of legends are made of. One of the founding fathers of soul and being shot dead at just 33 years of age back in 1964 provides the adequate elements of cult status but "Wonderful World" only made No 27 when first released back in the 50s.

 

Indeed the charts of April 1986 were looking decidedly like the 50s anyway with Cliff Richard's remake of "Living Doll" sitting at No 1 whilst this was at No 2, it was the first song that was directly linked to a Levi advert, and it was the levi brand was to launch a whole barage of oldies back into the charts over the course of the rest of the 80s, and provided regular chart toppers up until the mid 90s.

 

The track itself is lyricaly quite simple, Cooke lamenting his lack of academeic qualificiations and attainments but asserting that he knows he loves his girl. It's this simplicity and innocence that really appeals, the attraction of a bygone age when life was simpler that draws the crowd. The song is earnest enough and delivered with casual assurance and confidence and it's hard really to find fault, unusually for 1986, but then this isn't really 1986 is it?.......

 

Edited July 21, 201113 yr by gezza76

MAY 10TH- LIVE TO TELL- Madonna (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/04/Live_to_Tell_single_cover.jpg

 

Yes she's back with a 4th No 2 hit of the decade (and her last), becoming the first of only 3 acts to get as many No 2 hits in the decade (the others are still to come). "Live To Tell" is everything "Crazy for You" tried, and in my opinion failed, to do. With this song she manages to nail the ballad without submitting to the cliches that so often hamper the genre, and as this is 1986 it is of course linked to a film, in this case "At Close Range" featuring then husband Sean Penn.

 

The video marked the first of what was to become many. many, imgae changes, a more subtle, toned down version of Madonna emerged from the toy boy, strutting, nymphomanic image of the "Like A Virgin" period, and was indeed the first single from the "True Blue" album, the album that would catapult her into international superstardom, from which she has never really left. It is therefore a snapshot of the birth of a superstar, it's a fitting testament really, epic in scale, and profound in emotion, it's no "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and I wouldn't pretend as much, but it's the sheer class of the song that impresses and feels liek a more developed production than her previous attempts (good as they are). Some of this is due to producation techniques obviously but "live To Tell" is a clear indication of where she intends to go with her career, to be that superstar you have to appeal to a wide range of the audience, and the whole "True Blue" era is just that, an attempt to leave the wannabe's behind and become almost peerless, and you know what? Looks like history taught us that she did.

 

The history of this time has become imbeded now in the history of Madonna. No female star is more aware, some would say pre-occupied, with image, understanding the appel of "new", or at least to appear "new" on a regular basis!, through twists and turns (not all of them successful) she has stamped her mark on most of the new stars that followed her (certainly in the pop arena) from Britney to Kylie, Christina to Lady Gaga. In part of course it was fortune, she coincided with the birth and evolotion of MTV and so had a platform that female stars didn't have before her, but of course you have to the vision to dominate and understand......

 

Edited July 21, 201113 yr by gezza76

17TH MAY- ON MY OWN - Michael McDonald & Patti LaBelle (3 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/56/Onmyown.jpg

 

Only the 4th No 2 of the year with no film/ TV connection, and it's an odd one. Both acts were 70s survivors, Michael McDonlad formerly of the Doobie Brothers and Patti LaBelle formerly of Labelle, and famously recorded this track without ever meeting. The song was orginally a Dionne Warwick song but was not included on her "Friends" album and was offered to LaBelle to record, which she did but was not happy with it insisting that it might sound better as a duet, enter McDonald.

 

"On My Own" is a prime piece of Mid 80s balladry, but against all the odds this actually works. There is so much warmth and genuine emotion behind it that it seems that personal experience is poured into the track, indeed exactly because they never met it may have been easier to put that personal feeling into the song than if they had met face to face, their is no displaced emotion so to speak. It's not actually that far from similar ballad's like "Cherish" by Kool & The Gang, but unusually for the genre it's lyrics are actually quite defiant and strong rather than melancholy and forlorn "I've got to find out what was mine again/

My heart is saying that it's my time again/ And I have faith that I will shine again/ I have faith in me".

 

Sure there is regret about the failure of the relationship, but there is realism here to, and it is perhaps this that makes the song work, it's not about a moment in a relationship, the rush of love at the beginning, the bitterness at the end, the routine in the middle, it's a song about the whole experience, it's about maturity that comes with age, not the teenage first love bang that so many songs describe. I've always liked the song (though again not a song I recall from the time) in the way that its charms are not immediately evident but well worth the delve....

 

 

7TH JUNE- HOLDING BACK THE YEARS- Simply Red (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3b/Simply_Red_-_Holding_Back_the_Years.jpg

 

We all have them don't we? those moments when all you want to do is wallow in your own depression! Mick Hucknell put his on vinyl- now I know it's not very fashionable these days (or for the last 15 years in fact) to like Simply Red but I have to conceed he nails it on "Holding Back The Years". A song that bends and cracks with pain and disappointment of life that it's use on "Only Fools and Horses" three years later as Del is left alone after Rodney's wedding was actually one of the sincerest, sadest moments in TV history and, rather appropriately for 1986, was the perfect marraige of TV and music.

 

It's a little too bleak in places for comfort "I've wasted all my tears/ Wasted all those years/ And nothing had the chance to be good/ Nothing ever could" it's a view of life in the rear view mirror tinged with regret and failure- that's not to everyone's taste, but there is no doubt that Hucknell belts this out and no-one could for a second be under the impression that he doesn't believe 100% in the song and the meaning and that will become an increasing rarity as the 80s progress. In my view they would never top this record, the fact that it was never a No 1 song remains a crime in my eyes....

 

5TH APRIL- WONDERFUL WORLD- Sam Cooke (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/33/Cooke_WonderfulWorld.jpg

 

Now I have to admit that whilst I know this song, it isn't a track I remember from 1986. Then again I don't even remember the Levi's advert. The first Levi's advert I remember is the one where the lad strips off to his boxers in the laundrette - how Levi's must've been gutted when their "jeans" advert boosted sales of...erm...boxers shorts instead. :lol:

 

MAY 10TH- LIVE TO TELL- Madonna (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/04/Live_to_Tell_single_cover.jpg

 

This is the point where I'm more likely to remember these tracks that peaked at #2. My older brother bought Madonna's 'True Blue' album on 12" and I rememeber loving songs like the title track 'True Blue', 'Papa Don't Preach' and 'La Isla Bonita' which went on to become UK #1 singles. I actually didn't realise this was the lead single from the album. Looking back it seems like an odd choice as it is a much more mature sound for Madonna - maybe that's what the record company wanted to showcase to the world. A female popstar taking the benefits of MTV and using this medium to her advantage. 'Live The Tell' is a brilliant track imo and would've been nice to see this #1 - can't check what kept this off #1 as www.chartstats.com seems to be down, or just running painfully slow - I'm too impatient to wait for nothing to happen. :D

 

17TH MAY- ON MY OWN - Michael McDonald & Patti LaBelle (3 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/56/Onmyown.jpg

 

Bizarrely I remember this from Top Of The Pops as they tended to show the video rather than having McDonald & LaBelle in the studio to perform the track. Three weeks at #2 seems impressive for its time.

 

7TH JUNE- HOLDING BACK THE YEARS- Simply Red (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3b/Simply_Red_-_Holding_Back_the_Years.jpg

 

What do I have in common with Mick Hucknell? We're both from the same part of Greater Manchester. :D This is another track I know my brother bought and I remember him playing this at one stage as if it was the only song he had. It is a brilliant song but Simply Red have become something of a guilty pleasure. :D I watched An Audience With Simply Red (or whatever the show was called) on ITV a few months back and Mick is still an exceptional singer. I actually like quite a few of their singles but I agree that 'Holding Back The Years' is definitely one of their best tracks.

This is the point where I'm more likely to remember these tracks that peaked at #2. My older brother bought Madonna's 'True Blue' album on 12" and I rememeber loving songs like the title track 'True Blue', 'Papa Don't Preach' and 'La Isla Bonita' which went on to become UK #1 singles. I actually didn't realise this was the lead single from the album. Looking back it seems like an odd choice as it is a much more mature sound for Madonna - maybe that's what the record company wanted to showcase to the world. A female popstar taking the benefits of MTV and using this medium to her advantage. 'Live The Tell' is a brilliant track imo and would've been nice to see this #1 - can't check what kept this off #1 as www.chartstats.com seems to be down, or just running painfully slow - I'm too impatient to wait for nothing to happen. :D

It was Falco "Rock Me Amadeus" which held it off- criminal in my opinion :lol:

 

It was actually viewed as a failure at the time after the success and carpet coverage she had in 85. A new song from a new album was thought to be a dead cert No 1 but it wasn't to be- mind you not the last time she has been written off!.....

Edited July 23, 201113 yr by gezza76

It was Falco "Rock Me Amadeus" which held it off- criminal in my opinion :lol:

 

It was actually viewed as a failure at the time after the success and carpet coverage she had in 85. A new song from a new album was thought to be a dead cert No 1 but it wasn't to be- mind you not the last time she has been written off!.....

 

Oh, my brother bought 'Rock Me Ameadeus' on 7" :lol: I know brother bought a lot of songs on 7" with the occasional 12" too. As for me, I was quite happy with my Five Star cd. :lol: The soundtrack to my life in 1986!!! :D

28TH JUNE- I CAN'T WAIT- Nu Shooz (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c7/I_Can't_Wait_NS.jpg

 

Currently doing the rounds as a sample in Mann's "Buzzin" here's the original. The band were husband and wife team John Day & Valerie Day and has regional success with this track in 1985 around the Portland area but found fame on the US dance chart in early 1986 whereupon a full release was granted. It's not actually a song that I've over heard on the radio which may account for the reason that I actually don't mind this. It's very dated now but it does have a certain charm (after that Su Pollard records perhaps i'm now easily pleased), it may be that rather amateur TOTP performance which is kind of endearing but it's hard to dislike really.

 

It's a hard song to review, one of those "It's ok, but no great shakes" kinda thing but it's a hard come down after "Holding Back the Years"...

 

19TH JULY- EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART- Rod Stewart (1 week)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/8676.jpg

 

I can't give this a bad review as my mother would quite literally disown me, and to be honest I wouldn't without that threat in any case. As a Scotsman Rod had me at the point when he said "Lonely Jacobite" :)

 

Seriously though, no decade quite did the ballad like the 80s in my opinion, and this is Stewart's attempt to pull on the heartstrings, now it doesn't entirely succeed, there are some cliches involved in the compositon but on the whole it's pulled of- just. Maudlin in mood, the subject (displacement and longing for home) is a relatively rare one in the pop world, and indeed Stewart had a history of unusual themes ("Killing Of Georgie" for instance) which had helped keep him a star since the late 60s. This was indeed his last appearance in the chart this high up (with the exception of that 1994 hit "All 4 love" with Sting & Bryan Adams) and post 1993 he stopped being any kind of chart force singles wise.

 

As anthemic rock goes it does the job, the trademark raspy performance is of course present and it's a plesant if uninspiring addition to our No 2 countdown but things are about to get very interesting indeed.....

 

Edited July 24, 201113 yr by gezza76

9TH AUGUST- SO MACHO- Sinitta (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d7/Sinitta_So_Macho.jpg

 

Sometimes the story of a song is far more interesting than the song itself- "So Macho" is one of those songs. Of course Sinitta was at the time girlfriend of one Simon Cowell, and the hit was the first big hit for the Fanfare Label that gave Cowell his break in the music business. Sinitta meanwhile had been in Hot Gossip (the dancers on the Kenny Everatt Show), as well as an entrant in song for europe (though she failed to get to the Eurovision Song contest and had pretty much been a failed popstar since 1983 (as an aside she also appears in the video for Forrest's 1983 top 10 hit "Rock The Boat") so that's where we're at come 1986.

 

Now Cowell approached writer George Hargreaves to write a record for Sinitta and "So Macho" was the result. What is interesting in watching Sinitta perform this at TOTP is the about face that appears to have taken place in the UK between 1984 and 1986- this, I conjecture, is due to AIDS. Witness the line "Or a boy who thinks he's a girl" Sinitta does the famous "Limp Wristed" movement which, as we all know for our childhood days, is the universal sign for a gayer. From the gay friendly, and obviously gay anthems of 84 we seem now to have done a full 180 degree about face- now it is heterosexual sex which has reclaimed the centre place, promiscuity, straight culture (and whilst never exactly being out of fashion) is now re-asserting it's muscle on the pop landscape, it mocks the stars and the themes of only 24 months earlier. Hargreaves, the writer, is now a religious minister and political spokesman for the christian Party (UK) and has made rather outspoken negative remarks on the subject on hiomosexuality during the 00s.

 

"So Macho" is therefore a record of deep contradictions, it's HI-Energy (A medium associated with gay clubs), it clearly references the Village People's "Macho Man" from 1978, and considering Sinitta's future productions with S/A/W for the remainder of the 80s, it was from the gay market that she sustained much of her career, but in 1986 it was perfectly acceptable to mock homosexuality in a place like TOTP that only recently was a showcase for it's talent, and what allowed that was the emergence of AIDS, stright culture's ultimate revenge on gay culture (or at least that's how it was seen back in 1986)

 

For all those reasons "So Macho" is a much more interesting record than I ever deemed it to be, of course as a song it's a piece of camp fun, throwaway pop that is unashamed of what it is, and for that I can't fault it, but all is not what it appears!

 

In theme "So Macho" is not that distant from "It's Raining Men" for example, same theme (sexual avarice and promiscuity) same medium (Hi- Energy) and both sung by female acts, but don't you notice that deep difference down under the surface? In the year of Sam Fox's Chart emergance also, sexual promiscuity, provided it's straight, is the now back in the camp of the righteous....

 

20TH SEPTEMBER- WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE OUR CLOTHES OFF- Jermaine Stewart (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/70/Take_Our_Clothes_Off.jpg

 

It is with grim apropos that Jermaine Stewart is next on this list. The singer of course has since died of AIDS, at the point at which straight culture is jumping into bed with everything gay culture is now keeping it's clothes on! WDHTTOCO is a great record, the opening line "Not a word from your lips" is instantly arresting, it's almost like a response record to "So Macho" in more than one way obviously.

 

Stewart's voice is on fine form, and it's a shame his UK career didn't last that long in the UK, but in the list of 1986's No 2 records this is decidedly one of the better ones, optimistic in tone, and uplifting in spirit, it's all that good pop music should be...

 

Edited July 26, 201113 yr by gezza76

4TH OCTOBER- RAIN OR SHINE- Five Star (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/43/Five-Star-Rain--Shine-55930.jpg

 

It isn't as if I actively dislike this record, it's OK and simple enough, if rather cliched, ballad. I think this suffers from the fact that it is surrounded on this timeline by far better records, thankfully I was just a shade too young for the whole Five Star thing, and by the time 1988 came around they were deeply uncool, but this remains their biggest hit.

 

It's a bit too sickly for my personal taste and time hasn't been kind to the track, but it's a hard song to loathe (I must admit that not hearing it for quite some time has probably helped in that respect) but the appeal of Five Star now looks largly unexplainable, perhaps the idea of the "family" was appealing, a UK Jackson 5, all ideas welcome!

 

To round off though, nice but a bit meh......

 

Edited July 26, 201113 yr by gezza76

1ST NOVEMBER- IN THE ARMY NOW- Status Quo (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c8/In_the_army_now.jpg

 

Dear readers,

 

I tried my hardest to dislike this record, but I can't- it's bloody great! Partly of course because it isn't actually written by the band (whom I have never rated) and it's a cover of 1981 of a Bolland & Bolland hit (never a hit in this country but they were a writing and producation due who also wrote "Rock Me Amadeus"). As a result it is actually a proper song, not a series of repeated guitar riffs, and is somewhat unintenionally humourous- I suspect the band are in on the joke- faux macho-ism is just the anicdote 1986 needs IMO.

 

That guitar line is actually to maximum effect in this track, it builds tension, and actually creates an ominous undertone which is new to a Quo record as far as I can tell, but i'm no expert on their back catelogue I confess, and the whole thing has an air of convinction which is quite unexpected but exntirely welcome.

 

Incidentally the "Stand Up and Fight" line is actually shouted by Noddy Holder (I had no idea), lyrically it's the tale of the differing experiences of being in the army and what the draught man tells you, it's all quite camp in a low key kind of way, undoubtedly the best thing they EVER did in post 70s!.....

 

Edited July 26, 201113 yr by gezza76

15TH NOVEMBER- YOU KEEP ME HANGIN ON- Kim Wilde (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e8/Youkeepmehanginon.jpg

 

Famously composed by Holland-Dozier-Holland and recorded by the Supremes who topped the US charts with this, "You Keep Me Hangin On" is the hallmark of great songwriting, and Wilde's version, in my opinion, just as good as the Supremes Version (It certainly apped its US success anyway). Wilde brings to the song, not only a new modern 80s sound to the track, but the same sense of urgency as the original, and even dare I say it, an added vulnerability that is perhaps only subliminal in the Supremes version. Actually the sound of 1986 works very well on the song and Wilde has obviously sought to honour the original and treats it with respect, but similarly isn't afraid to branch out and re-interpret.

 

Her vocal is suitably sultry, and it's a much more self assured vocal at that, Wilde no longer the girl of 1981 but a fully grown pop star now, the bridge seems to erupt from nowhere, it's a vital record, full of passion and conviction, it's kind of like "Holding Out For A Hero" but much more "Real". The pathos is the track is what grounds this and allows it to avoid falling into the Tyler territory, and there is also real vitriol in her voice, the line "Why don't you be a man about it" is sung with gusto, the guitars appear to scream a chorus of agony, it's all rather good (I may have gone to far there!)

 

In short I can't find a fault in this song and lordy I tried....

 

Edited July 27, 201113 yr by gezza76

13TH DECEMBER- SOMETIMES- Erasure (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0a/Erasure_single_sometimes.jpg

 

Here's where 1986 and the mid 80s, ends for us with Andy Bell and Vince Clark. It's also where Erasure start, after a series of relative failures this was their breakthrough and they would remain a chart force until 1994 when they fell from chart favour. Back in 86 though they were new and fresh, indeed "Sometimes" is a cracker of a single, nothing revolutionary theme wise, but it's a full on pop song that intends to win you over by sheer power of force. It's cleverly written as well, the opening lines "It's not the way you lead me by the hand into the bedroom/ It's not the way you throw your clothes upon the bathroom floor" grab you- so just what IS it? Well that's not easy to tell- you get to the end and i'm certainly no wiser.

 

That saxophone by the way seems to add a sense of melancholy to the track- it's a love tinged with heartbreak (or previous heartbreak i'm unsure) and to me that makes the track slightly above the boy meets girl, they fall in love etc genre, yes we're ending 1986 on a high, and again I've plesantly surprised by the year, it was far better than I recalled it (after a dodgy start)....how was it for you?

 

Edited July 27, 201113 yr by gezza76

28TH JUNE- I CAN'T WAIT- Nu Shooz (1 week)

 

I think my brother bought this on 12" if I'm not mistaken but it's not really a song I remember much of from the time. I'm sure this track wasn't intended for the primary school children of the year - me being just 5 years old when this was riding high in the charts. However, I've been aware of this song for years and if anything I'd say Nu Shooz were a few years ahead of their time. By this, I mean Ace Of Base. For some reason 'I Can't Wait' sounds like what Ace Of Base would've sounded like had they been around 7 years earlier.

 

19TH JULY- EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART- Rod Stewart (1 week)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/8676.jpg

 

I genuinely don't remember this song at all. I even listened to the track via the video link but still haven't a clue. Not that the song is terrible - it's actually got a strong melody in both the verses and chorus which may well have been why it was popular? Other than that, there's very little else I can add.

 

9TH AUGUST- SO MACHO- Sinitta (2 weeks)

 

Whilst this is a sort of cult "classic" I only vaguely remember this from the time. I'm sure I would've seen this on TOTP and thought, very innocently, that it was a good song. The beauty of being a kid. :lol: However, this is the sort of song if I heard now in 2011 I'd probably feel a bit embarrassed by it. Might explain you hardly ever hear this on the radio or even see the video on the music channels dedicated to popular hits of the time.

 

20TH SEPTEMBER- WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE OUR CLOTHES OFF- Jermaine Stewart (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/70/Take_Our_Clothes_Off.jpg

 

If someone told me 12 months ago that Cadbury's would use this song to soundtrack an advert I'd probably have laughed. Anyways, this is a classic pop single imo - another track my older brother bought but I'm sure this was on that Hits compilation I referred to earlier in this thread. Sadly this song has since been covered terribly by Gym Class Heroes ('Clothes Off'!!! :puke: ) and Lil' Chris ( :puke: ) so I'll quite happily stick with the original and best. :D

 

4TH OCTOBER- RAIN OR SHINE- Five Star (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/43/Five-Star-Rain--Shine-55930.jpg

 

:lol: As mentioned earlier. Five Star was the soundtrack to my life in 1986 but I was 5 years old so what did I know about music? Maybe this was why they were popular. They were basically what Steps and S Club 7 became a good 10 or so years later - appealing to a young target audience. I saw the video to 'Can't Wait Another Minute' on music channel Magic a couple of weeks back and talk about dated? :lol: The production on these tracks really do define the mid 80s.

 

1ST NOVEMBER- IN THE ARMY NOW- Status Quo (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c8/In_the_army_now.jpg

 

Somewhat bizarrely my earliest memory of this was when each class at our primary school has its own Christmas party just before we broke up for the Christimas holidays. I would've been in Infant 2 and I saw rememeber standing at the entrance to our classroom and listening to the music coming the classroom belonging to Junior 4 (so basically 10 year olds in their final year of primary school) and they were playing all the chart hits from those last couple of months whilst our class, iirc, were doing "country dancing". Don't ask!!! :lol:

 

15TH NOVEMBER- YOU KEEP ME HANGIN ON- Kim Wilde (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e8/Youkeepmehanginon.jpg

 

This is another solid gold pop gem imo. Also as far as cover versions go this is certainly one of the best efforts I've ever heard (that's ever - not just from the 80s :D ). I remember hearing this a lot so I guess my brother must've bought this too.

 

13TH DECEMBER- SOMETIMES- Erasure (1 week)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0a/Erasure_single_sometimes.jpg

 

Now I definitely know my brother bought this. He was obsessed with Erasure's music and probably bought most of their big hits. I know he bought 'It Doesn't Have To Be This Way' on 12" and seemed to play it all the time so I remember that track especially. Looking back Erasure released some excellent tracks during their hayday.

 

I've plesantly surprised by the year, it was far better than I recalled it (after a dodgy start)....how was it for you?

 

It was brilliant. :lol: This was the year when I became more interested in music and this led to my interest in the UK charts although that really started properly in 1988 when listening to the UK Top 40 with Bruno Brookes on Sunday afternoon was a weekly event in my house (thanks mostly to my sister). :D

Yes 1988 was the year I really got into music- I have tons of fond memories and my devotion to sunday nights with Bruno became an "Event" in my week- just have to get 87 out of the way first! thanks for your input in 86, so much better than posting to myself! :D

7TH FEBRUARY 1987- HEARTACHE- Pepsi & Shirlie (2 weeks)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/8993.jpg

 

Former Wham! backing singers (yes those girls in the "Everything she Wants" Clip) returned three years later for some hit action of their own. The two items of real interest post this song involved Shirlie Holliman marrying Martin Kemp and the girls reuniting to do the backing vocals on Geri Halliwell's "Bag It Up" in 2000, but for a brief spell in 87 they were bonafide pop stars- this by far their biggest hit.

 

"Heartache" is somewhat of an underwhelming song to start the year off, it's far from the worse we've encountered by it's also far from the best, kinda pop by numbers and daytime radio fodder, somewhat ironically, the track was denied the No 1 spot by former "bandmate" George Michael and his duet with Aretha Franklin "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)". Even hooking up with S/A/W for follow up "Goodbye Stranger" which did deliver them a further top 10 but after that the top 40 was a stranger to them!

 

All in all I suppose this was a thank you to the girls for their Wham! work....acceptable is the most I can award this song i'm afraid.....

 

Edited July 28, 201113 yr by gezza76

28TH FEBRUARY- WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN- Percy Sledge (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/62/When_a_Man_Loves_a_Woman_cover.jpg

 

This, on the other hand is an absolute gem. Originally a 1966 hit it was the power of Levi Jeans again that plucked this from posterity and slap bang into 1987, well this along with "Stand By Me" which was actually at No 1 denying this track making it a clean sweep of the top 2 for the brand at the time "Americana" was being lapped up by the UK.

 

Thmatically it's very simple, deceptively so, the power of love, but its plainness is exactly where its strength lies, no frills, just raw emtion sung from the gut, I've come to the conclusion doing this that writing a love song is actually the genre that is the hardest, the easiest to end up a smouldering pile of cheese, this is anything but. Of course part of that is wrapped up in nostalgia, the sixties are commonly perceived as a more innocent time and so the song brings connotations with it, but that makes it no poorer a song.

 

Sledge's voice is a dream naturally, silky smooth and warm and the switch from impersonal to personal in the third verse is perfectly timed, the feeling that Sledge is not an observer but the subject of the song leaves you under no doubt the guy has been there. Pure class.....

 

Edited July 28, 201113 yr by gezza76

7TH FEBRUARY 1987- HEARTACHE- Pepsi & Shirlie (2 weeks)

 

http://www.chartstats.com/images/artwork/8993.jpg

 

I'd just celebrated my 6th birthday when 'Heartache' became a UK hit. I actually remember liking this a lot at the time - again, this falls into the same category as Five Star. Watered down UK pop catered purely for a younger target audience. Therefore perfect for 6 year olds. :D However, in this case I do think the better track won this chart battle as I still enjoy listening to 'I Knew You Were Waiting' whenever it comes on VH-1, plus it's a track my brother bought on 12" so I heard the George Michael & Aretha Franklin song more often in our house.

 

28TH FEBRUARY- WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN- Percy Sledge (2 weeks)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/62/When_a_Man_Loves_a_Woman_cover.jpg

 

Pure class indeed...unless you're a 6 year old teenybopper. Whilst I remember loving 'Heartache' aged 6, I don't think I had much time, if any, for this or 'Stand By Me' which provided the UK charts which a rather interesting top 2 consisting of 50s re-releases. The power of TV!!! :D Obvious as I got older, I've started to appreciate the beauty of said tracks a lot more. Yet I never have the sudden urge to listen to 'Heartache'. :lol: In fact, I can't even remember the last time I heard that track.