Talking about my Post New Romanticism loves the other day left me wanting more, so you’re going to get a video entry to show ’em off!
– Go West/”Call Me” – While the likes of Duran Duran and Culture Club were at the peak of their popularity, there were other groups that were putting out music with less fanfare, but still of note. I loved Go West from their debut single “We Close Our Eyes” (#41), but “Call Me” (#54) sealed the deal for me. Unlike many of the groups that followed, Go West had some longevity, and evolved their sound as they went along. While some may not be as crazy about their more commercial sound in later years, I thought Indian Summer was a great album, and really enjoyed their remake of “What You Won’t Do For Love” (#55).
– Danny Wilson/”Mary’s Prayer” – One of several US one-hit wonders on this list, Danny Wilson released “Mary’s Prayer” (#23) in 1987, and the song slowly grew into a modest hit. Named after the title of a Frank Sinatra movie, the band consisted of brothers Gary and Kit Clark, along with Ged Grimes. Honestly, I don’t even remember if I had the full-length on this one, but “Mary’s” really holds up well over 20 years later.
– T’Pau/”China In Your Hand” – One of my all-time favorite songs. I remember watching T’Pau perform this on the US version of “Top of the Pops” in 1987, which really just recycled the British performances and inserted a few US-only tracks to make it more authentic. I would have bet money that this would have been a #1 record, but the song never even charted here, and T’Pau remains a one-hit wonder in the US. It wasn’t the first time my instincts were wrong, and it sure wasn’t the last. Of course, the song went straight to #1 in the UK.
– Johnny Hates Jazz/”Shattered Dreams” – If you measure a record’s potential by the impact of the single that preceded it, you would have hoped that Johnny Hates Jazz would have been more popular, but as often is the case, you would have also been wrong. I remember “Shattered Dreams” tearing up the airwaves in 1988, and it peaked at #2. The follow-up, “I Don’t Wanna Be a Hero”, only made it to #31, while “Turn Back the Clock” (a personal favorite of mine), only charted on the Adult Contemporary chart. As was often the case, there’s a US version of the video, but I actually prefer the UK version (not that either of them are epics).
– Climie Fischer/”Love Changes (Everything)” – I was obsessed with this song for months for some reason, and to this day, it remains one of those records that just goes to show that I am a music and chart geek. Released originally in 1987 and considered a flop, it took “Rise to the Occasion” becoming a hit in multiple territories to give “Love” a second chance. The re-issue was a remixed version, and ended up at #10 in the UK, and #23 in the US.
Stumble It!
Pop Music Notes 
all great songs, all big british hits that still sound great today 🙂 what a pleasant stroll down memory lane (i did jog to the t’pau song though in anticipation of hearing it again. then went on a detour to play heart and soul). Ace
Paul, any others along these lines that you would suggest?
Lovely Post, I loved everyone of those songs, I remember all of them in the charts, Call Me is gorgeous pop, their version of Do for love is great too, I love the original too,
Heart & Soul by T’Pau is one of my all time favourite 80’s I had that on 12″.
It shows you that so many songs stand the test of time,
what’s great is that they are all original songs no samples, d
David, you bring up a good point, although with Climie Fisher, they got their breakthrough with a hip-hop remix of “Rise to the Occasion”. Does that disqualify them?
My mum loved that Johnny Hates Jazz song and drove me crazy playing in the car every time she picked me up from school!
“China In Your Hand” is divine but Australia was very similar to the US, where “Heart & Soul” was massive and the rest of the album died a miserable death. I blame her hair.
Mike, you seem to be doing everything in your power to make me feel old. Even though it’s because your mum had wonderful taste in music. And I never thought to blame Carol’s hair, but you might be right!
LOL! I’m sorry. It’s just a relief to read a blog written by someone (ever so slightly) older than me. I was reading another blog (which shall remain nameless) talk about Aqua and the writer said something along the lines of “I remember this from when I was five”. Oh was like, oh damn!
Who was that? Jordy? “Dur dur d’être bébé!”
Johnny Hates Jazz was everywhere indeed. And I loved the Climie Fisher song. So much so that I bought the CD on the love of that single. Ah to be young, have $ and no bills…!
Yeah. Whatever happened to that whole “disposable income” thing?
I loved Rise to the Occasion, never knew that about the remix until u had it here, great songs.
Honestly, I like the original version much better, but I guess it’s about giving the people what they want. Here’s the video:
A deservedly high number of comments for this post! I love Go West, albeit admittedly on a greatest hits level since that’s all I know of them–it’s funny to see them written about here since I was just listening to that album on the drive after picking up my little sister from her college orientation.
I LOVE “Shattered Dreams,” in both its original version and some more modern, oomphy productions.
Welcome back! Your presence has been missed around these parts. Glad you liked the post. Here’s a cover of “Shattered Dreams” I am hoping to hear on Friday:
OMG! Johnny Hates Jazz! So under-rated!!! Same for Boy Meets Girl!!! 😦
Ha! “Waiting for a Star to Fall” is the epitome of “one-hit wonder”! Every time I hear the club version from a few years ago, I can’t help but grin.
Pingback: Mixed Tapes – Climie Fisher « Pop Music Notes