So you think New Jersey, US is an unlikely launch pad for a music star? How about Bromley, UK, then?
William Michael Albert Broad, a.k.a. Billy Idol, was born 1955 in Stanmore, England, deriving his stage name Idol from a schoolteacher's description of him as 'idle'.
Billy went on to join the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans. He first joined the punk rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees (before the band had decided on that name) in 1976, but soon quit and joined Chelsea in 1977 as a guitarist. But him and bandmate Tony James soon quit and co-founded Generation X, with Billy switching from guitarist to lead singer. Generation X signed to Chrysalis Records, released three albums and performed in the 1980 film, D.O.A., before disbanding.
The year after Billy moved to New York to start his solo career, which began with the EP titled Don't Stop. This included the Generation X song 'Dancing with Myself', originally recorded for their last album Kiss Me Deadly, and a cover of Tommy James & The Shondells' song 'Mony Mony'. In 1982 Idol instantly became an MTV staple with 'White Wedding'. In an effort to introduce himself to American audiences not yet as familiar with him as those in England, Billy's label re-released 'Dancing with Myself' in the US in conjunction with a music video (directed by Tobe Hooper, produced by Jeffrey Abelson, and conceptualised by Keith Williams) that played in heavy rotation on MTV for six months. That video sparked a new era of feature film directors trying their hand at music videos, which helped make Idol a household name.
My favourite Billy Idol tracks are 'Eyes Without A Face' and 'Flesh For Fantasy'.
Billy Idol - Dancing With Myself (1981 & 1983)
1981 - UK#62, US#102
1983 - NZ#9, AUS#42
Annie Lennox (born 1954 in Aberdeen, Scotland) and Dave Stewart (born 1952 in Sunderland, Northern England), a.k.a. Eurythmics, met in a London restaurant in 1975. Annie was working there at the time and both went on to form and the play together with Peet Coombes in their group The Catch. They released one single, 1977's 'Borderline/Black Blood'. The single was released in the UK, NL, ES and POR. The Catch soon became known as The Tourists, who had some chart success in 1979-80 though disbanded soon after due to legal issues with management, publishers and their record label at the time, Logo Records.
Also having a personal relationship by then, Annie and Dave decided to go it alone and became Eurythmics (named after a style of Greek dance that Annie had did as a child), signed to RCA Records. Their breakthrough came with their second album, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), released early 1983. The title track featured a dark and powerful sequenced synth bass line and a dramatic video with Annie sporting an orange crew haircut, rapidly making her the new pop icon.
After strenuous years of touring and recording (Eurythmics had released eight studio albums in eight years), a rift had developed between the duo and Eurythmics disbanded, although no official notice was given. Dave began writing film soundtracks and had a big international hit in 1990 with the instrumental track 'Lily Was Here', featuring saxophonist Candy Dulfer, while in 1992, Annie released her first solo album, Diva. The album was a critical and popular success .
Let's dance put on your red shoes and dance the blues
Let's dance to the song
they're playin' on the radio
Let's sway
while color lights up your face
Let's sway
sway through the crowd to an empty space
If you say run, I'll run with you
If you say hide, we'll hide
Because my love for you
Would break my heart in two
If you should fall
Into my arms
And tremble like a flower
Let's dance for fear
your grace should fall
Let's dance for fear tonight is all
Let's sway you could look into my eyes
Let's sway under the moonlight,
this serious moonlight
If you say run, I'll run with you
If you say hide, we'll hide
Because my love for you
Would break my heart in two
If you should fall
Into my arms
And tremble like a flower
Let's dance put on your red shoes
and dance the blues
Let's dance to the song
they're playin' on the radio
Let's sway you could look into my eyes
Let's sway under the moonlight,
this serious moonlight
Real Life, an Australian synth-pop band dating back to early 1980s, consisted of front man David Sterry, Richard Zatorski, Alan Johnson, Danny Simcic and Steve Williams. The five lads from Melbourne released the album Heartland, which generally enjoyed local success. However, one single release made it big around the world - and into my music collection - Send Me An Angel.
But of course I don't want to withold a hilarious German version by Thomas Anders, from his pre-Modern Talking days. Oh dear...
Real Life - Send Me An Angel (1983)
NZ#1, DE#1, CH#2, SWE#4, AUS#6, AT#9, CAN#18, ES#19, US#29
Pierre Michael Schilling, better known as Peter Schilling, born 1958 in Stuttgart, Germany, had a massive, and commercially most-successful NDW (Neue Deutsche Welle, 'New German Wave') hit with Major Tom, a character unofficially related to Major Tom, the theme of David Bowie's 1969 album Space Oddity. The song is about the character being caught in an accident in space. On of my favourite songs of the German 1980s.
Of his follow-up songs only Terra Titanic, which I almost prefer, made it anywhere near the significance.
In 1989 Peter suffered from Burn-Out-Syndrome.
Peter Schilling - Major Tom (1983)
German Version: DE#1, AT#1, CH#1, NL#2, FR#2
Domenico Gerhard Gorgoglione, a.k.a. Nino de Angelo, was born 1963 to Italian parents in Karlsruhe, Germany. Very popular in Germany in the 1980s, he is one of the representats of the parculiar musical genre called Schlager. Having released several songs beforehand, his breakthrough came with a track written by Drafi Deutscher: Jenseits von Eden.
Following the runaway success in the German-speaking world, it was first translated into Italian for a release in France, and then into English. While the track occupied the #1 slot in Germany, Austria and Switzerland; it also reached the top in France and achieved a noteworthy #57 in the UK.
Nino has represented Germany in the 1989 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Flieger' and continues to be very popular in his home country.
Nino de Angelo - Jenseits Von Eden (1983)
DE#1 , AT#1, CH#1, NL#13
Wenn selbst ein Kind nicht mehr lacht wie ein Kind
Dann sind wir Jenseits von Eden
Wenn wir nicht fühlen, die Erde, sie weint
Wie kein and'rer Planet
Dann haben wir umsonst gelebt
Wenn eine Träne nur Wasser noch ist
Dann sind wir Jenseits von Eden
Wenn man für Liebe bezahlen muß, nur
Um einmal zärtlich zu sein
Dann haben wir umsonst gelebt
Laß uns jeden Tag das Leben endlos spür'n
Und uns niemals uns're Ehrlichkeit verlier'n
Wenn uns gar nichts mehr zusammenhält
Verlöscht vielleicht das letzte Licht der Welt
Wenn unser Glaube nicht mehr siegen kann
Dann sind wir Jenseits von Eden
Wenn jede Hoffnung nur ein Horizont ist
Den man niemals erreicht
Dann haben wir umsonst gelebt
Ich will mit dir eine neue Liebe spür'n
Wenn wir uns auch in Gedanken nur berühr'n
Irgendwann muß ich für immer geh'n
Dann will ich sagen, diese Welt war schön
Wenn selbst ein Kind nicht mehr lacht wie ein Kind
Dann sind wir Jenseits von Eden
Wenn wir nicht fühlen, die Erde, sie weint
Wie kein and'rer Planet
Dann haben wir umsonst gelebt
English:
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
Try to find the words that show I sympathise
words of comfort Words that never criticise
though I know you simply laughin' at me
I just can't stop an' simply let it be.
Where are all those feelin's of my yesterdays
Feelin's now I have bring back those bad ole ways.
Though I know you wanna turn an' blow
I just can't stop an' simply let you go.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart losin'
right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
Let me see you smile once more that special way
warm as summer On a chilly winter's day
though I know you're simply laughin' at me
I just can't stop an' simply let it be.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
An' things will never be the same.
Italian:
Se ritroviamo la felicità
Sarà la valle dell' Eden
In ogni strada, in ogni città
Un bel raggio vedrai
E nella valle dell' Eden sarai
Se hai l'amore la dentro di te
Trovi la valle dell' Eden
È un paese dove notte non c'è
Troppo lontano non è
Cerchi la valle dell' Eden in te
In un mondo dove niente vale più
Anche ridere ti può buttare giù
Ma se ti volgi intorno a te
Ritroverai la pace dentro di te
Se ritroviamo la felicità
Sarà la valle dell' Eden
In ogni strada, in ogni città
Un bel raggio vedrai
E nella valle dell' Eden sarai
sì, nella valle dell'eden sarai
Certamento lo splendore lo vedrai
E l'amore nel tuo cuore sentirai
Quando cerchi la semplicità
Arriverai e troverai il tuo Eden
Se hai l'amore la dentro di te
Trovi la valle dell' Eden
In ogni strada, in ogni città
Un bel raggio vedrai
E nella valle dell' Eden sarai
Se ritroviamo la felicità
Sarà la valle dell' Eden
In ogni strada, in ogni città
Un bel raggio vedrai
E nella valle dell' Eden sarai
sì, nella valle dell'eden sarai
sì, nella valle dell'eden sarai
I can't see you, mama.
But I can hardly wait
oh To touch and to feel you, mama
Oh, I just can't keep away
In the heat and the steam of the city
Ooh, it's got me running and I just can't brake
So say you'll help me, mama
'Cause it's getting so hard, ooh
Now I can't keep you, mama
But I know you're always there
You listen, you teach me, mama
And I know inside you care
So get down, down here beside me
Ooh, you ain't going nowhere
No, I won't hurt you, mama
But it's getting so hard, ooh
Ha ha ha, ha ha ha, awh
Ha ha ha, ha ha ha, awh
Can't you see me here, mama,
Mama, mama, mama, please?
Can't you feel my heart?
Can't you feel my heart?
Can't you feel my heart, ooh?
Now listen to me, mama
Mama, mama
You're taking away my last chance
Don't take it away !
Can't you feel my heart?
ha ha ha,ha ha ha awh
It's hot, too hot for me, mama
But I can hardly wait
My eyes, they're burning, mama
And I can feel my body shake
Don't stop! Don't stop me, mama
Ooh, make the pain, make it go away, hey
No, I won't hurt you, mama
But it's getting so hard, ooh
Now I can't see you, mama
But I know you're always there
You taunt, you tease me, mama
But I never, never, never can keep away
It's the heat and the steam of the city
Ooh, got me running and I just can't brake
So stay, don't leave me, mama
'Cause it's getting so hard, ooh
Don't go, no no don't go
No no no, don't go...
ha ha ha
dont go
ha ha ha awh
no dont let me go
dont go
Domenico Gerhard Gorgoglione, a.k.a. Nino de Angelo, was born 1963 to Italian parents in Karlsruhe, Germany. Very popular in Germany in the 1980s, he is one of the representats of the parculiar musical genre called Schlager. Having released several songs beforehand, his breakthrough came with a track written by Drafi Deutscher: Jenseits von Eden.
Following the runaway success in the German-speaking world, it was first translated into Italian for a release in France, and then into English. While the track occupied the #1 slot in Germany, Austria and Switzerland; it also reached the top in France and achieved a noteworthy #57 in the UK.
Nino has represented Germany in the 1989 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Flieger' and continues to be very popular in his home country.
Nino de Angelo - Jenseits Von Eden (1983)
DE#1 , AT#1, CH#1, NL#13
Wenn selbst ein Kind nicht mehr lacht wie ein Kind
Dann sind wir Jenseits von Eden
Wenn wir nicht fühlen, die Erde, sie weint
Wie kein and'rer Planet
Dann haben wir umsonst gelebt
Wenn eine Träne nur Wasser noch ist
Dann sind wir Jenseits von Eden
Wenn man für Liebe bezahlen muß, nur
Um einmal zärtlich zu sein
Dann haben wir umsonst gelebt
Laß uns jeden Tag das Leben endlos spür'n
Und uns niemals uns're Ehrlichkeit verlier'n
Wenn uns gar nichts mehr zusammenhält
Verlöscht vielleicht das letzte Licht der Welt
Wenn unser Glaube nicht mehr siegen kann
Dann sind wir Jenseits von Eden
Wenn jede Hoffnung nur ein Horizont ist
Den man niemals erreicht
Dann haben wir umsonst gelebt
Ich will mit dir eine neue Liebe spür'n
Wenn wir uns auch in Gedanken nur berühr'n
Irgendwann muß ich für immer geh'n
Dann will ich sagen, diese Welt war schön
Wenn selbst ein Kind nicht mehr lacht wie ein Kind
Dann sind wir Jenseits von Eden
Wenn wir nicht fühlen, die Erde, sie weint
Wie kein and'rer Planet
Dann haben wir umsonst gelebt
English:
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
Try to find the words that show I sympathise
words of comfort Words that never criticise
though I know you simply laughin' at me
I just can't stop an' simply let it be.
Where are all those feelin's of my yesterdays
Feelin's now I have bring back those bad ole ways.
Though I know you wanna turn an' blow
I just can't stop an' simply let you go.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart losin'
right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
Let me see you smile once more that special way
warm as summer On a chilly winter's day
though I know you're simply laughin' at me
I just can't stop an' simply let it be.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
An' things will never be the same.
Italian:
Se ritroviamo la felicità
Sarà la valle dell' Eden
In ogni strada, in ogni città
Un bel raggio vedrai
E nella valle dell' Eden sarai
Se hai l'amore la dentro di te
Trovi la valle dell' Eden
È un paese dove notte non c'è
Troppo lontano non è
Cerchi la valle dell' Eden in te
In un mondo dove niente vale più
Anche ridere ti può buttare giù
Ma se ti volgi intorno a te
Ritroverai la pace dentro di te
Se ritroviamo la felicità
Sarà la valle dell' Eden
In ogni strada, in ogni città
Un bel raggio vedrai
E nella valle dell' Eden sarai
sì, nella valle dell'eden sarai
Certamento lo splendore lo vedrai
E l'amore nel tuo cuore sentirai
Quando cerchi la semplicità
Arriverai e troverai il tuo Eden
Se hai l'amore la dentro di te
Trovi la valle dell' Eden
In ogni strada, in ogni città
Un bel raggio vedrai
E nella valle dell' Eden sarai
Se ritroviamo la felicità
Sarà la valle dell' Eden
In ogni strada, in ogni città
Un bel raggio vedrai
E nella valle dell' Eden sarai
sì, nella valle dell'eden sarai
sì, nella valle dell'eden sarai
Let's dance put on your red shoes and dance the blues
Let's dance to the song they're playin' on the radio
Let's sway while colour lights up your face
Let's sway sway through the crowd to an empty space
If you say run, I'll run with you
If you say hide, we'll hide
Because my love for you
Would break my heart in two
If you should fall
Into my arms
And tremble like a flower
Let's dance for fear your grace should fall
Let's dance for fear tonight is all
Let's sway you could look into my eyes
Let's sway under the moonlight, this serious moonlight
If you say run, I'll run with you
If you say hide, we'll hide
Because my love for you
Would break my heart in two
If you should fall
Into my arms
And tremble like a flower
Let's dance put on your red shoes and dance the blues
Let's dance to the song they're playin' on the radio
Let's sway you could look into my eyes
Let's sway under the moonlight, this serious moonlight
John Rocca made his living selling Jazz and Funk record imports in London of the 1970s. Little wonder then that through this influence he shacked up with Andy Stennet, Peter Maas, Paul Morgan and Everton Mcalla to form Freeez, one of the UK's main jazz-funk bands of the early 1980s. Their track 'I.O.U.' was written, produced and mixed by Arthur Baker(known then for his work with Afrika Bambaataa). It was used for the 1984 breakdance movie Beat Street. I remember 'I.O.U.' for both, being a big hit at school discos and by watching Beat Street about 24 times on the big screen.
So you think New Jersey, US is an unlikely launch pad for a music star? How about Bromley, UK, then?
William Michael Albert Broad, a.k.a. Billy Idol, was born 1955 in Stanmore, England, deriving his stage name Idol from a schoolteacher's description of him as 'idle'.
Billy went on to join the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans. He first joined the punk rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees (before the band had decided on that name) in 1976, but soon quit and joined Chelsea in 1977 as a guitarist. But him and bandmate Tony James soon quit and co-founded Generation X, with Billy switching from guitarist to lead singer. Generation X signed to Chrysalis Records, released three albums and performed in the 1980 film, D.O.A., before disbanding.
The year after Billy moved to New York to start his solo career, which began with the EP titled Don't Stop. This included the Generation X song 'Dancing with Myself', originally recorded for their last album Kiss Me Deadly, and a cover of Tommy James & The Shondells' song 'Mony Mony'. In 1982 Idol instantly became an MTV staple with 'White Wedding'. In an effort to introduce himself to American audiences not yet as familiar with him as those in England, Billy's label re-released 'Dancing with Myself' in the US in conjunction with a music video (directed by Tobe Hooper, produced by Jeffrey Abelson, and conceptualised by Keith Williams) that played in heavy rotation on MTV for six months. That video sparked a new era of feature film directors trying their hand at music videos, which helped make Idol a household name.
My favourite Billy Idol tracks are 'Eyes Without A Face' and 'Flesh For Fantasy'.
Billy Idol - Dancing With Myself (1981 & 1983)
1981 - UK#62, US#102
1983 - NZ#9, AUS#42
Pierre Michael Schilling, better known as Peter Schilling, born 1958 in Stuttgart, Germany, had a massive, and commercially most-successful NDW (Neue Deutsche Welle, 'New German Wave') hit with Major Tom, a character unofficially related to Major Tom, the theme of David Bowie's 1969 album Space Oddity. The song is about the character being caught in an accident in space. On of my favourite songs of the German 1980s.
Of his follow-up songs only Terra Titanic, which I almost prefer, made it anywhere near the significance.
In 1989 Peter suffered from Burn-Out-Syndrome.
Peter Schilling - Major Tom (1983)
German Version: DE#1, AT#1, CH#1, NL#2, FR#2
Depeche Mode formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex, England - although their origins date back to 1977, when schoolmates Vince Clarke and Andrew Fletcher formed a band called No Romance in China, with Vince on vocals and guitar and Andrew on bass.
Vince then played guitar in 'Ultravox rip-off band' The Plan in 1979 with friends Robert Marlow and Paul Langwith, while Martin Gore played guitar in acoustic duo Norman & The Worms with school friend Philip Burdett on vocals. Marlow, Gore, and Paul Redmond formed a band called The French Look.
In March 1980, Vince, Martin and Andrew formed a band called Composition of Sound. Soon after the formation of Composition of Sound, Vince and Andrew switched to synthesizers. Dave Gahan joined the band in 1980 after Vince heard him perform at a local scout hut jam session, singing to a rendition of David Bowie's 'Heroes' - and Depeche Mode were born.
When explaining the choice for the new name, taken from a French fashion magazine, Dépêche Mode, Martin Gore said: 'It means hurried fashion or fashion dispatch. I like the sound of that.'
Martin recollects that the first time the band played as Depeche Mode was a school gig in May 1980. The band made their recording debut in 1980 on the Some Bizzare Album with the song 'Photographic', which was later re-recorded for their debut album Speak & Spell.
While playing a live gig at the Bridge House in Canning Town, London, Depeche Mode were approached by Daniel Miller, founder of Mute Records, who was interested in them recording a single for his label. The result of this verbal contract was their first single, recorded in December 1980 and released in February 1981:
Dreaming of Me (1981) - US#47, UK#57 - non album single release (no video)
Encouraged by this, the band recorded their second single:
New Life (1981) - UK#11, IRL#22, US#29 - Speak & Spell
The next single was a relentlessly upbeat piece of synthpop, which became the band's first UK Top10 hit and it remains one of their best known songs. It was also the first Depeche Mode song to get a music video and is the only one of the band's videos to feature Vince Clarke. Depeche Mode's debut album, Speak & Spell, was released in November 1981 and peaked at number ten on the UK album charts:
Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough (1981) - Speak & Spell
AUS#4, UK#8, SWE#14, IRL#16, US#26
During the touring and promotion for Speak & Spell, Vince began to voice his discomfort at the direction Depeche Mode were taking and, in November 1981, he was leaving the band. He joined up with blues singer Alison Moyet to form Yazoo and, later, the duo Erasure with Andy Bell. Initial talk of continuing to write material for Depeche Mode amounted to nothing. Vince offered them the track 'Only You, but they declined. It went on to become a UK Top3 hit for Yazoo.
In late 1981, they placed an anonymous advertisement in British music mag Melody Maker looking for another musician. Alan Wilder from Hammersmith, West London was hired in early 1982 initially on a trial basis as a touring member. In January 1982, the band released:
Depeche Mode - See You (1982) - A Broken Frame
UK#6, IRL#9, DE#44
The tour that followed the release of the single saw the band playing their first shows in North America. Two more singles were released ahead of the band's second studio album:
Depeche Mode - The Meaning of Love (1982) -A Broken Frame
UK#12, IRL#17, SWE#16, DE#64
Depeche Mode - Leave in Silence (1982) - A Broken Frame
IRL#13, SWE#17, UK#18, DE58
Depeche Mode began work on their second album in July 1982. Daniel Miller informed Alan that he was not needed for the recording of the album, as the band wanted to prove that they could succeed without Vince Clarke.
A Broken Frame was released that September and the following month the band set off on their second tour of 1982. A non-album single was released in January 1983, and was the first Depeche Mode track to be recorded with Alan:
Depeche Mode - Get the Balance Right! (1983) - non album single release
UK#13, IRL#16, US#31, DE#38
For their third album, Construction Time Again, Depeche Mode worked with producer Gareth Jones, at John Foxx's Garden Studios and at Hansa Studios in West Berlin. The album saw a dramatic shift in the group's sound: by sampling the noises of everyday objects, the band created an industrial sound.
Along with the music, Martin's songwriting was also rapidly evolving, focusing increasingly on political and social issues. An example of the new sound was on the first single, a commentary on the perceived greed of multinational corporations:
Depeche Mode Everything Counts (1983) - Construction Time Again
UK#6, CH#8, IRL#15, SWE#18, DE#23, AT#26, IT#32
In September 1983, to promote Construction Time Again the band launched a concert tour all over Europe.
Depeche Mode - Love in Itself (1983) - Construction Time Again
UK#21, IRL#27, DE#28
In their early years, Depeche Mode had only really attained success in Europe and Australia, however this changed in March 1984 when they released:
Depeche Mode- People are People (1984) - Some Great Reward
DE#1, IRL#2, UK#4, CH#4, US#13, SWE#15, IT#20, AUS#25
The song was used as the theme to West German TV's coverage of the 1984 Olympics and also charted in the US charts in mid-1985. The song had then become an anthem for the LGBT community. In September 1984, Some Great Reward was released.
In contrast to the political and environmental subjects addressed on the previous album, the songs on Some Great Reward were mostly concerned with more personal themes such as sexual politics...
Depeche Mode - Master and Servant (1984) - Some Great Reward
DE#2, SWE#7, CH#8, UK#9, IT#27, FR#34, US#49, AUS#89
... adulterous relationships...
Depeche Mode - Lie To Me (1984)
...and arbitrary divine justice...
Depeche Mode - Blasphemous Rumours (1984) - Some Great Reward
IRL#8, UK#16, CH#19, DE#22, AUS#87
Depeche Mode - Blasphemous Rumours (1984)
********** RARE 8 min version! *********
Also included was the first Martin Gore ballad. 'Somebody' was released as a double a-side with 'Blasphemous Rumours' and was the first single with Martin on lead vocals:
Depeche Mode - Somebody (1984) - Some Great Reward
was the flip-side of Blasphemous Rumours
In October 1985, Mute Records released a compilation, The Singles 81>85, which included the two non-album singles 'Shake the Disease' (one of my personal favourites of Depeche Mode) and 'It's Called a Heart'.
Depeche Mode - Shake the Disease (1985) - Singles 81->85
DE#4, SWE#5, CH#6, IRL#9, FR#13, UK#18, IT#29
Depeche Mode's musical style shifted again in 1986 with the release of 'Stripped', and its accompanying album Black Celebration. Retaining their sampling and the industrial sound, the band introduced an ominous, highly atmospheric and textured sound. Martin's lyrics also took on darker tone and became more pessimistic. 'New Dress' would mark the last time he attempted the kind of overt social commentary.
Depeche Mode - Stripped (1986) - Black Celebration
DE#4, CH#8, CH#9, IT#14, UK#15
The music video for 'A Question of Time' was the first to be directed by Anton Corbijn, beginning a working relationship that continues to the present day. He has directed a further 19 videos (the latest being 2006's 'Suffer Well') and has also filmed some of their live performances and designed stage sets and album and single covers.
Depeche Mode - A Question of Time (1986)
Music for the Masses saw further alterations in the band's sound. David Bascombe was called to assist with the recording sessions. In making the album the band largely eschewed sampling in favour of more synth experimentation. While the chart performance of the singles the next three singles 'Strangelove', 'Never Let Me Down Again' and 'Behind the Wheel' were somewhat disappointing in the UK, they scored high in Canada, Brazil, Germany, South Africa, Sweden and Switzerland. The album also achieved the long awaited breakthrough in the US, which would be eternally manifested by the final concert of the their promotional tour at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena - see my previous post - a concert I would do or give anything for to attend again in time travel. The '101' live album and documenary was the result. I could watch it over - and over - and over - and over, again. Orgasmic!
Depeche Mode - Strangelove (1987)
Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down Again (1987)
Depeche Mode - Behind The Wheel (1987)
Depeche Mode - Pimpf (1987)
Depeche Mode - Little 15 (1988)
In mid-1989, the band began recording in Milan with producer Flood and engineer François Kevorkian. The initial result of this session was the single:
Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus (1989)
Released in January 1990, 'Enjoy the Silence' became one of Depeche Mode's most successful singles to date, reaching number six in the UK. A few months later it became Depeche Mode's biggest hit in the US, reaching number eight and earning the band a second gold single. It won 'Best British single' at the 1991 Brit Awards.
Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence (1990)
To promote their album Violator, the band held an in-store autograph signing at Wherehouse Entertainment in Los Angeles. The event attracted approximately 20,000 fans and turned into a near riot.
Some of those who attended were injured by being pressed against the store's glass by the crowd. As an apology to the fans who were injured, the band released a limited edition cassette tape to fans living in Los Angeles.
If, when you hear Talk Talk, the first thing you think of a certain British telecommunications company typically associated with the X Factor and dire and abysmal broadband connections - shame on you.
Talk Talk began as a quartet consisting of Mark Hollis on the vocals, Simon Brenner, Lee Harris and Paul Webb. They were generally associated with the New Romantic movement; more specifically, in their early years, they were often compared with Duran Duran, as both bands not only featured a double-barrelled name and a Roxy Music-inspired musical direction, but also shared the same record label (EMI) and producer (Colin Thurston).
Talk Talk's first album in 1982 entitled The Party's Over. The band charted with 'Talk Talk' (a remake of the The Reaction's 1977 song and 'Today', both produced by Thurston (whose other production credits include The Human League, Duran Duran and Kajagoogoo).
They were introduced to a much wider live audience in October that year when they supported a Genesis reunion concert in Milton Keynes. But the reaction of the audience to their New Romantic style that day was one more of hostility than mild acceptance, as Mark Hollis spent a lot of time on stage avoiding missiles directed at him. The irony of the situation was that it would only be a matter of three years before the band would be making music that an average Genesis audience would find acceptable.
Talk Talk achieved considerable international success in 1984/85, particularly in continental Europe, with the album It's My Life. The single release 'Such a Shame', a song inspired by the book The Dice Man, went on to become one of their most successful, charting high in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. The title track of the album was also a Top10 hit in Italy, and made it in the US, Canadian, French, German, New Zealand and Dutch Top 40, although the album and its singles were largely ignored in their native UK.
They eventually abandoned the New Wave style completely with The Colour of Spring in 1986. This became their biggest studio album success in the UK.
Talk Talk split after their album Laughing Stock, with Mark Hollis briefly trying to embark on a solo career, however, he did call it a day soon after.
It's My Life was successfully covered by No Doubt.
Talk Talk - Talk Talk (1982)
UK#52
Talk Talk - Today (1982)
NZ#10, UK#14, IRL#16
Talk Talk - My Foolish Friend (1983)
UK#57
Talk Talk - It's My Life (1984)
IT#7, FR#25, NL#30, CAN#30, US#31, NZ#32, UK#46
Talk Talk - Such A Shame (1984)
CH#1, DE#2, IT#4, FR#7, NL#9, NZ#39, UK#49, US#89
Talk Talk - Dum Dum Girl (1984)
DE#20, CH#24, NL#31, NZ#34, UK#74
Talk Talk - Life's What You Make It (1986)
NZ#11, NL#11, IT#14, UK#16, IRL#17, CH#17, DE#24, CAN#48, FR#49, US#90
Talk Talk - Living In Another World (1986)
NL#22, CH#23, IT#26, DE#34, FR#44, UK#48
Domenico Gerhard Gorgoglione, a.k.a. Nino de Angelo, was born 1963 to Italian parents in Karlsruhe, Germany. Very popular in Germany in the 1980s, he is one of the representats of the parculiar musical genre called Schlager. Having released several songs beforehand, his breakthrough came with a track written by Drafi Deutscher: Jenseits von Eden.
Following the runaway success in the German-speaking world, it was first translated into Italian for a release in France, and then into English. While the track occupied the #1 slot in Germany, Austria and Switzerland; it also reached the top in France and achieved a noteworthy #57 in the UK.
Nino has represented Germany in the 1989 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Flieger' and continues to be very popular in his home country.
Nino de Angelo - Jenseits Von Eden (1983)
DE#1 , AT#1, CH#1, NL#13
Wenn selbst ein Kind nicht mehr lacht wie ein Kind
Dann sind wir Jenseits von Eden
Wenn wir nicht fühlen, die Erde, sie weint
Wie kein and'rer Planet
Dann haben wir umsonst gelebt
Wenn eine Träne nur Wasser noch ist
Dann sind wir Jenseits von Eden
Wenn man für Liebe bezahlen muß, nur
Um einmal zärtlich zu sein
Dann haben wir umsonst gelebt
Laß uns jeden Tag das Leben endlos spür'n
Und uns niemals uns're Ehrlichkeit verlier'n
Wenn uns gar nichts mehr zusammenhält
Verlöscht vielleicht das letzte Licht der Welt
Wenn unser Glaube nicht mehr siegen kann
Dann sind wir Jenseits von Eden
Wenn jede Hoffnung nur ein Horizont ist
Den man niemals erreicht
Dann haben wir umsonst gelebt
Ich will mit dir eine neue Liebe spür'n
Wenn wir uns auch in Gedanken nur berühr'n
Irgendwann muß ich für immer geh'n
Dann will ich sagen, diese Welt war schön
Wenn selbst ein Kind nicht mehr lacht wie ein Kind
Dann sind wir Jenseits von Eden
Wenn wir nicht fühlen, die Erde, sie weint
Wie kein and'rer Planet
Dann haben wir umsonst gelebt
English:
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
Try to find the words that show I sympathise
words of comfort Words that never criticise
though I know you simply laughin' at me
I just can't stop an' simply let it be.
Where are all those feelin's of my yesterdays
Feelin's now I have bring back those bad ole ways.
Though I know you wanna turn an' blow
I just can't stop an' simply let you go.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart losin'
right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
Let me see you smile once more that special way
warm as summer On a chilly winter's day
though I know you're simply laughin' at me
I just can't stop an' simply let it be.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
I feel I'm fallin' apart 'cos I know
I've lost my guardian angel.
A fleetin' glimpse of your heart
losin' right from the start - no return
An' things will never be the same.
An' things will never be the same.
Italian:
Se ritroviamo la felicità
Sarà la valle dell' Eden
In ogni strada, in ogni città
Un bel raggio vedrai
E nella valle dell' Eden sarai
Se hai l'amore la dentro di te
Trovi la valle dell' Eden
È un paese dove notte non c'è
Troppo lontano non è
Cerchi la valle dell' Eden in te
In un mondo dove niente vale più
Anche ridere ti può buttare giù
Ma se ti volgi intorno a te
Ritroverai la pace dentro di te
Se ritroviamo la felicità
Sarà la valle dell' Eden
In ogni strada, in ogni città
Un bel raggio vedrai
E nella valle dell' Eden sarai
sì, nella valle dell'eden sarai
Certamento lo splendore lo vedrai
E l'amore nel tuo cuore sentirai
Quando cerchi la semplicità
Arriverai e troverai il tuo Eden
Se hai l'amore la dentro di te
Trovi la valle dell' Eden
In ogni strada, in ogni città
Un bel raggio vedrai
E nella valle dell' Eden sarai
Se ritroviamo la felicità
Sarà la valle dell' Eden
In ogni strada, in ogni città
Un bel raggio vedrai
E nella valle dell' Eden sarai
sì, nella valle dell'eden sarai
sì, nella valle dell'eden sarai
Paul Mazzolini, a.k.a. Gazebo, was born 1960 in Beirut, Lebanon, son of an Italian diplomat and an American singer, learned to play the guitar aged 10 to impress a German girl in his class. As a rather cosmopolitan teenager Gazebo began a career in a variety of jazz, rock and punk bands before meeting Rome-based producer Paul Micioni. The first release, Masterpiece, was a minor hit in 1982.
A year later, he branded his name in chart history with his track 'I Like Chopin'. The release sold 8 millions copies worldwide. 'I Like Chopin' was produced by Pierluigi Giombini and is generally regarded as one of the most significant Italo-Disco tracks of the mid-80s. The piano motif is not a Chopin composition - the entire song was composed by Pierluigi. The video was shot in a house somewhere in Essex. Can you spot which one it is?
The follow-up song 'Lunatic' and the eponymous album also entered the Top 20 across continental Europe.
Since then he has released more albums, but apart from 'Tears for Galileo' in 2006, which achieved constant radio airplay on Italian RAI Radio2 and peaked at #1 in the Euro dance charts, he lives mostly off his 80s success.
Good God, did I have a crush on him back then...
Gazebo - I Like Chopin (1983)
IT#1, DE#1, AT#1, CH#1, NL#7
