Showing posts with label 1987. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1987. Show all posts
#2: Natema - Everybody Does (2014)
Another tune dating back two years, that hit me this year in Northern Cyprus. Instantly recognising INXS' 1987 track 'Need You Tonight', this remix just magnetically dragged me to to the speaker of the holiday beach club. Tetto Bononi & Luis Valente, originally from São Paulo, Brazil, but now based in London, worked the magic that has been heard at Koko, Pacha, Heaven, Cargo, Love Box, Carneval del Pueblo, ... - to name a few. This one has been a real ear worm for me this year.
Natema - Everybody Does (2014)
Cock Robin
Cock Robin's 1985 self-titled debut album was largely ignored in their native country, as with the majority of their output, but it was an overnight success in Europe, where the singles 'When Your Heart Is Weak' and 'The Promise You Made' became big hits. 'When Your Heart Is Weak' was the band's only chart single in the US. It also became a radio favorite in South Africa.
Two years later the band, reduced from the original quartet to the duo of Peter Kingsbery and Anna LaCazio, released a second album, After Here Through Midland. As with their debut, Cock Robin's second album attracted much attention in continental Europe, and also scored hits with the singles 'Just Around the Corner' and 'The Biggest Fool of All'.
In 1989, they released a their third album, First Love/Last Rites, and, as with their previous releases, the LP fared well in mainland Europe, but, due to poor management and promotion, failed to make an impact in the USA. The duo went their separate ways shortly after the release of the album and a European Tour, with Kingsbery releasing a string of solo projects in France, most notably a hit single 'Only the Very Best', recorded for the Michel Berger & Luc Plamandon concept musical album 'Tycoon', with English lyrics by Tim Rice in 1992. Anna LaCazio recorded her own solo album Eat Life circa 1992-93 but it was only officially released in its entirety for download in 2009.
The duo reformed in 2006, releasing another two albums, mainly noted in France.
Cock Robin - When Your Heart Is Weak (1985)
DE#8, FR#9, IT#26, US#35, NL#39
Lyrics:
What's the matter with the way we look?
Surely it's not the end
I only meant to make my motions clear
You worry too much if it's understood
Should we be seen as friends?
Seems like a real good beginning right here
'Cause when your heart is weak
I'm gonna pick the lock on it
My fingertips won't fail me
No matter what you do
The love you cannot see yet
Is about to witness a dawning
And you can twist and turn
But you won't get loose
Better forget getting rid of me
I don't see how you can
You put me off and I will hunt you
down...again
I'm mighty patient when I have to be
You have given me that
Still I look forward to the day you let me in
'Cause when your heart is weak
I'm gonna pick the lock on it
My fingertips won't fail me
No matter what you do
The love you cannot see yet
Is about to witness a dawning
And you can twist and turn
But you won't get loose
I'm gonna prove myself worthy
No more just hanging on
Without a prayer of a chance
I'm gonna come without warning
when your defenses are down and you're in
a desperate need
Oh, I bet you you then, you'll welcome me...
Your ol' companion
Your ol' companion
Remember baby,
'Cause when your heart is weak
I'm gonna pick the the lock on it
And you can twist and turn
But you won't get, you won't get
No you won't get loose
Oh no
Cock Robin - The Promise You Made (1986)
NL#1, FR#4, DE#6, CH#7, IT#18, UK#28
Lyrics:
If I laid down my love
To come to your defense
Would you worry for me
With a pain in your chest?
Could I rely on your faith to be strong
To picked me back up and to push me along?
Tell me
You'll be there in my hour of need
You won't turn me away
Help me out of the life I lead
Remember the promise you made
Remember the promise you made
If I gave you my soul
For a piece of your mind
Would you carry me with you
To the far edge of time?
Could you understand if you found me untrue
Would we become one, or divided in two
Please tell me
You'll be there in my hour of need
You won't turn me away
Help me out of the life I lead
Remember the promise you made
Remember the promise you made
Could I rely on your faith to be strong
To pick me back up and to push me along
Please tell me
You'll be there in my hour of need
You won't turn me away
Help me out of the life I lead
Remember the promise you made
Remember the promise you made
Cock Robin - Just Around The Corner (1987)
CH#6, SWE#12, DE#16, IT#17, FR'18, NL#19, AT#28
Lyrics:
Come ease my mind
For my prayers have not been answered in a long time
Things aren't quite as they seem inside my domain
You can't know about everything, only pleasure and pain
You wonder why I come here with head to my hands
Where else can I be cured and the king of your mansion
A thorn in your side
And a child to protect that claims he's free
Just around the corner, half a mile to heaven
Strong enough to hold you, starved for some affection
Darling come quickly, come ease my mind
For my prayers have not been answered in a long time
I've already made my bed, like it or not
As long as there's no regrets, I'll be here when the ride stops
These comforts to me
And these crosses to bear with which we live
Just around the corner, half a mile to heaven
Strong enough to hold you, starved for some affection
Baby, I can't drag you into this mess
I'm the thorn in your side and the child to protect
Yes, yes I'm
Just around the comer, half a mile to heaven
Strong enough to hold you, starved for some affection
Darling come quickly, come ease my worried mind
For my prayers have not been answered in a long time
Just around the comer
Strong enough to hold you
Half a mile to heaven
Just around the comer
Cock Robin - The Biggest Fool Of All
FR#47, DE#50
Lyrics:
My excuse is only human
Like any animal that breathes
Just to find a scent that's soothing
I give you power over me
I'm more weak than strong
And not a stranger to a fall
But I won't leave you till I turn to find you gone
I'm the biggest fool of all
But, I'm the biggest fool of all
There's no path of least resistance
It's a fable that you've heard
Any love that lacks conviction
Is gonna grovel in the dirt, yes it is
God this road is long
And surrounded by a wall
But I won't leave you till I turn to find you gone
I'm the biggest fool of all
I'm the biggest fool of all
I'm the biggest fool of all
Foolish as the prisoner
That listens for the jangling keys
And smart enough to know
That it's crazy I should run
When you've got no claim on me
So before your panic taunts you
To make relations disappear
You could help to ease my conscience
If just for once by standing here
I'm more weak than strong
And surrounded by a wall
But I won't leave you till I turn to find you
But I won't leave you till I turn to find you
But I won't leave you till I turn to find you
But I won't leave you till I turn to find you gone
I'm the biggest fool of all
Oh, yes I am
I'm the biggest fool of all
Oh yeah
I'm the biggest fool of all
Oh, I am
I'm the biggest fool of all
Oh, I am
I'm the biggest fool of all
Billy Idol
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
Billy Idol - Mony Mony (1981)
1981 - US#1, CAN#1, NZ#2, UK#7, CH#13, DE#38, NL#89
Billy Idol - Hot In The City (1982 & 1988)
1982 - AT#5, NZ#5, AUS#18, CH#19, US#23, NL#40, UK#58
1988 - UK#13, CH#13, US#48
Billy Idol - White Wedding (1982 & 1985)
NZ#5, AUS#9, US#36
Billy Idol - Rebel Yell (1984 & 1985)
NZ#3, AUS#7, US#46, UK#64 in 1984 and UK#6 in 1985
Billy Idol - Eyes Without A Face (1984)
NZ#4, US#4, DE#10, NL#13, IT#14, UK#18, CH#21, FR#50
Billy Idol - Flesh For Fantasy (1984)
NZ#5, DE#11, CH#20, AUS#28, US#29, IT#30, UK#54
Billy Idol - Catch My Fall (1985)
DE#11, NZ#42, US#50, AUS#61
Billy Idol - To Be A Lover (1986)
NZ#2, FIN#3, AUS#3, US#6, CH#7, SWE#8, IT#16, UK#22, DE#28
Billy Idol - Don't Need A Gun (1987)
FIN#8, AUS#22, UK#26, NZ#27, CH#29, DE#36, US#37
Billy Idol - Sweet Sixteen (1987)
DE#2, NZ#3, AUS#9, CH#12, FIN#16, UK#17, US#20, IT#30
Billy Idol - Cradle of Love (1990)
US#2, FIN#8, IT#8, AUS#10, CH#11, NZ#16, UK#34, DE#38
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
Billy Idol - Mony Mony (1981)
1981 - US#1, CAN#1, NZ#2, UK#7, CH#13, DE#38, NL#89
Billy Idol - Hot In The City (1982 & 1988)
1982 - AT#5, NZ#5, AUS#18, CH#19, US#23, NL#40, UK#58
1988 - UK#13, CH#13, US#48
Billy Idol - White Wedding (1982 & 1985)
NZ#5, AUS#9, US#36
Billy Idol - Rebel Yell (1984 & 1985)
NZ#3, AUS#7, US#46, UK#64 in 1984 and UK#6 in 1985
Billy Idol - Eyes Without A Face (1984)
NZ#4, US#4, DE#10, NL#13, IT#14, UK#18, CH#21, FR#50
Billy Idol - Flesh For Fantasy (1984)
NZ#5, DE#11, CH#20, AUS#28, US#29, IT#30, UK#54
Billy Idol - Catch My Fall (1985)
DE#11, NZ#42, US#50, AUS#61
Billy Idol - To Be A Lover (1986)
NZ#2, FIN#3, AUS#3, US#6, CH#7, SWE#8, IT#16, UK#22, DE#28
Billy Idol - Don't Need A Gun (1987)
FIN#8, AUS#22, UK#26, NZ#27, CH#29, DE#36, US#37
Billy Idol - Sweet Sixteen (1987)
DE#2, NZ#3, AUS#9, CH#12, FIN#16, UK#17, US#20, IT#30
Billy Idol - Cradle of Love (1990)
US#2, FIN#8, IT#8, AUS#10, CH#11, NZ#16, UK#34, DE#38
Chris Isaak - Blue Hotel & Wicked Game
Chris Isaak - Blue Hotel (1987)
FR#28, NL#42, UK#100
Lyrics:
Blue Hotel, on a lonely highway,
Blue Hotel, life don't work out my way.
Blue Hotel, on a lonely highway,
Blue Hotel, life don't work out my way.
I wait alone each lonely night.
Blue Hotel... Blue Hotel...
Blue Hotel, every room is lonely,
Blue Hotel, I was waiting only.
The night is like her lonely dream.
Blue Hotel... Blue Hotel...
Blue Hotel, on a lonely highway,
Blue Hotel, life don't work out my way.
I wait alone each lonely night.
Blue Hotel... Blue Hotel...
Chris Isaak - Wicked Game (1990)
SWE#3, NL#5, US#6, NZ#7, DE#9, UK#10, IRL#10, AUS#15, FR#42
Lyrics:
The world was on fire
No one could save me but you
Strange what desire will make foolish people do
I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you
And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you
No, I don't want to fall in love
This love is only gonna break your heart
No, I don't want to fall in love
This love is only gonna break your heart
With you, With you
What a wicked game you play
To make me feel this way
What a wicked thing to do
To let me dream of you
What a wicked thing to say
You never felt this way
What a wicked thing to do
To make me dream of you
And I don't wanna fall in love
This love is only gonna break your heart
And I don't want to fall in love
This love is only gonna break your heart
World was on fire
No one could save me but you
Strange what desire will make foolish people do
I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you
I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you
No I don't wanna fall in love
This love is only gonna break your heart
No I don't wanna fall in love
This love is only gonna break your heart
With you, With you
Nobody loves no one
Eurythmics
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 .
Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (1983)
US#1, FR#1, CAN#1, UK#2, BE#2, IRL#2, NZ#2, DE#4, RSA#5, AUS#6, CH#8, AT#9, NL#10
Eurythmics - Who's That Girl? (1983)
FR#2, UK#3, IRL#5, BE#13, NZ#13, SWE#14, CAN#15, DE#19, AUS#20, US#21, NL#30
Eurythmics - Here Comes The Rain Again (1984)
FR#1, US#4, UK#8, IRL#8, CAN#8, NOR#10, BE#12, DE#14, AUS#16, CH#19, SWE#20, NZ#32, NL#33
Eurythmics - Sex Crime (1984)
DE#3, BE#3, SWE#3, UK#4, IRL#4, AUS#5, CH#6, FR#7, NZ#8, NOR#9, NL#12, CAN#18, IT#25, US#81
Eurythmics - Would I Lie To You? (1985)
AUS#1, CAN#2, NZ#5, SWE#10, BE#10, US#5, IRL#10, UK#17, CH#21, IT#24, NL#24, DE#34, FR#41
Eurythmics - There Must Be An Angel (1985)
UK#1, IRL#1, NOR#1, SWE#2, NL#3, AUS#3, DE#4, NZ#5, JAP#7, BE#7, RSA#6, FR#8, AT#9, US#22, CAN#23, IT#41
Eurythmics feat. Aretha Franklin - Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves (1985)
IRL#5, NZ#6, UK#9, AUS#15, NL#17, BE#17, US#18, CH#20, DE#22, CAN#33
Eurythmics - It's Alright Baby's Coming Back (1986)
IRL#8, UK#12, AT#14, NZ#18, NL#21, DE#22, CH#23, BE#25, AUS#32, CAN#37, US#78
Eurythmics - When Tomorrow Comes (1986)
SWE#4, NOR#5, AUS#7, IRL#13, IT#16, BE#18, RSA#19, NZ#19, DE#22, NL#22, UK#30
Eurythmics - Thorn In My Side (1986)
IRL#2, UK#5, SWE#6, NZ#7, AUS#12, AT#14, DE#26, BE#28, CAN#41, US#68
Eurythmics - The Miracle Of Love (1986)
IRL#10, AUS#14, BE#15, FR#16, SWE#18, CH#21, UK#23, NZ#30, NL#43, DE#53
Eurythmics - Missionary Man (1987)
AUS#9, NZ#12, IRL#13, CAN#13, US#14, BE#16, UK#31, NL#77
Eurythmics - Beethoven (1987)
FR#4, NZ#6, NOR#6, SWE#9, IT#10, IRL#11, AUS#13, CH#19, UK#25, BE#25, DE#28, NL#41
Eurythmics - I Need A Man (1988)
CAN#14, NZ#19, IRL#23, BE#23, UK#26, US#46, AUS#78
Eurythmics - Revival (1989)
SWE#7, CH#8, IRL#14, IT#14, AUS#14, BE#17, NZ#21, NL#25, UK#26, DE#33, FR#46
Eurythmics - The King & Queen of America (1990)
BE#16, IRL#23, UK#29, NL#38, DE#51, JAP#62, AUS#72
Eurythmics - I Saved The World Today (1999)
FIN#2, IT#7, UK#11, BE#12, CH#16, AT#18, IRL#23, DE#28, SWE#31, NZ#33, JAP#37, NL#44
Living in a Box (1987)
Living in a Box - Living in a Box (1987)
CH#2, DE#4, UK#5, NOR#7, NL#10, AT#11, US#17, FR#18
Lyrics:
Woke up this morning
Closed in on all sides
Nothing doing
I feel resistance
As I open my eyes
Someone's fooling
I've found a way to break
Through this cellophane line
Cause I know what's going on
In my own mind
Am I living in a box
Am I living in a cardboard box
Am I living in a box
Am I living in a cardboard box
Am I living in a box
Life goes in circles
Around and around circulation
I sometimes wonder
What's moving underground
I'm escaping
I've found a way ...
I've found a way ...
Am I living in a cardboard box
Am I living in a box (living)
Am I living in a cardboard box
Am I living in a box (living)
Am I living in a cardboard box
Am I living in a box (living)
Am I living in a cardboard box
Am I living am I living am I living
Am I living am I living am I living
(In a box)
Am I living am I living
Am I living in cardboard box
Am I living in a box
Am I living am I living
Am I living in a cardboard box
Am I living in a box
Mylene Farmer
One thing is for sure: after discovering her tofit my musical taste, I would like to thank my friends Gwen, Florence and Laurent for introducing me to more of her work and making possible for me to attend the best live concert I have ever been to.
Mylène has sold more than 25 million records and is among the most successful recording artists of all time in France, so far landing ten #1s, which constitutes a record in the French Charts.
Her parents moved from France in the late 1950s as her father pursued an engineering contract on a dam. The family returned to France when she was eight, settling in the Parisian suburb of Ville d'Avray. At the age of 17 she discovered acting and took a course at a drama school in Paris. Changing her name to Mylène Farmer as a tribute to her idol, 1930s Hollywood actress Frances Farmer, she began to earn a living as a model acting in several TV ads. In 1984, Mylène met Laurent Boutonnat, a young film student, after replying to a newspaper ad for an actress for a small film he was working on. They became friends and forged a creative partnership, writing and producing the music. Boutonnat, whose ambition was to become a film director, was the force behind Mylène’s videos, which, as you will see, often become epic pieces.
Mylène gained fame with songs featuring shocking yet poetic lyrics, and explicit music videos: 'Maman a tort' was about the love of a young girl for her female hospital nurse. 'Pourvu qu'elles soient douces' contains hints of sodomy: the video, set in the 18th century, featured a caning. 'Libertine' is said to feature the first full frontal nudity appearance by a singer on a major music video. 'Que mon cœur lâche' was about love with condoms in the age of AIDS: the video for the song features a scene in which God tells Jesus he will not send him to Earth again because the last time 'it was a disaster'.
By the turn of the decade Farmer was a full-blown superstar in France, but it wasn't until the release of her third album, L'Autre..., and single 'Désenchantée' that she became iconic. The album's lead single, became a phenomenon in French pop music, striking a universal chord with its political lyrics. The song debuted at #12 in France and hit #1 two weeks later, remaining 9 weeks atop of the charts. Following the phenomenal success of 'Désenchantée', Mylène released three more singles from the album: 'Regrets', 'Je t'aime mélancolie' and 'Beyond My Control', the latter having a blood-and-sex-charged video that was banned from airplay. The success of the singles helped its album sell close to 2 million copies in France alone, having achieved Diamond status in 1992. It spent a then-record 20 weeks at #1 of the French charts, as well as topping the chart in Belgium and making top 10 in Canada. It has become Farmer's best selling studio album. On 14 November 1991 a man, who had been stalking her, entered the Polydor Records HQ in Paris and held employees at gunpoint demanding to talk to her. The man had previously written the singer some fan mail, which she did not respond to. He killed a receptionist and committed suicide. Following this occurrence Mylène shunned media attention and left France to live in Los Angeles for a few weeks.
During her time in California, Mylène started to write her fourth album, Anamorphosée, before inviting Laurent Boutonnat over there to reconcile after the bitter incidents of 1994 and to start making music together again. In summer 1996 she embarked on her second, hugely successful, concert tour, which I was lucky enough to see at Paris Bercy, the French equivalent to Wembley. The corresponding live album, is currently the best-selling French live album ever. Mylène Farmer's Discography
Mylène Farmer - Comme J'ai Mal (1996)
Mylène Farmer - Pourvu qu'elles soient douces (1988)
Mylène Farmer - Rêver (1996)
Live at Bercy, a concert I was very fortunate to experience
Mylène Farmer - Que mon cœur lâche (1992)
Mylène Farmer - Je T'aime Mélancolie (1991)
Mylène Farmer - Sans contrefaçon (1987)
Mylène Farmer - Désenchantée (1991)
Mylène Farmer - L'Âme-stram-gram (1999)
Mylène Farmer & Moby - Slipping Away / Crier La Vie (2006)
Mylène Farmer - California (1996)
Depeche Mode - Strangelove (1987)
Depeche Mode - Strangelove (1987)
DE#2, CH#3, SWE#5, IRL#6, UK#16, IT#24, FR#25, AT#29, US#76
Depeche Mode - Strange Love (VH1 Week End Top 20) by Dmode59
Lyrics:
There'll be times
When my crimes
Will seem almost unforgivable
I give in to sin
Because you have to make this life liveable
But when you think I've had enough
From your sea of love
I'll take more than another riverfull
Yes, and I'll make it all worthwhile
I'll make your heart smile
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me
Will you take the pain
I will give to you
Again and again
And will you return it
There'll be days
When I'll stray
I may appear to be
Constantly out of reach
I give in to sin
Because I like to practice what I preach
I'm not trying to say
I'll have it all my way
I'm always willing to learn
When you've got something to teach
And I'll make it all worthwhile
I'll make your heart smile
Pain will you return it
I'll say it again -- pain
Pain will you return it
I'll say it again -- pain
Pain will you return it
I'll say it again -- pain
Pain will you return it
I won't say it again
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me
I give in
Again and again
I give in
Will you give it to me
I give in
I'll say it again
I give in
I give in
Again and again
I give in
That's how my love goes
I give in
I'll say it again
I give in
Mylène Farmer
There is so much to say about Mylène Jeanne Gautier, a.k.a Mylène Farmer, born in 1961 in Pierrefonds, Quebec, Canada, that it is hard to narrate.
One thing is for sure: after discovering her to fit my musical taste, I would like to thank my friends Gwen, Florence and Laurent for introducing me to more of her work and making possible for me to attend the best live concert I have ever been to.
Mylène has sold more than 25 million records and is among the most successful recording artists of all time in France, so far landing ten #1s, which constitutes a record in the French Charts.
Her parents moved from France in the late 1950s as her father pursued an engineering contract on a dam. The family returned to France when she was eight, settling in the Parisian suburb of Ville d'Avray. At the age of 17 she discovered acting and took a course at a drama school in Paris. Changing her name to Mylène Farmer as a tribute to her idol, 1930s Hollywood actress Frances Farmer, she began to earn a living as a model acting in several TV ads. In 1984, Mylène met Laurent Boutonnat, a young film student, after replying to a newspaper ad for an actress for a small film he was working on. They became friends and forged a creative partnership, writing and producing the music. Boutonnat, whose ambition was to become a film director, was the force behind Mylène’s videos, which, as you will see, often become epic pieces.
Mylène gained fame with songs featuring shocking yet poetic lyrics, and explicit music videos: 'Maman a tort' was about the love of a young girl for her female hospital nurse. 'Pourvu qu'elles soient douces' contains hints of sodomy: the video, set in the 18th century, featured a caning. 'Libertine' is said to feature the first full frontal nudity appearance by a singer on a major music video. 'Que mon cœur lâche' was about love with condoms in the age of AIDS: the video for the song features a scene in which God tells Jesus he will not send him to Earth again because the last time 'it was a disaster'.
By the turn of the decade Farmer was a full-blown superstar in France, but it wasn't until the release of her third album, L'Autre..., and single 'Désenchantée' that she became iconic. The album's lead single, became a phenomenon in French pop music, striking a universal chord with its political lyrics. The song debuted at #12 in France and hit #1 two weeks later, remaining 9 weeks atop of the charts. Following the phenomenal success of 'Désenchantée', Mylène released three more singles from the album: 'Regrets', 'Je t'aime mélancolie' and 'Beyond My Control', the latter having a blood-and-sex-charged video that was banned from airplay. The success of the singles helped its album sell close to 2 million copies in France alone, having achieved Diamond status in 1992. It spent a then-record 20 weeks at #1 of the French charts, as well as topping the chart in Belgium and making top 10 in Canada. It has become Farmer's best selling studio album. On 14 November 1991 a man, who had been stalking her, entered the Polydor Records HQ in Paris and held employees at gunpoint demanding to talk to her. The man had previously written the singer some fan mail, which she did not respond to. He killed a receptionist and committed suicide. Following this occurrence Mylène shunned media attention and left France to live in Los Angeles for a few weeks.
During her time in California, Mylène started to write her fourth album, Anamorphosée, before inviting Laurent Boutonnat over there to reconcile after the bitter incidents of 1994 and to start making music together again. In summer 1996 she embarked on her second, hugely successful, concert tour, which I was lucky enough to see at Paris Bercy, the French equivalent to Wembley. The corresponding live album, is currently the best-selling French live album ever. Mylène Farmer's Discography
Mylène Farmer - Comme J'ai Mal (1996)
Mylène Farmer - Pourvu qu'elles soient douces (1988)
Mylène Farmer - Rêver (1996)
Live at Bercy, a concert I was very fortunate to experience
Mylène Farmer - Que mon cœur lâche (1992)
Mylène Farmer - Je T'aime Mélancolie (1991)
Mylène Farmer - Sans contrefaçon (1987)
Mylène Farmer - Désenchantée (1991)
Mylène Farmer - L'Âme-stram-gram (1999)
Mylène Farmer & Moby - Slipping Away / Crier La Vie (2006)
Mylène Farmer - California (1996)
Mylène Farmer - Je Te Rends Ton Amour (1999)
FR#10, BE#18
Mylène Farmer - Je te rends ton amour by leebil
Modern Talking Megamix
Modern Talking Megamix
Brother Louie (1986) - DE#1, SWE#1, AT#2, CH#2, IRL#2, UK#4, BE#6, FR#6, NOR#8, NL#20, IT#32
Geronimo's Cadicallac (1986) - DE#3, AT#3, BE#4, CH#6, SWE#6, NOR#7, IT#27, NL#36, FR#43
You Can Win If You Want (1985) - DE#1, AT#1, BE#2, CH#2, NL#6, FR#8, IT#39, UK#70
Atlantis Is Calling (1986) - DE#1, AT#2, CH#3, BE#4, NL#6, NOR#8, IT#13, FR#21, UK#55
You're My Heart You're My Soul (1984) - DE#1, AT#1, BE#1, CH#1, FR#3, NOR#3, SWE#3, NL#4, IT#22, UK#56
In 100 Years (1987) - DE#30
Modern Talking Megamix
Modern Talking Megamix
Brother Louie (1986) - DE#1, SWE#1, AT#2, CH#2, IRL#2, UK#4, BE#6, FR#6, NOR#8, NL#20, IT#32
Geronimo's Cadicallac (1986) - DE#3, AT#3, BE#4, CH#6, SWE#6, NOR#7, IT#27, NL#36, FR#43
You Can Win If You Want (1985) - DE#1, AT#1, BE#2, CH#2, NL#6, FR#8, IT#39, UK#70
Atlantis Is Calling (1986) - DE#1, AT#2, CH#3, BE#4, NL#6, NOR#8, IT#13, FR#21, UK#55
You're My Heart You're My Soul (1984) - DE#1, AT#1, BE#1, CH#1, FR#3, NOR#3, SWE#3, NL#4, IT#22, UK#56
In 100 Years (1987) - DE#30
Rick Astley Megamix
Rick Astley Megamix
Never Gonna Give You Up (1987) - UK#1, AUS#1, BE#1, CAN#1, DE#1, ES#1, NL#1, NOR#1, NZ#1, SWE#1, US#1, CH#2, AT#4, FR#6
Whenever You Need Somebody (1987) - CH#1, DE#1, SWE#1, ES#2, NOR#2, IRL#3, UK#3, AT#4, FR#11
Together Forever (1988) - CAN#1, ES#1, IRL#1, US#1, UK#2, DE#5, AT#10, NL#12, CH#14, FR#18
She Wants Dance With Me (1988) - CAN#1, ES#5, UK#6, US#6, DE#10, CH#12, SWE#12, AT#15
Take Me To Your Heart (1989) - ES#2, IRL#5, UK#8, DE#10, SWE#10, NL#11, CH#16, FR#18, AT#41
Taylor Dayne - Tell It To My Heart (1987)
The song was written by Seth Swirsky, a Chappell Music songwriter. Seth almost didn't deliver the song after he and his girlfriend think it was good enough. But it reached Taylor Dayne when she asked to be sent some demos which had been overlooked - although the song had been recorded earlier that year by Louisa Florio. She recorded Tell It To My Heart at Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, Long Island. When Seth received a copy of the original master track from Arista Records he thought that having four bars before the bridge was too short, so he added some more to allow the bridge to breathe.
The track took off so unexpectedly in the autumn of 1987, that Taylor was forced to complete her debut album in six weeks. For almost two months, people could only buy the 12" vinyl of the track with four mixes of the song on it. That 12" sold 900,000 copies alone.
Taylor Dayne was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal in 1988. Producer Ric Wake said in a 1994 interview with Vibe magazine that Tell It To My Heart '...really blew people away'.
The music video was very low budget but it displayed Taylor's aggressive and sexy style. In the video she follows pretty much the same look featured in the cover of the album.
Taylor Dayne - Tell It To My Heart (1987)
DE#1, AT#1, CH#1, NL#1, Euro Hot100 #1, IRL#2, UK#3, SWE#3, NOR#3, US#7, CAN#9, FR#11, AUS#14, FIN#15
Lyrics:
I feel the night explode when we're together.
Emotion overload in the heat of pleasure.
Take me I'm yours into your arms.
Never let me go.
Tonight I really need to know.
Tell it to my heart.
Tell me I'm the only one.
Is this really love or just a game?
Tell it to my heart.
I can feel my body rock every time you call my name.
The passion's so complete. It's neverending.
As long as I receive, the message you're sending.
Body to body, soul to soul
Always feel you near.
So say the words I long to hear.
Tell it to my heart.
Tell me I'm the only one.
Is this really love or just a game?
Tell it to my heart.
I can feel my body rock every time you call my name.
Love, love on the run, breaking us down,
Though we keep holding one.
I don't want to lose, no I can't let you go.
Tell it to my heart.
Tell me I'm the only one.
Is this really love or just a game?
Tell it to my heart.
I can feel my body rock every time you call my name.
Tell it to my heart. Tell me from the start. Tell it to my heart.
Tell it to my heart. Tell me from the start. Tell it to my heart.
Never make it stop. Oh, take it to the heart.
Tell it to my heart...
Falco
Hardly anyone knows him by his real name Johann - or Hans - Hölzel , but when you say Falco, then most ears prick up in recognition. Born 19 February 1957 in Vienna, Austria, and died - far too early - just before his 41st birthday in a car crash in the Dominican Republic.
Unbelivable but true: he is the first and only artist to date whose principal language was German to score a number-one hit in the United States - with 'Rock Me Amadeus', even Nena's 99 Red Balloons did not achieve that. He has sold 40 million albums and 20 million singles, which makes him one of the best selling Austrian singers ever.
Falco began to show signs of unusual musical talent very early. As a toddler, he was able to keep time with the drumbeat in songs he heard on the radio. He was given a baby grand piano for his fourth birthday; a year later, his birthday gift was a record player which he used to play music by Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, and the Beatles. At age five, he auditioned for the Vienna Music Academy, where it was confirmed that he had perfect pitch.
He entered the Vienna Music Conservatory in 1977, but left after one semester to 'become a real musician'. For a short time, he lived in West Berlin while singing in a jazz-rock band and exploring the club scene. When he returned to Vienna he decided on his stage name Falco in tribute to the East German ski jumper Falko Weißpflog (he changed one letter to make the name more international).
Falco's first hit was 'Der Kommissar' from the 1982 album Einzelhaft (Soliary Confinement). A German language song about drug consumption that combines rap verses with a sung chorus, Falco's record was a number-one success in many countries but failed to break big in the US. But the song would prove to have a life of its own in two English-language versions: British rock band After the Fire recorded an English cover version, loosely based on Falco's lyrics and also called 'Der Kommissar' (with uh-oh and alles klar Herr Kommissar the only other lyrics held over from the original). This time, the song shot to US#5 (their only major hit there) in 1983, though it failed to crack the UK Top40.
That same year, Laura Branigan recorded a version of the song with new English lyrics under the title 'Deep In The Dark' on her album Branigan 2.
After a second album, Junge Roemer (Young Romans) failed to provide a repeat to his debut single's success outside of Austria and Germany (where the album topped the charts), Falco began to experiment with English lyrics in an effort to broaden his appeal, and chose a new production team. The result would be the most popular album and single of his career: Falco recorded 'Rock Me Amadeus' inspired in part by the Oscar-winning film Amadeus, and the song became a worldwide hit in 1986.
'Jeanny', the third release from his third album Falco 3, was highly controversial when it was released in Germany and the Netherlands, the story of Jeanny was told from the point of view of a rapist and possible murderer. Several DJs and radio stations refused to play the ballad, which was ignored in the U.S., though it became a huge hit in many European countries, and inspired two sequels on later albums.
The following years were somewhat his decline: he went on a World Tour, sang a duet with Brigitte Nielsen, 'Body Next to Body' and released another album, Wiener Blut (Viennese Blood) but it did not get much publicity outside Germany and Austria.
His 1992 comeback attempt, the album Nachtflug (Night Flight) was very successful in the German speaking territories, but failed to chart internationally.
Falco died of severe injuries from a collision with a bus on the road linking the towns of Villa Montellano and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. It was initially reported that the autopsy showed high blood levels of alcohol and cocaine, which was later dismissed. At the time of his death, he was planning a comeback.
He was buried in the Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery) in Vienna, Austria.
Falco - Der Kommisar (1981)
AT1, DE#1, ES#1, FIN#1, FR#1, IT#1, JAP#1, CH#2, NOR#3, SWE#4, NZ#4, AUS#7, CAN#11, NL#18, US#72
Falco - Junge Römer (1984)
ES#2, AT#8, CH#24
Falco - Rock Me Amadeus (1985)
AT#1, DE#1, UK#1, ES#1, SWE#1, FIN#1, RUS#1, US#1, CAN#1, JAP#1, NZ#1, RSA#1, CH#2, IT#2, NL#2, FR#3, DK#4, NOR#6, AUS#15
Falco - Rock Me Amadeus (American Version) (1985)
Falco - Vienna Calling (1985)
AT#1, SWE#3, DE#4, FIN#5, ES#5, CH#7, UK#10, DK#10, CAN#13, JAP#14, US#18, NL#40, AUS#75
Falco - Jeanny (1985)
AT#1, DE#1, CH#1, NL#1, NOR#1, SWE#1, JAP#5, IT#14, FR#24, UK#68
Falco The Sound of Musik (1986)
AT#4, DE#4, ES#4, JAP#6, CH#11, NZ#11, DK#13, US#13, IT#42, UK#61, NL#67,
Falco - Coming Home (Jeanny Part II) (1986)
DE#1, SWE#1, CH#3, AT#4, NOR#4
Falco & Brigitte Nielsen - Body Next To Body (1987)
JAP#1, AT#6, DK#9, DE#22, IT#35, ES#37, AUS#44
Falco - Wiener Blut (1988)
AT#4, DE#9, DK#13, CH#24
Falco - Mutter, der Mann mit dem Koks ist da (1995)
AT#3, DK#3, D#11, CH#30
Falco - Out Of Dark (1998)
AT#2, DE#2, CH#3
Falco - Egoist (1998)
DE#4, AT#6, CH#19
Falco began to show signs of unusual musical talent very early. As a toddler, he was able to keep time with the drumbeat in songs he heard on the radio. He was given a baby grand piano for his fourth birthday; a year later, his birthday gift was a record player which he used to play music by Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, and the Beatles. At age five, he auditioned for the Vienna Music Academy, where it was confirmed that he had perfect pitch.
He entered the Vienna Music Conservatory in 1977, but left after one semester to 'become a real musician'. For a short time, he lived in West Berlin while singing in a jazz-rock band and exploring the club scene. When he returned to Vienna he decided on his stage name Falco in tribute to the East German ski jumper Falko Weißpflog (he changed one letter to make the name more international).
Falco's first hit was 'Der Kommissar' from the 1982 album Einzelhaft (Soliary Confinement). A German language song about drug consumption that combines rap verses with a sung chorus, Falco's record was a number-one success in many countries but failed to break big in the US. But the song would prove to have a life of its own in two English-language versions: British rock band After the Fire recorded an English cover version, loosely based on Falco's lyrics and also called 'Der Kommissar' (with uh-oh and alles klar Herr Kommissar the only other lyrics held over from the original). This time, the song shot to US#5 (their only major hit there) in 1983, though it failed to crack the UK Top40.
That same year, Laura Branigan recorded a version of the song with new English lyrics under the title 'Deep In The Dark' on her album Branigan 2.
After a second album, Junge Roemer (Young Romans) failed to provide a repeat to his debut single's success outside of Austria and Germany (where the album topped the charts), Falco began to experiment with English lyrics in an effort to broaden his appeal, and chose a new production team. The result would be the most popular album and single of his career: Falco recorded 'Rock Me Amadeus' inspired in part by the Oscar-winning film Amadeus, and the song became a worldwide hit in 1986.
'Jeanny', the third release from his third album Falco 3, was highly controversial when it was released in Germany and the Netherlands, the story of Jeanny was told from the point of view of a rapist and possible murderer. Several DJs and radio stations refused to play the ballad, which was ignored in the U.S., though it became a huge hit in many European countries, and inspired two sequels on later albums.
The following years were somewhat his decline: he went on a World Tour, sang a duet with Brigitte Nielsen, 'Body Next to Body' and released another album, Wiener Blut (Viennese Blood) but it did not get much publicity outside Germany and Austria.
His 1992 comeback attempt, the album Nachtflug (Night Flight) was very successful in the German speaking territories, but failed to chart internationally.
Falco died of severe injuries from a collision with a bus on the road linking the towns of Villa Montellano and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. It was initially reported that the autopsy showed high blood levels of alcohol and cocaine, which was later dismissed. At the time of his death, he was planning a comeback.
He was buried in the Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery) in Vienna, Austria.
Falco - Der Kommisar (1981)
AT1, DE#1, ES#1, FIN#1, FR#1, IT#1, JAP#1, CH#2, NOR#3, SWE#4, NZ#4, AUS#7, CAN#11, NL#18, US#72
Falco - Junge Römer (1984)
ES#2, AT#8, CH#24
Falco - Rock Me Amadeus (1985)
AT#1, DE#1, UK#1, ES#1, SWE#1, FIN#1, RUS#1, US#1, CAN#1, JAP#1, NZ#1, RSA#1, CH#2, IT#2, NL#2, FR#3, DK#4, NOR#6, AUS#15
Falco - Rock Me Amadeus (American Version) (1985)
Falco - Vienna Calling (1985)
AT#1, SWE#3, DE#4, FIN#5, ES#5, CH#7, UK#10, DK#10, CAN#13, JAP#14, US#18, NL#40, AUS#75
Falco - Jeanny (1985)
AT#1, DE#1, CH#1, NL#1, NOR#1, SWE#1, JAP#5, IT#14, FR#24, UK#68
Falco The Sound of Musik (1986)
AT#4, DE#4, ES#4, JAP#6, CH#11, NZ#11, DK#13, US#13, IT#42, UK#61, NL#67,
Falco - Coming Home (Jeanny Part II) (1986)
DE#1, SWE#1, CH#3, AT#4, NOR#4
Falco & Brigitte Nielsen - Body Next To Body (1987)
JAP#1, AT#6, DK#9, DE#22, IT#35, ES#37, AUS#44
Falco - Wiener Blut (1988)
AT#4, DE#9, DK#13, CH#24
Falco - Mutter, der Mann mit dem Koks ist da (1995)
AT#3, DK#3, D#11, CH#30
Falco - Out Of Dark (1998)
AT#2, DE#2, CH#3
Falco - Egoist (1998)
DE#4, AT#6, CH#19
Billy Idol
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
Billy Idol - Mony Mony (1981)
1981 - US#1, CAN#1, NZ#2, UK#7, CH#13, DE#38, NL#89
Billy Idol - Hot In The City (1982 & 1988)
1982 - AT#5, NZ#5, AUS#18, CH#19, US#23, NL#40, UK#58
1988 - UK#13, CH#13, US#48
Billy Idol - White Wedding (1982 & 1985)
NZ#5, AUS#9, US#36
Billy Idol - Rebel Yell (1984 & 1985)
NZ#3, AUS#7, US#46, UK#64 in 1984 and UK#6 in 1985
Billy Idol - Eyes Without A Face (1984)
NZ#4, US#4, DE#10, NL#13, IT#14, UK#18, CH#21, FR#50
Billy Idol - Flesh For Fantasy (1984)
NZ#5, DE#11, CH#20, AUS#28, US#29, IT#30, UK#54
Billy Idol - Catch My Fall (1985)
DE#11, NZ#42, US#50, AUS#61
Billy Idol - To Be A Lover (1986)
NZ#2, FIN#3, AUS#3, US#6, CH#7, SWE#8, IT#16, UK#22, DE#28
Billy Idol - Don't Need A Gun (1987)
FIN#8, AUS#22, UK#26, NZ#27, CH#29, DE#36, US#37
Billy Idol - Sweet Sixteen (1987)
DE#2, NZ#3, AUS#9, CH#12, FIN#16, UK#17, US#20, IT#30
Billy Idol - Cradle of Love (1990)
US#2, FIN#8, IT#8, AUS#10, CH#11, NZ#16, UK#34, DE#38
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
Billy Idol - Mony Mony (1981)
1981 - US#1, CAN#1, NZ#2, UK#7, CH#13, DE#38, NL#89
Billy Idol - Hot In The City (1982 & 1988)
1982 - AT#5, NZ#5, AUS#18, CH#19, US#23, NL#40, UK#58
1988 - UK#13, CH#13, US#48
Billy Idol - White Wedding (1982 & 1985)
NZ#5, AUS#9, US#36
Billy Idol - Rebel Yell (1984 & 1985)
NZ#3, AUS#7, US#46, UK#64 in 1984 and UK#6 in 1985
Billy Idol - Eyes Without A Face (1984)
NZ#4, US#4, DE#10, NL#13, IT#14, UK#18, CH#21, FR#50
Billy Idol - Flesh For Fantasy (1984)
NZ#5, DE#11, CH#20, AUS#28, US#29, IT#30, UK#54
Billy Idol - Catch My Fall (1985)
DE#11, NZ#42, US#50, AUS#61
Billy Idol - To Be A Lover (1986)
NZ#2, FIN#3, AUS#3, US#6, CH#7, SWE#8, IT#16, UK#22, DE#28
Billy Idol - Don't Need A Gun (1987)
FIN#8, AUS#22, UK#26, NZ#27, CH#29, DE#36, US#37
Billy Idol - Sweet Sixteen (1987)
DE#2, NZ#3, AUS#9, CH#12, FIN#16, UK#17, US#20, IT#30
Billy Idol - Cradle of Love (1990)
US#2, FIN#8, IT#8, AUS#10, CH#11, NZ#16, UK#34, DE#38
Robbie Nevil
It was one of the first albums I bought in 1989 after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It still graces my music shelf as one of the best albums I ever bought.
Between 1986 and 1991, Robbie recorded three solo albums, the most successful was produced by Alex Sadkin and recorded in England. Prior to this, he was involved in writing material for other artists and sang a duet with Courtney Love at the funeral service for American pop artist Andy Warhol.
In recent years, Robbie has been more involved in producing and writing for other artists than in solo performance. He co-wrote three songs on the High School Musical Soundtrack: 'The Start of Something New', 'We’re All In This Together' and 'I Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You'.
Robbie Nevil - C'est La Vie (1987)
CH#1, US#2, NZ#2, DE#2, SWE#2, UK#3, AT#4, AUS#4, NOR#4, NL#18
Robbie Nevil - Dominoes (1986)
US#14, CH#17, UK#26, DE#27, AUS#38, NZ#38, NL#97
Robbie Nevil - Wot's it to ya (1987)
US#10, NZ#37, DE#43
Münchener Freiheit
First tries to lunch themselves into the German music landscape of the early 1980s were largely ignored, as other acts of the then dominating genre Neue Deutsche Welle (New German Wave) were fiercely competing for chart positions. Nena was one of them.
Their breakthrough came in 1985: Ohne Dich stormed up the charts and reached the top slot in Austria and Switzerland and managed to clmb to number 2 in their native Germany. Their style is a somewhat odd one, combining elements of the very perculiar Schlager with commercial pop. Although their last big hit was Liebe auf den Ersten Blick in 1992, the band remains very popular in Germany, often selling out big concert halls all over the country.
Münchener Freiheit - Ohne Dich (1985)
AT#1, CH#1, DE#2
Münchener Freiheit - Every Time (1985)
Münchener Freiheit - S.O.S. (1985)
Münchener Freiheit - Herzschlag ist der Takt (1985)
Münchener Freiheit - Tausendmal Du (1986)
AT#7, DE#9, CH#25
Münchener Freiheit - Es gibt kein nächstes Mal (1986)
DE#24
Münchener Freiheit - Herz aus Glas (1987)
DE#24
Münchener Freiheit - Play it Cool (1987)
Münchener Freiheit - So lang' man Träume noch leben kann (1987)
DE#2, CH#17 - English version below UK#14
Münchener Freiheit - Keeping The Dream Alive (1987)
UK#14
Münchener Freiheit - Bis Wir Uns Wiederseh'n (1988)
DE#11
Münchener Freiheit - Kissed You in the Rain (1988)
Münchener Freiheit - So heiß (1988)
DE#47
Münchener Freiheit - Liebe auf den ersten Blick (1992)
Depeche Mode
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.
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
Depeche Mode - A Question of Lust (1986)
Depeche Mode A Question Of Lust
Uploaded by burtonienne. - Watch more music videos, in HD!
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.
Depeche Mode - Policy of Truth (1990)
Depeche Mode - World in my Eyes (1990)
Depeche Mode - Halo (1990)
Depeche Mode - Clean (1990)
Depeche Mode - I Feel You (1993)
Depeche Mode - Walking in my Shoes (1993)
Depeche Mode - Condemation (1993)
Depeche Mode - In Your Room (1994)
Depeche Mode - Barrel of a Gun (1997)
Depeche Mode - It's No Good (1997)
Depeche Mode - I Feel Loved (2001)
Depeche Mode - Precious (2005)
Depeche Mode - Suffer Well (2006)
Depeche Mode - Wrong (2009)
Vanessa Paradis
Vanessa recorded two albums in Paris before traveling to New York in 1992 to record her self-titled English-language debut, with one-time boyfriend Lenny Kravitz as producer. The album's "Be My Baby" was also a hit, but Vanessa's popularity waned a bit. She was involved in various film, TV and modeling engagementsm such as Chanel's Coco ad campaign. More film and modelling work followed throughout the next several years, largely replacing her music career for a time. In early 2000 she returned to the music scene with the French-released Bliss, followed by a live album, Au Zénith in 2001. After that, it was back to yet more film and modelling work (and quality time with the two-child family she built with actor Johnny Depp). Paradis returned to music once again in 2007 with the release of her fifth full-length album, Divinidylle.
Vanessa Paradis - Joe Le Taxi (1987)
BE#1, FR#1, IRL#2, UK#3, NOR#5, SWE#7, DE#8, NL#23
Vanessa Paradis -Marilyn et John (1987)
Vanessa Paradis -Be My Baby (1992)
FR#5, UK#6
Vanessa Paradis & Alain Lanty - La Minute De Silence (1992)
recorded for Michel Berger, central figure of the French musical landscape, who died of a heart attack, aged 45.
Kim Wilde
Back then western media (music and TV) was prohibited from consuming, being classified as 'capitalist smut' - seriously... - but a brave Radio Station in Berlin called 'DT64' which was aimed at the younger generation was testing the communist gouvernment's limits by airing a complete album of a popular artist each weekend. One of them was Kim Wilde's 'Close'.
Kim Smith, a.k.a, Kim Wilde, daughter of 1950s Rock'n'Roller Reginald Smith, a.k.a. Marty Wilde, and Joyce Baker of The Vernons Girls, is a London girl, being born on 18 Nov 1960 in Chiswick. She attended Oakfield Prep School in Dulwich (woo-hoo, she's a neighbour! :-) before moving with her family to Hertfordshire, and completing a foundation course at St. Albans College of Art & Design in 1980. That year Kim was signed to RAK Records. She burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the New Wave classic 'Kids in America', which her brother, Ricky Smith, a.k.a Ricky Wilde, wrote for her in his bedroom. Kim shot to instant fame, particulary in continental Europe, while success in the US was largely subdued. Several successful single releases followed.
Failure of her 1983 Album Catch As Catch Can led to her leaving RAK Records and her being signed to MCA Records, where her career re-ignited with the 1984 album Teases and Dares.
Kim Wilde holds the record for being the most-charted British solo female act of the 1980s, with seventeen UK Top 40 singles. In France, she was known as the 'Brigitte Bardot of Rock' and her song 'Cambodia' sold over a million copies. A number of artists have performed covers of Kim Wilde songs, ranging from pop and rock to dance and death metal versions.
Having married and giving birth to children, Kim switched down a gear in her life, becoming a reconised Landscape Gardener. While her brother also choe the same route, her sister Roxanne is currently background singer for Kylie Minogue.
In 2010, Kim signed a new record deal with another label called Starwatch who released her eleventh studio album, 'Come Out and Play'.
Kim Wilde - Kids In America (1981)
DK#1, IRL#1, RSA#1, UK#2, SWE#2, FR3, BE#4, DE#5, CH#5, AUS#5, NL#8, NOR#9, AT#12, US#25, CAN#34
Kim Wilde - Chequered Love (1981)
RSA#1, DK#2, DE#2, CH#2, NL#2, BE#2, UK#4, SWE#6, AUS#6, FR#64
Kim Wilde - Cambodia (1981)
DK#1, CH#1, SWE#1, FR#1, DE#2, RSA#2, NOR#3, AT#4, BE#4, NL#5, AUS#7, UK#12, IRL#15
Kim Wilde - View From A Bridge (1982)
IT#1, CH#2, BE#3, SWE#4, DE#6, NL#7, AUS#7, AT#10, FR#15, UK#16, IRL#16
Kim Wilde - Child Come Away (1982)
DK#3, CH#6, SWE#10, BE#21, FR#21, DE#36, UK#43, NL#47, AUS#76
Kim Wilde - The Second Time (in the US released as 'Go For It') (1984)
CH#7, DE#9, DK#9, SWE#11, BE#14, NL#23, UK#29, US#65
Kim Wilde - You Keep Me Hangin' On (1986)
US#1, AUS#1, NOR#1, UK#2, CH#2, IRL#2, DK#3, DE#8, IT#8, BE#13, FR#16, NL#17, AT#20
Kim Wilde - Another Step (1987) - a duet with Junior Giscombe
UK#6, AUS#88, NL#95
Kim Wilde - Hey Mister Heartache (1988) - with vocals of Junior Giscombe
NOR#3, SWE#6, IT#7, DK#12, CH#12, DE#13, IRL#22, UK#31, NL#35, AUS#96
Kim Wilde - You Came (1988)
DK#1, SWE#1, UK#3, CH#3, IRL#3, IT#4, NOR#4, DE#5, FR#5, AT#8, BE#10, NL#11, AUS#34, US#41, CAN#42
Kim Wilde - Never Trust A Stranger (1988)
SWE#1, NL#3, BE#4, CH4, IRL#5, UK#7, AT#7, DK#7, DE#11, FR#18
Kim Wilde - Four Letter Word (1988)
IRL#5, UK#6, NL#9, BE#11, CH#18, AT#23, DE#27, IT#47
Kim Wilde - If I Can't Have You (1993)
DK#3, AUS#3, BE#7, IRL#9, UK#12, IT#13, CH#18, NL#18, SWE#24, AT#29 DE#51, FR#62
Kim Wilde & Nena - Anyplace, Anywhere, Anytime (2003)
English adaption of Nena's 1984 track 'Irgendwie Irgendwo Irgendwann'
AT#1, NL#1, BE#2, DE#3, CH#9, DK#19
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