We're going to close out 2021 with one of the best pop ballads from across the pond from an otherwise often forgettable decade of music: the 80's. Mushy lyrics, sugary sweet vocals, and an unrequited love--just what the doctor ordered on the last night of the often very difficult year of 2021.
[For the both of you that have noticed, yes, it is actually a Friday Night Jukebox post actually appearing on its scheduled Friday. That it's New Year's Eve leaves me very much hoping anyone reading it tonight is a humongous fan of music and is not spending a celebratory evening without a sweetie with which to share this week's tune--especially since it's a love song....]
Spandau Ballet formed in 1979 in London, and unbeknownst to me have had quite a successful career (though in fairness a good deal of their commercial success was overseas and this week's tune is pretty much their only hit in America). The band's first run ran through 1990, at which time they went their separate ways (acting and various music projects) before reforming in 2009. They stayed together again until 2019, opting not to continue as a band unless lead singer Tony Hadley, who left the band in 2017, decided to rejoin Spandau Ballet. Over the course of their career, the band has sold over 25 million albums, won a Brit Award, and were one of the featured performers at Live Aid (as well as appearing on the Band Aid single, "Do They Know It's Christmas"). Spandau Ballet released seven studio albums, one live album, and 13 compilations in their time together, as well as 25 singles. Five of their seven albums hit the top ten in the U.K., and they had eight top ten singles.
"True" was released as a single in 1983 from their not surprisingly named album, True. The single hit #1 in their native U.K., and #4 (with a bullet!) on the Billboard Hot 100. The album also hit #1 in Great Britain, and peaked at #19 here in the States. The song also hit the top ten in eleven other countries.
Fun Fact: "True" has been played over four million times on the radio in the United States, which if played continuously, would last for over 22 years. Oh, the things you learn on Friday Night Jukebox....
Fans of Friday Night Jukebox (both of you) know by now that there's nothing like blue-eyed soul to make emaycee smile, and I do a lot of smiling when I'm listening to "True". Songwriter (and guitarist) Gary Kemp has said "True" is a love song about writing a love song (it's also about his unrequited love for Altered Images lead singer Clare Grogan), and that he had hoped to create a Marvin Gaye/Al Green type ballad. While it's not quite in that league, Kemp came very close--inspired vocals from Hadley, understated instrumentation which carries the lyrics like a lullaby, as well as backing vocals (full of ha's and ah's) to make you swing and sway the livelong day. A soulful ballad chock full of pop sensibility--and it's a fine final week's tune for this year's additions to the annals of Friday Night Jukebox.
Lyric Sheet: "So true/Funny how it seems/Always in time, but never in line for dreams..."
Enjoy:
Republican = Racist
Peace,
emaycee
