Should just start calling it A Week Late Friday Night Jukebox...
If last week's tune was a fine slice of seventies pop pie, then this week's tune is a fine slice of eighties pop pie. Honestly, the eighties are not my favorite decade of music, but it certainly had its moments--like this week's featured song....
The Thompson Twins originally formed as a quartet in Sheffield, England in 1977 before settling in London. They went through a number of incarnations (at one time the band sported seven members), but by 1982 they began performing as a trio. They had a number of hits in the U.S. and their native U.K. until 1989 (they became a duo in 1986), but commercial success eluded them after that. In a twist, they changed their musical style (dub-influenced chill out) and their name (Babble) in 1993, but by 1996 they had called it a career. The Thompson Twins released eight studio albums (with three top ten, including a #1, in the U.K. and one top ten in America), and thirty-five singles (five of which hit the top ten in Great Britain and three in the U.S.). The band also made an appearance at Live Aid in 1985. Unlike many bands, they have chosen not to reform for the obligatory reunion tours--and have let their body of work speak for itself.
"Hold Me Now" was the first single from their 1984 album Into the Gap. The single reached #4 in the U.K. and #3 (with a bullet!) here in the States. The album was their only #1 in their homeland, and their highest charting here in America at #10.
(Not so) Fun Fact: In the aftermath of the international success of this week's tune, the Thompson Twins were under immense pressure from their management and their record company to record another hit like "Hold Me Now." The band admitted that it was much easier said than done and hinted that it wasn't really what they wanted for the band--both of which may help to explain their early demise.
One of the things that really impressed me this week as I listened to "Hold Me Now" for my half-assed research is how well the song is written. Band members Alannah Currie and Tom Bailey were a couple at the time (they'd eventually marry, have two children, and, sadly, divorce), and the song chronicles an argument they'd had and the resulting reconciliation. It well captures the desire and relief--I especially like the "I'll apologize even though I don't know what for" line. Bailey delivers impassioned vocals, there's a nice variety of percussion, and the chorus--emaycee fave!--is as catchy as all get out. Special shout out to Jon Leeway for the killer backing vocals at the song's closing. I've noted a time or two (or three) about band's that have that one moment of greatness, and "Hold Me Now" was that moment for the Thompson Twins.
Lyric Sheet: "You say I'm a dreamer/We're two of a kind/Both of us searching/For some perfect world/We know we'll never find..."
Enjoy:
Republicans = Nazis
Peace,
emaycee
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