From 1981, this was one of two hits that The Nolans had that year, the first being "Attention To Me" which reached #9 in the UK charts. "Chemistry" couldn't beat this position and peaked at #15 in September of that year. The track also reached #51 in Australia, #23 in Japan and #11 in Ireland.
The Nolans would have a further hit, "Don't Love Me Too Hard" (UK #14), in February 1982 but this would prove to be the last appearance by the band in the UK top 20.
TRACKLISTING:
Chemistry
PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com
Friday, 7 November 2008
The Nolans - Chemistry
Sophie Lawrence - Secrets
From 1991, "Secrets" was to be the second single released from Sophie Lawrence following the success of her #21 hit "Love's Unkind". The track was a cover version of a song that had been featured on Kylie Minogue's "Rhythm Of Love" album. Sophie's version was produced by Nigel Wright & Stock Aitken Waterman, with the 12 Inch version being remixed by Pete Hammond. The b-side was "It's Just A Matter Of Time".
The song wasn't a hit however, as the single was withdrawn just before its release. At the time, some record stores did receive copies of the single to sell. It's unclear though why the song was pulled so close to its actual release. Sophie Lawrence quit pop after this fiasco and returned to acting.
TRACKLISTING:
Secrets (Radio Edit)
Secrets (Extended Version)
It's Just A Matter Of Time
PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com
*Thanks to ManicKangaroo, Ingvar & Ash for helping with these.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Liza Minnelli - Love Pains
This was the final single released from the Pet Shop Boys produced album "Results". Liza Minnelli had had a huge hit with first single "Losing My Mind" (UK #6) in 1989, but subsequent singles "Don't Drop Bombs" (UK #46) & "So Sorry I Said" (UK #62) seemed unable to match its success.
"Love Pains" peaked at #41 in the UK charts, and reached #40 on the US dance chart. For its release the track received remixes from Steve 'Silk' Hurley.
TRACKLISTING:
Love Pains
Love Pains (Steve 'Silk' Hurley's Radio Edit)
Love Pains (Steve 'Silk' Hurley's Mix)
Love Pains (Steve 'Silk' Hurley's Deep House Pains)
PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com
Sunday, 2 November 2008
Eartha Kitt - Where Is My Man
"Where Is My Man" is the title of a song from 1983 by the American singer and actress Eartha Kitt. The song was co-written by comedy writer Bruce Vilanch along with musicians and producers Fred Zarr and Jacques Morali.
The song was released as a single in late 1983 and features Kitt singing in a low, seductive-sounding voice. Included in the song are some sounds that have come to be associated with Kitt, including a purring sound similar to one she made while portraying Catwoman on the 1960s TV series Batman. The lyrics to the song detail specific things the singer expects to receive from her future lover, such as a trip to Saint-Tropez and shopping at Tiffany's.
In the United Kingdom, "Where Is My Man" reached the Top 40 on the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at #36. It was also a hit in dance clubs around the world. In the US, the song made the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, peaking at #7 and remaining on the survey for 14 weeks.
The track has been re-released twice new with remixes, in 1993 and also 1998. Unfortunately the track didn't perform as well as the original release.
TRACKLISTING:
Where Is My Man (Original Single Version)
Where Is My Man (Original Club Mix)
Where Is My Man (1993 Single Version)
Where Is My Man (1993 Extended Mix)
Where Is My Man (Fancy Radio Mix)
Where Is My Man (Original Special Radio Edit)
Where Is My Man (Joe T. Vannelli Radio Attack)
Where Is My Man (Snapshot Radio Cut)
Where Is My Man (Fancy Club Mix)
Where Is My Man (Joe T. Vannelli Attack Mix)
PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com
Saturday, 1 November 2008
Samantha Janus - A Message To Your Heart
This track was the UK entry for the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest. It took the tenth-place slot with 47 points. It was the worst showing for the United Kingdom since 1987. After Eurovision, the song placed at #30 on the UK Singles Chart. The b-side was "Heaven Is A Place For Heroes".
Janus went on to become a successful actress, but despite her achievements, her entry into the Eurovision is frequently remarked upon. She has said regarding the experience that her failure in the contest devastated her at the time and thought it would spell the end of her career. She has also called her appearance 'ridiculous', in that she was dressed in a pink mini-dress while singing about starving children and says the lyrics of the song are burned into her memory forever.
TRACKLISTING:
A Message To Your Heart
A Message To Your Heart (Extended Version)
Heaven Is Place For Heroes
PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com
*Thanks to Danny for the Extended Version & the b-side, and to Mark for the regular version.
Macho Gang - Sahara
Macho Gang were an Italo Dance act, consisting of members Clara Moroni, Giuliano Crivellente & and producer Mauro Farina. This track is from 1988, taken from their album "Macho & Lions". It's a fantastic Italo Disco dance track, and the extended version has so many sounds that are reminiscent of PWL/Stock/Aitken/Waterman that you could almost believe that it came from the Hit Factory.
I know very little else about the group, apart from the fact that they released several single in the late 80's & 90's - including "Naughty Boy", "My Lion", "When Somebody Loves Me", "Shake Shake" and "Stepping Up".
If anyone does know anything further about them then please leave a comment.
TRACKLISTING:
Sahara (Short Version)
Sahara (Extended Version)
PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Toni Basil - Toni Basil
From 1983, this is Toni Basil's self-titled second album. It featured the singles "Over My Head" (US #81), "Street Beat" (US #82) and "Suspense". Sadly she didn't seem able to obtain the success that she had found with "Mickey" the year before. Despite its lack of success though, it really is a great 80's pop album and well worth a listen.
Later in the 1980s, a new track "Girls Night Out" made an appearance on the soundtrack to the 1986 film "Modern Girls", and in 1990 she performed "The Night" in the movie "Rockula". To date though, Toni Basil hasn't released any further albums.
TRACKLISTING:
Over My Head
I Don't Hear You
Easy For You To Say
Suspense
Go For The Burn
Space Walkin' The Dog
Street Beat
Do You Wanna Dance
Best Performance
PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com
*Thanks to Steve for providing this album.
Toni Basil - Word Of Mouth
From 1982, this was the debut album from American musician, video artist, actress and choreographer Toni Basil. It featured the smash-hit single "Mickey" (#1 in the US, #2 in the UK), as well as the follow-up singles "Nobody" (#52 in the UK) and "Shoppin' From A To Z" (#77 in the US).
"Mickey" was such a huge hit for the singer, and she never seemed able to match its success. Despite not being a massive success, "Word Of Mouth" is a good solid pop album.
TRACKLISTING:
Mickey
Rock On
Shoppin' From A To Z
You Gotta Problem
Be Stiff
Nobody
Little Red Book
Space Girls
Thief On The Loose
Time After Time
PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com
*Thanks to Steve for providing this album.
Petula Clark - Downtown '88
Petula Clark made a surprise return to the pop charts in 1988, with this remix of her 1964 hit "Downtown". The original version had reached #2 in the UK and #1 in the US, where it was classified a GOLD single.
The 1988 version was remixed by Peter Slaghuis, on behalf of DMC. It peaked at #10 in the UK charts and was also a massive dance hit throughout Europe.
TRACKLISTING:
Downtown '88 (Single Version)
Downtown '88 (Extended Version)
PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com
Cathy Dennis - Irresistible
From 1992, this was the second single released from Cathy Dennis's "Into The Skyline" album. In the UK the song was used in an advertisement for Sky TV, but despite this fairly high profile usage it didn't fair to well in the charts, peaking at #24. In the US the song peaked at #61.
The song was different in style to her previous more dance-style singles, but it did feature club remixes from Shadowzone and also Dancin' Danny D of D-Mob fame.
TRACKLISTING:
Irresistible
Irresistible (Xtended Mix)
Irresistible (Shadowzone Club Mix)
Irresistible (Shadowzone Dub Mix)
Irresistible (Dan's Monstrous Club Mix)
Irresistible (Dan's Monotonous Dub Mix)
PASSWORD: http://popgems.blogspot.com
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