"I Could Never Miss You (More Than I Do)" by Lulu

Song#:  0695
Date:  08/01/1981
Debut:  71
Peak:  18
Weeks:  18
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  Scottish singer Lulu had been a major star in the UK and around Europe since her debut single, a remake of The Isley Brothers' "Shout!," hit #7 (#94 in the US) in 1964. It would be the first of ten Top 10 UK hits and would lead to many TV appearances and acting gigs on shows and some films. Her big US break came when she appeared in the 1967 film "To Sir, With Love" with Sidney Poitier. She sang the title song which reached #1 in the US. A couple of minor chart entries followed but it was not until this single that she returned to the Top 20 (and #2 at AC). Younger folks in the US may not really remember her for the music, but for her guest appearances on the British TV sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous" where she played herself as a client of Edina's PR firm.

ReduxReview:  I kind of missed this one back in the day. I remember liking it but not sure why I didn't latch on to it at the time. It's really a nice slice of pop/AC with a good late-70s arrangement that actually doesn't sound too dated even now. I like it quite a bit. Lulu was never really big in the US and I think that has to do with her material. I think she picked songs for her UK audience and many times those don't translate well to the US. Plus she never had a specific "sound" to identify her music as she did everything from bubblegum pop to soul to euro pop to disco to schlager to rock, etc. It's kind of too bad as she is a really good vocalist.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) This song originally appeared on her 1978 LP "Don't Take Love for Granted," which was issued on Elton John's Rocket Records. It was not issued as a single. Later in 1980 the song got attention when covered by a couple of US artists and Lulu was getting some attention due to TV shows shown in the US. Due to this, Lulu's version was issued as a single and its success spurred a new album ("Lulu") that contained this and a couple of other songs from the previous album. It ended up being one of only three Lulu albums to reach the US chart.  2) Lulu has had a couple of high-profile marriages including to Maurice Gibb (of the BeeGees) and hairdresser John Frieda.

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