Song#: 1037
Date: 05/22/1982
Debut: 81
Peak: 51
Weeks: 9
Genre: Pop, Electronic
Pop Bits: This duo's first LP in 1980 produced the #58 pop entry "I Hear You Now." Before issuing a follow-up, Vangelis finished up another project that unexpectedly provided him with a major hit. His score to the film "Chariots of Fire" featured the same-titled single that reached #1 on the pop chart. The album also hit #1 for four weeks and the week after it's run at the top, this first single from Jon & Vangelis' LP "The Friends of Mr. Cairo" debuted on the singles chart. The added exposure provided by Vangelis' movie hit most likely gave a boost to this single, but it wasn't quite enough to enter the top half of the chart. However, it did become the duo's best charting single (and their last).
ReduxReview: Vangelis seemed to really like tinkly keyboard sounds. Many of his tunes around this time were loaded with them. This one is no exception. With a mechanical chugging that is almost matched by Jon Anderson's staccato delivery, this tune moves forward with factory precision. It's not a great single, but there is something alluring about the song. It's almost sounds like a fancy music box. Not everything Jon & Vangelis did was good, but it certainly was interesting.
ReduxRating: 6/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) The title track to "The Friends of Mr. Cairo" was a tribute to film noir movies of the 30s and 40s. The film most referenced in the track is "The Maltese Falcon," with Mr. Cairo being the role Peter Lorre played in the movie. The track features impressions of actors like Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre. Although not a hit in any other country, the track surprisingly reached #1 in Canada. 2) The "Friends" album also included the original track "State of Independence." While not a hit for Jon & Vangelis, the track was covered by Donna Summer and would reach #41 later in 1982.
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