Song#: 1021
Date: 05/15/1982
Debut: 89
Peak: 37
Weeks: 17
Genre: New Wave
Pop Bits: This UK band, formed by Nick Heywood, got signed to Arista and issued a debut single in 1981. "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)," reached #4 on the UK chart and this follow-up single did slightly better reaching #3. The success of the singles prompted a full album and "Pelican West" was released in early 1982. It went on to hit #2 on the LP chart. International attention started coming their way and in the US this single got the band into the Top 40 while the LP peaked at #31. Unfortunately, the band quickly developed internal issues while recording their follow-up LP and founder/lead singer/songwriter Heywood took off for a solo career. The remaining members soldiered on and issued another album, but it failed to replicate the success of their debut and they broke up in 1984.
ReduxReview: I find this song joyous in a mopey kind of way. I didn't latch onto it back then, but now I find the vibes, sax, and "aye-ya-ya's" quite catchy. This style of UK pop/new wave was just beginning to get attention in the US and this song was among the first to reach the Top 40. I think had it been released a year later, it would have done far better as the charts would be hammered with UK acts in a time referred to as the "second British invasion."
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Nick Heywood did have some success in the UK as a solo artist. His single "Whistle Down the Wind" hit #13 while his debut solo album, "North of a Miracle," reached #10. Although he wasn't able to get on the US pop chart, "Whistle Down the Wind" did reach #20 on the AC chart and his 1993 single "Kite" hit #4 on the Modern Rock chart.
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