Song#: 1367
Date: 03/05/1983
Debut: 73
Peak: 44
Weeks: 10
Genre: Alternative Rock, New Wave
Pop Bits: This English band formed by brothers Richard and Tim Butler came out of the late 70s UK punk scene. They would record a self-titled debut album in 1980 that hit #18 in the UK. US listeners started to catch up with the band with their second album "Talk Talk Talk," which cracked the Top 100 (#89). The band's third album, "Forever Now," would be an even bigger success thanks to this first single that came close to the pop Top 40 (#30 Mainstream Rock). Its success would push the album to #61 and eventually it would turn into a gold seller.
ReduxReview: I didn't catch up with the Furs until their next album, so I missed this song the first time around. It's a well-produced singled that should have done better. However, I wonder at the time if Richard Butler's voice was just a bit too odd for pop listeners. It certainly is unique and I know some folks found it a bit grating. I liked his deep, English accented voice and it particularly worked well on this song. Producer Todd Rundgren helped the band refine their sound and some critics didn't care for it, but I liked it.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: The memorable marimba part in the song comes courtesy of producer Todd Rundgren. The band was recording the album in Rundgren's studio and originally there were other instruments playing that melodic line. Rundgren just happen to have a marimba in the studio and tried the line out on the instrument. The experiment worked and Rundgren's idea gave the song that recognizable sound. Very few chart hits have featured the marimba. Arguably the most famous may be its use in the songs "Moonlight Feels Right" by Starbuck (#3, 1976) and "Island Girl" by Elton John (#1, 1975). Although not released as a single, Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones played the instrument on their 1966 song "Under My Thumb."
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