"Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)" by A Flock of Seagulls

Song#:  1453
Date:  05/14/1983
Debut:  85
Peak:  26
Weeks:  14
Genre:  Synthpop



Pop Bits:  The Seagulls flew onto the chart with their #9 single "I Ran (So Far Away)"from their gold-selling self-titled debut album. When time came to record a follow-up album, the band didn't stray too far from their sci-fi synthpop and came up with "Listen." This first single became the band's first (and only) UK Top 10 hitting #10, but US audiences were not as enthralled and the song faltered after getting into the Top 30. However, rock radio responded well and it reached #3 on the Rock chart. The album did okay on the US chart getting to #16, but it did not sell nearly as well as their debut and faded away quickly.

ReduxReview:  I think no matter what they did, the Seagulls were going to have a tough time trying to keep a career going. Despite having a major hit and a very good debut album, their sound and look were quite specific and bordered on being a gimmick. When that happens, people jump on board the latest thing, but will abandon it just as quickly to move on to something else flashy and new. So it comes down to the music and if it's good enough to maintain an audience. Although I like this song, it's not a very strong single contender, especially when put next to "I Ran" or even "Space Age Love Song." It's a more thoughtful song that is between a ballad and something danceable, which was probably not a good choice. They should have come out of the gate with a bangin' tune with a huge hook. Unfortunately, they lost the majority of their audience with this one. It's too bad because this really is a solid song and their next album offered up some gems as well.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Lead singer (and former hairdresser) Mike Score sported  a hairdo was just about as famous as "I Ran." At one point, he was getting more questions about his hair than about the band's music. Just how iconic did Score's hair become? It's been references many times over the years including in Quentin Tarantino's Oscar-winning 1994 film "Pulp Fiction." In one scene, Samuel L. Jackson gets the attention of a guy who has a sleek hairdo by saying "hey, Flock of Seagulls."

_________________________________________________________________________________