"When the Lights Go Out" by Naked Eyes

Song#:  1663
Date:  10/22/1983
Debut:  85
Peak:  37
Weeks:  14
Genre:  Synthpop



Pop Bits:  With two hits under their belt from their self-titled debut album, "Always Something There to Remind Me" (#8) and "Promises, Promises" (#11), this British duo decided to go for a third and issued this next single. It wasn't as popular as the first two, but it did get them their third consecutive Top 40 entry. The album would do well enough to hit #32. All-in-all, it was a solid start to their career.

ReduxReview:  Although not nearly in the same class as their first two singles, this was still a solid tune from the band and its Top 40 showing is appropriate. It has a nice sophisticated pop feel that merged well with the blips and bleeps and other sounds from their fancy Fairlight machine. However, I think this song is actually better than what is heard on this recording. I bet the song would really benefit from a stripped down arrangement. Regardless, it is still a good entry in their catalog, if not too terribly memorable.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  The duo's producer, Tony Mansfield, had some chart success of his own in the UK. In 1977, he co-founded the synthpop band New Musik. The group issued a debut album in 1980 titled From A to B. It reached #35 on the UK album chart thanks to four charting singles, the best being the #13 "Living By Numbers." Two more albums would follow, but they faded quickly and the band broke up. It was while in New Musik that Mansfield became quite familiar with the Fairlight sampling station and synth, which would be heavily used on Naked Eyes' debut.

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