"Love and Pride" by King

Spotlight Alert!

Song#:  2393
Date:  07/20/1985
Debut:  87
Peak:  55
Weeks:  11
Genre:  New Wave



Pop Bits:  Formed from the ashes of other bands, this British outfit officially came into being in 1983. Named for its lead singer Paul King, The band signed on with CBS (Epic in the US) and set out to record songs for a debut album. This first single came out in the spring of '84, but it tanked getting to only #84 in the UK. Then two follow-up singles failed to chart. That could have been it for them but then late in '84 the band gained fans while touring with Culture Club and then they performed this song on the UK music TV show The Tube. Interest in the band caused the label to reissue this song and it ended up being a big hit reaching #2 on the chart. The song then crossed the pond, but its fortunes were not as good. It ended up peaking just outside the Top 50 while getting to #17 on the Dance chart. It would be their only charting song in the US. Meanwhile in the UK, the band's album would go gold and their follow-up LP would generate a second Top 10 hit. Unfortunately, after two albums the band split with Paul King headed out on a solo career.

ReduxReview:  To me, both the song and Paul King's vocals bring to mind Adam Ant mixed with a little early U2. I can absolutely hear why this was a hit in the UK. It's different, interesting, and blended well with other new wave/pop Euro artists who were hitting at the time. When I first listened to the song, I wasn't sure if I liked it, but as the song went on I got into it and wanted a second listen. This one was gonna be lost on US ears and I'm actually a bit surprised it made it halfway up the chart. Quite a cool song and I'll be taking a listen to their albums after hearing this and see what else they have to offer. Oddly, I think I remember seeing this album in the record store back in the day. It's an attractive, 80s day-glo cover and one that would have stood out to me. This is an interesting discovery and one worthy of a Spotlight mention. As always, I'm so happy when I run across lost songs like this in the project!

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  After breaking from the band, Paul King stayed with CBS and recorded a 1987 debut solo album titled The Joy. The album was produced by US chart star Dan Hartman and featured several songs co-written by King and Hartman (and a few with Hartman's writing partner Charlie Midnight). The new material leaned towards pop/rock and the LP's first single, "I Know," failed to make a major impression peaking at #59 in the UK. Soon after, King embarked on another career - that of an MTV VJ. Working for MTV Europe, King hosted several of the channel's shows including 120 Minutes and MTV's Greatest Hits. He would stay with the channel through to 1994 when he then switched over to VH1. Apparently he is still working with the MTV/VH1 network producing shows.

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