"So the Story Goes" by Living in a Box

Song#:  3299
Date:  10/17/1987
Debut:  89
Peak:  81
Weeks:  4
Genre:  Synthpop, Sophisti-Pop, Blue-Eyed Soul



Pop Bits:  This British group grabbed a #17 Pop hit (#6 Dance/#74 R&B) with "Living in a Box," the first single from their self-titled debut album. For a follow-up, this next track was selected. The song was unable to do much and after a short month it fell off the chart. It would end up being the group's last single to reach the US Pop chart. Another track from the LP,  "Love is the Art," would get to #12 on the US Dance chart. Back home in the UK, "Living in a Box" would get to #5 with the album becoming a #29 gold seller.

ReduxReview:  The opening synth line (and really throughout the song) was a little heavy-handed, but once the song settled into its groove it ended up being a pretty good tune. It wasn't the hookiest of tracks, but the tune chugged along quite well. It was a nice change of pace from the more urgent dance-pop of "Living in a Box." The song fell in line with other British sophisti-pop that was hitting the chart at the time, but it just wasn't quite as catchy or mainstream as some of the others. Still, it was a solid song that should have received a bit more attention.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) The band issued out their second album, Gatecrashing, in 1989. It's first single, "Blow the House Down," would be their second UK Top 10 (#10). It would make the US Dance chart at #19. The LP would generate a bigger hit in the UK with the #5 "Room in Your Heart." The dual hits would send the album to #21 and it would be their second gold seller at home. With momentum behind them, the group went back into the studio to record their third album. Unfortunately, issues with their label arose along with some internal disputes and in the end the band decided to just call it quits.  2) The 12" vinyl version of this song included the "Club Mix," which featured vocals by soul star Bobby Womack. The connection to the band helped Womack a little bit as he recorded his own version of "Living in a Box" for his 1987 album The Last Soul Man. The single would get to #70 in the UK while failing to chart in the US.

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