"Twilight World" by Swing Out Sister

Song#:  3362
Date:  12/19/1987
Debut:  97
Peak:  31
Weeks:  15
Genre:  Sophisti-Pop, Smooth Jazz



Pop Bits:  This UK trio made their mark with the single "Breakout." The tune would get to #6 Pop and #1 AC. The hit would earn the band two Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist, and send their debut LP, It's Better to Travel, to #40. For a follow-up, this next track was selected. The tune would do well at AC reaching #7. Over on the Pop chart, the song stalled just shy of the Top 30 mark. A third single, "Surrender," would get to #37 AC, but fail to make the Pop chart.

ReduxReview:  This smooth, string-laden piece of jazz-pop sounded quite dramatic and classy. While it may not have been as catchy or as pop radio-oriented as "Breakout," it was an equally good song. I think it should have done a bit better than its #31 peak. The trio definitely defined their sound with these singles, which was both good and not great. They secured the hits their first go at it, but if they rinse and repeat with their next LP, would anyone be interested?

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  So how did the band come up with their name? It seems the moniker came from a old b-movie titled Swing Out, Sister. Released in 1945, the film starred Frances Raeburn, Billie Burke (Glinda the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz), and Arthur Treacher (yes, of the famous fish 'n' chips place). The musical comedy's plot centered on two former sweethearts who are involved in the classical music world, but secretly and separately they perform in jazz clubs under different names so not to upset their prominent families. Hi-jinx ensue as they discover each other's secret and begin to rekindle their romance. The small b-movie was made by Universal and was pretty much forgotten after its release. However, it somehow came to the attention of Andy Connell, Martin Jackson, and Corinne Drewery when they were seeking a name for their new band. Apparently, the trio couldn't fully agree on a name, but there was one that they all agreed on disliking - Swing Out Sister. Although they didn't like the name, since they couldn't fully agree on anything else, they decided to go with the one they all felt the same about.

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