"Send Me an Angel '89" by Real Life

Song#:  3900

Date:  05/13/1989

Debut:  72

Peak:  26

Weeks:  16

Genre:  New Wave, Synthpop

Pop Bits:  This Aussie band scored an international hit in 1983 with "Send Me an Angel," the first single from their debut album Heartland. It would reach the Top 10 in several countries including Germany where it got to #1. In the US, the tune was just able to make the Top 30 (#29) while getting to #18 Rock. The album sold a few copies and got to #58. Their next album, '85's Flame, would fizzle even at home in Australia. Finding themselves at a bit of a crossroads, the band signed on with Curb Records in the US and recorded a few new tracks that would be combined with some previous recordings for '86's Down Comes the Hammer. Singles from the LP failed to chart and it left Real Life in limbo. Then thanks to the recent resurgence of older songs getting back on the chart at the time, Curb decided to push out a new mix of the band's first hit. With the updated title "Send Me an Angel '89," the song caught on in clubs and it would end up hitting #5 on the Dance chart. That action helped get the song on the Pop chart and it ended up peaking three notches higher than the original single. Curb quickly assembled a compilation by the same name as the new mix of the single, but it wouldn't chart.

ReduxReview:  This was a song that was just right for a revival. It wasn't a huge hit on its initial run and with bands like Depeche Mode making waves, this dark synthpop track fit right in. The new mix gave the right amount of boost to make the song sound more current and modern. Again, it really should have done better on the chart, but the fact that it made the Top 30 for a second time was a cool accomplishment.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  The renewed interest in Real Life prompted Curb to order a new album from the band. In 1990, they would release Lifetime. It's first single, "God Tonight," would be another hit at Dance reaching #9. It also was able to get to #15 at Modern Rock. A second single, "Kiss the Ground," would get to #27 Dance. Neither of them would make the Pop chart and the album would also fail to chart. After that, the band would go on an extended break. Various lineups would later get together to record and do tours.

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