Now That's What I Call Stuart's Favourite Music 8 - Invisible Touch (Genesis)

When I was young, my parents would quite often take me and my sister to Leigh-On-Sea, and we would then walk along the seafront to Southend, stopping off at the various "drinking establishments" along the way (where I would spend many pennies on arcade hits like Pac-Land, Hard Drivin', Commando and Paperboy - thanks Mum and Dad!). It really was enjoyable, and even to this day when I take my family back home to visit Laindon, we still do the walk. 

Anyway, this song always reminds me of the walk because when it came out back in 1986, it was practically the only song being played in all the pubs we went in!

Released in 86' as a single from the album with the same name, Invisible Touch remained in the UK charts for 8 weeks, but only managed to reach 15.  Can you believe it was even beaten by The Chicken Song by Spitting Image! The song had a better reception in the US where it got to number 1 in the Billboard charts.

Now That's What I Call Stuart's Favourite Music 7 - Stop! (Erasure)

People who know me well will know what a big Erasure fan I am.  

Although I had heard and liked their previous songs, "Stop!" is probably the song that first caught my attention and made me really like the group,  It was a few years later when I really became a fan and followed them.

"Stop!" was featured on Erasure's Christmas EP "Crackers International" back in 1988 where the album reached a very impressive number 2 on the UK charts.

This song always reminds me of Christmas thanks to it being released during the festive period, and once again I remember it originally being on a compilation tape that my sister made for me.

Now That's What I Call Stuart's Favourite Music 6 - Never Never (The Assembly)

I love this song - Vince Clarke (post Yazoo and pre Erasure) along with Eric Radcliffe, and yes - that's Feargal Sharkey (A Good Heart) doing vocals on this. 

The Assembly was a British synthpop project formed in good old Basildon by Vince and Eric, with the intention of releasing an album of songs featuring a different guest vocalist on each track.   The project didn't release any further songs, and The Assembly disbanded shortly after Never Never was released.  

The rest is history, leading Vince to advertise in Melody Maker for a vocalist for a new project which would later become Erasure. 

Released in October 1983, Never Never stayed in the charts for 10 weeks and peaked at an impressive number 4.

Useless bit of information...  A great deal of the music video was filmed at Upminster windmill, not too far from Laindon where I grew up!

Now That's What I Call Stuart's Favourite Music 5 - For America (Red Box)

Two songs from Red Box stand out for me - Lean on Me, and For America

Released 35 years ago, way back 1986 and from their debut album The Circle & The Square, For America reached number 10 in the UK charts, and is definitely my favourite of the two.

It was the 12th most popular single in November 1986, only beaten by :-

Berlin - Take My Breath Away),
Kim Wilde - You Keep Me Hangin' On),
Europe - The Final Countdown
Mel & Kim - Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend)
Swing Out Sister - Breakout
Bangles - Walk Like An Egyptian
Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer
Nick Berry - Every Loser Wins
Status Quo - In The Army Now
Spandau Ballet - Through The Barricades
Erasure Sometimes

Enjoy!

 

Now That's What I Call Stuart's Favourite Music 4 - New Life (Depeche Mode)

Depeche Mode...  One of the best things to come out of Basildon (besides me!!!!)  

A stonking classic from way back in 1981, before Vince Clarke (Erasure) left Depeche Mode to form Yazoo with fellow Basildonian Alison Moyet, and when they produced happy, cheerful tunes before going a bit too dark for me. 

The song was written by Vince and released as a single from their debut album Speak and Spell, peaking at number 11 in the UK charts.

Enjoy :)

Now That's What I Call Stuart's Favourite Music 3 - Don't Tell Me (Blancmange)

This song pretty much sums up the 80's for me.  A melody that is happy, and cheerful that you can sing and dance along to.

Blancmange was a synthpop group that had a number of hits during the 80s.  This one may not be their most well-known, (most people may recognise their "Living on the Ceiling" from a Berocca advert from 10 years ago), but this is my favourite of theirs.

Released back in 1984 as a single from their album Mange Tout, Don't Tell Me stayed in the UK Singles charts for 10 weeks where it reached number 8.

Ahhhh...  1984....

GhostBusters was the biggest movie of the year (followed by Beverly Hills Cop, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom).  Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Relax reaches number one and stays in the UK charts for 42 weeks.  Jet Set Willy is released on most 8bit computers.

Ahh... the memories!