Mixed Pop Groups & Duos Rate • WINNER ANNOUNCED
- Thread starter Doodvid
- Start date
I love 'Crucified' but hope it leaves because the songs by the 3 other acts should stay. But I fear for Deuce.
The way this has gone it's clearly sayonara Deuce (Call It Love and I Need You are better than On The Bible anyway).
he/him
Is it…?
IS IT…?
It is.
“Soft and sweet for you to eat
TEMPTATION!”
#24
Deuce - ‘On The Bible’
Average score: 8.2
High scorers: @Conan @j267 @Doodvid @MilesAngel @idratherjack @AcerBenII @Remorque (7 x 10)
Low scorers: @iheartpoptarts (4) @Wezzo (5) @DJHazey (5.5) @Hudweiser (6)
Notable achievements:
Reached #13 in the UK in 1995 and #2 in Israel
In 1996, months after the group had split, the song charted in a remixed form at #27 in Australia
“Ooh ooh ooh ye…” erm - Noooooooooo!
Deuce’s final single release with their original line-up is the final track of theirs to fall from the rate. But what a song it is! The highly-recommended ‘Unflopped’ podcast pit ‘On The Bible’ against girls@play’s ‘Airhead’ (another classic!) where they praised the former for displaying some surprisingly gothic undertones - not something that immediately springs to mind when thinking about the teen-pop package of Deuce. However, ‘On The Bible’ does share an element of subversive camp that fellow rate-members Army of Lovers did so well so maybe there’s something in it…
Everything about this song screams ‘PRODUCTION!’ The overblown dramatic introduction that lasts almost a minute, the gospel choir and handclaps, the sultry but silly spoken word interlude…this was tongue placed firmly in cheek territory. Some criticisms say the religious references were off-putting but when viewed alongside the ridiculously OTT video (stuffed to the brim with iconic drag queens from the 90s London gay scene), you can see the ‘wedding’ and ‘bible’ symbolism is used more to add visual interest and story rather than to extol the virtues of organised religion! Even the single artwork was extravagent and in your face, with the band in sexed up wedding outfits, Deuce symbols becoming confetti, and one CD was even released in a faux leather bound bible case!
The song sat in the Top 20 in the UK for 3 weeks over the summer of 1995, even managing to be a non-mover at #13 in the 2nd week of charting - helped no doubt by the accompanying Top of the Pops performance. In late 1996, long after the group had originally split in the UK, the Wand remix picked up support in Australia and become an underground hit for them there, appearing on many a Pride CD compilation and Body Pump gym tracklist.
Voters say:
@Doodvid 10
I remember hating this when it debuted on kids TV show ‘Fully Booked’ (performance here) as it was such a different sound. 1 week later I was in love and still am! Once won Paul’s outfit from the video on eBay for 99p but he never sent it through (sad face)
@berserkboi 9.5
I know this chorus from somewhere.
A wonderful earworm!
@Sprockrooster 9
This Enya meets Aqua is a mix
I can weirdly get behind.
@saviodxl 8
Trying to get the approval of those
catholic parents eh?
@Ezz 7
The spoken section is...erm…
@Hudweiser 6
I remember seeing them perform this dressed up in wedding garb on TOTP. My sister's friend was also there and said "what a shit song!" all the while I was getting my life to the high camp. The Wand remix really is a 1000% improvement though.
@DJHazey 5.5
Like the name would suggest, a bit too preachy especially for a band that sounded like a new eurodance discovery at first. No sin was committed here or anything, but I won’t be coming back to this church.
The remix that became a surprise hit in Australia:
Main singer Kelly abruptly left the group in late 1995 and replacement Mandy was drafted in. Here she is miming to Kelly’s vocals on TV in December 95 (she got into a minor Facebook comment row with people criticising this a few years back!)
This interpretative dance!
Old Popjustice Forum says:
Kelly from Deuce says:
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he/him
Those Israelis love a ..... bible?? ddd
He/Him
This feels like a low finish!
Yeah... everything about this points to perfect, except the (regular version of the) song itself. It just feels like it goes on forever I'm always surprised an hour hasn't elapsed come the end.
The Wand Remix undoes all over those wrongs though and then some. A surefire 10.
That video though!? Deuce crawled so Steps could run!
The Wand Remix undoes all over those wrongs though and then some. A surefire 10.
That video though!? Deuce crawled so Steps could run!
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Knew it. Deuce have been done so dirty in this rate, I honestly thought their first 3 singles would easily make Top 20 with Call It Love being Top 5.
One of my biggest regrets in life is not buying the limited edition bible format of the On The Bible CD single in those young cash strapped days, only buying the regular one. At least I have my signed On The Loose! CD to console me.
One of my biggest regrets in life is not buying the limited edition bible format of the On The Bible CD single in those young cash strapped days, only buying the regular one. At least I have my signed On The Loose! CD to console me.
he/him
Only £1.25! Poster included too! Sold! I can finally right the wrong of the past.
I searched the below video for the "waving a fart away" move, but realised the cameraman keeps cutting away from the choreography at random moments which is annoying.
However, I found the following video which clearly shows it at the end of the chorus (see about 1:14)
The second video also shows Caroline pulling off the trenchcoat and shorts look live.
Why was that a thing? Because trenchcoats are awesome, as everyone who was around in the late 90s/earlys 2000s can tell you. Excuse me, I have to go do price comparison on Hugo Boss leather dusters and watch trailers for the new Matrix movies.
However, I found the following video which clearly shows it at the end of the chorus (see about 1:14)
The second video also shows Caroline pulling off the trenchcoat and shorts look live.
Why was that a thing? Because trenchcoats are awesome, as everyone who was around in the late 90s/earlys 2000s can tell you. Excuse me, I have to go do price comparison on Hugo Boss leather dusters and watch trailers for the new Matrix movies.
Sadly, you're dead on! With this next elimination just one track from the 1980s remains in our top 10 legends countdown...
You turn me into a raving maniac
Like a locomotive, you keep me on the right track
LEGENDS ELIMINATION
#8
5 Star 'The Slightest Touch'
Dedicated rate:
Five Star UK Singles Rate 1983 to 1991 by @simes1970
Our rankings:
#2 @idratherjack @Untouchable Ace
#3 @Ana Raquel @berserkboi @MilesAngel
#5 @Sprockrooster @iheartpoptarts
#6 @Hudweiser
#7 @Conan @saviodxl @Hybridcookie @DJHazey @unnameable @Markus1981
#8 @Doodvid @Mvnl @AcerBenII @j267
#9 @Ezz @Lost In Japan.
#10 @Wezzo
Notable achievements:
Reached #4 in the UK charts and their final top 10 single. Achieved not 1 but 2 covers by certified Popjustice legends. Won by an amazing margin in its dedicated singles rate.
Released in March 1987, 'The Slightest Touch' was the seventh single to be released from Five Star's second album Silk and Steel. They enlisted legendary producer and remixer Shep Pettibone (also co-producer on Madonna's 'Vogue') to give the track a new lease of life for its single release. For me, the song has one of the best spoken sections of the rate, feeling like an integral part of the song rather than being used for its own sake. We also see Doris Pearson's amazing choreography in the musical interlude and final chorus, with energetic dance routines you could aspire to copy. A formula that many of our later acts sought to follow!
A mark of an innovative song is its reworking in cover versions. Firstly, Louise included a version of the song, remixed by Almighty on her Greatest Hits album in 2001. I personally find her vocal delivery a bit odd and the pace a bit lethargic, but it would be interesting to hear what everyone thinks!
Possibly a more logical fit occurred in the last twelve months. There had been hints of Steps covering a 5 Star song for the 2017 Tears on the Dancefloor campaign, but it finally came to pass during the recording process of their double album What the Future Holds campaign, being released in August 2021. In an echo to 5 Star remixing their original track, Steps tap into the euphoric Clubland vibe, and transport us back to that millennial period where everything was better with a donk on it! Filmed backstage before their first live gig in over 18 months, their visualizer is the epitome of cute, especially the outtake at the end:
https://forum.popjustice.com/thread...nded-no-1-revealed.72273/page-27#post-7841011
So here we go, the final reveal, just what have you voted the best single from Five Star
Well
It's
A
Good
One
Can't Wait Another Minute finishes in the runner up spot . Another great single , it builds into a great chorus that is for sure. One of the bands finest.
Can't Wait Another Minute Score 150.8 Average 10.05 Highest Score 11 (WhatKindOfKylie, Hairycub1969,
ScoundrelDays) Lowest Score 8.8 (Berserkboi)
Other Scores 10 (Simes1970, CasperFan, Blaahh, Fizzywhig, I'dRatherJack, Letuinmybackdoor,
MilesAngel, Phoenix123, RawKey, Remorque) 9 (TorontoDJ)
Comments Include
"An earworm indeed!" (Berserkboi)
"The first single and first track from Silk & Steel, it starts the album off on a strong note. It's a great transition from Luxury of Life to the imperial phase of Silk & Steel." (TorontoDJ)
"This uses rock elements perfectly without being too much. It's just such a cool song." (MylesAngel)
"New Star material in 86 this was fabulous from the off. Me and one of my best friends at school learnt the routine and we applied to enter the Saturday Superstore Search for a superstar. Sadly we didn't get anywhere! I can still do the routine." (Letuinmybackdoor)
"One of my favourites and a contender for my 11 score. This built on the pop breakthrough of ‘System Addict’ but gave it a slightly harder edge. A great choice to open the imperial singles run from Silk & Steel and it deserved even better than a mere #7 peak on the charts." (Fizzywhig)
"Brilliant lead off single, bright, mature, something for everyone" (Blaahh)
"Still soulful but more of a harder pop sound, love the guitar solo and as always Denise’s silky smooth vocals. Another pop masterpiece." (CasperFan)
That brings us to the Number 1. It wasn't even close in the end as 15 points advantage over the second placed Can't Wait Another Minute shows how popular this is.
The Slightest Touch (Shep Pettibone Remix) wins the rate with ease. For me without the remix it was pleasant enough but not chart material. The remix though takes it onto another level. Just superb.
Slightest Touch Score 165.80 Average 11.05
Highest Score 12 (Simes1970, Blaahh, I'dRatherJack, MilesAngel, ScoundrelDays, RawKey, Remorque,
TorontoDJ) Lowest Score 9 (Fizzywhig)
Other Scores 11 (Letuinmybackdoor) 10 (WhatKindOfKylie, CasperFan, Hairycub1969, Phoenix123)
9.8 (Berserkboi)
Comments include
"Well this is a text-book example of how to turn a good album track into a killer single. One of the greatest remixes ever. I loved the album version but when I heard the remix it floored me-and it stil sounds so good today. Understandably one of their signature hits and unbelievably their last top 10 hit! The intro is everything, a slow foreboding synth and the that rush when the beat kicks in. Perfect pop-and this was single number 6 from the album!" (CasperFan)
"One of the best early UK/US House bangerz! Amazing set of remixes by Shep and great song." (Blaahh)
"I don’t love this one quite as much as some others do, but there’s no denying that the Shep Pettibone remix is an outstanding piece of work. A great way to close out a seven-singles run from an album."
(Fizzywhig)
"Five Star embrace house before house was even a thing! (Trailblazers!) This turned an OK album track into a monster of a smash. That video though with the market stall was...odd." (Letuinmybackdoor)
"The album version is great, but the Shep Pettibone remix really gives it a boost. Classic." (RawKey)
"The single mix takes a 10 and makes it a 12. The slightest hearing of this and I cannot help but get up and dance around whilst singing along. A perfect pop song." (MylesAngel)
"Selecting "The Slightest Touch" as my 12 is rather predictable since there's a good chance this will be the highest rated song in the rate. As much as I tried to pick something less predictable, this song is just too good to not give it a 12. It really is the highlight of Five Star's career. It's one of those songs that, when you hear the first notes, you want to rush to the dancefloor and break out the Five Star choreography, not so much for nostalgia's sake, but because it's such a damn good dance song. There's an urgency in Denise's vocals and the music that set it apart from Five Star's other songs. The Shep Pettibone Mix gives it that extra "touch" (pun intended) and brings it to a whole other level. The ultimate bop." (TorontoDJ)
"This is amazing! What a tune!!" (Berserkboi)
So here we go, the final reveal, just what have you voted the best single from Five Star
Well
It's
A
Good
One
Can't Wait Another Minute finishes in the runner up spot . Another great single , it builds into a great chorus that is for sure. One of the bands finest.
Can't Wait Another Minute Score 150.8 Average 10.05 Highest Score 11 (WhatKindOfKylie, Hairycub1969,
ScoundrelDays) Lowest Score 8.8 (Berserkboi)
Other Scores 10 (Simes1970, CasperFan, Blaahh, Fizzywhig, I'dRatherJack, Letuinmybackdoor,
MilesAngel, Phoenix123, RawKey, Remorque) 9 (TorontoDJ)
Comments Include
"An earworm indeed!" (Berserkboi)
"The first single and first track from Silk & Steel, it starts the album off on a strong note. It's a great transition from Luxury of Life to the imperial phase of Silk & Steel." (TorontoDJ)
"This uses rock elements perfectly without being too much. It's just such a cool song." (MylesAngel)
"New Star material in 86 this was fabulous from the off. Me and one of my best friends at school learnt the routine and we applied to enter the Saturday Superstore Search for a superstar. Sadly we didn't get anywhere! I can still do the routine." (Letuinmybackdoor)
"One of my favourites and a contender for my 11 score. This built on the pop breakthrough of ‘System Addict’ but gave it a slightly harder edge. A great choice to open the imperial singles run from Silk & Steel and it deserved even better than a mere #7 peak on the charts." (Fizzywhig)
"Brilliant lead off single, bright, mature, something for everyone" (Blaahh)
"Still soulful but more of a harder pop sound, love the guitar solo and as always Denise’s silky smooth vocals. Another pop masterpiece." (CasperFan)
That brings us to the Number 1. It wasn't even close in the end as 15 points advantage over the second placed Can't Wait Another Minute shows how popular this is.
The Slightest Touch (Shep Pettibone Remix) wins the rate with ease. For me without the remix it was pleasant enough but not chart material. The remix though takes it onto another level. Just superb.
Slightest Touch Score 165.80 Average 11.05
Highest Score 12 (Simes1970, Blaahh, I'dRatherJack, MilesAngel, ScoundrelDays, RawKey, Remorque,
TorontoDJ) Lowest Score 9 (Fizzywhig)
Other Scores 11 (Letuinmybackdoor) 10 (WhatKindOfKylie, CasperFan, Hairycub1969, Phoenix123)
9.8 (Berserkboi)
Comments include
"Well this is a text-book example of how to turn a good album track into a killer single. One of the greatest remixes ever. I loved the album version but when I heard the remix it floored me-and it stil sounds so good today. Understandably one of their signature hits and unbelievably their last top 10 hit! The intro is everything, a slow foreboding synth and the that rush when the beat kicks in. Perfect pop-and this was single number 6 from the album!" (CasperFan)
"One of the best early UK/US House bangerz! Amazing set of remixes by Shep and great song." (Blaahh)
"I don’t love this one quite as much as some others do, but there’s no denying that the Shep Pettibone remix is an outstanding piece of work. A great way to close out a seven-singles run from an album."
(Fizzywhig)
"Five Star embrace house before house was even a thing! (Trailblazers!) This turned an OK album track into a monster of a smash. That video though with the market stall was...odd." (Letuinmybackdoor)
"The album version is great, but the Shep Pettibone remix really gives it a boost. Classic." (RawKey)
"The single mix takes a 10 and makes it a 12. The slightest hearing of this and I cannot help but get up and dance around whilst singing along. A perfect pop song." (MylesAngel)
"Selecting "The Slightest Touch" as my 12 is rather predictable since there's a good chance this will be the highest rated song in the rate. As much as I tried to pick something less predictable, this song is just too good to not give it a 12. It really is the highlight of Five Star's career. It's one of those songs that, when you hear the first notes, you want to rush to the dancefloor and break out the Five Star choreography, not so much for nostalgia's sake, but because it's such a damn good dance song. There's an urgency in Denise's vocals and the music that set it apart from Five Star's other songs. The Shep Pettibone Mix gives it that extra "touch" (pun intended) and brings it to a whole other level. The ultimate bop." (TorontoDJ)
"This is amazing! What a tune!!" (Berserkboi)
Looking at this performance as someone new to 5 Star, I wonder if a simpler video focusing on their considerable performance skills may have sold the song even more?
Voters say:
@berserkboi
Addictive and fantastic in the best possible way!
@Doodvid
Undeniable bop. Excellent choice for Steps (not so much for poor Louise)
@Ezz
Trailblazing
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It's sad to see Five Star go. They really are a fantastic underrated pop group. The Slightest Touch got my highest score in their rate. Here's another fave which was way ahead of its time.
He/Him
Five Star are indeed very underrated - and a reminder of why the @simes1970 rates are so important around here. I had no idea who they were before joining, and with the short and succinct playlist - it was a fantastic preview of what they had to offer. The Slightest Touch is out far too early!