The 80s-90s Lost Classics Rate - Goodbye Wes! :'-(

D

Deleted member 26234

It's time to reveal which song beat "Ti sento" by 0.5 points to the third place.











































Sadly we lose one more 11 on the way to our top two.


































soratami said:
A Frida/Sandra top 2 seems like the likeliest and most PJ-y outcome I think.
Click to expand...
@soratami was right all the way although I tried to throw dust in your eyes ...

#3




Nick Kamen - I Promised Myself
Picked By: Filippa
Credentials: #1 in Austria and Sweden, #3 in Switzerland, #4 in The Netherlands, #5 in Germany and Belgium, #8 in Italy #11 in France
Gold in Austria, Germany, Sweden (more than 300.000 units sold)
Average Score: 8.8022
Highest Score: 11 @Epic Chocolat 10 @pop3blow2, @Filippa, @Ezz, @WowWowWowWow, @Amnesia, @Untouchable Ace, @MilesAngel, @Remorque, @TéléDex
Lowest Score: 5 @soratami

Nick Kamen (born Ivor Neville Kamen) came to fame with a fashion shooting for the January 1984 issue of The Face.


Barry and Nick Kamen in the January 1984 issue of The Face. Photography Jamie Morgan, styling Ray Petri


His modeling career peaked the following year in a starring role in a Levi's jean commercial:



Maybe the most important thing about this commercial was that it drew Madonna's attention to Nick, as Nick only did modeling at a friend's suggestion - his true passion was music. Madonna had written "Each Time You Break My Heart" together with Stephen Bray for her upcoming "True Blue" album but felt that Nick was more suited to it. The version Nick later recorded with Madonna herself on backing vocals seems to be more or less unchanged from her demo version. The song became a huge hit making the top 10 all over Europe (#5 in the UK) and #5 on the US dance charts.

As Nick didn't have the voice of a belter, more like a sweet 60s crooner with a beautiful soul voice, most songs chosen for his eponymous debut album were covers of little-known 50s and 60s songs.

A second song from Madonna's "True Blue" recording sessions was chosen as the lead single of Nick's second album as Stephen Bray confirmed. Madonna provided backing vocals again, but she didn't write the song - it was written by David Williams and Patrick Leonard with lyric credits for Nick himself. The song couldn’t repeat the success of “Each Time You Break My Heart”, only his fans in Italy stayed loyal (#1 in Italy).

In 1990 he released the self-penned “I Promised Myself” which turned out to be his biggest but also last hit. The melody in conjunction with the grandiose instrumental gives a feeling that is almost magical. The up-tempo guitars seem to represent all the hope for and strong belief in a love, whereas the evocative melody seems to echo the lyrics - the loss is not accepted yet, there is still denial, but somewhere deep inside, you already know it’s over - so sad and then euphoric again. It really sounds like it utilises an upbeat sample from Erasure’s “A Little Respect” but I can’t find any official proof for that.

After one more album, Nick retired completely from the public. The latest news I could find about Nick Kamen was that his brother and co-model Barry Kamen, who later became an artist and photographer, sadly passed away in 2015 aged 52.


What did PopJustice think?

@Epic Chocolat (11) That sexy video. My favorite song in this lot.

@Sprockrooster (9) I am shook. How did the UK not eat this up?!!

@berserkboi (8.3) Fun albeit a little forgettable bop! EDIT: Went up a whole point during the voting period so not so forgettable after all!

@saviodxl (7.5) The Erasure rip-off!

@TéléDex (10) I don’t know why I’m crying. Maybe we in the 21st century don’t deserve these counter-melodies, vocally and melodically.

@DominoDancing (9) It's still a total mystery to me how this flopped in the UK.

@WowWowWowWow (10) I promised myself I was going to give this a good score when I relistened to it for this rate and I am glad to confirm that it still slaps.

@Filippa (10) Such a heartache. Poor guy he still has to learn that clinging to a lost love isn’t a good idea at all. But what a beautiful song!

@daninternational (7) It reminds me of A Little Respect, then the Glee version of Don't Stop Believing :D He's cute but the video gives me anxiety.

@pop3blow2 (10) I love this one. I got this cd out of bargain bin for a dollar in the 00s. A steal! The chord pattern always wants to make me sing ‘A Little Respect’ by Erasure.

@Ezz (10) If this had been the A*teens version it would have been my 11, but this version is great as well and deserves a 10 for paying it forward

@MilesAngel (10) This is perfect with everything I love in a pop song. A catchy and beautiful melody, lyrics which are relatable and evocative and superb production.

@jtm (8.8) This is still great (the A*Teens version is a solid 10)


I Promised Myself (2004 version)


Each Time You Break My Heart


Tell Me


Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever
 
Last edited by a moderator:
MilesAngel

MilesAngel

Filippa said:
@MilesAngel (10) This is perfect with everyone I love in a pop song. A catchy and beautiful melody, lyrics which are relatable and evocative and superb production.
Click to expand...
You got me @Filippa. I thought Frida was leaving when I read the new thread title. (I wouldn't have minded but was surprised when Nik Kamen's face appeared).

I was also wondering if, when you get the chance, you could change the bolded word above to 'everything' in my commentary for Nik. I think I was writing that about an hour before I sent my scores in!

EDIT - Danke sehr!
 
Last edited:
Maki

Maki

Okay, looks like I finally managed to catch up with this rate (even though I checked out the eliminations in real-time) - and just in time for the final!

Whew, a lot has happened, huh? I lost my 11 before any of my 10's, lost my final 10 with "Hijo de la Luna", was very disappointed seeing some of the songs that were eliminated undeservingly early, on the other hand perplexed by some lasting so long and now am left with two songs that aren't among my favourites.
Reading all these excellent write ups provided by @Filippa and @berserkboi, it was definitely worth it.

My average score for the final two songs is 8.5 and I'm team Frida (by half of a point, apparently).
 
berserkboi

berserkboi

He/Him
MilesAngel said:
My favourite Youtube music reaction channel Dereck Reacts just watched the video to 'Maria Magdalena,' and it got his stamp of approval. He starts listening at 1.20. Is it a sign?
(He has reacted to I Know There's Something Going On and liked it but not as much as MM)

Click to expand...

I wish Dereck had an account here and had voted! Les Demons De Minuit might have been his 11 ddd
 
D

Deleted member 26234

The decision between Sandra and Frida was in the end clearer than expected. The songs were divided by more than 5 points. Just remember that Matia Bazar were placed 4th because of only 0.5 points!























































It was ten 10s or 11s versus twelve 10s or 11s.














































Ana Raquel said:
I prefer Sandra winning. However, given how this rate hate me, congrats Frida.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry my dear, but you got it right. The problem was that Sandra didn't receive one 11 whereas Frida managed to get five.

#2




Sandra - Maria Magdalena

Picked By: Filippa
Credentials: #1 in Austria, Finland, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey; #2 in Italy, Portugal, South Africa, Spain; #3 in Belgium, Denmark, #5 in France (Sandra said in an interview she was at #1 in France)
Gold in Germany, Silver in France, more than 500.000 units sold, but some sources claim that 4 mio. units were sold.
Average Score: 8.9795
Highest Score: 10 @soratami, @Phonetics Girl, @daninternational, @saviodxl, @jtm, @Filippa, @If You Go, @Untouchable Ace, @MilesAngel, @Remorque
Lowest Score: 5 @Sprockrooster

@berserkboi, do you know that Sandra (born Sandra Ann Lauer) has a French passport, as her father was French? She explained that in Germany in the 60s the kids got the citizenship of their father. So she is a German popstar with a French passport who has been living in Spain (Ibiza) for 26 years now.

Sandra started her singing career at the age of 12 after winning a talent competition with the single “Andy, mein Freund”. (Andy, my friend - Andy was a dog). Her parents didn’t support her singing career at that young age, they wanted her to finish school first. So, it was only later that she could accept an offer of Frank Farian to be part of Arabesque, a girl group, who were successful in Japan and Korea but not in Germany. She learned a lot of this situation, mostly staying down-to-earth and that being a super star is a lot of hard work with ups and downs … During her time with Arabesque, which she described as very tough, as the girls were fighting about everything, she got to know Michael Cretu (you might know him as the mastermind of Enigma) and fell in love with him.

Maria Magdalena was written rather accidently. Hubert Kah, a quite famous German singer of Neue Deutsche Welle (e.g. Sternenhimmel), who was produced by Michael Cretu, had written the chorus and asked Sandra to sing it for him. When Michael heard it, he decided this was too good to let go and wrote the verse to it. But in Germany nobody was interested in it. Sandra couldn’t get any invitations to any of the then important tv-shows … Only when the tourists came back from Greece and Turkey, and bought the song (not knowing that Sandra was German), it went to #1 in Germany, too.

Richard Palmer-James wrote the lyrics, which I quite dislike. “I’ll never be Maria Magdalena” meant that the girl wouldn’t be purified by choosing one guy as a partner but wanted to go on having sex with more than one partner … (remember it was released in the 80s). The German name of Maria Magdalene was only chosen because they needed a word with 7 syllables … But apart from the lyrics the song is within the best pop songs the 80s have to offer.

The most sympathetic thing about Sandra (certainly apart from her staying down-to-earth despite her success) I have learned while listening to various interviews is that she absolutely dislikes Dieter Bohlen. She toured once with Modern Talking and found him arrogant and bossy.


What did PopJustice think?

@berserkboi (8.8) This is technically a discovery though the tune is vaguely familiar? A little Self-Control so it might win dddd

@Penguin (9) Sandra is wonderful. Wouldn't be surprised at all if she won.

@DominoDancing (8.5) Ah, good old Sandra. Chorus is very *winkwinknudgenudge* inspired by Self Control, but there are worse songs to steal from.

@WowWowWowWow (9) I'll never be ... not disappointed that Sandra didn't really ever become a thing in the USA.

@Filippa (10) It’s a classic. Madonna couldn’t have done it better.

@Epic Chocolat (9,5) 80s power pop.

@Phonetics Girl (10) Iconic Self Control rip-off, what more can I say? that twigs outsold?

@saviodxl (10) One more example of continental european star trying to have a hit in the UK but never achieving it. It's the UK loss! Also, promote the Infernal Cover

@daninternational (10) The same Berlin pink fluffy gay bar that introduced me to Voyage Voyage also brought me this song... it's excellent, and probably the (deserved) winner of this rate

@Ezz (7.5) I like the raspy vocals and the chorus is very catchy - it sounds like it belongs on a movie soundtrack

@MilesAngel (10) This is the sort of 80's Italian pop which always appeals to me. The chorus reminds me of 'Self Control' and that's a good thing. Was excited when I found out this was the Sandra from Enigma .

@jtm (10) Along with her other good song, In the Heat of the Night, one of my all time favorites. I never ever skip this.

In the Height of the Night


Heaven Can Wait


What Is It About Me


Hiroshima


Everlasting Love
 
D

Deleted member 26234

And our winner with impressing five 11s and seven 10s is FRIDA!



#1




Frida - I Know There’s Something Going On

Picked By: Filippa
Credentials: #1 in Belgium, Switzerland; #2 in Denmark; #3 in Austria, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, #4 in France (other sources claim it peaked at #1 in France), #5 in Australia, Germany, South Africa, #13 US
More than 500.000 units sold.
Average Score: 9.3613
Highest Score: 11 @saviodxl, @Filippa, @DominoDancing, @MilesAngel, @Remorque 10 @berserkboi, @Phonetics Girl, @WowWowWowWow, @Amnesia, @If You Go, @Untouchable Ace, @TéléDex
Lowest Score: 6 @Ana Raquel

On February 12 in 1981 Frida and Benny announced their separation. It was as surprising as it was shocking because Frida had only recently said in an interview that she and Benny had been together for the last 13 years and it would feel very strange to not live or work with him ... But reportedly Benny fell in love with Mona Nörklit in the summer of 1980, maybe because a big part of the relationship to Frida was their working relationship and some of the spark of ABBA went out of the group around this time, as well.

Although the decision wasn’t easy for Benny, the breakdown of his relationship with Frida was sad and distressing for him, too, he was ok with it the moment it was decided (or at least so it seemed). For Frida, always the less secure in herself than Benny, it wasn’t so easy. The day the news was announced she went into a grocery to buy some milk but saw the news as headlines. She couldn’t face it, went back home and literally couldn’t leave home for a week. She really was in a bad shape. She was hurt, she was afraid she couldn’t go on without Benny, the pain was simply unbearable.

And in this state of mind, she discovered Phil Collins’ “Face Value”. This album, he had written to overcome his own divorce, certainly struck a chord with Frida and so she played the album over and over again for months. When she thought about a solo album it was soon clear: she wanted to work with Phil Collins. And he agreed. In an interview he revealed that he wanted Frida to have an active part in the production, but apparently Frida was very insecure and rather depended on his advice than deciding on her own. He blamed he work routine with ABBA for that.

Frida wanted to distance herself from ABBA and she wanted to come to terms with the end of her relationship with Benny. “I Know There’s Something Going On” is the perfect song for that. It’s about someone cheating in a relationship and getting caught because their partner had a feeling that there’s something going on … It adopted a completely new sound for Frida, straying from “the typical ABBA pop sound” and infusing elements of rock, heavily supported by Phil Collins’ drumming. And Frida’s voice! Who knew she could rock like this?


What did PopJustice think?

@jtm (7.7) It‘s hard to judge this fairly as I knew the Bomfunk MC version first and that one goes off a bit more (and has vocals by Jessica Folcker).

@Filippa (11) Frida, queen of rock.

@DominoDancing (11) Fucking amazing from the first second to the last. Frida is a queen, and there are few pop songs which deliver such a tense mood.

@WowWowWowWow (10) Oh, a song by a member of ABBA with Phil Collins on percussion and background vox? Yes please, inject this directly into them. Not even the Bomfunk MC's could ruin my love for it when they sampled it!

@saviodxl (11) The thing about ABBA is that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. It's hard to disassociate Frida as a fourth of one of the most famous groups of all time and her solo career suffered because of that! The drums and the guitar sound certainly show that she was trying to explore a sound slightly different from ABBA and give Kim Wilde a run for her money. I was surprised to learn this track was top 20 in the US! At least, for a while, her solo career took off there! As for the rest, well, they became hardcore fans gems. Although I haven't lived this era, I get the feeling 'cause in the 2000s/2010s I got to live that with the solo career of the Spice Girls! Reunions and joint projects were undoubtedly successful for the girl power spreaders and I'm pretty sure it will happen with the scandipop legends as well! Soon I hope! I know, I know, Mamma Mia is right there, but that's not quite the same.

@daninternational (7.5) I can see why it is 'lost' - it lacks something of other tracks from the era

@Ezz (8) Moody Abba - we stan!

@MilesAngel (11) When I saw the songlist there was no other choice. Frida once again shows that she can turn her voice to any genre and sing it to perfection. I love that she didn't shy away from making music directly referencing the divorce, and did it with such bravery and fierceness.

@berserkboi (10)This started out in the 8s, but really started to grab me with that progression! A 10 after repeated listens!

Min egen stad


Come To Me I Am Woman


Sa länge vi har varann (with Ratata)


Även en blomma


The Sun Will Shine Again (with John Lord)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
saviodxl

saviodxl

It was inevitable!
JzCTFa.gif

Thanks @Filippa and @berserkboi for taking the time!
 
Last edited:
MilesAngel

MilesAngel

Firstly I'm mortified that in my Maria Magdalena commentary I referred to the song as 'Italian pop,' as it has nothing to do with Italy. It just reminded me of Italian music of the 80's. Oh well, at least I know now thanks to @Filippa's fantastic write-up. I will have to listen to all of Sandra's 'Enigma' vocals at the weekend, as well as diving into her discography.

I wasn't sure how Frida would do, thinking about popjustice's aversion to rock music and guitars, so I'm surprised and thrilled that my 11 won. If I had a speedboat I would celebrate by driving down the local river.
I love that Frida sang a song about her divorce that wasn't written by her ex-husband and his best friend!
 
berserkboi

berserkboi

He/Him
Ana Raquel said:
welp. congrats i guess.

thank you for the rate @berserkboi @Filippa but hope the next one has a better outcome to my 11 <3
Click to expand...
My next rate (out of the two options I am debating to run) are almost exclusively French so there's that! Dddd

When looking at the spreadsheet I did think you and @Sprockrooster were going to be most hard done by the eventual results, but at least the winner didn't get a negative score from anyone - so let's celebrate that!

Also - working with @Filippa was a delight!! Any other time this can occur (happy for us to keep being back-up of each other's rates if it's a theme we enjoy etc!) - sign me up!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top