Kim Wilde 'You Keep Me Hangin' On'

Chart Peak: 2
YouTube

Originally a Top 10 hit for the Supremes in December 1966, Kim's version charted at No. 36 on 21st October and raced to No. 15 the following week.

So it turns out this is the second consecutive track that's a US Number One by a British act who never topped the domestic chart. Of course it's more remarkable in the case of Wilde because she had so many hits in total, amking her more comparable to the aforementioned likes of Genesis and Bananarama than to Cutting Crew even though it was into 1987 when this topped the US chart.

The original version of this song is a notable work of production, compressing many changes of mood and pace into a brief running time to ratchet up tension. Apparently Kim Wilde and her producing brother Ricki had forgotten this by the time they recorded this cover (they admitted they hadn't heard the song for some time) and they settled for a simplistic version which is supposed to be Hi-NRG-influenced but is mid-NRG at best. The closest this gets to being impressive is the amount of hair she has in the video.

Also appearing on: Now 8, 13, 14, 25
Available on: Another Step

Kim Wilde 'Four Letter Word'

Chart Peak: 6
YouTube

It is now more than 8 years since Kim's first hit 'Kids In America'... 1988 was her most successful year for some time with the big Top 10 hit 'You Came' and 'Never Trust A Stranger'... 'Four Letter Word' made No. 6 in January 1989.

Some might argue that 1987, when she had a Number One single in the US (something she has, of course, never managed here) was bigger than 1988, but it was certainly a good year for her in her homeland, the successful single and album combined with a tour as support act to Michael Jackson at the peak of his popularity. It was a pivotal era for her as well, the last time she was recording mainly material co-written by her father Marty and brother Ricki, although Ricki continues to contribute.

'Four-Letter Word' is sometimes described as her first straight ballad single, although this seems debatable to me. It's certainly a good showcase for her breathy vocals and the slightly halting quality of her singing is a nice way to undercut the somewhat over-the-top lyric. Strangely, even though it sounds very of its time, it's still doesn't come over as dated, where some of her hits now do. It's that understated quality again that stands out. Just as well really, because that title would be a big temptation to a hostile reviewer.

Also appearing on: Now 4, 8, 13, 25
Available on: Close (Expanded Edition)

Kim Wilde 'The Second Time'

Chart Peak: 29

YouTube

Despite the title, this was of course the first time Kim Wilde showed up on a Now album, and for good measure her first single for new label MCA, complete with the catalogue number KIM1. Maybe they thought about saving this one up for the next single but thought it was too strong a potential hit to wait. If so, they weren't entirely right so far as the UK goes, with the single barely sneaking into the Top 30, though it did better in some other European countries and even crept into the US chart.

It starts of not unlike the OMD track, actually, but with the crucial syllable replaced by "Go!" (the US release was subtitled "Go For It"). And that sort of sets the tone for what is, listening now, a remarkably hard-hitting song about a woman's insatiable sexual appetite in a "cheap motel". Strong stuff, and all the odder when you recall that this was written by Marty and Ricky Wilde, who are of course her father and brother respectively. This, I must admit, wasn't really how I remembered her, and it feels slightly uncomfortable now, at least if you're my age. Still, more tolerable than 'Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover' somehow.

Also appearing on: Now 8, 13, 14, 25
Available on: The Collection