Limahl 'The NeverEnding Story'

Chart Peak: 4

YouTube

Back to the cinema again, then, although at least this film came somewhere near recouping. The familiar theme tune (composed by our old friend Giorgio Moroder again) was apparently added only to the version released in the English-speaking world, not in the German edit. That said, the song became a massive hit in Germany anyway, such is Limahl's star power over there.

Again, I remember hearing this when I was a kid and wondering whether you could have an answer to a story. I'm still not sure about that. I think it's fair to say that time hasn't been very kind to this track; at any rate I hope it hasn't because it doesn't sound at all good in 2010. It's hard to put my finger on what 'Together In Electric Dreams' had that this hasn't, but there's certainly something.

Also appearing on: Now 1
Available on: Too Shy: the Best of Kajagoogoo & Limahl (CD & DVD)

Kajagoogoo 'Too Shy'

Chart peak: 1 (2 weeks)

YouTube

I was going to say this couldn't be more 80s if it tried. Except that it probably was trying. They've got everything there, from the odd synths and the electric drumkit to the slap bass. And that's even before you see the video, or before I found out it was co-produced by a member of Duran Duran. I did remember hearing this at the time, particularly on the end-of-year chart countdown, but it's not one I've heard very often since, still less paid much attention to. I recalled it as having a certain goofy charm, and perhaps it does still have that, but it's less likeable than I thought nowadays, as if it's a little too eager to please. Also, like a lot of music from this time it's very flabby, with a lot of uneventful sections so that even the usual version sounds longer than it really is - I didn't brave the 12" mix. Ironically, the video rather exacerbates this by showing the band packing up and heading home before the song even finishes.
Lyrically, there's not a lot to this song (not that people would be expecting much) although it's possibly the only Number One single to include the word "dilate" - and in a verse which associates this with "modern medicine" suggesting a rather dirtier song than I'd previously spotted. Not entirely sure I wanted to know that. Undoubtedly the most impressive part of this is Nick Beggs' bassline - fancy having a crack yourself? Slight as it is, though, you could hardly conjure a better package for overnight success in 1983, and this duly did the basis, romping to the top of the UK chart (before any of Duran Duran's own records had done so) and going Top 5 in the US. But as we now know, it wasn't going to last and by the time this Now album arrived, Limahl and the instrumental fabric of the band had gone their seperate ways, not to work together again until 2007. But more of that later.

Available on: White Feathers

Limahl 'Only For Love'

Chart peak: 16

YouTube

Four tracks in and we get the first song I hadn't heard before. Of course I know that Chris Hamill adopted an anagram of his surname for professional purposes. And I remember his other solo hit 'Never Ending Story' (which was from 1984, so obviously not to appear here). It's a somewhat smaller hit than you might expect; but then as it reached its peak position in mid-November perhaps the compilers were expecting a further climb.

Sometimes when you look up an unfamiliar song you find out it's one you've always known. That's not the case this time though - I really really didn't recognise this one, so I might have to watch it again to get a fair impression...
I realise this video is supposed to be be funny, but it's still impressive that Limahl's haircut isn't the most Eighties thing about it. You don't get the impression they were working with quite the same budget as Duran Duran, although they still managed a spy-related plot that doesn't make sense. Actually, on closer inspection it looks like he might be supposed to be an alien.

On repeated plays, this does prove itself to be quite catchy. But there's so little substance to it that it's difficult to care about it, or even to dislike it properly. Curious voice he has there.

Even though he only managed one more hit here, there's something oddly admirable about his tenacity in continuing to work, particularly in other parts of Europe.

Also appearing on: Now 4.
Available on: Very Best of Kajagoogoo and Limahl