Mai Tai 'Body And Soul'

Chart Peak: 9

YouTube

The follow-up to 'History' gave Mai Tai their 2nd British Top 10 single of 1985 when it reached No. 9 in September.

Quick Youtube note: of the two TotP performances on there I chose the one introduced by John Peel and Janice Long rather than the one with Steve Wright and Mike Read. Well, you would wouldn't you? The sound quality's not great though, so feel free to check out this CD-sourced version if you prefer.

'History' seems to be the better-known song now, but it's 'Body and Soul' that I remember from the time. Mostly I remember hearing that lyric "I need your love tonight not just your hand to hold" and having an idea it was sort of rude but not really being old enough to understand. Listened to now, though, this obviously isn't as good a song as their previous hit. The production makes it sound awfully samey too. Not unpleasant to hear but it wouldn't have been a loss never to hear it either.

Also appearing on: Now 5
Available on: Mai Tai

Mai Tai 'History'

Chart Peak: 8

YouTube

It's difficult to agree with the YouTube commenter who says of this "I love these simple eighties' videos as they concentrated on the talent of the singer(s) more than the glitz and glamor of the visuals." There's even a computer in the first shot, and a bloke who, intentionally or not, looks a bit like a low-budget version of Prince in his 18th-century costume.

The record itself is clearly aiming for the same territory as Sister Sledge sometimes were, but despite the lack of big names involved it's much more effective - even if it carries no more wait, it's a much more convincing production and danceable enough to move you physically if not emotionally. The lyric may be acidic "Our love is history/Gonna burn the letters you been sending me" but the emphasis is clearly on the freedom of finally kicking the guy to the curb. Every bit of footage I've found of them performing this shows them having a whale of a time, and I'm not at all surprised.

Also appearing on: Now 6
Available on: Ultimate Woman