Curiosity Killed the Cat were a British pop band formed in London in 1984, comprising singer Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, guitarist Julian Godfrey Brookhouse, bassist Nick Thorpe and drummer Migi Drummond. The band achieved success in the UK in the late 1980s, with their debut album Keep Your Distance reaching No. 1 in 1987 and producing three top 20 hit singles in "Down to Earth", "Misfit" and "Ordinary Day". This was followed by Getahead in 1989, with another UK top 20 single "Name and Number". In 1991, Thorpe left the band, with the remaining three members continuing under the shortened name Curiosity for their third and final album, 1994's Back to Front, which included the UK top 5 single "Hang On in There Baby". The band split in 1994 although there have been occasional temporary reunions.
"The Power of Love" is a 1984 single released by British band Frankie Goes to Hollywood which was written by Holly Johnson, Peter Gill, Mark O'Toole and Brian Nash. It was released on 19 November 1984 as the third single single from the album Welcome to the Pleasuredome (1984).
"Wild World" is a song written and recorded by English singer-songwriter Cat Stevens. It first appeared on his fourth album, Tea for the Tillerman (1970). Released as a single in September 1970 by Island Records and A&M Records, "Wild World" saw significant commercial success, garnering attention for its themes of love and heartbreak, and has been covered numerous times since its release. Maxi Priest and Mr. Big had successful cover versions of the song.
"Living on My Own" is a song written and performed by British singer-songwriter Freddie Mercury, originally included on his first solo album, Mr. Bad Guy (1985). It was released as a single on 2nd September 1985 by CBS in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 50. The July 1985 release in the United States had "She Blows Hot and Cold" as its B-side. Eight years later, in 1993, "Living on My Own" was remixed by Belgian producers No More Brothers and re-released to widespread chart success. The song's lyrics reflect Mercury's longstanding admiration for Greta Garbo, whose quotations are featured prominently in the lyrics. The accompanying music video was directed by Hannes Rossacher and Rudi Dolezal, and features footage of Mercury's 39th birthday celebration at a nightclub in Munich, West Germany.
"Nathan Jones" is a song by American girl group the Supremes from their twenty-third studio album, Touch (1971). It was released on April 15, 1971, as the album's lead single. Produced by Frank Wilson and written by Kathy Wakefield and Leonard Caston, "Nathan Jones" was one of eight top-40 entries the Supremes recorded after its original frontwoman, Diana Ross, left the group for a solo career.
"Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" is a song by American hip hop trio De La Soul, released in May 1991 by Tommy Boy Records as the lead single from their second album, De La Soul Is Dead (1991). It is a party jam about overzealous fans who pursue the group with demo tapes in their efforts to obtain an endorsement from the group. The song was inspired by one overzealous fan in particular, Breakestra frontman Miles Tackett, who was shopping demo tapes to the group (note "demo tapes by the miles" in the song's subtitle). It was very successful on the charts in Europe, reaching number one in Finland, Greece and Switzerland, as well as on the UK Dance chart. Additionally, the song was a top-10 hit also in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the UK. Its music video was directed by Mark Romanek.
The Solo Collection is a compilation box set detailing the solo career of Freddie Mercury; it includes the material Mercury recorded before joining up with Queen, up through the 1993 No More Brothers remixes. Mercury's two studio albums are included, along with various single edits and non-album singles, B-sides, remixes, instrumentals, collaborations, a large number of demo recordings and a set of interviews conducted by David Wigg. Also included are two DVDs: a collection of Mercury's promotional music videos, and a documentary covering his life.
"Dinner with Gershwin" is a song written by Brenda Russell and recorded by American singer-songwriter Donna Summer. The song was produced by Russell and Richard Perry. It was released on August 7, 1987 as the lead single from her 13th studio album All Systems Go (1987) by Geffen Records.
"Name and Number" is a song by English band Curiosity Killed the Cat. Released as a single on 4 September 1989, the song peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart.
"First Time" is a song by American singer Robin Beck from her second album, Trouble or Nothin' (1989). The song was released as a single in July 1988 and was originally recorded for a Coca-Cola commercial in 1987. In the United Kingdom, the power ballad climbed to No. 1 and spent three weeks there in November and December 1988, spending 14 weeks on the UK Singles Chart in total. The song additionally reached number one in Austria, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and West Germany. Despite being also released as a single in the US and critically praised by Billboard, it failed to chart due to business political differences between Mercury Records and Coca-Cola wanting to promote either First Time or Save Up All Your Tears, according to Beck's interview with Rock Eyez in 2009.
"In My Defence" is a song performed by Queen lead vocalist Freddie Mercury. It was from the 1986 musical Time by Dave Clark and featured on the Time concept album. The song was not a hit during Mercury's lifetime but was released posthumously in November 1992, reaching number eight on the UK Singles Chart.
"Hang On in There Baby" is a song written by American musician Johnny Bristol and arranged by H. B. Barnum as the title track from his first album. It was released as his debut solo single in 1974, reaching No. 8 on the U.S. Hot 100 and No. 2 on the U.S. R&B chart. In the UK, it reached No. 3.
"Love Changes (Everything)" is a 1987 single by British pop duo Climie Fisher that gained international success after a re-release in 1988. The song was later covered and released by house music duo Musikk. Songwriters Simon Climie, Dennis Morgan and Rob Fisher received the 1988 Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.
"Love Kills" is a 1984 song by Freddie Mercury, and his first song released as a solo artist, though the other members of Queen appeared on the song - initially uncredited.
"On Fire" is a song recorded by Lisa Stansfield's band, Blue Zone for their 1988 album, Big Thing. It was written by Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, and produced by Paul Staveley O'Duffy and Blue Zone. "On Fire" was released as the first European single on 26 October 1987.
"We Own the Night" is a song by British-Irish boy band The Wanted, released as the fourth single from their third studio album, Word of Mouth (2013). The single was released by Mercury Records on 11 August 2013, with an impact date of 1 September 2013. The song was written and produced by Nasri and Adam Messinger of The Messengers along with Sir Nolan.
Messenger of the Gods: The Singles is a compilation album of Freddie Mercury's singles. It was released three days before what would have been Mercury's 70th birthday.
"Misfit" is the debut single by English band Curiosity Killed the Cat, originally released in August 1986. The song was not particularly successful and only reached number 76 on the UK Singles Chart. However, the following year, after the success of "Down to Earth" and "Ordinary Day", "Misfit" was re-released in June 1987, upon which it was much more successful, peaking at number 7 in the UK.
"Ordinary Day" is a song by English band Curiosity Killed the Cat, released in March 1987 by Mercury Records as the third single from their debut album Keep Your Distance. It peaked at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Dear John" is a song by Scottish band Love and Money, released in 1986 as the second single from their debut studio album All You Need Is.... The song was written by James Grant and produced by Tom Dowd.
