I Believe in You (Talk Talk song)

Last updated
"I Believe in You"
Talk Talk I Believe in You 1988 single cover.jpg
Single by Talk Talk
from the album Spirit of Eden
B-side "John Cope"
ReleasedSeptember 1988 [1]
Length
  • 6:15 (album version)
  • 3:40 (edited version)
Label Parlophone
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Tim Friese-Greene
Talk Talk singles chronology
"I Don't Believe in You"
(1986)		"I Believe in You"
(1988)		"It's My Life"
(1990)

"I Believe in You" is a song by English band Talk Talk, released by Parlophone in 1988 as the only single from their fourth studio album Spirit of Eden . The song was written by Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene, and produced by Friese-Greene. "I Believe in You" peaked at number 85 in the UK Singles Chart.

Contents

Background

"I Believe in You" is an anti-heroin song. Speaking to Dutch magazine OOR in 1988, Hollis stated, "I've seen the misery that heroin can cause. I've known so many people who thought the stuff would never get hold of them and end up with a totally ruined life. I've seen what it takes to get rid of it. I think it's a horrible thing." [2]

Release

Talk Talk did not intend to release a single from Spirit of Eden, but after Parlophone expressed their wishes for a single, the band reconsidered and a radio edit of "I Believe in You" was released. Hollis expressed his disappointment in Parlophone's decision to release the song as a single, telling International Musician and Recording World in 1988, "They've basically just cut the beginning and end off the song. I think it's a shame. They've taken something which stood up on its own in the context of the album and pulled it out of context. It doesn't make sense to me." [3] He added to Q that the single existed "purely to help the record company promote the album". [4]

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Tim Pope and produced by Lisa Bryer for MGMM Studios. It was shot at Bell Studios in London and features Hollis sitting with his guitar and singing the lyrics. [5] Hollis soon expressed his regret over the video after it was shot. He told Q, "I really feel that was a massive mistake. I thought just by sitting there and listening and really thinking about what [the song] was about, I could get that in my eyes. But you cannot do it. It just feels stupid. It was depressing and I wish I'd never done it." [4] He added to International Musician and Recording World, "That song means so much to me that to sit there and mime to it just feels totally stupid. It just felt like I was being prostituted. Tim felt exactly the same, 'cos he cares about that sort of thing." [3]

Critical reception

Upon its release as a single, Peter Kane of Sounds felt that "I Believe in You" "makes for a genuinely moody and queer little 45". He stated, "Hollis has wandered about as far away from 'Life's What You Make It' as he could without falling off the edge. The result is interesting, as in, I'd like to hear more." He noted the unlikely commercial success of the single by adding that it was "the sound of a man seemingly hell-bent on ritual commercial suicide". [6] Andrew Hirst of the Huddersfield Daily Examiner praised it as a "ponderous, deeply atmospheric ballad", but also believed it had limited commercial appeal by commenting, "The band has drifted an age away from its original pop leanings and this dulcet delight is far too profound to grab a slice of the commercial cake." [7]

Caren Myers of Melody Maker described the song as "broody" and added, "This just kind of floats right through you, as the synths and the voice compete to see who can sound more evanescent and soothing." [8] Jerry Smith of Music Week commented, "Having moved well away from their original pop leanings, Talk Talk these days produce thoroughly irresistible, hauntingly atmospheric tracks and this one is beguilingly catchy." [9] Johnny Dee of Record Mirror was critical of the song, calling it "droning twaddle". He commented, "A band who crawl out of dank, sleepy hollows to record what they call 'artistic masterpieces'. The kind of guys who make Duran Duran sound like the Wonder Stuff." [10]

In 2017, Graeme Thomson of The Guardian included the song at number eight on a retrospective "10 of the best" list for the band. He praised it as "perhaps [their] saddest, most straightforwardly beautiful song" which is "suffused with a personal sense of unutterable waste". He noted how the song is "driven by a quietly insistent rhythm" and is the closest thing on Spirit of Eden to a "conventional song". He added that the single version was "unsatisfactorily truncated". [11]

Track listing

7–inch single (UK and Europe) [12] [13]

  1. "I Believe in You" (Edited version) – 3:40
  2. "John Cope" – 4:43

7–inch promotional single (UK and Canada) [14] [15]

  1. "I Believe in You" (Edit) – 3:40
  2. "I Believe in You" (Edit) – 3:40

12–inch single (UK and Europe) [16] [17]

  1. "I Believe in You" – 6:03
  2. "John Cope" – 4:43
  3. "Eden" (Edited version) – 4:23

CD single (UK) [18]

  1. "I Believe in You" – 6:03
  2. "John Cope" – 4:43
  3. "Eden" (Edited version) – 4:23

Charts

Chart (1988)Peak
position
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [19] 65
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [20] 43
UK Singles (OCC) [21] 85

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come Undone (Duran Duran song)</span> 1993 single by Duran Duran

"Come Undone" is a song by British band Duran Duran. It was released in March 1993 as the second single from the album Duran Duran . It is their 24th single overall. With their commercial and critical success reestablished by the previous single "Ordinary World", "Come Undone" continued to showcase more of the band's entry into the adult contemporary radio format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gravity (Embrace song)</span> 2004 single by Embrace

"Gravity" is a song by English rock band Embrace, released as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Out of Nothing (2004). Written by Coldplay, the song was first performed live by Coldplay in 2002. Ultimately, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin gave the song to Embrace, although Coldplay released their own version in 2005 as a B-side to their single "Talk". "Gravity" peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart and earned a silver sales certification from the British Phonographic Industry in October 2019. The B-side, "Wasted", started off as "Logical Love Song" and was originally conceived during the Drawn from Memory sessions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serious (Duran Duran song)</span> 1990 single by Duran Duran

"Serious" is a song by English new wave band Duran Duran. It was released on 5 November 1990 as the second single from their sixth studio album, Liberty (1990), reaching number three in Italy and number 48 in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Drugs Don't Work</span> 1997 single by the Verve

"The Drugs Don't Work" is a song by English rock band the Verve. The song was written by Richard Ashcroft and is featured on their third studio album, Urban Hymns (1997). It was released on 1 September 1997 as the second single from the album, debuting at number one on the UK Singles Chart. The beginning of the video shows the band walking down the street, following on from the end of "Bitter Sweet Symphony".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stereotypes (song)</span> 1996 single by Blur

"Stereotypes" is a song by English alternative rock band Blur and is the opening track to their fourth studio album, The Great Escape (1995). It was released on 12 February 1996 as the third single from that album, charting at number seven on the UK Singles Chart. It also became a minor hit in Australia, peaking at number 95 on the ARIA Singles Chart in June 1996. The accompanying UK B-sides—"The Man Who Left Himself", "Tame" and "Ludwig"—demonstrated a dramatic change in style for Blur, being stark and raw, foreshadowing the stylistic shift that would realize itself on their eponymous follow-up album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charmless Man</span> 1996 single by Blur

"Charmless Man" is a song by English alternative rock band Blur and is the fourth track on their fourth studio album, The Great Escape (1995). It was released on 29 April 1996 as the fourth and final single from that album, reaching number five on the UK Singles Chart and also charting in Australia, France, Iceland, and Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over)</span> 1990 single by Duran Duran

"Violence of Summer " is a song by English new wave band Duran Duran, the first single from their sixth studio album, Liberty (1990). Having finished the 1980s with the Decade singles compilation, Duran Duran found the 1990s a new challenge, in which success would initially elude them. The lukewarm success of "Violence of Summer" would shadow the band for the next few years until 1993's "Ordinary World" returned them to chart success. The single reached number two in Italy but fared poorly in other countries, reaching number 20 in the United Kingdom and number 64 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ordinary World (song)</span> 1992 single by Duran Duran

"Ordinary World" is the first single from Duran Duran's self-titled 1993 album, commonly known as The Wedding Album. The ballad reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Mainstream Top 40, the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart, and the Italian Singles Chart. It also peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 2 in Iceland and Sweden, and No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard III (song)</span> 1997 single by Supergrass

"Richard III" is a song by English rock band Supergrass. It was the second single to be released from In It for the Money, the band's second album. The single was preceded by "Going Out", which was released over a year before. "Richard III" was released in March 1997 and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart on 6 April, their highest placing since "Alright"/"Time" in 1995, which also peaked at number two. The song also reached number 21 in Iceland and number 30 in Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sun Hits the Sky</span> 1997 single by Supergrass

"Sun Hits the Sky" is a song by English rock band Supergrass. It was the third single from the band's second album In It for the Money. It was released in June 1997 and reached number 10 in the UK Singles Chart. The B-side, "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others", is a cover of the Smiths' song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Came</span> 1988 single by Kim Wilde

"You Came" is a song by English singer Kim Wilde from her sixth studio album, Close (1988). It was released on 4 July 1988 as the album's second single. The song was written by Wilde and Ricky Wilde, after the birth of his first child, Marty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drive On (song)</span> 1989 single by Brother Beyond

"Drive On" is a song by British pop music group Brother Beyond, released as the lead single from their second album, Trust, on 16 October 1989. It was their fifth consecutive hit to peak inside the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 39 in November 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Means Nothing</span> 2007 single by Stereophonics

"It Means Nothing" is a song by Welsh rock band Stereophonics from their sixth studio album, Pull the Pin (2007). The ballad was released as a single on 24 September 2007 and reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. B-side "Helter Skelter" is a cover version of the original song by the Beatles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Absolutely Fabulous (song)</span> 1994 single by Pet Shop Boys

"Absolutely Fabulous" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released as a single for 1994's Comic Relief under the artist name "Absolutely Fabulous"; it is based on the BBC sitcom of the same name created by Jennifer Saunders and features sound bites taken from the first series of the show. The single peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart and number seven on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. It was more successful in Oceania, debuting and peaking at number two in both Australia and New Zealand; in the former country, it is the band's highest-charting single, and in both, it was their last top-10 entry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Only One I Know</span> 1990 single by The Charlatans

"The Only One I Know" is the second single by English rock band the Charlatans. It was their first top-10 hit, reaching No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart. In the UK it was the highest-charting single from the Some Friendly album. Its best showing in the US was on the Modern Rock Chart, where it reached No. 5 in September 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why Believe in You</span> 1991 single by Texas

"Why Believe In You" is a song by Scottish band Texas, released as the lead single from their second studio album, Mothers Heaven (1991). It reach number 66 on the UK Singles Chart, number 33 in the Netherlands, and number 73 in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Harder I Try</span> 1988 single by Brother Beyond

"The Harder I Try" is a single by British boyband Brother Beyond. Written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, it was released on 18 July 1988 and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart the following month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give It Up (Talk Talk song)</span> 1986 song by Talk Talk

"Give It Up" is a song by English band Talk Talk, released by Parlophone in 1986 as the third single from their third studio album The Colour of Spring. The song was written by Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene, and produced by Friese-Greene. "Give It Up" peaked at number 59 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Word Is Out (song)</span> 1984 song by Jermaine Stewart

"The Word Is Out" is a song by American singer Jermaine Stewart, which was released in 1984 as the lead single from his debut studio album The Word Is Out. The song was written by Stewart, Julian Lindsay and Greg Craig, and produced by Peter Collins. "The Word Is Out" peaked at No. 41 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in March 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Believe in You</span> 1986 song by Talk Talk

"I Don't Believe in You" is a song by English band Talk Talk, released by Parlophone in 1986 as the fourth and final single from their third studio album The Colour of Spring. The song was written by Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene, and produced by Friese-Greene. "I Don't Believe in You" peaked at number 96 in the UK Singles Chart.

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Robin (24 September 1988). "News: Releases". Record Mirror . p. 6. ISSN   0144-5804.
  2. ↑ "Mark Hollis in de hof van Eden". OOR . 24 September 1988.
  3. 1 2 Smith, Andrew (November 1988). "Talk Talk talk". International Musician and Recording World .
  4. 1 2 Devoy, Adrian (October 1988). "Come on, market me". Q .
  5. ↑ "Video News: From GLO to MGMM" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 5, no. 36. 3 September 1988. p. 4. Retrieved 10 October 2022– via World Radio History.
  6. ↑ Kane, Peter (24 September 1988). "Singles". Sounds .
  7. ↑ Hirst, Andrew (15 October 1988). "Reviews: Singles". Huddersfield Daily Examiner . p. 14.
  8. ↑ Myers, Caren (24 September 1988). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 40.
  9. ↑ Smith, Jerry (1 October 1988). "A&R: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . p. 21. Retrieved 10 October 2022– via World Radio History.
  10. ↑ Dee, Johnny (24 September 1988). "Singles". Record Mirror . p. 37. ISSN   0144-5804.
  11. ↑ Thomson, Graeme (25 May 2017). "Talk Talk – 10 of the best". The Guardian . Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  12. ↑ I Believe in You (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Talk Talk. Parlophone. 1988. R 6189.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ I Believe in You (European 7-inch single sleeve). Talk Talk. Parlophone. 1988. 006-20 2895 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ I Believe in You (UK 7-inch single label). Talk Talk. Parlophone. 1988. RDJ 6189.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ I Believe in You (Canadian 7-inch single label). Talk Talk. Parlophone. 1988. SPRO 373.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ↑ I Believe in You (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Talk Talk. Parlophone. 1988. 12R 6189.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ↑ I Believe in You (European 12-inch single sleeve). Talk Talk. Parlophone. 1988. 060-20 2896 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ I Believe in You (UK CD single liner notes). Talk Talk. Parlophone. 1988. CDR 6189, 20 2896 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ↑ "Talk Talk – I Believe in You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  20. ↑ "Talk Talk – I Believe in You". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  21. ↑ "Talk Talk: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.