Shame (The Motels song)

Last updated
"Shame"
The Motels Shame 1985 single cover.jpg
Single by The Motels
from the album Shock
B-side "Save the Last Dance for Love"
Released1985
Length4:04
Label Capitol
Songwriter(s) Martha Davis
Producer(s) Richie Zito
The Motels singles chronology
"In the Jungle"
(1984)		"Shame"
(1985)		"Shock"
(1985)
Music video
"Shame" on YouTube

"Shame" is a song by American new wave band The Motels, which was released in 1985 as the lead single from their fifth studio album Shock . The song was written by Martha Davis and produced by Richie Zito. "Shame" peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100. [1]

Contents

Background

Davis was inspired to write "Shame" by the affairs depicted on various soap operas. [2] Referring to the track in the liner notes of Anthologyland in 2000, Davis commented, "Anyone ever been an adulterer?" [3]

"Shame" provided the band with their fourth and final top 40 entry on the US Billboard Hot 100. Davis told the Chicago Tribune in 1985, "We have an album we're very proud of, and things started off really great. 'Shame' took off with amazing radio response the first two weeks. Then it got up to 21 on the charts and choked." [4]

Music video

The song's music video was directed by David Fincher and produced by Carol Stewart for the production company Z Street Films. [5] Davis' daughter Maria Paschell designed the costumes for her mother in the video. [6]

Davis originally expressed interest in working with director Michael Mann after seeing his 1983 film The Keep . After Mann proved unavailable, Davis' agent recommended Fincher instead. Davis recalled in 2011, "He came in with all these ideas, and it was all beautiful and I said we'll do it." Davis was also impressed by Fincher's directing of Rick Springfield's 1985 concert film The Beat of the Live Drum. [7]

Speaking of the video's premise, Davis said in 1985, "David had this fixation for billboards and he really wanted to use a live image in a billboard. I had this image about this poor, tired, sort of used woman. She's in this seedy motel room and the beautiful, nice twin is up on the billboard beckoning her to give up her shameful existence. She eventually does and off she goes into billboard land." [8]

The video achieved heavy rotation on MTV, [9] and topped the Cash Box Top 30 Music Videos chart for a single week in October 1985. [10] It was also nominated at the 1985 American Video Awards for "Best Pop Video" and "Best Performance, Female". [11]

Critical reception

On its release, Cash Box described "Shame" as "prime Motels material", noting the song's "moody hooks" and Davis' "sultry vocals". They added, "With subtle synth and guitar shadings filling in the spaces, the broken hearted lyric theme is delivered with passion and finesse." [12] Dave Sholin of the Gavin Report noted the lengthy gap between the band's last US single release and "Shame" but commented, "It's evident that Davis took the time to do it right. Zito highlights [her] composition with a strong arrangement." [13]

Track listing

7–inch single [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]

  1. "Shame" – 4:04
  2. "Save the Last Dance for Love" – 4:19

7–inch promotional single (US) [20]

  1. "Shame" – 4:04
  2. "Shame" – 4:04

12–inch single [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]

  1. "Shame" (Dance Mix) – 7:16
  2. "Save the Last Dance for Love" – 4:19
  3. "Shame" (Red Mix) – 5:24

12–inch single (New Zealand) [26]

  1. "Shame" (Extended Mix) – 7:16
  2. "Shame" – 4:04

12–inch promotional single (US) [27]

  1. "Shame" (Extended Mix) – 7:16
  2. "Shame" – 4:04

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the Shock LP inner sleeve notes and 12-inch single sleeve notes. [28] [21]

The Motels

Production

Charts

Chart (1985)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [29] 18
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [30] 25
US Billboard Hot 100 [1] 21
US Hot Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [31] 22
US Hot Dance/Disco Club Play ( Billboard ) [32] 14
US Top Rock Tracks ( Billboard ) [33] 10
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles [34] 25

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Policy of Truth</span> 1990 single by Depeche Mode

"Policy of Truth" is a song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode, released on 7 May 1990 as the third single from their seventh studio album, Violator (1990). It is the only Depeche Mode single to chart higher on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart than on the UK Singles Chart, and it became the band's second chart-topper on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nobody (Keith Sweat song)</span> 1996 single by Keith Sweat

"Nobody" is a song by American singer-songwriter Keith Sweat featuring Athena Cage from the band Kut Klose. The song spent three weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, it reached No. 9 in New Zealand, No. 10 in the Netherlands, No. 16 in Canada, and No. 22 in Australia. The music video for the single features a young Mekhi Phifer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Light Special</span> 1995 single by TLC

"Red Light Special" is a song by American vocal girl group TLC for their second studio album, CrazySexyCool (1994). Written and produced by Babyface, LaFace and Arista Records released the song as the second single from the album on February 21, 1995. The song found chart success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 chart and number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<i>Shock</i> (The Motels album) 1985 studio album by The Motels

Shock is the fifth studio album by new wave band the Motels. It was recorded during 1984 and 1985, and released in August 1985. It sold approximately 400,000 copies in the United States.

<i>Policy</i> (Martha Davis album) 1987 studio album by Martha Davis

Policy is the first solo studio album by Martha Davis, who is better known as the lead singer for the band The Motels. Martha broke up with her band in February 1987, declaring that she was going solo, and by November, she had released her first solo album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbeat Like a Drum</span> 1986 song by A Flock of Seagulls

"Heartbeat Like a Drum" is a song by English new wave band A Flock of Seagulls, released by Jive in 1986 as the second and final single from their fourth studio album Dream Come True. The song was written by Mike Score, Ali Score and Frank Maudsley, and produced by Mike Score and Wayne Brathwaite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Remember the Nights</span> 1983 song by the Motels

"Remember the Nights" is a song by American new wave band The Motels, which was released in 1983 as the second single from their fourth studio album Little Robbers. The song was written by Martha Davis and Scott Thurston, and produced by Val Garay. "Remember the Nights" peaked at number 36 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shock (The Motels song)</span> 1985 song by the Motels

"Shock" is a song by American new wave band The Motels, which was released in 1985 as the second single from their fifth studio album Shock. The song was written by Martha Davis and Scott Thurston, and produced by Richie Zito. "Shock" peaked at number 84 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whose Problem?</span> 1980 song by the Motels

"Whose Problem?" is a song by American new wave band The Motels, which was released in 1980 as the third and final single from their second studio album Careful. The song was written by Martha Davis and produced by Carter. "Whose Problem?" failed to chart in the US, but reached number 42 in the UK Singles Chart and number 43 in the Australian Kent Music Report chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danger (The Motels song)</span> 1980 song by the Motels

"Danger" is a song by American new wave band The Motels, which was released in 1980 as the second single from their second studio album Careful. The song was written by Martha Davis and Tim McGovern, and produced by Carter. "Danger" saw limited commercial success in the US, but generated more chart action in Australasia, peaking at number 88 in Australia and 30 in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forever Mine (song)</span> 1982 song by the Motels

"Forever Mine" is a song by American new wave band The Motels, which was released in 1982 as the third single from their third studio album All Four One. The song was written by Martha Davis and produced by Val Garay. "Forever Mine" peaked at number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take the L (song)</span> 1982 song by the Motels

"Take the L" is a song by American new wave band The Motels, which was released in 1982 as the second single from their third studio album All Four One. The song was written by Marty Jourard, Martha Davis and Carter, and produced by Val Garay. "Take the L" peaked at number 52 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Days Are OK</span> 1980 song by the Motels

"Days Are OK", also known as "Days Are OK (But the Nights Were Made for Love)", is a song by American new wave band The Motels, which was released in 1980 as the first single from their second studio album Careful. The song was written by Tim McGovern and produced by Carter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Tell Me the Time</span> 1987 song by Martha Davis

"Don't Tell Me the Time" is a song by American singer-songwriter Martha Davis, which was released in 1987 as the lead single from her debut solo studio album Policy. The song was written by Davis and produced by Richie Zito. "Don't Tell Me the Time" peaked at number 80 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 on the Australian Kent Music Report chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tell It to the Moon</span> 1987 song by Martha Davis

"Tell It to the Moon" is a song by American singer-songwriter Martha Davis, which was released in 1988 as the second single from her debut solo studio album Policy. The song was written by Diane Warren and produced by Richie Zito. "Tell It to the Moon" failed to chart in the US, but peaked at number 65 on the Australian Music Report chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shadows of Love (Wax song)</span> 1986 song by Wax (British band)

"Shadows of Love" is a song by new wave duo Wax, released by RCA in 1986 as the third single from their debut studio album Magnetic Heaven. The song was written by band members Andrew Gold and Graham Gouldman, and produced by Phil Thornalley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two Hearts (John Parr song)</span> 1986 song by John Parr

"Two Hearts" is a song by English singer and musician John Parr, released in 1986 as a single from the soundtrack of the 1986 American sports drama film American Anthem. The song, written and produced by Parr, was also included on Parr's second studio album Running the Endless Mile (1986).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downtown (Lloyd Cole song)</span> 1990 song by Lloyd Cole

"Downtown" is a song by English singer, songwriter and musician Lloyd Cole, released in 1990 as the third and final single from his self-titled studio album. The song was written by Cole and Blair Cowan, and produced by Cole, Fred Maher and Paul Hardiman. It failed to enter the UK Singles Chart but reached number 5 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song was included in the soundtrack of the 1990 American psychological thriller film Bad Influence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Bag (Lloyd Cole and the Commotions song)</span> 1987 song by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

"My Bag" is a song by British band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, released in 1987 as the lead single from their third and final studio album Mainstream (1987). The song was written by the band and produced by Ian Stanley. It peaked at number 46 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hanging on a Heart Attack</span> 1986 song by Device

"Hanging on a Heart Attack" is a song by American pop rock band Device, released in 1986 as the lead single from their only studio album 22B3. The song was written by Holly Knight and Mike Chapman, and was produced by Chapman. "Hanging on a Heart Attack" peaked at number 35 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

References

  1. 1 2 "Hot 100 Singles". Billboard . Vol. 97, no. 37. Billboard Publications, Inc. September 14, 1985. p. 48. ISSN   0006-2510.
  2. ↑ "Casey Kasem's American Top 40 – The 80's". Casey's Top 40. September 7, 1985. Retrieved June 6, 2022– via Internet Archive.
  3. ↑ Martha, Davis (2000). Anthologyland (CD). The Motels. US: Oglio Records. OGL81607-2.
  4. ↑ Popson, Tom (October 25, 1985). "Martha Davis and the Motels: Elusive dreams in a continuing pursuit of platinum". Chicago Tribune . p. 7F, 7G.
  5. ↑ "Video Track". Billboard . Vol. 97, no. 37. Billboard Publications, Inc. September 14, 1985. p. 49. ISSN   0006-2510.
  6. ↑ Goller, Elaine Cloud (September 7, 1985). "Songwriting personal for Motels' Martha Davis". Johnson City Press-Chronicle. p. 8.
  7. ↑ "The Motels' Martha Davis talks about releasing their lost album Apocalypso, David Fincher, and love scenes with nerds". The Golden Age of Music Video. August 12, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  8. ↑ The Motels (August 16, 1985). "The Motels" Video Press Kit (Video press kit). Audio Video Craft Post – via YouTube.
  9. ↑ "Video Music: MTV Programming". Billboard . Vol. 97, no. 37. Billboard Publications, Inc. September 28, 1985. p. 41. ISSN   0006-2510.
  10. ↑ "Top 30 Music Videos". Cash Box . Vol. 49, no. 17. October 5, 1985. p. 17. ISSN   0008-7289.
  11. ↑ "Video award nominees announced" . The San Bernardino County Sun. San Bernardino, California, U.S.A. Associated Press. October 30, 1985. p. B-9 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Single Releases". Cash Box . Vol. 49, no. 6. July 20, 1985. p. 11. ISSN   0008-7289.
  13. ↑ Sholin, Dave (July 20, 1985). "Dave Sholin's Personal Picks - Singles". Gavin Report . No. 1565. p. 11.
  14. ↑ Shame (US and Canada 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. B-5497.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ Shame (UK 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. CL 373.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ↑ Shame (European 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. 1A 006-20 0743 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ↑ Shame (Australia 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. CP 1551.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ Shame (South Africa 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. JCL 786.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ↑ Shame (Japan 7-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. ECS-17548.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ↑ Shame (US 7-inch promotional single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. P-B-5497.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. 1 2 Shame (UK 12-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. 12CL 373.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ↑ Shame (France 12-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. 1564556.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ Shame (Netherlands 12-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. 1A K060-20 0745 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ↑ Shame (Spain 12-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. 052-2007456.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ↑ Shame (Australia 12-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. ED-123.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ↑ Shame (New Zealand 12-inch single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. GOOD 77.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ↑ Shame (US 12-inch promotional single sleeve). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. SPRO-9436.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ↑ Shock (US vinyl LP inner sleeve notes). The Motels. Capitol Records. 1985. SJ-12378.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 209. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  30. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0579." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Hot Adult Contemporary". Billboard . Vol. 97, no. 38. Billboard Publications, Inc. October 5, 1985. p. 17. ISSN   0006-2510.
  32. ↑ "Hot Dance/Disco - Club Play". Billboard . Vol. 97, no. 39. Billboard Publications, Inc. October 12, 1985. p. 66. ISSN   0006-2510.
  33. ↑ "Top Rock Tracks". Billboard . Vol. 97, no. 35. Billboard Publications, Inc. August 31, 1985. p. 26. ISSN   0006-2510.
  34. ↑ Downey, Pat; Albert, George; Hoffman, Frank (1994). Cash Box Pop Singles Charts, 1950-1993 . Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, Inc. p.  240. ISBN   1563083167 . Retrieved June 6, 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.