The Lover Speaks

Last updated

The Lover Speaks
LoverSpeaks cvr.jpg
LP cover, photo by Matt Mahurin
Background information
OriginEngland
Genres New wave
Years active1985–1988
Labels A&M Records
Past members David Freeman
Joseph Hughes
Barry Gilbert

The Lover Speaks were an English new wave duo consisting of David Freeman (vocals) and Joseph Hughes (arranger, composer). They wrote and performed the original version of the song "No More 'I Love You's'", covered by Annie Lennox in 1995 for her Medusa album, and which she took to number 2 in the UK Singles Chart.

Contents

History

Freeman and Hughes formed The Lover Speaks in 1985, having previously worked together in the punk outfit The Flys. Deriving their name from the Roland Barthes' book A Lover's Discourse: Fragments , the duo began writing material and also recruited keyboard player Barry Gilbert after advertising for a keyboardist. Although Gilbert was not an official member of the group, he would record and tour with the duo. Later in 1985, the band sent a demo tape to Dave Stewart of Eurythmics and soon signed with Stewart's Anxious Music Publishing. Meanwhile, Stewart had forwarded the demo tape to Chrissie Hynde, who sent it to producer Jimmy Iovine. Iovine was successful in getting the band a recording contract with A&M Records in early 1986. [1] [2] John Warwicker, the art director for A&M at the time, recalled in 2022 that the signing of the Lover Speaks was met with "great excitement" by A&M, who "thought they had discovered the Walker Brothers of the 80s". [3]

In July 1986, the band released their debut single, "No More 'I Love You's'", [4] which peaked at No. 58 in the UK. [5] In August, the band's self-titled debut album, The Lover Speaks , was released. Produced by Iovine, and featuring contributions from Stewart, June Miles-Kingston and Nils Lofgren among others, the album was a commercial failure. In September, the album's second single, "Tremble Dancing", also failed to enter the charts. [6] The third and final single, "Every Lover's Sign", was released in October, [7] and in December peaked at No. 6 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. [8] Following the release of the album, the band opened for Eurythmics during the UK leg of their Revenge world tour. [9] [10]

In February 1987, the band released a cover of Dusty Springfield's "I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten" as a non-album single, but it failed to chart. [11] The duo, with their live band, had played the song on tour, [12] and although Stewart advised against recording it, he produced the song with the duo. [10] In the spring and summer of 1987, the band returned to the studio to record their second album, The Big Lie, with Iovine, Stewart and Daniel Lanois sharing production. [13] A&M Records declined to release it on the grounds that it was "too uncommercial" and, as Freeman later recalled, "too dark and heavy". [14] It was later unofficially released in 1997 as a limited promotional factory-pressed CD. [13]

"No More 'I Love You's'" was re-issued in March 1988, but failed to chart. In July that year, the band played at the Marquee Club in London, and also performed at the Reading Festival in August. [15] [16] The band were wound down by the end of 1988, although Music & Media reported in December 1989 that A&M Records, who were looking to restructure themselves for the new decade, were uncertain whether they would retain the Lover Speaks on their roster. [17] In 1996, Freeman independently released six solo albums, the material of which was recorded between 1985 and 1996. [18]

Collaborations

In late 1986, the band worked with Alison Moyet during sessions for her second studio album. The UK No. 2 album Raindancing was released in 1987 and largely produced by Iovine. Moyet and band had worked on three songs together, [10] although the Freeman/Hughes-penned "Sleep Like Breathing" was the only song to make the album. In September 1987, it was released as the fourth and final single from the album. [19] A duet between Moyet and Freeman, the song reached No. 80 in the UK. [20] The song "Take My Imagination to Bed", also written by the duo, was released as a B-Side on the 12" version of the UK Top 10 single "Weak in the Presence of Beauty" several months earlier. [21]

During the same period, the duo, along with Gilbert, also wrote the song "I Fall in Love Too Easily" for Kiki Dee. It was released on her 1987 album Angel Eyes , and released as a single in March 1987. [22] [23]

Discography

Albums

YearAlbumPeak positions
UK
US
1986 The Lover Speaks ——
1987The Big Lie [A] ——
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Notes

  • A ^ The Big Lie was shelved in 1987 but received a limited promotional CD release in 1997.

Singles

YearSinglePeak positionsAlbum
UK
[5] 		US Dance
[8]
1986"No More 'I Love You's'"58—The Lover Speaks
"Tremble Dancing"——
"Every Lover's Sign"—6
1987"I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten"——Non-album single
"Never to Forget You" (Australia only)——The Lover Speaks
1988"No More 'I Love You's'" (re-issue)——
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yazoo (band)</span> English synth-pop duo

Yazoo were an English synth-pop duo from Basildon, Essex, consisting of former Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke (keyboards) and Alison Moyet (vocals). The duo formed in late 1981 after Clarke responded to an advertisement Moyet placed in a British music magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alison Moyet</span> English singer

Geneviève Alison Jane Moyet, formerly known as Alf, is an English singer. Noted for her powerful bluesy contralto voice, she came to prominence as half of the synth-pop duo Yazoo, but has since mainly worked as a solo artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurythmics</span> British music duo

Eurythmics were a British pop duo formed in 1980, consisting of Scottish vocalist Annie Lennox and English musician and producer Dave Stewart. They were both previously in the Tourists, a band that broke up in 1980. They released their first studio album, In the Garden, in 1981 to little success, but achieved global acclaim with their second album, Sweet Dreams (1983). The title track became a worldwide hit, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart, and number one in Canada and the US Billboard Hot 100. Eurythmics went on to release a string of hit singles and albums, including "Love Is a Stranger", "There Must Be an Angel " and "Here Comes the Rain Again", before splitting in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)</span> English musician, songwriter and record producer (born 1952)

David Allan Stewart is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for Eurythmics, his successful professional partnership with Annie Lennox. Sometimes credited as David A. Stewart, he won Best British Producer at the 1986, 1987 and 1990 Brit Awards. Stewart was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020 and the duo were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. Outside of Eurythmics, Stewart has written and produced songs for artists such as Ringo Starr, Stevie Nicks, Mick Jagger and Tom Petty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)</span> 1983 single by Eurythmics

"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" is a song by British synth-pop duo Eurythmics. It was released as the fourth and final single from their second album of the same name in January 1983. It was their breakthrough hit, establishing the duo worldwide. It reached number two on the UK Singles Chart in March 1983, and number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 six months later; it was their first single released in the US.

<i>Alf</i> (album) 1984 studio album by Alison Moyet

Alf is the debut solo studio album by English singer Alison Moyet, released on 5 November 1984 by CBS Records. The album launched Moyet's solo career following the disbanding of synth-pop duo Yazoo. The album reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and features the singles "Love Resurrection", "All Cried Out", "Invisible" and "For You Only".

<i>Raindancing</i> 1987 studio album by Alison Moyet

Raindancing is the second solo studio album by English singer Alison Moyet, released on 6 April 1987 by CBS Records. It reached No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and features the singles "Is This Love?", "Weak in the Presence of Beauty", "Ordinary Girl" and "Sleep Like Breathing". In the United States, Raindancing was released by Columbia Records with a different cover art and a reordered track listing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Miracle of Love</span> 1986 single by Eurythmics

"The Miracle of Love" is an electropop ballad recorded by British duo Eurythmics. It was written by Eurythmics members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart and produced by Stewart. The track was released as the third single from the duo's sixth album Revenge in the UK. It was not released as a single in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shame (Eurythmics song)</span> 1987 single by Eurythmics

"Shame" is a song recorded by British pop music duo Eurythmics. It was written by band members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart and produced by Stewart. The song appears on the duo's sixth studio album Savage and was released as the second single in the UK. "Shame" was not released in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The King and Queen of America</span> 1990 single by Eurythmics

"The King and Queen of America" is a song recorded by pop music duo Eurythmics. It was written by group members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart and produced by Stewart with Jimmy Iovine. The track appears on their album We Too Are One and was released as the album's third UK single in January 1990.

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

"Angel" is a song by British pop duo Eurythmics from their seventh studio album, We Too Are One (1989). It was written by band members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart and produced by Stewart and Jimmy Iovine. The song was released as the album's fourth UK single on 23 April 1990, and would be the duo's final single for almost a decade. It was also released as the second single from the album in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Is This Love? (Alison Moyet song)</span> 1986 single by Alison Moyet

"Is This Love?" is a song by British singer-songwriter Alison Moyet, released in November 1986 as the first single from her second studio album Raindancing (1987). The song was written by Moyet and Dave Stewart, who used the pseudonym Jean Guiot for his involvement with the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weak in the Presence of Beauty (song)</span>

"Weak in the Presence of Beauty" is a song written by Michael Ward and Rob Clarke, and originally recorded by their band, Floy Joy. It was released in 1986 as the lead single from their album of the same name. In 1987, English singer Alison Moyet released a version of the song which was a hit across Europe and Australasia.

David Freeman is a British singer, musician and songwriter, best known for being a member of the new wave duo the Lover Speaks during the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ordinary Girl (Alison Moyet song)</span> 1987 single by Alison Moyet

"Ordinary Girl" is a song by English singer Alison Moyet, which was released in 1987 as the third single from her second studio album Raindancing. It was written by Moyet, Jess Bailey and Rick Driscoll, and produced by Jimmy Iovine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleep Like Breathing</span> 1987 single by Alison Moyet with David Freeman

"Sleep Like Breathing" is a song by English singer Alison Moyet with David Freeman, released on 21 September 1987 as the fourth and final single from her second studio album, Raindancing. The song was written by Freeman and Joseph Hughes, both of whom made up The Lover Speaks, and was produced by Jimmy Iovine, Freeman and Hughes.

John Michael McKenzie was a British bass guitarist who was a member of bands such as Global Village Trucking Company and Man. He played on numerous singles, notably for Eurythmics, The Pretenders and Alison Moyet; and was a touring musician with acts as diverse as Lionel Richie, Dr. John and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

<i>The Lover Speaks</i> (album) 1986 studio album by The Lover Speaks

The Lover Speaks is the self-titled debut studio album from British duo The Lover Speaks, released by A&M in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Every Lover's Sign</span> 1986 single by The Lover Speaks

"Every Lover's Sign" is a song by the British duo The Lover Speaks, released in 1986 as the third single from their self-titled debut album. It was written by David Freeman and Joseph Hughes, and produced by Jimmy Iovine and The Lover Speaks.

Joseph Hughes is a British bassist and songwriter, best known for being a member of the punk band the Flys and the new wave duo the Lover Speaks.

References

  1. ↑ Biography by Michael Sutton. "Lover Speaks | Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  2. ↑ "Seriously Purple Prose – The Official David Freeman and The Lover Speaks Site Updates". Soulsaw.com. 25 September 1957. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  3. ↑ "Pop Art – John Warwicker". Classic Pop. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  4. ↑ "The Lover Speaks – No More "I Love You's" / This Can't Go On – A&M – UK – AM 326". 45cat.com. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  5. 1 2 "LOVER SPEAKS". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  6. ↑ "The Lover Speaks – Tremble Dancing / Still Faking This Art of Love – A&M – UK – AM 347". 45cat.com. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  7. ↑ "The Lover Speaks – Every Lover's Sign / Every Lover's Sign (Dub Mix Edit) – A&M – UK – AM 361". 45cat.com. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  8. 1 2 "Lover Speaks – Chart history". Billboard.com. 13 December 1986. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  9. ↑ Eurythmics – Revenge Tour (30 June 2011). "Eurythmics – Revenge Tour – Ultimate Eurythmics". Eurythmics-ultimate.com. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  10. 1 2 3 "The Lover Speaks album is re-issued with extensive liner notes talking about Eurythmics, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart – Ultimate Eurythmics". Eurythmics-ultimate.com. 27 June 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  11. ↑ "The Lover Speaks – I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten / Never To Forget You – A&M – UK – AM 378". 45cat.com. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  12. ↑ "Images for The Lover Speaks - The Lover Speaks". Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  13. 1 2 "The Lover Speaks – The Big Lie (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  14. ↑ Turner, Andy (30 October 1997). "No more I.O.U.s" . Coventry Evening Telegraph . p. 18. Retrieved 27 November 2023– via British Newspaper Archive.
  15. ↑ "Reading Rock Festival 1988". Ukrockfestivals.com. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  16. ↑ "The Lover Speaks Tour Announcements 2020 & 2021, Notifications, Dates, Concerts & Tickets – Songkick". Songkick.com. 26 August 1988. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  17. ↑ Fielder, Hugh (9 December 1989). "New A&M boss will focus on international appeal" (PDF). Music & Media . p. 3. Retrieved 21 July 2021– via World Radio History.
  18. ↑ "Seriously Purple Prose – The Official David Freeman and The Lover Speaks Site". Soulsaw.com. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  19. ↑ "Alison Moyet – Sleep Like Breathing / Love Resurrection (Live) – CBS – UK – MOYET 4". 45cat.com. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  20. ↑ "ALISON MOYET | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  21. ↑ "Alison Moyet – Weak in the Presence of Beauty (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  22. ↑ "Kiki Dee - I Fall In Love Too Easily". 45cat.com.
  23. ↑ "Kiki Dee – Angel Eyes (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
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.