I'm moving down the shelf a bit. I featured the Bardots and the Beautiful South recently, and the Beach Boys have gotten me into some trouble in the past. So, today we land on a seven piece that rose from the ashes of 2 Tone legends the Bodysnatchers. Well, as legendary as a band can be with nary an album and only a couple of singles to call their own. It's funny what strikes a chord with readers. I featured the Bodysnatchers six years ago, and it remains among the top 10 most viewed posts here at Linear Tracking Lives.
Anyway, the Belle Stars will probably be most remembered for their cover of "Iko Iko," a 1982 single that became a U.S. smash when it was rereleased in 1989 as part of the 'Rain Man' soundtrack. In the UK, however, today's song was their big hit. "Sign of the Times" peaked at No. 3. While it didn't have that kind of success here in America, the video received quite a bit of airplay on MTV, and that's how I discovered it. As I recall, all of the girls were wearing tuxedos in that one. To be honest, I never really got into the band beyond this one song, and the two records above illustrate the full extent of my fandom. As you can tell from these last two posts in this series, I was definitely attracted to a particular sound around 1983.
"Sign of the Times"
"Sign of the Times" (Remixed Extended 12" Version)
7 comments:
A great, great pop single. I've got a picture disc of their LP in a box, somewhere in this house. In common with many pic discs of the period, the sound quality is awful, but I've never been able to bring myself to get rid of it. This one really takes me back....
Swede,
I didn't really get into picture discs too much, but I do remember one for the first album that looked like a spinning wheel with all of their faces on it... and I loved anything with the Stiff label on it somewhere. I could see keeping something like that. You are so right about the sound quality of those things. I'll show you one I have had for more than 30 years when I get a little further into the Bs. Someone you love... but probably not the era.
Check out The Bodysnatchers' Peel Session on YouTube, Brian, shouldn't you have done that before: you will not be disappointed!
The Bodysnatchers were fun! A great sound. The Belle Stars…eh, for me. Prince's "Sign of the Times" was closer to me, and many years earlier, dare I date myself, Petula Clark. It's always good to hear a song though that pulls up many others. I'll have to check the 'Snatchers Peel, Dirk!
BTW I ordered 'C86. Maybe you guys are the real bodysnatchers…...
FFS Brian, as if the song isn't bad enough, Jo's been singing along! You've got a lot to answer for!
..........but I certainly looking forward to the "D" part of the series.........
Sorry, George. At least it's not Scritti Politti.
Kevinpat, Good man. You get the entire original C86 and two discs of songs that could have made the cut. A very well put together set.
Dirk, I have never had the pleasure of hearing that session, but you're the go-to guy on Peel. So, it must be great. Will check it out tonight.
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