Belinda Carlisle got the attention, but Jane Wiedlin was my Go-Go. "Rush Hour" was her one solo smash, cracking the Top 10 in 1988. Five years earlier, "Cool Places" was the lead single from Sparks' album 'Outer Space.' During the Go-Go's heyday, Jane's involvement helped propel this one to No. 49 on the Billboard Hot 100, Sparks' highest ever charting position for a single before or since. Even with Sparks here for a little legitimacy, I realize these two singles are fluff of the highest order. I just don't care. C'mon, go with it. A good time will be had.
Cool Places (Long Mix)
Rush Hour (Extended Remix)
13 comments:
Ah Jane (sighs)
I've got that 12" too. I'm sure it came with a poster. I got the pish severely ripped out of me for that purchase not least from the girlfriend at the time.
I've always considered myself to have a half decent working knowledge of the Sparks back catalogue, but after listening to Cool Places (which I'm pretty sure I've never heard before) I checked their album discography and realised that between 1982 and 1994 I must've been looking the other way. There's a run of 4 LPs that not only do I not know musically, but I don't even recognise the titles of. I'm amazed to learn that this single earned the band their best ever chart placing in the US.
The last couple of sentences of the first paragraph gave me a much needed laugh out loud moment - thanks Brian!
Wow, Drew, even the girlfriends, eh? That's emasculating.
Swede, Funny, we come to Sparks from completely different directions. That time period is in my wheelhouse. Angst in My Pants (1982) was my first Sparks album and still quite possibly my favorite. Like many bands that have hung around for decades, my guess is (and it really is only a guess) die-hard fans probably dislike the '80s output most. That's how it usually works.
I have just played Rush Hour (ca. 8.15 am). I have to report there was no dancing by me. ANd the dogs remained fast asleep whilst the song was being played. Let's see how we all get on with Cool Places........
Hi George. I wouldn't have pegged you as a fan, but the dogs? Shocking. I hope they got on better with Sparks.
Bought a 2nd hand copy of a Go Gos album the other day. Beauty and the Beat. Quite enjoying it.
Yeah Brian and she was the one at the Aztec Camera gig, that asked "who's Mick Jones" when he sauntered onto the stage at the Barrowlands.
That's the one to have, SA. Love the Terry Hall connection.
Drew, Ah, yes. I didn't connect those dots. She's now my least liked of your ex-girlfriends.
Rush Hour - TUNE! Guilty pleasure? No! Nothing to feel guilty about at all. I have to confess, I thought Jane was absolutley lovely as Joan Of Arc in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. By far the best thing about that movie and she never said a word!
Great to hear from you Robster. Hope all is well with you and your family in Wales. I saw that movie twice in the same day when it came out, and it wasn't because Fee Waybill made an appearance I assure you.
By coincidence have just watched an episode of Top of the Pops on BBC4, 25 August 1988, with this on it...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAxScPP7CUk
And she's looking good
Ah, that hit the spot, Adam. Thanks for sending along.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with liking The Go-Go's, they made some terrific pop records. The Beauty and the Beat album that Swiss mentions is an absolute blinder.
I suspect you need no such corroboration for Sparks.
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