Bucks Fizz (album)
Encyclopedia
Bucks Fizz is the debut album by British pop group Bucks Fizz
. Released in 1981, it features their Eurovision
-winning song "Making Your Mind Up
" as well as the two follow-up singles "Piece of the Action
" and "One of Those Nights
". The album was produced by Andy Hill
and released on RCA Records
.
and his partner Nichola Martin came up with a song that was to be entered into the Eurovision Song Contest
. Martin quickly set about bringing a group together to perform it. In January 1981, Bucks Fizz were formed from auditionees Bobby G
and Jay Aston
along with the already chosen Mike Nolan
and Cheryl Baker
. The song "Making Your Mind Up
" not only won the Contest, but went on to reach No.1 in the UK singles chart, as well as many other countries in Europe. This launched the group on a run of success that would last for much of the decade.
In May the follow-up single, also written and produced by Hill, was released. "Piece of the Action
" proved that Bucks Fizz were not one-hit wonders, despite the reputation of the Contest, and quickly became another worldwide hit. The record company, RCA
were keen to get an album out, and Bucks Fizz was released in late July 1981.
Recorded between promotional tours and a hectic schedule, the album featured ten pop
tracks, most of them quite different to "Making Your Mind Up", the song that had made their name. Of the remaining nine tracks, only "The Right Situation" mirrored the Eurovision winner in terms of structure and style. Other variations were the disco-styled "Took It to the Limit" and the funk-influenced "Shine On". Ballads were present in the form of "It's Got to Be Love", "One of Those Nights" and "Getting Kinda Lonely". The album was released in a glossy gatefold sleeve, depicting head and shoulders shots of the group both inside and outside. Produced and largely written by Hill, the album also became a success when it reached the UK top 20 the following month and was certified gold. A third single was released in August, the ballad "One of Those Nights
". This, like the others also reached the top 20 in the UK and secured Bucks Fizz as one of the top acts of the year.
No more singles were released from the album, although their next single "The Land of Make Believe" (released in November 1981) went to No.1 and revived the album in the early months of 1982, where it went as far as 39 in the charts and spent more weeks in the top 100 than it had originally done - eventually clocking up 28 in total. Outside of the UK, the album reached number 20 in New Zealand
and number 29 in Sweden
.
A year later, the group recorded the songs "It's Got to Be Love", "One of Those Nights", "Getting Kinda Lonely" and "Shine On" in Spanish for an album released in Latin America, while "Piece of the Action" and "One of Those Nights" were included on a compilation album released in North America, also in 1982.
The album was re-issued on Compact disc in 2004 with bonus tracks. In 2008, demos and early versions of tracks "Piece of the Action", "One of Those Nights", "Getting Kinda Lonely" and "The Right Situation" were included on The Lost Masters 2 - The Final Cut compilation.
gave the album three out of five stars and said; "I think Bucks Fizz are bunch of gutless wonders who can perhaps sing in tune but don't know the meaning of singing with emotion...[The album] is a big production job with slick session musicians, ten ready-made songs for them to warble, and yet the whole shebang still can't spark Bucks Fizz into action...Bucks Fizz could be good if they only learned to FEEL their songs", citing track "Shine On" as the only song to display any feeling. Short-lived music magazine Chart Songwords said in another three out of five review; "Whether they'll be in the public eye as long as Kim Wilde
or Duran Duran
, to name just two recently emerging stars, is difficult to decide, but on the strength of their debut LP, they have a fair chance", but also complained that some songs sounded like "sub Brotherhood of Man
, or even worse - Guys 'n' Dolls". Irish magazine RTE Guide
was more favourable by giving the album five out of five and said "Bucks Fizz is an excellent pop album. Of the seven non-single tracks, about four would easily make top-class single releases... Bucks Fizz is an instantly appealing album with some tracks registering immediately and other tracks growing on you".
At the time of release, the members of the group listed their favourite tracks on the album with Nolan favouring "Making Your Mind Up", Aston: "Piece of the Action", G: "One of Those Nights" and Baker: "Midnight Reservation". Baker herself has since stated that she didn't particularly like the tracks "One of Those Nights" and "The Right Situation", while all members (including Nolan) have been quoted as saying "Making Your Mind Up" was one of their weaker singles. While recording the album Baker said that they were aiming for various styles; "It's not 'Making Your Mind Up' mark I, II, III and IV".
Musicians
Production
Bucks Fizz (band)
Bucks Fizz are an English pop group who achieved success in the 1980s, most notably for winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up". The group was formed in January 1981 specifically for the contest and comprised four vocalists: Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and...
. Released in 1981, it features their Eurovision
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
-winning song "Making Your Mind Up
Making Your Mind Up
"Making Your Mind Up" is a song by British pop group Bucks Fizz. It was the winner of the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest and a UK Number-one single...
" as well as the two follow-up singles "Piece of the Action
Piece of the Action
Piece of the Action is the second single by pop group Bucks Fizz, the follow-up to the Eurovision-winning song "Making Your Mind Up". It was released in May 1981 and became a top 20 hit.- Overview :...
" and "One of Those Nights
One of Those Nights
"One of Those Nights" is a 1981 single by UK pop group Bucks Fizz. Written by Steve Glen, Mike Burns and Dave Most, it was the group's third single and their third UK top 20 hit.- Background :...
". The album was produced by Andy Hill
Andy Hill (composer)
Andy Hill is a British music producer and songwriter who scored many hits during the 1980s and 90s...
and released on RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
.
Overview
In late 1980, songwriter Andy HillAndy Hill (composer)
Andy Hill is a British music producer and songwriter who scored many hits during the 1980s and 90s...
and his partner Nichola Martin came up with a song that was to be entered into the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
. Martin quickly set about bringing a group together to perform it. In January 1981, Bucks Fizz were formed from auditionees Bobby G
Bobby G
Bobby G is a member of pop group Bucks Fizz. He was the only remaining original member in the group...
and Jay Aston
Jay Aston
Jay Hilda Aston is a singer, dancer, and occasional songwriter who was formerly with the British pop group, Bucks Fizz. She was the youngest member of the group's original line-up, being just 19 at the Eurovision Song Contest....
along with the already chosen Mike Nolan
Mike Nolan (singer)
Mike Nolan is a singer and was one of the four original members of the British pop group, Bucks Fizz. He was born in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, but raised in the UK, where he still resides.- Early career :...
and Cheryl Baker
Cheryl Baker
Cheryl Baker is an English television presenter and singer. She is most famous for being a member of 1980s pop group Bucks Fizz, and has performed for the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest twice, winning it the second time.-Early career:After leaving school and a series of secretarial jobs, Cheryl...
. The song "Making Your Mind Up
Making Your Mind Up
"Making Your Mind Up" is a song by British pop group Bucks Fizz. It was the winner of the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest and a UK Number-one single...
" not only won the Contest, but went on to reach No.1 in the UK singles chart, as well as many other countries in Europe. This launched the group on a run of success that would last for much of the decade.
In May the follow-up single, also written and produced by Hill, was released. "Piece of the Action
Piece of the Action
Piece of the Action is the second single by pop group Bucks Fizz, the follow-up to the Eurovision-winning song "Making Your Mind Up". It was released in May 1981 and became a top 20 hit.- Overview :...
" proved that Bucks Fizz were not one-hit wonders, despite the reputation of the Contest, and quickly became another worldwide hit. The record company, RCA
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
were keen to get an album out, and Bucks Fizz was released in late July 1981.
Recorded between promotional tours and a hectic schedule, the album featured ten pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
tracks, most of them quite different to "Making Your Mind Up", the song that had made their name. Of the remaining nine tracks, only "The Right Situation" mirrored the Eurovision winner in terms of structure and style. Other variations were the disco-styled "Took It to the Limit" and the funk-influenced "Shine On". Ballads were present in the form of "It's Got to Be Love", "One of Those Nights" and "Getting Kinda Lonely". The album was released in a glossy gatefold sleeve, depicting head and shoulders shots of the group both inside and outside. Produced and largely written by Hill, the album also became a success when it reached the UK top 20 the following month and was certified gold. A third single was released in August, the ballad "One of Those Nights
One of Those Nights
"One of Those Nights" is a 1981 single by UK pop group Bucks Fizz. Written by Steve Glen, Mike Burns and Dave Most, it was the group's third single and their third UK top 20 hit.- Background :...
". This, like the others also reached the top 20 in the UK and secured Bucks Fizz as one of the top acts of the year.
No more singles were released from the album, although their next single "The Land of Make Believe" (released in November 1981) went to No.1 and revived the album in the early months of 1982, where it went as far as 39 in the charts and spent more weeks in the top 100 than it had originally done - eventually clocking up 28 in total. Outside of the UK, the album reached number 20 in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and number 29 in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.
A year later, the group recorded the songs "It's Got to Be Love", "One of Those Nights", "Getting Kinda Lonely" and "Shine On" in Spanish for an album released in Latin America, while "Piece of the Action" and "One of Those Nights" were included on a compilation album released in North America, also in 1982.
The album was re-issued on Compact disc in 2004 with bonus tracks. In 2008, demos and early versions of tracks "Piece of the Action", "One of Those Nights", "Getting Kinda Lonely" and "The Right Situation" were included on The Lost Masters 2 - The Final Cut compilation.
Reviews and Reception
The Bucks Fizz album received average to good reviews from magazines. Record MirrorRecord Mirror
Record Mirror was a British weekly pop music newspaper, founded by Isadore Green and featured, news articles, interviews, record charts, record reviews, concert reviews, letters from readers and photographs. The paper became respected by both mainstream pop music fans and serious record collectors...
gave the album three out of five stars and said; "I think Bucks Fizz are bunch of gutless wonders who can perhaps sing in tune but don't know the meaning of singing with emotion...[The album] is a big production job with slick session musicians, ten ready-made songs for them to warble, and yet the whole shebang still can't spark Bucks Fizz into action...Bucks Fizz could be good if they only learned to FEEL their songs", citing track "Shine On" as the only song to display any feeling. Short-lived music magazine Chart Songwords said in another three out of five review; "Whether they'll be in the public eye as long as Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde is an English pop singer, author and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the number 2 UK Singles Chart new wave classic "Kids in America". In 1987 she had a major hit in the United States when her version of The Supremes' classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On"...
or Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
, to name just two recently emerging stars, is difficult to decide, but on the strength of their debut LP, they have a fair chance", but also complained that some songs sounded like "sub Brotherhood of Man
Brotherhood of Man
Brotherhood of Man are a British pop group who achieved success in the 1970s, most notably by winning the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with "Save Your Kisses for Me"....
, or even worse - Guys 'n' Dolls". Irish magazine RTE Guide
RTÉ Guide
The RTÉ Guide is a television and radio listings magazine in Ireland published by RTÉ Commercial Enterprises Ltd, a subsidiary of Raidió Teilifís Éireann....
was more favourable by giving the album five out of five and said "Bucks Fizz is an excellent pop album. Of the seven non-single tracks, about four would easily make top-class single releases... Bucks Fizz is an instantly appealing album with some tracks registering immediately and other tracks growing on you".
At the time of release, the members of the group listed their favourite tracks on the album with Nolan favouring "Making Your Mind Up", Aston: "Piece of the Action", G: "One of Those Nights" and Baker: "Midnight Reservation". Baker herself has since stated that she didn't particularly like the tracks "One of Those Nights" and "The Right Situation", while all members (including Nolan) have been quoted as saying "Making Your Mind Up" was one of their weaker singles. While recording the album Baker said that they were aiming for various styles; "It's not 'Making Your Mind Up' mark I, II, III and IV".
Original album
| # | |Side One | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Piece of the Action Piece of the Action Piece of the Action is the second single by pop group Bucks Fizz, the follow-up to the Eurovision-winning song "Making Your Mind Up". It was released in May 1981 and became a top 20 hit.- Overview :... " Writers: Andy Hill Andy Hill (composer) Andy Hill is a British music producer and songwriter who scored many hits during the 1980s and 90s... Producer: Andy Hill |
3:38 |
| 2. | "Midnight Reservation" Writers: Andy Hill / Pete Sinfield Producers: Andy Hill |
3:42 |
| 3. | "It's Got to Be Love" Writers: Andy Hill / A. Nicholas Producer: Andy Hill |
3:05 |
| 4. | "Took It To the Limit" Writer: Andy Hill / Nichola Martin Producer:Andy Hill |
3:48 |
| 5. | "One of Those Nights One of Those Nights "One of Those Nights" is a 1981 single by UK pop group Bucks Fizz. Written by Steve Glen, Mike Burns and Dave Most, it was the group's third single and their third UK top 20 hit.- Background :... " Writer: Steve Glen / Mike Burns / Dave Most Producers: Andy Hill |
4:26 |
| # | |Side Two | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Making Your Mind Up Making Your Mind Up "Making Your Mind Up" is a song by British pop group Bucks Fizz. It was the winner of the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest and a UK Number-one single... " Writers: Andy Hill / John Danter Producer: Andy Hill |
2:38 |
| 7. | "Lady of the Night" Writer: Nichola Martin Producer: Andy Hill |
3:38 |
| 8. | "Getting Kinda Lonely" Writer: Mike Burns / Robert Parr Producer: Andy Hill |
5:23 |
| 9. | "Shine On" Writers: Andy Hill / Nichola Martin Producer: Andy Hill |
3:45 |
| 10. | "The Right Situation" Writers: Andy Hill / Pete Sinfield / Buick Producer: Andy Hill |
3:23 |
2004 CD re-issue
Bonus tracks:| # | |Song title and credits | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 11. | "Don't Stop" Writers: Andy Hill / Nichola Martin Producer: Andy Hill |
4:06 |
| 12. | "Always Thinking of You" Writers: Andy Hill / Nichola Martin Producers: Andy Hill |
3:56 |
| 13. | "Noches Sin Ti" ("One of Those Nights" - Spanish version) Writers: Steve Glen / Mike Burns / Dave Most / Biddy & Mary McClusky Producer: Andy Hill |
4:26 |
| 14. | "Via Libre" ("One Way Love" - Spanish version) Writer: Andy Hill / Pete Sinfield / Biddy & Mary McClusky Producer: Andy Hill |
4:50 |
| 15. | "Eso Fue Ayer" ("Now Those Days Are Gone Now Those Days Are Gone "Now Those Days Are Gone" is a single by UK pop group Bucks Fizz. It became a UK top ten hit in June 1982 and featured on the group's album Are You Ready.- Background :... " - Spanish version) Writers: Andy Hill / Nichola Martin / Biddy & Mary McClusky Producer: Andy Hill |
3:33 |
| 16. | "Otra Noche" ("Another Night" - Spanish version) Writers: Andy Hill / Nichola Martin / Biddy & Mary McClusky Producer: Andy Hill |
3:39 |
| 17. | "El Mundo de Ilusion" ("The Land of Make Believe" - Spanish version) Writers: Andy Hill / Pete Sinfield / Biddy & Mary McClusky Producers: Andy Hill |
3:50 |
| 18. | "I Used to Love the Radio" Writers: Andy Hill Producer: David Motion |
3:25 |
| 19. | "Love in a World Gone Mad" Writer: Pete Sinfield / Billy Livesey Producer: David Motion |
3:58 |
| 20. | "Heart of Stone Heart of Stone (Bucks Fizz song) "Heart of Stone" is a song written by Andy Hill and Pete Sinfield for the band Bucks Fizz in 1988, and recorded by the band at Abbey Road Studios in London. It was to be later recorded and popularized by Cher in 1990.-Bucks Fizz version :... " (12" version) Writers: Andy Hill / Pete Sinfield Producer: Andy Hill |
4:29 |
Personnel
- Bobby GBobby GBobby G is a member of pop group Bucks Fizz. He was the only remaining original member in the group...
- lead vocals on "One of Those Nights" - Jay AstonJay AstonJay Hilda Aston is a singer, dancer, and occasional songwriter who was formerly with the British pop group, Bucks Fizz. She was the youngest member of the group's original line-up, being just 19 at the Eurovision Song Contest....
- lead vocals on "Getting Kinda Lonely" - Mike NolanMike Nolan (singer)Mike Nolan is a singer and was one of the four original members of the British pop group, Bucks Fizz. He was born in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, but raised in the UK, where he still resides.- Early career :...
- joint lead vocals on "It's Got to Be Love" - Cheryl BakerCheryl BakerCheryl Baker is an English television presenter and singer. She is most famous for being a member of 1980s pop group Bucks Fizz, and has performed for the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest twice, winning it the second time.-Early career:After leaving school and a series of secretarial jobs, Cheryl...
- joint lead vocals on "It's Got to Be Love"
Musicians
- Andy HillAndy Hill (composer)Andy Hill is a British music producer and songwriter who scored many hits during the 1980s and 90s...
- Producer, Keyboards, Bass, Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals - Graham BroadGraham BroadGraham Broad is an English drummer who has been playing professionally since the age of fifteen, after attending the Royal College of Music in 1970....
- Drums - Ian BairnsonIan BairnsonIan Bairnson is a Scottish musician, famous for being one of the core members of The Alan Parsons Project. He is a multi-instrumentalist, who has played saxophone and keyboards, although he is best known as a guitarist...
- Guitar, Bass - Mel CollinsMel CollinsMel Collins is a British saxophonist and flautist and session musician.He has worked in a wide variety of contexts ranging from R&B and blues rock to jazz, but is perhaps known for his work in progressive rock, as with King Crimson, Camel and the Alan Parsons Project.-Career:Collins has worked...
and Howey Casey - Saxophones - Nichola Martin - Backing vocals
- Alan Carvell - Backing vocals
- Shelley PrestonShelley PrestonShelley Preston , is a singer who is most famous for being the new girl when she joined pop group Bucks Fizz in June 1985.- Career :...
- additional vocals on "Heart of Stone" (bonus track)
Production
- John Hudson and Martin Webster - Engineers
- Recorded at Mayfair Studios and Morgan StudiosMorgan StudiosMorgan Studios, also known as Morgan Sound Studios, were recording studios in Willesden, North London. The studios were notable for many recordings of the 1960s and 1970s by many British bands and artists such as Ten Years After, Yes, The Kinks, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Joan Armatrading, Cat...
- Dean Murphy - Executive Producer of CD re-issue
- Brian Aris - Photography
- Rory Kee - Logo design
- Andrew Christian - Art direction
Chart performance
| Release date | Single title | UK Chart position | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| March 1981 | "Making Your Mind Up" | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 1981 | "Piece of the Action" | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 1981 | "One of Those Nights" | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Release date | Album title | UK Chart position | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 1981 | Bucks Fizz | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 2004 | Bucks Fizz (CD re-issue) | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||