I Hear Talk (Bucks Fizz single)
Encyclopedia
"I Hear Talk" is a 1984 single by UK pop group Bucks Fizz
. It was written by Andy Hill
and Peter Sinfield
- the team responsible for the group's biggest hit in the UK, "The Land of Make Believe". It was also produced by Hill.
, their tour bus collided with road works and careened off the road and injured the members of the group as well their entourage. Member Mike Nolan
was badly injured and the group were inactive for several months. As a result of this, promotion for the single was minimal and the song failed to chart as highly as had been expected, reaching No.34 in the UK Charts, despite it being seen as one of their strongest ever songs by fans. Reviewing the single for Number One magazine
, pop group Bananarama
made positive comments about the song, saying that it had "something that their last few singles didn't". Member Cheryl Baker
has also commented that it is one of her favourite Bucks Fizz songs.
The song's lyrics centre on a man's jealousy within his relationship, after hearing rumours that his partner has been cheating on him. The lead vocalist for the song is member Bobby G
, while the middle 8 section is performed by Cheryl Baker alone. The B-side of the single, "Pulling Me Under" was written and performed solely by Bobby G, while an extra track on the 12" single, "Invisible" featured member Jay Aston
on lead. This latter song was a planned single for the group back in 1983, but was replaced at short notice by "London Town". It featured here in a remixed form, although the original was later released on the compilation, The Lost Masters in 2006. The song was co-written by Mike Batt
, the only song Bucks Fizz recorded of his.
The group had completed a promotional video
for the song before the accident, which was studio-bound and depicted the group walking around in a snowy location. Later, the group are seen performing the song against a black background. Bucks Fizz had also recorded a performance of the song for TV show Razzamatazz
on 11 December, the day of the coach crash, which was transmitted some weeks later. The single entered the charts in the last week of 1984, and rose to No.34 in January 1985. The single stayed at that position for three consecutive weeks, but failed to climb further. The second of these weeks saw TV show Top of the Pops
feature a clip of the video in its "breakers" section - which was the first-ever edition of this section, which ran for many years afterwards.
"I Hear Talk" in a slightly different mix, was featured on the group's album of the same name
, released a month earlier. A 12" version of the song was also released. The single cover featured the same photograph as the album, but against a white background rather than black. A limited-edition poster calendar
for 1985 was included as well. Over the next two years, the song became a popular Club
hit and featured on the Billboard Club Charts - the group's only American success. Due to this renewed interest in the song, another remix was featured on the group's 1986 album Writing on the Wall
.
The song was later covered and released as a single by girl-group Teen Dream, but failed to chart.
On 24 May 2010, The Original Bucks Fizz released a jazz-style reworking of "I Hear Talk" as their debut single. The song was performed on their 2009 tour in this style. The new arrangement was devised by Cheryl Baker's husband, Steve Stroud, who also plays bass on the track. A promotional video of the group performing on tour was also compiled for the release.
12" single
2010 download single
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...
. It was written 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 Peter Sinfield
Peter Sinfield
Peter John Sinfield is an English poet, lyricist and artist, most famously known as the lyricist and co-founding member of early incarnations of King Crimson, whose debut album In the Court of the Crimson King has been regarded as one of the most influential progressive rock albums ever...
- the team responsible for the group's biggest hit in the UK, "The Land of Make Believe". It was also produced by Hill.
Background
Released on 15 December 1984, the single coincided with a much-publicised coach crash the group experienced earlier in the week. While the group were returning from a gig in NewcastleNewcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, their tour bus collided with road works and careened off the road and injured the members of the group as well their entourage. Member 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 :...
was badly injured and the group were inactive for several months. As a result of this, promotion for the single was minimal and the song failed to chart as highly as had been expected, reaching No.34 in the UK Charts, despite it being seen as one of their strongest ever songs by fans. Reviewing the single for Number One magazine
Number One (magazine)
Number One was a British magazine dealing with pop music. It ran for nine years, mostly during the 1980s and was aimed at a mainly teenage market.- Overview :...
, pop group Bananarama
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
made positive comments about the song, saying that it had "something that their last few singles didn't". Member 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...
has also commented that it is one of her favourite Bucks Fizz songs.
The song's lyrics centre on a man's jealousy within his relationship, after hearing rumours that his partner has been cheating on him. The lead vocalist for the song is member Bobby G
Bobby G
Bobby G is a member of pop group Bucks Fizz. He was the only remaining original member in the group...
, while the middle 8 section is performed by Cheryl Baker alone. The B-side of the single, "Pulling Me Under" was written and performed solely by Bobby G, while an extra track on the 12" single, "Invisible" featured member 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....
on lead. This latter song was a planned single for the group back in 1983, but was replaced at short notice by "London Town". It featured here in a remixed form, although the original was later released on the compilation, The Lost Masters in 2006. The song was co-written by Mike Batt
Mike Batt
Michael Philip "Mike" Batt is a British songwriter, musician, producer and Deputy Chairman of the British Phonographic Industry...
, the only song Bucks Fizz recorded of his.
The group had completed a promotional video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the song before the accident, which was studio-bound and depicted the group walking around in a snowy location. Later, the group are seen performing the song against a black background. Bucks Fizz had also recorded a performance of the song for TV show Razzamatazz
Razzamatazz
Razzamatazz was a music based children's television programme which ran on ITV between 2 June 1981 and 2 January 1987.Singer Lisa Stansfield found fame as a presenter on Razzamatazz at the age of 16...
on 11 December, the day of the coach crash, which was transmitted some weeks later. The single entered the charts in the last week of 1984, and rose to No.34 in January 1985. The single stayed at that position for three consecutive weeks, but failed to climb further. The second of these weeks saw TV show Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
feature a clip of the video in its "breakers" section - which was the first-ever edition of this section, which ran for many years afterwards.
"I Hear Talk" in a slightly different mix, was featured on the group's album of the same name
I Hear Talk
I Hear Talk is an album by pop group Bucks Fizz. Released in 1984, this was the group's fourth studio album and featured the singles "Talking in Your Sleep", "Golden Days" and "I Hear Talk".- Overview :...
, released a month earlier. A 12" version of the song was also released. The single cover featured the same photograph as the album, but against a white background rather than black. A limited-edition poster calendar
Calendar
A calendar is a system of organizing days for social, religious, commercial, or administrative purposes. This is done by giving names to periods of time, typically days, weeks, months, and years. The name given to each day is known as a date. Periods in a calendar are usually, though not...
for 1985 was included as well. Over the next two years, the song became a popular Club
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
hit and featured on the Billboard Club Charts - the group's only American success. Due to this renewed interest in the song, another remix was featured on the group's 1986 album Writing on the Wall
Writing on the Wall
Writing on the Wall is an album by British pop group Bucks Fizz. It was released in 1986 and featured the comeback single "New Beginning ". It was the first album to feature member Shelley Preston and their only album released on Polydor Records...
.
The song was later covered and released as a single by girl-group Teen Dream, but failed to chart.
On 24 May 2010, The Original Bucks Fizz released a jazz-style reworking of "I Hear Talk" as their debut single. The song was performed on their 2009 tour in this style. The new arrangement was devised by Cheryl Baker's husband, Steve Stroud, who also plays bass on the track. A promotional video of the group performing on tour was also compiled for the release.
Track listing
7" single- "I Hear Talk" (Andy HillAndy Hill (composer)Andy Hill is a British music producer and songwriter who scored many hits during the 1980s and 90s...
/ Peter SinfieldPeter SinfieldPeter John Sinfield is an English poet, lyricist and artist, most famously known as the lyricist and co-founding member of early incarnations of King Crimson, whose debut album In the Court of the Crimson King has been regarded as one of the most influential progressive rock albums ever...
) (4.39) - "Pulling Me Under" (Bobby GBobby GBobby G is a member of pop group Bucks Fizz. He was the only remaining original member in the group...
) (4.15)
12" single
- "I Hear Talk (extended mix)" (Andy Hill / Peter Sinfield) (7.34)
- "Pulling Me Under" (Bobby G) (4.15)
- "Invisible" (Andy Hill / Mike BattMike BattMichael Philip "Mike" Batt is a British songwriter, musician, producer and Deputy Chairman of the British Phonographic Industry...
) (4.35)
2010 download single
- "I Hear Talk" (Live) (Andy Hill / Peter Sinfield) (3.47)
- "Everlasting Love" (Live) (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....
) (3.50)
Chart positions
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK | 34 |
| Ireland | 29 |