Wednesday, March 01, 2023

Retro Video of the Week: "True" by Spandau Ballet

This coming Saturday will mark the 40th anniversary of the release of English new wavers Spandau Ballet's third studio album, True.  Though they had some success in their native UK with their first two albums, it was True that was their breakthrough album, both in the U.S. and more generally around the world.  It topped the UK album chart, went to #19 on the Billboard album chart, topped the album charts in The Netherlands and New Zealand, and reached the Top 10 on the album charts in five other countries.

The title track is one of those instantly recognizable early '80s new wave/New Romantic hits, with its jangly staccato guitar and "ha ha-ha haaa ha."  It became the band's biggest international hit and their signature song, hitting #1 on the UK, Canadian, and Irish pop charts, as well as the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Top 10 on the pop charts in nine other countries.  I always imagine teenagers in the mid '80s slow dancing to this at high school dances, and then I think about the fact that those kids are now nearly 60, which is terrifying. So thanks for that, Spandau Ballet.

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