Retrovision: The Beloved - The Sun Rising

This end of October is a perfect time for another flash back to out themed anniversary year, 1989. Beloved release one of their biggest and memorable singles to date, "The Sun Rising" which reached number 26 on the UK charts. In 1997 the song was reissued in several remix versions.

Retrovision: The Ocean Blue- Between Something and Nothing

Best of 1989- The Album List

Let's step back into 1989 and celebrate its 30th anniversary, a year that served as both the culmination of the '80s decade and a precursor to the changes that would define the '90s. It's renowned as a year of revolutions, witnessing sweeping changes in Eastern Bloc countries in Europe, and a year of technological innovations with the introduction of the first commercial internet services.

Musically, the charts were still under the influence of Stock-Aitken-Waterman hits, which also welcomed Donna Summer into their hits factory. However, the latter part of 1989 saw the emergence of new sounds. House music, spearheaded by acts like Inner City and S'Express, gained prominence, while Italo disco evolved into the Euro dance genre. While 1989 may be chronologically associated with the '80s, it undeniably encapsulated the spirit of the impending '90s, with music styles that would reach their peaks in the following decade and beyond.

Retrovision: Jesus Loves You- After The Love Has Gone

"After The Love Has Gone" was the first single release for Jesus Loves You which Boy George formed after Culture Club and his solo releases when he wanted to explore new musical styles. He released few more singles in the early 90's and the album 'The Martyr Mantras'.

Retrovision: Bel Canto - Birds of Passage

"Birds of Passage" was the third single release for the Norwegian multi instrumental dream pop trio Bel Canto and was taken from their second album of the same name. The single was released in Canada in 1989 and in some of the European countries in 1990.

 

Retrovision: Marc Almond & Gene Pitney - Something`s Gotten Hold Of My Heart

In parallel to the ongoing year, we are also celebrating some of the biggest hits from 1989, celebrating their 30 years anniversaries. Here is the first to start with. One of the finest music "accidents" and the cover than even outgrew the.

original and stayed on the top of the UK charts through out most of the February 1989.

 

80' Duets: The The & Sinead O'Connor- Kingdom of Rain

The English group The The was involved in many various musical projects and have recorded many duets during their existence. Collaborators and contributors list includes among others: Thomas Leer, Neneh Cherry, Marc Almond, Anna Domino, Lloyd Cole and many more. Their song "Kingdom of Rain" which features Sinead O' Connor on vocals was taken from the album 'Mind Bomb' and it was released in 1989.

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R.E.M.- Pop Song 89

"Pop Song 89" was a third single from the album 'Green' released in 1989. The video was shot in black and white and featured the singer Michael Stipe and topless girls dancing in the background. MTV asked Stipe, who directed it himself, to censor the three topless women with whom he was dancing in the video. Instead, Stipe superimposed black bars on the chests of all four dancers, himself included, and stated, "a nipple is a nipple."

Instant Hit: Martin L Gore-Smile In The Crowd

"Smile in The Crowd" is a song which was written by Vinnie Reilly and originally performed by the The Durutti Column. This song and few other great cover versions appeared on Martin L. Gore's 'Counterfeit' EP which was released in 1989. 'Counterfeit' was released on several record labels in Europe and was reissued in 2003.

Instant Hit: Paul Haig- Something Good

"Something Good" was released as the single in 1989 and it was the lead track from the album Chain released during the same year. Paul Haig financed the recordings himself hoping for a release by Les Disques Du Crepuscule but when Crepuscule dissolved, it was released on Virgin subsidiary Circa. The single was co-produced by Alan Rankine from The Associates and the sleeve included the small Angus McBean portrait of Audrey Hepburn. Even today this remains as one of the most remarkable and memorable Paul Haig songs.