Wednesday, March 14, 2018

"Call Me" by Go West

Song#:  2342
Date:  06/01/1985
Debut:  94
Peak:  54
Weeks:  14
Genre:  Pop, Blue-Eyed Soul



Pop Bits:  This UK duo's first charting single, "We Close Our Eyes," just barely missed out on becoming their first Top 40 entry. It peaked at the dreaded #41 spot. However, it was a hit at Dance getting to #5. For a follow-up, this next track from their self-titled debut album was chosen. It spent nearly the same amount of weeks on the chart as their first single, but couldn't quite find its way into the top half of the Pop chart. It also didn't do as well at Dance only getting to #25. The track would be another good sized hit for them in their UK homeland getting to #12.

ReduxReview:  These guys knew how to write some slick pop and their tracks were always well-produced (by Gary Stevenson on their first two albums). Anyone who digs their first two singles should really check out their debut album. It's a bit of an underrated 80s gem that should have been a bigger hit Stateside (it got to #8 in the UK, #60 US). This one may not be a catchy or vibrant as "We Close Our Eyes," but it is still a quality track.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  This is an original song written by the Go West duo of Peter Cox and Richard Drummie. It shouldn't be confused with any other song titled "Call Me," several of which have reached the Pop chart. Perhaps the most famous "Call Me" is the 1980 hit by Blondie. Next in line would probably be the 60s pop standard of the same name first recorded by Petula Clark in 1965. Singer Chris Montez made a hit out of it in 1966 (#22 Pop/#2 AC). That song has been covered by many artists, but only Montez was able to get it on the Pop chart. Other "Call Me's" (all different songs) to reach the Pop chart have come from Aretha Franklin, Johnny Mathis, Dennis DeYoung, Skyy, Tweet, Le Click, and even a rap one by Too Short & Lil' Kim. Blondie's "Call Me" remains the only song by that name to reach the Top 10.

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3 comments:

  1. 7/10 for me as well. Also, I absolutely love that Beach Boys song. I own the 45 to that song that I got from a San Francisco record store in August of 2016. I firstly discovered that song when I was just 5 years old in 2005 thanks to the movie Herbie: Fully Loaded starring Lindsey Lohan. Just before she had problems. LOL

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    1. Ha! I'm old enough to remember seeing the original "Love Bug" movie in a theater! If you like the Beach Boys, I sure hope you have "Pet Sounds." It is one of my personal favorites of all time and one of the best albums ever made.

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    2. Actually I don't. But I own "Kokomo" and "California Girls", along with their greatest hits CD. Also, you should search up Wall of Voodoo's remake of their 1968 hit, "Do It Again". It never made the Billboard Hot 100, but Peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Charts, and No. 40 in Australia. I own the album to that version of the song, and I love it! The cover is in New Wave and Dance style. It's awesome, and the music video has Brian Wilson himself in the video!

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