Monday, June 7, 2021

"Love Changes (Everything)" by Climie Fisher

Song#:  3517
Date:  05/14/1988
Debut:  92
Peak:  23
Weeks:  18
Genre:  Pop


Pop Bits:  This British duo consisted of Simon Climie and Rob Fisher, hence the name Climie Fisher. The pair met while doing session work at Abbey Road Studios. Climie was a singer/songwriter who had penned tunes for other artists including two songs that became hits; "Invincible" (#10) by Pat Benatar and "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (#1) by Aretha Franklin and George Michael. Rob Fisher was one-half of another duo, Naked Eyes. They scored four Top 40 hits in '83/'84 including the #8 "Always Something There to Remind Me." With both artists having success, it seemed probable that together they would do well, so they joined forces and gave it a go. They were signed to EMI and in '86 they tested the waters with the UK single "This Is Me." It didn't chart. Undeterred, they pushed forward and nearly a year later released "Love Changes (Everything)." It scrapped the UK chart at #67. It was an improvement and they continued to work on a debut album. They would finally break through in a bigger way with a remix of the album track "Rise to the Occasion." It would reach #10 in the UK. That led to "Love Changes (Everything)" getting a new mix and re-release. On its second go-around, it became the duo's biggest hit reaching #2 in the UK. A deal for US distribution was quickly struck and the single pushed out. It didn't do quite as well, but was able to reach the Pop Top 30 while getting to #12 AC and #16 Dance. Unfortunately, it would end up being their only single to reach the US Pop chart. The album was a minor seller that got to #120. It did far better in the UK reaching #14.

ReduxReview:  What I remember about this song is that some folks thought this was a new pop single from Rod Stewart. You have to admit, Climie's voice does recall the rock legend. I actually think this song would have fit Stewart well. If he bumped it up with a more rock-oriented arrangement, I think he would have had a Top 10 hit. Regardless, the track was a really nice pop tune. It was well-written and it got a nice 80s production. I pegged this to go Top 10, so was surprised when it didn't even crack the Top 20. I think I bought a promo copy of the album at the local used record shop. There wasn't anything else on it quite as hooky and memorable as this song, but it was a pleasant listen. However, they might have missed out on a hit. The duo wrote the album track "Room to Move" with Dennis Morgan. It would later be remade by Animotion and released as a single in '89. It would get to #9.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  The duo would release a second LP in '89 titled Coming In for the Kill, but it wasn't as successful. In the UK, it would spawn three minor charting singles and only get to #35 on the chart. It was totally ignored in the US. With that result, they split up. Climie would release a solo album in '92, but it didn't get anywhere. He would continue to write and produce for other artists including Eric Clapton and Michael McDonald. Along the way he would collect two Grammys as co-producer for Clapton's 2000 album with B.B. King Riding with the King (Best Traditional Blues Album) and for Clapton's 2006 collaboration with J.J. Cale The Road to Escondido (Best Contemporary Blues Album). Fisher would also retreat to the background and collaborate with other artists as well. He would co-write Rick Astley's final US Top 10 hit, 1991's "Cry for Help." Sadly, Fisher died in 1999 after having surgery for bowel cancer.

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