Nothing Less Than Brilliant (song)
Encyclopedia
"Nothing Less Than Brilliant" is the final single by British singer Sandie Shaw
, and the second single from her Hello Angel
album.
Shaw initially became a star in the 1960s when she scored eight Top 10 singles in the UK alone, including three Number Ones (a first for a female), and became the first British act to win the Eurovision Song Contest
. She had semi-retired from public life in the early 1970s when she became tired of the ways of the music business and its refusal to let her run her career the way she wanted. Although she had released a handful of non-commercial records since, she made a proper comeback in 1984 when Morrissey
and Johnny Marr
of The Smiths
persuaded her to cover their song "Hand in Glove
". More singles followed and in 1988 she released the Hello Angel
album.
"Nothing Less Than Brilliant" was remixed slightly and became the second and final single to be released from it. It was written by Shaw herself alongside Chris Andrews
, who had written the vast majority of her 1960s hits. Shaw had lost confidence in herself due to bad experiences with the music business in the past as well as the breakdown of her marriage to fashion designer Jeff Banks
and subsequent bankruptcy, and one of the reasons for her comeback was the realisation that she still had fans out there, including people she had influenced musically (including The Smiths
and Chrissie Hynde
, with whom she had also become friends). The song describes Shaw's portrayal of herself and others' portrayal of her. It later became the title of a 1994 compilation, and the single was re-issued as a result, and made Number 66 on the UK singles chart.
Sandie Shaw
Sandie Shaw is an English pop singer, who was one of the most successful British female singers of the 1960s. In 1967 she was the first UK act to win the Eurovision Song Contest...
, and the second single from her Hello Angel
Hello Angel
-Personnel:*Sandie Shaw - vocals*Kevin Armstrong - guitar*Danny Cummings - percussion*James Eller - bass*Deon Estus - bass*Reeves Gabrels - guitar*Chrissie Hynde - harmonica*Johnny Marr - guitar*Andy Rourke - bass*Tim Sanders - soprano saxophone...
album.
Shaw initially became a star in the 1960s when she scored eight Top 10 singles in the UK alone, including three Number Ones (a first for a female), and became the first British act to win the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
. She had semi-retired from public life in the early 1970s when she became tired of the ways of the music business and its refusal to let her run her career the way she wanted. Although she had released a handful of non-commercial records since, she made a proper comeback in 1984 when Morrissey
Morrissey
Steven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
and Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr is an English musician and songwriter. Marr rose to fame in the 1980s as the guitarist in The Smiths, with whom he formed a prolific songwriting partnership with Morrissey. Marr has been a member of Electronic, The The, and Modest Mouse...
of The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
persuaded her to cover their song "Hand in Glove
Hand in Glove
"Hand in Glove" is a song by the British alternative rock band The Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. It was released as the band's first single in May 1983 on independent record label Rough Trade Records. "Hand in Glove" peaked at number three on the UK Indie Chart,...
". More singles followed and in 1988 she released the Hello Angel
Hello Angel
-Personnel:*Sandie Shaw - vocals*Kevin Armstrong - guitar*Danny Cummings - percussion*James Eller - bass*Deon Estus - bass*Reeves Gabrels - guitar*Chrissie Hynde - harmonica*Johnny Marr - guitar*Andy Rourke - bass*Tim Sanders - soprano saxophone...
album.
"Nothing Less Than Brilliant" was remixed slightly and became the second and final single to be released from it. It was written by Shaw herself alongside Chris Andrews
Chris Andrews (singer)
Chris Andrews is a singer and successful songwriter whose musical career started in the 1960s.-Career:...
, who had written the vast majority of her 1960s hits. Shaw had lost confidence in herself due to bad experiences with the music business in the past as well as the breakdown of her marriage to fashion designer Jeff Banks
Jeff Banks
Jeff Banks CBE is a Welsh designer of men's and women's clothing, jewellery, and home furnishings. Born in Ebbw Vale, Wales, Banks co-founded the fashion chain Warehouse in the late 1970s...
and subsequent bankruptcy, and one of the reasons for her comeback was the realisation that she still had fans out there, including people she had influenced musically (including The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
and Chrissie Hynde
Chrissie Hynde
Christine Ellen "Chrissie" Hynde is an US musician best known as the leader of the rock/new wave band the Pretenders. She is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and has been the only constant member of the band throughout its history.-Early life and career:Hynde is the daughter of a part-time...
, with whom she had also become friends). The song describes Shaw's portrayal of herself and others' portrayal of her. It later became the title of a 1994 compilation, and the single was re-issued as a result, and made Number 66 on the UK singles chart.