The Passions
Encyclopedia
The Passions were a British
band
which formed in 1978, and disbanded in 1983. They were one-hit wonder
s with their misty song
, "I'm in Love with a German Film Star
". which was released in early 1981.
, The Passions' music
was grounded mainly in Barbara Gogan's voice
, and Clive Timperley's delicate echoplex
guitar
work. Before forming in 1978, most of the group's members had played in other groups. Timperley was formerly with the 101ers, whilst drummer Richard Williams and singer/guitarist Barbara Gogan were in the punk rock
outfit, The Derelicts
. The Passions' first single
, issued in March 1979, was "Needles and Pills", which assisted in gaining a recording contract
with Fiction Records
. The Passions were predominantly a guitar
band but they fitted in with the spirit of the times, being part New Romantic
s, and part "European grey".
Michael and Miranda, the band's debut album
was released in 1980. Singles "Hunted", and "Swimmer" followed, and then their major charting
song, "I'm in Love with a German Film Star". Before "Swimmer" was issued, Bidwell and Barker left the band, the former joining The Wall. David Agar took over duties on the bass guitar. The band's second album, 30,000 Feet Over China, was released in August 1981. It included previously released A-side
s and several brand new recordings
.
Clive Timperley left the band in Verona
in December 1981, during the Italian
leg of their prophetically named "Tour Till We Crack" tour, as a result of "serious political differences". The follow-up single release "Africa Mine" was recorded with a new line-up. Barbara Gogan explained the situation thus: "It's the same old story. Some bands play together for ten years and it's all very wonderful and imaginative. More often, though, you reach a point where you've done all you can do and you want to change. Whenever we've reached that point someone has always left and brought us a step further on. Any band playing their own songs to the public has a duty to change and keep being imaginative all the time".
Kevin Armstrong (a contributor to a Thomas Dolby
album), who had previously been with Local Heroes joined, and the group added a keyboard player, Jeff Smith, best known for his past work with Lene Lovich
. Armstrong and Smith took part in the recording of the band's third album, Sanctuary, which appeared in the autumn of 1982.
Stephen Wright, previously in the band Bim, joined in 1982, replacing Armstrong. The band toured Europe
and the US
, appeared on the Old Grey Whistle Test
on BBC 2
, and Whatever You Want on Channel 4
, but dissolved for good in the summer of 1983, after playing their last show
at London
's Marquee Club
on 12 August that year.
for "I'm in Love with a German Film Star
" were written by Barbara Gogan about a one time roadie for The Clash
and the Sex Pistols
, Steve Connelly, who had minor roles in several German films. It was produced
by Pete Wilson, who was the in house producer for Polydor Records
. According to Wilson "It was a song that almost seemed to write itself". The music weeklies declared the song 'Single of the Week' while it was named 'Peoples Choice' on Capital Radio
. This led to two Top of the Pops
appearances. The single peaked at #25 in the UK Singles Chart
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
which formed in 1978, and disbanded in 1983. They were one-hit wonder
One-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.-Characteristics:...
s with their misty song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
, "I'm in Love with a German Film Star
I'm in love with a German film star
"I'm in Love with a German Film Star" is a song by the British pop band The Passions. It was released as a single in 1981 and reached number twenty-five on the UK Singles Chart. It was the band's only single to reach the charts. Sam Taylor-Wood recorded a cover version which was released a single...
". which was released in early 1981.
Career
Based in Shepherds Bush, west LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, The Passions' music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
was grounded mainly in Barbara Gogan's voice
Human voice
The human voice consists of sound made by a human being using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, etc. Its frequency ranges from about 60 to 7000 Hz. The human voice is specifically that part of human sound production in which the vocal folds are the primary...
, and Clive Timperley's delicate echoplex
Delay (audio effect)
Delay is an audio effect which records an input signal to an audio storage medium, and then plays it back after a period of time. The delayed signal may either be played back multiple times, or played back into the recording again, to create the sound of a repeating, decaying echo.-Early delay...
guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
work. Before forming in 1978, most of the group's members had played in other groups. Timperley was formerly with the 101ers, whilst drummer Richard Williams and singer/guitarist Barbara Gogan were in the punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
outfit, The Derelicts
The Derelicts
The Derelicts were a London-based "Trotskyist R&B band" active from 1974–1976, well known on the London pub rock/squat rock circuit, consisting of Barbara Gogan, Richard Williams, Susan Gogan, and John Studholme, amongst others...
. The Passions' first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, issued in March 1979, was "Needles and Pills", which assisted in gaining a recording contract
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
with Fiction Records
Fiction Records
Fiction Records is a UK label founded by Chris Parry in 1978 that is best known for being the home of The Cure for over 20 years. Formerly independent, the label is now owned by Polydor, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.-History:...
. The Passions were predominantly a guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
band but they fitted in with the spirit of the times, being part New Romantic
New Romantic
New Romanticism , was a pop culture movement in the United Kingdom that began around 1979 and peaked around 1981. Developing in London nightclubs such as Billy's and The Blitz and spreading to other major cities in the UK, it was based around flamboyant, eccentric fashion and new wave music...
s, and part "European grey".
Michael and Miranda, the band's debut album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
was released in 1980. Singles "Hunted", and "Swimmer" followed, and then their major charting
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
song, "I'm in Love with a German Film Star". Before "Swimmer" was issued, Bidwell and Barker left the band, the former joining The Wall. David Agar took over duties on the bass guitar. The band's second album, 30,000 Feet Over China, was released in August 1981. It included previously released A-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
s and several brand new recordings
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
.
Clive Timperley left the band in Verona
Verona
Verona ; German Bern, Dietrichsbern or Welschbern) is a city in the Veneto, northern Italy, with approx. 265,000 inhabitants and one of the seven chef-lieus of the region. It is the second largest city municipality in the region and the third of North-Eastern Italy. The metropolitan area of Verona...
in December 1981, during the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
leg of their prophetically named "Tour Till We Crack" tour, as a result of "serious political differences". The follow-up single release "Africa Mine" was recorded with a new line-up. Barbara Gogan explained the situation thus: "It's the same old story. Some bands play together for ten years and it's all very wonderful and imaginative. More often, though, you reach a point where you've done all you can do and you want to change. Whenever we've reached that point someone has always left and brought us a step further on. Any band playing their own songs to the public has a duty to change and keep being imaginative all the time".
Kevin Armstrong (a contributor to a Thomas Dolby
Thomas Dolby
Thomas Dolby is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!", he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician.-Early life:Dolby was born in London, England, contrary to information in early 1980s...
album), who had previously been with Local Heroes joined, and the group added a keyboard player, Jeff Smith, best known for his past work with Lene Lovich
Lene Lovich
Lene Lovich is an American singer based in England, who first gained attention as part of the New Wave music scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Her most popular hit single was "Lucky Number", first released in 1979.-Early years:...
. Armstrong and Smith took part in the recording of the band's third album, Sanctuary, which appeared in the autumn of 1982.
Stephen Wright, previously in the band Bim, joined in 1982, replacing Armstrong. The band toured Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, appeared on the Old Grey Whistle Test
Old Grey Whistle Test
The Old Grey Whistle Test was an influential BBC2 television music show that ran from 1971 to 1987. It took over the BBC2 late night slot from "Disco Two", which had been running since January 1970, while continuing to feature non-chart music. It was devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers...
on BBC 2
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
, and Whatever You Want on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
, but dissolved for good in the summer of 1983, after playing their last show
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
at London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's Marquee Club
Marquee Club
The Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
on 12 August that year.
I'm in Love with a German Film Star
The lyricsLyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
for "I'm in Love with a German Film Star
I'm in love with a German film star
"I'm in Love with a German Film Star" is a song by the British pop band The Passions. It was released as a single in 1981 and reached number twenty-five on the UK Singles Chart. It was the band's only single to reach the charts. Sam Taylor-Wood recorded a cover version which was released a single...
" were written by Barbara Gogan about a one time roadie for The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
and the Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
, Steve Connelly, who had minor roles in several German films. It was produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
by Pete Wilson, who was the in house producer for Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
. According to Wilson "It was a song that almost seemed to write itself". The music weeklies declared the song 'Single of the Week' while it was named 'Peoples Choice' on Capital Radio
Capital Radio
Capital London is a London based radio station which launched on 16 October 1973 and is owned by Global Radio. On 3 January 2011 it formed part of the nine station Capital radio network.- Pre-launch :...
. This led to two Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
appearances. The single peaked at #25 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
Post Passions
- Gogan resurfaced in 1998, when she issued Made on Earth, an album she recorded with the experimentalistExperimentalist"Experimentalist" is a blanket term for all sorts of scientists engaged more in experimental activity than in the theoretical side of their sciences....
, Hector ZazouHector ZazouHector Zazou was a prolific French composer and record producer who worked with, produced, and collaborated with an international array of recording artists...
. - There have been several cover versionCover versionIn popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s of "I'm in Love with a German Film Star", including the Foo FightersFoo FightersFoo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
in 2005, Chris WhitleyChris WhitleyChristopher Becker Whitley was an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.Whitley changed his sound frequently, and achieved modest mainstream success while maintaining a small but devoted following...
in 2006, and a collaboration between Sam Taylor-WoodSam Taylor-WoodSamantha "Sam" Taylor-Wood OBE , born Samantha Taylor, is an English filmmaker, photographer, and visual artist. Her directorial feature film debut came in 2009 with Nowhere Boy, a film based on the childhood experiences of The Beatles songwriter and singer John Lennon...
and the Pet Shop BoysPet Shop BoysPet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
in October 2008. - "I'm in Love with a German Film Star" was re-released as a downloadUploading and downloadingIn computer networks, to download means to receive data to a local system from a remote system, or to initiate such a data transfer. Examples of a remote system from which a download might be performed include a webserver, FTP server, email server, or other similar systems...
, in December 2006. - In the first episode of the BBC TelevisionBBC TelevisionBBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
copPoliceThe police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
-dramaDramaDrama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
Ashes to AshesAshes to Ashes (TV series)Ashes to Ashes is a British science fiction and police procedural drama television series, serving as the sequel to Life on Mars.The series began airing on BBC One in February 2008. A second series began broadcasting in April 2009...
, when DI Alex Drake enters Luigi's restaurant, "I'm in Love with a German Film Star" is the backing trackBacking trackA backing track is an audio or MIDI recording that musicians play or sing along to in order to add parts to their music which would be impractical to perform live.-Uses:...
as she walks in slow motionSlow motionSlow motion is an effect in film-making whereby time appears to be slowed down. It was invented by the Austrian priest August Musger....
. - Thirty Thousand Feet Over China was re-issued on CDCompact DiscThe Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
with five bonus tracks on Cherry Red Records, on 21 July 2008. - Gogan and Wright are currently playing together as The Monarchs.
- Richard 'Rick' Williams appeared on the 'Identity Parade' on BBC TelevisionBBC TelevisionBBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
's programmeTelevision programA television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
, Never Mind the BuzzcocksNever Mind the BuzzcocksNever Mind the Buzzcocks is a comedy panel game television show with a pop music theme, currently without a permanent presenter. It stars Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding as team captains. The show is produced by Talkback Thames for the BBC, and is usually aired on BBC Two...
, on 7 February 2007.
Band members
- Barbara Gogan — guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals - Clive Timperley — guitar (up to 1981)
- Kevin Armstrong — guitar (from 1981 to 1982)
- Claire Bidwell — bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(up to 1980) - David Agar — bass guitar (from 1980)
- Richard Williams — drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Mitch Barker — vocals (up to 1980)
- Jeff Smith — keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(from 1981) - Stephen Wright — guitar (from 1982)
- Dack Dyde — Guitar/songwriting (up to 1980)
Singles
- 1979: "Needles and Pills" (Soho Records)
- 1979: "Hunted" (FictionFiction RecordsFiction Records is a UK label founded by Chris Parry in 1978 that is best known for being the home of The Cure for over 20 years. Formerly independent, the label is now owned by Polydor, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.-History:...
) - 1980: "Swimmer" (PolydorPolydor RecordsPolydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
) — reissued 1982 - 1981: "I'm in Love with a German Film StarI'm in love with a German film star"I'm in Love with a German Film Star" is a song by the British pop band The Passions. It was released as a single in 1981 and reached number twenty-five on the UK Singles Chart. It was the band's only single to reach the charts. Sam Taylor-Wood recorded a cover version which was released a single...
" (Polydor) — Number 25 (UK Singles ChartUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
) - 1981: "Skin Deep" (Polydor)
- 1982: "Africa Mine" (Polydor)
- 1982: "Jump for Joy" (Polydor)
- 1982: "Sanctuary" (Polydor)
- 2006: "I'm in Love with a German Film Star" (Polydor) (download only)
Albums
- 1980: Michael and Miranda (Fiction)
- 1981: Thirty Thousand Feet Over China (Polydor) — Number 92 (UK Albums ChartUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
) - 1982: Sanctuary (Polydor)
- 1985: Passion Plays (Polydor) — compilation albumCompilation albumA compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
- 2008: Thirty Thousand Feet Over China (Cherry Red)
Audio sample
See also
- List of dream pop artists
- List of post-punk bands
- List of performers on Top of the Pops
- List of Peel sessions
External links
- Official Passions website
- The Passions on MySpace
- [ The Passions biography] at Allmusic websiteWebsiteA website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...