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Waves (Blancmange song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Waves'" is a song by British synth-pop duo Blancmange, released in 1983 as the fourth and final single from their debut studio album 'Happy Families'. Written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Mike Howlett, "Waves" reached No. 19 in the UK and remained in the charts for nine weeks.
In a 2016 interview with 'M Magazine', Arthur recalled of writing the song: "I had a summer job where I had to sit in this caravan handing out concrete slabs to builders. Most of the day I did nothing. It was a glorious summer and I just sat and wrote "I've Seen the Word", "I Can't Explain", "Waves". They were so minimal but Stephen laid these lovely melodies over the top."
Critical reception
Upon release, 'Smash Hits' wrote: "After the brilliant "Living on the Ceiling", this is rotten. Neil Arthur puts on his Martin Fry tuxedo, dives head-first into the sea of strings... and drowns."Smash Hits magazine - Singles - 17 February 1983 - page 28 In a retrospective review of 'Happy Families', John Bergstrom of 'PopMatters' considered the song to be reminiscent of ABC and described it as "grandiose, orchestrated pop". Graeme Marsh of 'musicOMH' felt the song was "more serious sounding" and a "slower gem".
Track listing
;7" single
# "Waves" 4:10
# "Game Above My Head" 4:00
;12" single
# "Waves" 4:06
# "Business Steps" 4:27
# "Game Above My Head (Extended Version)" 7:15
;12" single (Australasian release)
# "Waves (Full Length Dance Version)" 8:34
# "Living on the Ceiling" 5:35
Chart performance
Personnel
;Blancmange
* Neil Arthur lead vocals, producer of "Game Above My Head"
* Stephen Luscombe keyboards, synthesizers, producer of "Game Above My Head" and "Business Steps"
;Additional personnel
* Madeline Bell, Stevie Lange backing vocals on "Waves"
* Bobby Collins - bass on "Game Above My Head"
* Mike Howlett - producer of "Waves"
* Linton Naiff - string arrangement on "Waves"
* Dennis Weinrich - remixing of "Waves"
* John Owen Williams - remixing of "Waves", producer of "Game Above My Head"
;Other
* Keith Breeden, Blancmange - sleeve design
* Helen Turner, Peter Ashworth - photography
References
Category:1983 songs
Category:1983 singles
Category:Blancmange (band) songs
Category:London Records singles
Category:Songs written by Neil Arthur
Category:Songs written by Stephen Luscombe
Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Howlett
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