Dig a Little Deeper: The Belinda Carlisle edition

Pop music is littered with artists that, for one reason or another, have been made victims by their own success. That is to say, there is a considerable cashe of acts who, despite having an amazing repertoire of tracks which really ought to attract the listeners' attention, have been eclipsed by one or two tracks which distract attention from the rest of their back catalogue. Today we at The Pop Web aim to begin correcting this injustice, and we're starting with none other than Saint Belinda of Carlisle*.

Belinda is, of course, is best known in the UK for her number 1 hit, Heaven Is A Place On Earth which was the first UK number 1 of 1988 (interestingly enough, she was succeeded by two other female solo artists who kick started their chart careers with number ones: Tiffany and a certain Miss Kylie Minogue). Prior to this, she was the lead singer of The GoGos who undoubtedly were influential in the fledgling New Wave movement of the 70s/early 80s didn't really set the charts alight here in the UK (although they did knock out two top ten albums over in the US, which is nothing to be sniffed at).

Heaven Is A Place On Earth kicked Belinda's solo career off spectactularly but it remains her only UK number 1. Which, if we're honest is a bit of a shame given the other quality tunes knocking around her discography. If we fast forward to the very next year (skirting around the thorny issue of the sadly "not great" I Get Weak) we come to "Circle In The Sand"



Frankly, any song which featured the lyric "shivers in the salty air" is probably deserving of a Grammy or three, but let's consider everything else this track brings to the table. Firstly, we have some extremely ropey "video screen" effects which we think were probably meant to look quite futuristic in the late 80s. Secondly, in what may or may not be an homage to Madonna she sings in front of a bit of wood which looks a little bit like a crucifix (but may just in fact be a bit of beach wreckage - we'll never know). Finally, at the end of the building, it becomes clear that someone has nipped down to habitat and dragged along a pine dining room chair upon which Belinda reclines and gazes wistfully out to sea.

Brilliant.

Joking aside, we're in danger of forgetting that Circle in the Sand is about a million miles away from the pop-rock immediateness of Heaven Is A Place On Earth. It's a subtle, understated ballad which demonstrates the range within the Carlisle/Rick Knowles songwriting partnership. But, if you want another healthy slice of pop-rock genuis, look no further than Belinda's "Runaway Horses" album which features this absolute gem:



Just take a few minutes to listen to that vocal and production. If ever you're down at your local HMV (or other top quality record-selling store, or indeed, if you're so inclined "online") pick up Runaway Horses. Is it the 80s answer to Sgt. Pepper's? No. Does it reinvent the pop wheel? Again, no. Is it a competent album featuring an extremely underrated vocalist at her performance peak? Yes. Particular highlights include "Summer Rain" which on the "heartbreaking" ballads scale, ranks at about a 7.8; the superb "Shades of Michaelangelo" (spotify link) and another pop-rock STOMPER in "We Want The Same Thing".

By 92, that seemed to have been about it for Belinda. The oft-walked line between "signature sound" and releasing "singles by the numbers" was well and truly crossed with "Live Your Life Be Free" which just lacked that sparkle which held the key to the success of Belinda's earlier higher-tempo shouty singles. "Live Your Life..." was the title track from an album which failed to produce a single top ten hit. The momentum seemed to have run out and it would have been far from surprising if that was the last we'd ever have heard from Belinda.

Then, in the summer of 1996, this happened



A simple, tender ballad which has Belinda deliver a beautiful vocal performance catapulted her back into the top ten. This in itself is unremarkable, except that it happened during a month in which The Fugees were dominating the UK music scene with their fantastic version of "Killing Me Softly", "Born Slippy" was poking around the top ten and, between them, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey had the diva thing well and truly covered. It's fair to say that there was quite a lot going on, so for a prima facie run of the mill ballad from someone who was really only remembered as singing that "Heaven and Earth" song to break the top 10 was no mean feat. And, best of all, this opened the door the follow up single which was the completely sublime "Always Breaking My Heart"



To be honest, any song which opens with the line "Is this what you want? Every finger points at me" has pretty much done its job there and then. "Always Breaking My Heart" is without a doubt one of the strongest singles in Belinda's back catalogue and certainly doesn't deserved to be eclipsed by (the admittedly bloody good) Heaven Is A Place On Earth. And herein lies the problem. Of course, Belinda probably isn't going to put out a press release any time soon saying

Dear everyone,


Please stop playing or listening to "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" as I'm a bit tired of the royalty checks and would like everyone to listen to the other great stuff I've done.


Thanks, 


Belinda

But nonetheless, it must be frustrating knowing that while everyone on Heart Fm or somesuch can only be bothered to delve into their "Number Ones of the 80s" CDs and nip outside for a smoke, they could just as easily take the opportunity to stick on "Always Breaking My Heart" or "We Want The Same Thing" and remind everyone that it's dangerous to fiddle with the radio when you're driving.

Sigh. Such is life, we suppose.

*We ought to note that Belinda Carlisle has not yet been canonized so we recognise that this title might be a bit premature. We'd very much appreciate it if Benedict could just get on with it, please.