Episode 34
 
When Synth-Pop Ruled Britannia
An exploration of synth-pop that was popular in the UK.
Playlist
Space, “Magic Fly” (1977 United Artists). French group led by Didier Marouani (aka Ecama) and Roland Romanelli. Flirted with electronic disco music. 4:18
Giorgio Moroder, “The Chase” (1978 Casablanca). Big synths programmed and played by Moroder. Produced in Germany. An extended play “Casablanca Disco Single.” 13:08
The Normal, “Warm Leatherette” (1978Mute). UK artist Daniel Miller. 3:21
Vice Versa, “New Girls Neutrons” (1979 Neutron Records). Electronic New Wave / Minimal Synth band from Sheffield, UK. Synthesizers, David Sydenham. 2:02
Gary Numan, “Metal” from The Pleasure Principle (1979 Beggar’s Banquet). UK group. Gary Numan on keyboards, synthetic percussion. 3:28
Telex, “Moskow Diskow” from Looking For Saint Tropez (1979 Vogue). This Belgian synth group included Dan Lacksman, Marc Moulin, and Michel Moers. 4:12
Yellow Magic Orchestra, “Rydeen” from X∞Multiplies (1980 A&M Records). Japanese band featuring electronic keyboards, synthesis and processing, Ryuichi Sakamoto; Guitar, Kenji Omura; synthesis programming, Hideki Matsutake; vocals, Chris Mosdell. 4:25
Suicide, “Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne” from Suicide: Alan Vega · Martin Rev (1980 Antilles). UK group. Electronics, Martin Rev; vocals, Alan Vega. 3:18
Yello, “Bostich” from Bostich (1981 Stiff America). Swiss electronic band formed in 1979 in Zürich, Switzerland. Electronics, vocals, Boris Blank; lyrics, vocals, Dieter Meier; tape, Carlos Peron. 4:32
Jon Foxx, “Underpass” (1980 Metal Beat). UK artist. Electronics, John Foxx. 3:21
Visage, “Fade to Grey” (1980 Polydor). UK artist. Produced by Midge Ure (Ultravox). 3:50
The Human League, “Love Action (I Believe in Love)” (1981 A&M). Electronic band from Sheffield, England. Synthesis Philip Oakey. 3:49
Heaven 17, “Play to Win” (1981 Virgin). UK artist. Formed as a side project of the British Electric Foundation (B.E.F.), the production company formed by Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware, after their departure from the The Human League in 1980. 7:26
Soft Cell, “Memorabilia” (1981 Some Bizarre). UK artist. Synthesizer, percussion, David Ball; vocals, percussion, Marc Almond. 4:48
Depeche Mode, “Just Can’t Get Enough” from Speak & Spell (1981 Mute). UK group. English electronic music band formed March 1980 in Basildon, Essex. Lead vocals, Dave Gahan; keyboards, guitar, vocals, Martin Gore; keyboards, Andy Fletcher; keyboards, Vince Clarke. 3:39
Yazoo, “Don’t Go” (1982 Mute). Yazoo was an English Synth-Pop duo from Basildon, Essex. Vocals, Alison Moyet; synthesizers, Vince Clarke. 4:58
Kajagoogoo, “Hang on Now” (1983 EMI). UK group.Lead vocals, Limahl; bass, Nick Beggs; E-bow and guitar, Steve Askew; synthesizers, Stuart Croxford Neale; drums and electronic programming, Jez Strode. 3:38
The Art of Noise, “Moments in Love” (1985 ZTT). UK group. Vocals, Camilla Pilkington; keyboards, Ann Dudley; engineering, Gary Langan; electronics, Fairlight CMI, J.J. Jeczalik; bass, producer, Trevor Horn. 4:32
Propaganda, “Dr. Mabuse” (1984 Island Records). German group.German group from Düsseldorf; formed in 1982 by former Die Krupps keyboarder Ralf Dörper and Andreas Thein. Produced by Trevor Horn. 4:46
Pet Shop Boys, “West End Girls” (1985 Parlophone). UK group. Lead vocals, keyboards, occasional guitar, Neil Tennant; keyboards, occasional vocals, Chris Lowe. 3:58
Bronski Beat, “Smalltown Boy” (1984 Forbidden Fruit). UK group. Keyboardists Steve Bronski, Larry Steinbachek; vocals Jimmy Somerville. 4:59
Frankie Goes to Hollywood, “Black Night White Light” from Welcome To The Pleasuredome (1984 ZTT). UK group. Lead vocals, Holly Johnson; backing vocals, Paul Rutherford; guitar, Brian Nash; bass, Mark O'Toole; drums Peter Gill; keyboards, programming, software, J. J. Jeczalik. 4:02
Prefab Sprout, “Appetite” (1985 Kitchenware Records). English pop band from Witton Gilbert, County Durham. This track produced by Thomas Dolby. 3:54
Ivan