5 Ultra-Romantic Songs by the 80s British New Romantics

When they called the wave of British artists that hit American shores in the early 80s New Romantics, they weren’t really referring to their tendency to put their hearts out on their sleeves. The term referred more to the bright, fun, devil-may-care outlook that these bands brought to their music. But on occasion, they could indeed deliver a love song that delved into powerful emotions. Here are five of those tracks for the 80s slow-dance lovers out there!

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“True” by Spandau Ballet (1983)

Many of the bands of the British New Wave developed a passion for American soul music. After Spandau Ballet’s popularity as a dance band started to wane, Martin Kemp decided to lean in a more soulful direction. He even name-checks Marvin Gaye in “True”, the song that put the band on the map in America. Kemp based the song on his feelings for Clare Grogan, lead singer of the band Altered Images. There isn’t a more straightforward and potent declaration of affection than “I know this love is true.” Bonus points for this one for appearing in the John Hughes’ classic Sixteen Candles. More on him in a bit.

“Hold Me Now” by Thompson Twins (1983)

It’s interesting to note that most of the songs on this list of New Romantics tunes pretty much became the signature songs for the bands that made them. That just offers further proof that folks gravitate to the love songs, even one that’s as tortured as “Hold Me Now”. How did it come out sounding so anguished? Tom Bailey, the songwriter and lead singer for The Thompson Twins, wrote it not long after an argument with Alannah Currie, his bandmate and paramour at the time. The verses give the details of the dustup. In the refrains, he pleads for reconciliation. As such, the song takes the listener on a journey that folks in romantic relationships can certainly recognize.

“The Whole Of The Moon” by The Waterboys (1985)

Mike Scott is still getting it done as the leader of The Waterboys. The band even released an album filled with star-studded guests earlier this year. Their “big music” sound has influenced many over the years. In other words, music fans should know them for more than one song. But “Whole Of The Moon” is such a colossal thing that you can kind of forgive those folks who get caught up in it. Scott sings at the top of his lungs about a special person who is beyond his reach, and all the more alluring for it. At this point, The Waterboys included Karl Wallinger, who would go on to pop success fronting the band World Party.

“If You Leave” by OMD (1986)

Fun story on this one. Filmmaker John Hughes, a fan of the band, contacted OMD to provide a song for his new film Pretty In Pink. The band worked one up (titled “Goddess Of Love”) and all was well. But then Hughes, dismayed when test screening audiences hated the film’s ending, changed it, requiring a new song from OMD with little time to spare. Amazingly, they rose to the occasion with a song that captures all the drama, passion, and heartbreak of a Senior Prom. But songwriters Paul Humphreys and Andy McCluskey managed to make it relevant for more adult audiences as well.

“Human” by The Human League (1986)

Knowing which way the artistic winds were blowing was crucial on the ever-changing 80s music scene, and that applied to the New Romantics. Human League struck before many of their peers in the New Romantics movement with their massive 1981 single “Don’t You Want Me”. Four years later, they were struggling to match the impact of that success. That’s when the band was connected with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who were only just beginning to stake their claim as the preeminent R&B writers and producers of the era. They gifted “Human” to The Human League. Phil Oakey’s understated vocal performance put it over the top and returned the band to the US no. 1 spot.

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