New Romantic band Spandau Ballet scores their biggest hit worldwide with “True” in 1983
The song was inspired by Motown’s Marvin Gaye
New Romantic band Spandau Ballet scores their biggest hit worldwide with “True” in 1983
David Warren an editor and author for Pop Expresso and in the free time enjoys making instrumental music – davidwarrenmusic.com – and to learn about history and cultures. Reach out at david@popexpresso.com
During the 1980’s, the New Wave of Pop music was quickly dominating the charts and airwaves, being with it’s futuristic synth sounds or gentle melodies. The New Romantic movement started during the late 1970’s, replacing Punk for a “cleaner” and more “friendly” sound, it was a movement that had it’s origins in England and leading it there were bands such as Duran Duran, Adam and the Ants and Spandau Ballet among others. In 1983, Spandau Ballet released their third album “True”, and on April 11 of the same year the title-single “True” backed with “Gently”. It was an unexpected worldwide hit that made the band as famous as Duran Duran back then. The song, written by Gary Kemp, was inspired by Motown’s Marvin Gaye and according Kemp, intended to pay tribute to the legendary singer who died two years after the song was released. “True” remains Spandau Ballet’s biggest hit and their only major hit in the U.S., reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in the autumn of 1983 and No.1 on the U.K singles charts in May, 1983. It was followed by another one of the band’s biggest hits, “Gold”. Spandau Ballet performed “True” live in 1985 at the Live Aid.
Look back at the 1983 music video “True” by Spandau Ballet
Read the exclusive Steve Norman interview
Journeys To Glory: revisiting the times and sounds of the Spandau Ballet’s debut album
Watch more 1980’s related videos
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