Waves (Blancmange song)

"Waves" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released in 1983 as the fourth and final single from their debut studio album Happy Families. It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Mike Howlett.[2] "Waves" reached No. 19 in the UK and remained on the charts for nine weeks.[3]

"Waves"
Single by Blancmange
from the album Happy Families
B-side"Game Above My Head"
ReleasedJanuary 1983[1]
GenreSynth-pop
Length4:10
LabelLondon
Songwriter(s)Neil Arthur, Stephen Luscombe
Producer(s)Mike Howlett
Blancmange singles chronology
"Living on the Ceiling"
(1982)		 "Waves"
(1983)		 "Blind Vision"
(1983)

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."[4]

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."[5] 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".[6] Graeme Marsh of musicOMH felt the song was "more serious sounding" and a "slower gem".[7]

Track listing
7" single
  1. "Waves" – 4:10
  2. "Game Above My Head" – 4:00
12" single
  1. "Waves" – 4:06
  2. "Business Steps" – 4:27
  3. "Game Above My Head (Extended Version)" – 7:15
12" single (Australasian release)
  1. "Waves (Full Length Dance Version)" – 8:34
  2. "Living on the Ceiling" – 5:35

Chart performance
Chart (1983) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart[8] 99
Dutch Singles Chart[9] 50
German Singles Chart[10] 29
Irish Singles Chart[11] 24
New Zealand Singles Chart[12] 33
South African Singles Chart[13] 24
UK Singles Chart[3] 19

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

References
  1. "Blancmange - Waves / Game Above My Head - London - UK - BLANC 4". 45cat. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  2. AllMusic Review by Bill Cassel. "Happy Families - Blancmange | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  3. "BLANCMANGE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  4. "Interview: Blancmange". M Magazine. 2016-06-10. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  5. Smash Hits magazine - Singles - 17 February 1983 - page 28
  6. "Blancmange: Happy Families / Mange Tout / Believe You Me". PopMatters. 2017-08-08. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  7. https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/blancmange-semi-detached
  8. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  9. Steffen Hung. "Blancmange - Waves". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  10. Steffen Hung. "Blancmange - Waves". germancharts.de. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  11. Jaclyn Ward - Fireball Media Group - http://www.fireballmedia.ie. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  12. Steffen Hung. "charts.nz - Blancmange - Waves". Charts.nz. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  13. Brian Currin. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Acts (B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
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