[Quick Step Twinning] -- Thompson Twins were not twins and none of the band members were named "Thompson." Rather, this 80s synthpop act adopted their name from a pair of detectives (Thomson and Thompson) who appeared in the comic strip, The Adventures of Tintin. The first incarnation of Thompson Twins as a musical act was a quartet in 1977. Between their debut and 1981, they expanded to a sextet. But the best known version of the band is the trio of Tom Bailey, Joe Leeway and Alannah Currie. And 40 years ago this week, on February 1, 1983, the trio of Bailey, Leeway, and Currie released their first album: Quick Step and Side Kick (or simply Quick Step in the US and Japanese markets).
With this release, Thompson Twins finally enjoyed international success; in addition to peaking at #2 in the UK, Quick Step and Side Kick reached the top 40 in Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, and the US. It also charted within the top 100 in Australia and The Netherlands. The first single, "Lies," peaked at #67 on the UK singles chart and #30 on the US Billboard Hot 100, but it also enjoyed a two week run at #1 on the American dance chart in the Spring of 1983. Plus, the music video for "Lies" could be considered an early use of virtual reality. Well, sort of. The complete video takes place in a computer animated room and features the band members (or simply their heads, arms, and feet) appearing and disappearing without cause. The album's three other singles all peaked within the top 40 (or close to it): "Love On Your Side" peaked at #9 on the UK Singles Chart, #45 on the US Billboard Hot 100, #6 in the US Billboard Dance/Disco Top 80, #48 in the US Cash Box Top 100, and reached top 40 or better in several other countries; "We Are Detectives" was a top 10 hit in the UK; and "Watching" peaked at #33 on the UK Singles Chart.
Non-single standouts include "Love Lies Bleeding," "All Fall Out," and "If You Were Here." You might recall "If You Were Here" because it was featured as the ending theme for the coming-of-age film Sixteen Candles (1984). I have to point that out because "If You Were Here" is quite possibly my favorite Thompson Twins track.
Flashback: Quick Step and Side Kick (February 1, 1983)
Well, that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
I'll see you in seven!
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