Thompson Twins is an English band formed in 1977 by Tom Bailey, Pete Dodd, John Roog and Jon Podgorski. Who will be joined some time later by Alannah Currie. The name of the group would actually be a reference to Tintin…. ! And in particular the Dupond & Dupont !
The English version of Dupond & Dupont are Thomson & Thompson, hence the name Thompson Twins (the Thompson twins).
Their first single "Squares and triangles" was released in 1980. Single which was to be highly regarded. Ditto for the single "She's in love with mystery" which was released a year later in 1981. Their first album "A product of ... (Participation)" did not do much better.
The first successes came the following year in 1982 when the album "Set" was released, which produced their first ranked single, "In the name of love". The single "Lies" which comes out shortly after will do even better in terms of ranking.
Everything suddenly accelerated in 1983 when the single "Love on your side" was released which gave them their first English Top 10 singles. Followed by "We are detective" which works even stronger across the Channel than its predecessor. The album "Quick step and side kick", which contains the last 3 singles released, is also being released and will be on top of the Charts. It will even end up certified Platinum.
The year 1983 ended in apotheosis with the release of a fourth single "Hold me now" which will make a real worldwide hit and will ultimately become the best-selling single of their entire discography.
A year later in 1984 the album "Into the gap" was released which in turn shattered everything on a planetary level. It will be certified Platinum in the United States and Double Platinum in England and Canada. Album from which will be extracted two new top hits that are “Doctor! Doctor !" and "You take me up" and released the same year.
The year 1984 also ended in apotheosis with the release of another flagship single "Lay your hands on me".
New album "Here’s to future days" in 1985 with less success because the album was born in pain following Bailey's Burn-Out. But who will achieve the feat of producing the top hit "Don’t mess with doctor dream" and to a lesser extent "King for a day".
But which this time will indeed be the last big hit of the group. The albums that follow will fail to compete with their predecessors.
The flagship group of the New-Wave wave, Thompson Twins left behind a significant number of high-caliber songs in the musical history of the 1980s, some of which were world-class hits.
To discover or rediscover.
Discography (among others ...) :
Perfect game 1981
In the name of love 1982
Lies 1982
Love on your side 1983
Hold me now 1983
Doctor ! Doctor ! 1984
You take me up 1984
Sisters of mercy 1984
The gap 1984
Lay your hands on me 1984
Roll over 1985
Don’t mess with doctor dream 1985
King for a day 1985
Nothing in common 1986
Get that love 1987
Long goodbye 1987
Sugar daddy 1989
Come inside 1991
The saint 1992
Clips :
1981 ... after a few youthful tracks that had no future, the group delivers here his first really structured piece. Promising, isn't it ?
1982 ... the rise in power is obvious. The sound, like the style, are already in place. Race results : first global hit. And yes, already !
1982 ... the first BIG year with no less than 2 top hits already on the clock. A shattering start to their career, which propelled them to the forefront of the international scene at the speed of light
1983 ... 1982 was a great year for the group. 1983 will do even better. The notoriety of the group literally explodes especially thanks to this first title of more than certain quality
1983 ... but it is above all this title which will allow them to return definitively to the musical legend of the 80s. They sign here the biggest commercial success of their entire career. A global mega hit that rewards their undeniable talent in the best possible way !
1984 ... and what about that one ! Admittedly, it will not have the same level of success as its predecessor but comes closer to it. A sumptuous track which definitely places them as one of the very best groups of the decade across the Channel
1984 ... a title that has nothing to do with the previous one. A radically different style which shows all their versatility in terms of tones. And it works, once again !
1984 ... an original title, much more restrained, with a surprisingly oriental sound. They will amaze us until the end !
1984 ... a year definitely placed under the sign of exoticism in terms of sound. A truly extraordinary inventiveness !
1984 ... a year 1984 which will remain absolutely exceptional for the group with this new title. A title that will undoubtedly remain as one of their most emblematic. MAS-TER-FUL !
1985 ... each title is a real discovery. Their inspiration really works wonders and allows them to deliver an incredible number of very high caliber titles !
1985 ... their 2nd biggest success. Already 4 years spent at the top of Charts and they continue to deliver titles at Premium quality. Great, very Great !
1985 ... and it continues. This group is a real war machine. The top hits follow one another at literally astonishing speed !
1986 ... only one small title for the year 1986. All for the soundtrack of the film of the same name. Certainly, once again a title of certain quality, but wouldn't the group start to tire...?
1987 ... and yes, unfortunately, the group is well and truly in decline. After literally walking on water for years, we suspected that it was not going to last forever ...
1987 ... the style, like the sound, evolves. We are in the middle of the decade and it is normal for the group to catch up with the competition. But isn't it already too late ...?
1989 ... the group having more or less lost its soul, just like its legendary inspiration, the end of the decade will prove to be somewhat complicated to manage ...
1991 ... by wanting to adapt too much to the market, the group is only a shadow of himself. It's time for the adventure to end. Which will be the case ...
1992 ... and finally, here they are in Euro-Dance mode. So there, they will have really tried everything ...
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