Talk Talk - Such a Shame

In order to find songs to introduce here, I recently started listening again to some of the music I used to listen to in the 1980s. Immersing myself in something I used to do 40 years ago is a fascinating experience. There are some songs and singers that I never stopped listening to, but there are also some that I had almost forgotten. Among them, there are some songs and bands that I'm almost embarrassed to admit I used to like. Then there are bands I'm totally rediscovering. One of them is Talk Talk.

Talk Talk was an English band that only lasted 10 years, from 1981 to 1991, and they were only popular in Europe during the first half of the decade. At the time, I thought they were okay, but I wasn't a huge fan. However, listening to them again decades later as an adult, I'm blown away by how good they were.

Today, I'm going to introduce you to them with one of their most popular songs, released in 1984 as the second single from their second album: Such a Shame.
Here is the video with its inimitable '80s style.
Enjoy!

A few words about Mark Hollis, the singer and primary songwriter of the band. I wish I knew more about him because he's such a fascinating character.
He's the kind of artist who will never compromise his art for the allure of success. While Talk Talk achieved great success and recognition with their synth-pop and new wave style, Hollis later steered the band in more experimental directions. Despite making Talk Talk much less popular, he wouldn't budge, and they never became the huge band they could have with a more commercial sound. Nowadays, however, Talk Talk's music from the band's later years is highly critically acclaimed.

After the band disbanded, Hollis continued making music but retired completely in 1998, shortly after releasing his solo album. He wanted to be a good dad and thought that being a touring musician and a rock star would prevent him from doing so. He then lived away from the public eye. Sadly, he died of cancer in 2019.

I'm glad I recently rediscovered Talk Talk, and I listen to them quite regularly these days. I'm sure they'll be featured again in this newsletter.