Friday, June 5, 2009

That's Classic: Kim Wilde "You Came"

In France she was known as the "Brigitte Bardot of Rock" and she scored more UK hits in the 80s than any other English female singer, yet most people in the U.S. probably only know Kim Wilde from her #1 cover of The Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On" in 1987 and to a lesser degree, from her breakthrough 1981 debut youth anthem "Kids In America" (which was a huge hit in the UK but just a modest one here). But my favorite Kim Wilde song is "You Came" (which just missed the Top 40 back in 1988). It's 80's synth-pop at it's very best. Catchy as all hell with a stick-to-the-brain melody, swirling synths, hand claps and fantastic beat, it's actually the most played song on my iPod between this original version and a more guitar-based cover she did in 2006. I suppose that should somehow embarass me but it doesn't. I just can't get enough of it.

Actually, the whole CD it comes from, her sixth CD,Close, is pretty damn good. Sure, it's cheesy, but songs like "Love In A Natural Way" (with it's soaring chorus) and "Never Trust A Stranger" (with it's driving, buzzing electro-beat) get me every time. I'm a sucker for tasty cheese. The only dud, strangely enough, is actually the first single from the disc, "Hey, Mr. Heartache." It's a song so forgettable that she didn't even include it on her greatest hits CD. But the rest of the record is golden and ends with a beautiful, moody cover of Todd Rungren's "Lucky Guy." The duel guitar harmonies is something you certainly don't hear much outside of hair metal(for good reason) but it works perfectly here.

I've included "You Came" and "Lucky Guy" here.