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Updated on Aug 26,2024 |
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 1 . Sting - Shape Of My HeartReleased in 1993, "Shape of My Heart" tells the story of a card player who plays not for money or fame, but to understand the laws of probability and chance. Through this metaphor, Sting delves into deeper themes of human nature and the search for meaning. The track gained popularity when it was featured in Luc Besson's film "Léon". The music video is directed by Doug Nicho. Writer(s) : Dominic James Miller, Sting Publisher(s) : Songs Of Universal Inc, Magnetic Publishing Ltd Featured on the 1993 album Ten Summoner's Tales
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 2 . Chris Rea - AubergeA 1991 release, "Auberge" features lyrics about a traveler who takes refuge in an inn, symbolizing a temporary haven and a moment of introspection. The song is complemented by a music video showing Chris Rea driving a classic Caterham Super Seven, an image that has become iconic in association with both the song and album. The music video is directed by Nigel Dick. Writer(s) : Christopher Anton Rea Publisher(s) : Magnet Music Ltd (Gb) Featured on the 1991 album Auberge
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 3 . Sting - Mad About YouReleased in 1991, this song draws inspiration from the biblical story of King David and Bathsheba, exploring themes of obsessive love, loss, and the pain of unfulfilled desire. Sting uses historical and literary references to convey these universal themes through a personal and introspective lens. The music video is directed by Jon Small. Writer(s) : Sting Publisher(s) : Songs Of Universal Inc Featured on the 1991 album The Soul Cages
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 4 . Talk Talk - It's My LifeA 1984 release characterized by its synth-pop and new wave blend, "It's My Life" is known for its catchy melody and memorable bassline. The lyrics convey a sense of self-assertion and independence, open to various interpretations. The song was reintroduced to a new generation when it was covered by No Doubt in 2003. The music video is directed by Tim Pope. Writer(s) : Mark David Hollis, Timothy Alan Friese-Greene Publisher(s) : F Sharp Productions Ltd, Hollis Songs Ltd Featured on the 1984 album It's My Life
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 5 . M People - Don't Look Any FurtherDon’t Look Any Further is a 1993 cover by M People of the original 1984 song by Dennis Edwards and Siedah Garrett. Heather Small's powerful vocals bring a new energy to this R&B classic, while maintaining its essence. The lyrics speak to trust and commitment in love, with an invitation to stop searching because everything needed is already present. The music video is directed by Jeff Baynes. Writer(s) : Ina Wroldsen, Quiz, Josef Larossi Publisher(s) : Josef Svedlund Musik Ab, Pop Notch Music Ab, Reservoir Reverb Music Ltd Featured on the 2004 album Chasing Lights
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 6 . M People - Moving on UpReleased in 1993, "Moving on Up" is a vibrant blend of house, soul, and pop. With empowering lyrics about personal liberation and renewal, "Moving on Up" became M People's most successful single, cementing their place in the 1990s music scene. The track is driven by Heather Small's commanding voice and an infectious, upbeat rhythm. Writer(s) : Paul Heard, Mike Pickering Publisher(s) : Emi Music Publishing Ltd, Bmg Music Ltd Featured on the 1993 album Elegant Slumming
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 7 . Tears For Fears - Raoul And The Kings Of SpainA 1995 song, from the album of the same name, "Raoul and the Kings of Spain" delves into personal and historical themes related to Roland Orzabal's Spanish heritage. The title references Orzabal's birth name, Raoul, and explores the complexities and challenges of his family legacy. The music video is directed by Cameron Casey. Writer(s) : Roland Orzabal, Alan Griffiths Publisher(s) : Emi Music Publishing Ltd, Chrysalis Music Ltd Featured on the 1995 album Raoul And The Kings Of Spain
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 8 . Sade - Kiss Of LifeKiss of Life by Sade, released in 1993, is a soulful groove track produced by Sade and Mike Pela. The minimalist video was filmed in Miami, creating an intimate and romantic atmosphere. The lyrics describe a transformative love that breathes new life into the narrator. The music video is directed by Albert Watson. Writer(s) : Paul Spencer Denman, Andrew Paul Hale, Sade Adu, Stuart Colin Matthewman Publisher(s) : Angel Music Ltd Featured on the 1992 album Love Deluxe
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 9 . Basia - Drunk on LoveDrunk on Love by Basia, released in 1994, features an uptempo mix of jazz and pop, characterized by layered scat vocals. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in the U.S. A gospel-house remix by Roger Sanchez boosted its club popularity. The video was shot in Soho, London, with Basia singing and dancing in the streets. The music video is directed by Nick Morris. Writer(s) : Daniel Phillip White, Barbara Hook, Peter Alexander Ross Publisher(s) : Backbeat Music, What Music Ltd Featured on the 1994 album The Sweetest Illusion
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 10 . Sting - Fields Of GoldSting’s "Fields of Gold," released in 1993, is an acoustic ballad inspired by the barley fields around his Wiltshire home. The song features harmonica and Northumbrian pipes, with lyrics reflecting on lasting love and memories tied to golden wheat fields. The video presents Sting as a golden silhouette walking through a dark village. The music video is directed by Kevin Godley. Writer(s) : Sting Publisher(s) : Songs Of Universal Inc Featured on the 1993 album Ten Summoner's Tales
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 11 . M People - One Night in HeavenReleased in 1993, "One Night in Heaven" by M People is a dance-pop track with house influences, known for its sequenced synths, Moog bassline, and programmed drums. The video was filmed in Spain, capturing various locations including Barcelona and Montserrat. The music video is directed by Janet Fraser-Crook. Writer(s) : Michael Will Pickering, Michael Paul Heard Publisher(s) : Emi Music Publishing Ltd, Bmg Music Publ Ltd Featured on the 1994 album Elegant Slumming
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 12 . Talk Talk - Life's What You Make ItTalk Talk's "Life's What You Make It," from 1985, features a distinctive guitar riff, repetitive piano, and powerful percussion. The lyrics carry a message of positivity and self-determination. The video includes night scenes in a forest, enhancing the song's mysterious and introspective feel. The music video is directed by Sasha Rainbow. Writer(s) : Mark David Hollis, Timothy Alan Friese-Greene Publisher(s) : Concord Copyrights London Limited, Universal Island Music Limited Featured on the 1986 album The Colour Of Spring
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 13 . Sting - The Soul CagesThe Soul Cages, released in 1991, is a Sting composition that blends rock, jazz, and Celtic elements, marked by its dark, introspective atmosphere. The song, inspired by the death of Sting’s father, won the first Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 1992. The music video is directed by Gerard de Thame. Writer(s) : Sting Publisher(s) : Songs Of Universal Inc Featured on the 1991 album The Soul Cages
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 14 . Swing Out Sister - La La [Means I Love You]Swing Out Sister's cover of "La La (Means I Love You)" retains the essence of the original by The Delfonics, with orchestral arrangements that add richness. The song expresses love through its simple, yet poignant, refrain. Writer(s) : William Alexander Hart, Thomas Randolph Bell Publisher(s) : Warner Tamerlane Pub Corp, Reservoir Media Management Inc Featured on the 1994 album It's Better to Travel
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 15 . Simply Red - For Your BabiesFor Your Babies by Simply Red, released in 1992, is a tender soul-pop ballad that expresses the love and devotion of a parent. The song's delicate melody and subtle instrumentation complement the heartfelt lyrics. The music video is directed by Andrew Morahan. Writer(s) : Michael James Hucknall Publisher(s) : Bmg Rights Management Uk Limited Featured on the 1991 album Stars
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 16 . Tears For Fears - Advice For The Young At HeartAdvice For The Young At Heart by Tears for Fears, with Curt Smith on lead vocals, is a sophisticated pop ballad with jazz and soul influences. The video, shot in Florida, depicts a wedding interspersed with the band performing. The song's tone balances optimism with a reflection on the fleeting nature of youth. The music video is directed by Andy Morahan. Writer(s) : Roland Orzabal, Nicola Jane Lovell Holland Publisher(s) : Bmg 10 Music Limited, Bmg Vm Music Limited Featured on the 1989 album The Seeds of Love
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 17 . Sting - Desert RoseSting's "Desert Rose," released in 2000, features a blend of Western pop and Algerian raï, with lyrics about desire and lost love. Cheb Mami's Arabic vocals add an exotic contrast to Sting’s English verses. The video, set in a desert, underscores the song's themes of longing and unattainable beauty. The music video is directed by Paul Boyd. Writer(s) : Sting, Cheb Mami, Rabah Zerradine Publisher(s) : Magnetic Publishing Ltd, Zerradine Rabah, Delabel Editions Featured on the 1999 album Brand New Day
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 18 . Squeeze - Cool For Cats"Cool For Cats," released in 1979, is one of Squeeze’s early hits. Produced by John Wood and Squeeze, the track is known for its humorous lyrics depicting everyday life in South London and its catchy rhythm. It reached number two on the UK charts and stands out for its use of British accents and expressions, reflecting the pop culture of the time. The music video is directed by Derek Burbridge. Writer(s) : Christopher Henry Difford, Glenn Martin Tilbrook Publisher(s) : Javeberry Ltd Featured on the 1979 album Cool for Cats
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 19 . Aztec Camera - Good Morning BritainGood Morning Britain by Aztec Camera, featuring Mick Jones of The Clash, is a protest song from 1990 that critiques social and economic issues in the UK. The energetic pop-rock track, influenced by punk, is paired with a video styled like a morning TV show. The music video is directed by John Scarlett-Davis. Writer(s) : Roddy Frame Publisher(s) : Complete Music Ltd Featured on the 1990 album Stray
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 20 . Sting - If I Ever Lose My Faith In YouReleased in 1993, Sting's "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" is a critically acclaimed pop track exploring themes of disillusionment with institutions, contrasted by enduring personal faith. The video’s abstract imagery complements the song’s reflective nature. The song achieved international chart success and won a Grammy Award in 1994. The music video is directed by Howard Greenhalgh. Writer(s) : Gordon Matthew Sumner Publisher(s) : Songs Of Universal Inc Featured on the 1993 album Ten Summoner's Tales
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ABOUT 90s Sophisti-popSophisti-pop: The SoundSophisti-pop in the 1990s retains the distinctive traits that made it successful in the 1980s: elegant arrangements, polished production, and jazz influences, often marked by the use of synthesizers, brass sections, and sophisticated rhythms. Production techniques become more refined, benefiting from technological advancements, which result in richer soundscapes. Synthesizers remain predominant, but with softer textures and a more subtle integration of electronic elements. Musically, compositions favor complex arrangements and sophisticated harmonies. Jazz and soul influences contribute groovy bass lines, dynamic brass sections, and catchy yet refined melodies. Electronic influences intensify, with artists incorporating elements of house, trip-hop, or downtempo, giving the genre a sometimes more experimental character. By integrating these new influences, Sophisti-pop stays true to its origins while renewing itself and remaining relevant. Sophisti-pop is often associated with specific types of instruments: – Fender Rhodes (Electric Piano Sophisti-pop: The WordsThe lyrical aspect remains essential, with often introspective lyrics that set it apart from the lighter or more generic content found in other pop genres. Songwriters frequently use metaphors and poetic imagery to explore universal themes like love, melancholy, and the search for meaning. Love is an omnipresent theme in Sophisti-pop, but it is often approached in a nuanced, complex, and sometimes melancholic manner. For example, **Sade** explores this theme with particular depth. In the song “No Ordinary Love” (1992), Sade Adu sings about a passionate yet painful relationship, where love is described as something almost mythical, yet also marked by suffering: *I gave you all the love I got This lyrical exploration of love goes beyond simple romantic declarations, also addressing the sacrifices and pains that can accompany it. Melancholy is another recurring theme, often expressed through lyrics that reflect solitude, regret, or nostalgia. **Everything But The Girl**, for instance, in the song “Missing” (1994), deals with the feeling of loss and the pain of separation. The repeated refrain, where Tracey Thorn sings “And I miss you, like the deserts miss the rain,” creates a poignant image of emptiness and absence, capturing the essence of melancholy. Sophisti-pop also delves into deeper reflections on life and the search for meaning. **The Blue Nile**, with their minimalist and introspective approach, offers lyrics that meditate on human emotions and personal experiences. In “Happiness” (1996), for example, the band explores the complexity of the search for happiness: *Well, I wake up in the morning The lyrics here speak not only of happiness as a feeling but also of the struggle to find and maintain it, offering introspection on the human experience. Sophisti-pop: Major LabelsThe following labels produced music in the Sophisti-pop genre, particularly during the 1980s: – Epic Records Further Reading and ViewingHere are some media outlets and specialized websites with archives rich in information and reviews related to the Sophisti-pop genre: – Pitchfork For more in-depth knowledge, here are some books or documentaries dedicated to artists associated with the Sophisti-pop genre: ### Sade ### Everything But The Girl ### The Blue Nile ### Prefab Sprout ### Simply Red ### The Style Council ### Sting ### Documentaries |
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