Hello friends! Thanks once again for
tuning into the Dial to catch the latest signal culled from radio frequencies
of the past. This latest track to jog your memory is an early 80s classic from
an Englishman that appeared only sporadically on the U.S. singles chart, yet still
recorded several important singles of the era. Read on, and listen on, for Paul
Young, and “Come Back and Stay”.
“Since
you’ve been gone… I shut my eyes… and I fantasize… that you’re here with me”
The first top 40 appearance in America for
Luton, England, native Young, “Come Back and Stay” introduces the listener to a
man pining for his former flame, and the abandonment he feels as he clings to the
hope that she will return. Although this is well worn territory for pop music,
“Come Back…” rises above similar compositions with its upbeat new wave
influenced blue-eyed soul vibe.
With Young’s soulful delivery, (especially
the way he really nails that final verse), along with the female backing
harmonies, and the beautiful and poppy instrumentation that carries a somber
undercurrent just below the surface, there was no way this song couldn’t be a
hit. And indeed, in his native England, the song reached #4 on the UK pop charts.
Taken from Young’s 1983 debut LP No Parlez, “Come Back…” was Paul’s
second single released in the U.S., following the Marvin Gaye cover “Where I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)”, a
#1 UK smash that unfairly petered out at US #70 in the states.
“Come Back” was the tune that broke
Young stateside by peaking at US #22, and bigger hits would follow, though Paul
would have to wait two years for his next US chart success, which would prove
to be a #1 smash.
“Will
you ever return? I want you satisfied... ‘til you’re by my side… don’t wait any
longer.”
In contrast to being a
singer/songwriter, Young can be considered a “vocal interpreter” as he dabbles
largely in cover songs. In fact, all of his major US chart hits were versions
of songs by acts like Hall & Oates (“Everytime
You Go Away” #1/85, and Paul’s aforementioned chart topper), Ann Peebles (“I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down”
#13/85), The Chi-Lites (“Oh Girl”
#8/90), and Jimmy Ruffin (“What Becomes
of the Brokenhearted” #22/92).
Even “Come Back…” is no exception to
this rule, being originally released in 1981 by its writer Jack Lee of the mid ‘70s
power pop group The Nerves. Lee’s version was never released to radio, and
remains an obscure recording, but luckily for us, Young reinterpreted the punk
rock leaning original as a beautiful soul-meets-new-wave hybrid ballad which
found favor on MTV and top 40 outlets.
“You said goodbye, I was trying to
hide, what I felt inside… until you passed me by…”
As I periodically select songs to spotlight for the Dial, I’ll introduce
those same tunes to my 5 year old daughter, who loves music just as much as me.
Once I played her the music video for “Come Back…”, she immediately asked to
hear/watch it again, and then a third time. Since then, I’ve caught her singing
“Come back… please hurry” while
playing in her room. This confirms it’s a winner!
So I invite you to click the video below to refamiliarize yourself with
Paul’s first taste of success in the states. Drop me a line with your thoughts
and keep it tuned here for more great underplayed tunes from the past. Kyle’s
Radio Dial… the more you listen… the MORE you remember!
"Why don't you come back? Please hurry, why don't you come back? Please hurry...
Come back and stay for good this time..."
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