English pop-rock group Cutting Crew had one of the biggest hits of the 1980s with their debut single, (I Just) Died in Your Arms. While only peaking at number eight in Australia, it topped the charts in many other countries, including the US, in 1986. Though they went on to have several other hits, most of us in Australia remember them for this one song.
“Having written the song when I was 26, those lyrics take on a different resonance now,” says Nick Van Eede, the group’s singer, rhythm guitarist and keyboardist today.
“When you’re younger, they will mean one thing, but when you’re older, and you’ve gone through different experiences in life, you sing it with a different emotional lilt to it.
“I wrote the song on an old keyboard, and I think the secret to its uniqueness is that I was not studied in playing the keyboards, as some of the chords are a bit odd and clash, and they’re not breathtakingly brilliant, as I didn’t really know what I was doing.
“My tip to young songwriters today is sometimes to try playing a song on an instrument you’re not familiar with as you never know what might come out.
“So, challenge yourself!”
That song, along with the group’s first three albums plus some rare bonus material, has just been collected into a new box set titled Cutting Crew: All For You – The Virgin Years 1986-1992, out on February 16. For fans of the band’s work and of 1980s music in general, it’s a trip down memory lane. And with the recent resurgence in 1980s music, it’s the perfect time to rediscover the group’s music.
“A lot of us 80s artists are fortunate,” Van Eede says.
“We have a lot of songs featured in many films which work brilliantly as film moments because they’re so melodic and they bring back many memories to people of our age.
“Those 80s tunes, whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’re not going away.”
The group was last in Australia as part of the 80s Mania tour in 2017, which saw them share the bill with 80s counterparts Wang Chung, Go West and Paul Young. “That was a good tour, and we went down a storm every night, and the audience all loved the songs.
“I also enjoyed walking on the beach in Perth and seeing the Opera House in Sydney.
“It’s a great big place, and you’ve all got big hearts.”
Though Van Eede is now in the fifth decade of his music career, there are plans to continue.
“I plan to write and record a new album this year,” Van Eede says.
“And I’m also writing my first fiction novel, which I’ve been doing for the past six months.
“Writing a book is a bit like writing a song, where you’re being inventive.
“The story is about a serial poisoner from Ireland who travels to Amsterdam by accident and meets up with a Japanese porn worker.”
For more on Cutting Crew and the box set, go to https://cuttingcrew.biz/
Music news
American crooner Chris Isaak makes a welcome return to our shores in April for his 12th Australian tour. His first visit here was back in July 1995.
Former Dire Straits principal Mark Knopfler returns with a new album, One Deep River, due for release in April.
With Billy Joel having released his comeback single Turn the Lights Back On this week, his first new music since 2007, does it also signal a possible album in the works as well? Joel is also set to perform at this weekend’s 2024 Grammy Awards show.
Popular 90s group No Doubt recently announced a reunion show for this year’s Coachella festival in April.
Live music review
Richard Clapton undertook a short Victorian tour at the weekend, playing three shows: two at Bird’s Basement in Melbourne, which were both sold out, and one at Archies Creek on the Bass Coast. It was an honour to support him at his Friday show. After having completed my 45-minute set to an appreciative audience, Clapton hit the stage shortly after to deliver two blinding sets of classics from his catalogue, that also included a selection of hand-picked fan favourites.
Friday’s show was divided into two parts; the first set saw Clapton performing in acoustic format with classics Capricorn Dancer and High Society delivered with a unique freshness. After a lengthy interval of 45 minutes, he returned to the stage for a second set, this time in full electric band mode, where he belted out energised renditions of I Am an Island and Girls on the Avenue. Much credit goes to his five-piece band which, along with Clapton’s long-time guitarist Danny Spencer, also featured Jak Housden (The Badloves, The Whitlams).
In a live setting, Clapton delivers on all fronts – his in-between-song banter is laced with comedic overtones. His show affirms without any doubt why he is one of this country’s iconic singer-songwriters, and why his songs, which capture much of the Australian spirit, have become a part of the national psyche.
Music charts
Debuting at #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart this week is Yes, and? by Ariana Grande, while over in the UK on their Top 100 Singles chart, Noah Kahan is holding the top position again this week with Stick Season. On the Australian ARIA Top 50 singles chart, Lovin’ On Me by Jack Harlow continues to hold the #1 spot.
Fun facts
Did you know the late great Prince not only sang every single vocal part but also played all 27 incredible instruments on his 1978 debut album For You (1978)? And he was only 19 years old!