60-562: Raindancing is the second solo studio album by English singer Alison Moyet , released on 6 April 1987 by CBS Records . It reached No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and features the singles " Is This Love? ", " Weak in the Presence of Beauty ", " Ordinary Girl " and " Sleep Like Breathing ". In the United States, Raindancing was released by Columbia Records with a different cover art and
120-635: A Universal Music Group imprint. The deal saw Moyet reunited with label head John Williams, who was A&R man for her previous two albums, Hometime and Voice . Moyet's album, The Turn , was released on 15 October 2007, preceded by the single " One More Time " a week earlier. The album featured self-penned songs, including the three numbers she wrote for the stage play, Smaller in which she starred with Dawn French. For these songs, again Moyet worked alongside producer/songwriter and frequent Moyet collaborator Pete Glenister . The Turn debuted at No. 21 on
180-453: A digital radio station. The brand also covered the annual Smash Hits Poll Winners Party , an awards ceremony voted for by readers of the magazine. The magazine's sales peaked during the late 1980s. In the early part of the decade it was regularly selling 500,000 copies per issue, which had risen to over one million by 1989. Sales began to drop during the 1990s and by 1996 it was reported that sales were dropping roughly 100,000 per year. By
240-501: A bad album, it's just not very 'Moyet' in places. Having said that, it does contain the almighty 'Is This Love' and the beautiful 'Ordinary Girl' which both show Alison at her best." Shipments figures based on certification alone. Alison Moyet Geneviève Alison Jane Moyet MBE ( / ˈ m ɔɪ . eɪ / MOY -ay ; born 18 June 1961), formerly known as Alf , is an English singer. Noted for her powerful bluesy contralto voice, she came to prominence as half of
300-415: A balance between stand-off chic and espresso-warm emotions. And if Raindancing is outstanding for other reasons, they are simple: It has nothing to do with 'Only You'." Billboard stated: "New disk, laced with a high-gloss sheen by Iovine, may produce the knockout for her. Silken single, 'Is This Love?' shows off her robust pipes well, but radio should also pounce on 'When I Say (No Giveaway)' and 'Weak in
360-455: A brand for a spin-off digital television channel, which was later renamed Box Hits , and website. A digital radio station was also available but closed on 5 August 2013. Smash Hits featured the lyrics of latest hits and interviews with big names in music. It was initially published monthly, then went fortnightly. The style of the magazine was initially serious, but from the mid-1980s became increasingly irreverent. Its interviewing technique
420-540: A collection of cover versions , was released on 6 September 2004 and entered the UK Albums Chart at No. 7. Scored and produced by Academy Award winner Anne Dudley , the album was later re-issued with a bonus track, "Alfie". A companion DVD, One Blue Voice , was released in 2006. Voice was certified Gold in the UK within four weeks of its release. In December 2006, Moyet signed a recording contract with W14 Music,
480-547: A coppery glow. But it's easy to question some of her career choices. On both her solo records, her producers have dragged her out of her element and into the treacherous waters of corny pop sentiment. They mismatch her with too-fast beats that make Moyet sound frowsy and pedestrian." Bombay: The City Magazine stated: " Alf saw the last trace of Vince Clarke influence as ex-Yazoo vocalist Alison Moyet set out on her own. Raindancing turns to others like Paul Young and Pet Shop Boys, to provide some breath-taking moments as Moyet strikes
540-402: A fortnightly. The magazine blended some content from the parent publication with locally-generated material. Australian Smash Hits was originally published by Fairfax Magazines and was later purchased by Mason Stewart Publications. Over the years it became a monthly and then a bi-monthly. In 2007 the magazine retailed for A$ 5.95 Inc. GST and NZ$ 6.50. On 30 March 2007 it was announced that
600-575: A fourth single, For You Only , was also released. In the US, "Invisible" was a Top 40 hit; Moyet has stated in several interviews over the years that she can no longer relate to the song and will no longer perform it live. In 1985, Moyet performed at Live Aid alongside Paul Young and later returned unscheduled to the stage (alongside Bob Geldof , David Bowie and Pete Townshend ) to provide vocals on " Let It Be " when Paul McCartney 's vocal microphone at his piano failed, leaving him unable to be heard for
660-596: A glossy-looking magazine which also contained songwords as its mainstay. The publisher was EMAP , a small-time company based in Peterborough , and the magazine was originally titled Disco Fever , before they settled on Smash Hits . Smash Hits launched the career of many journalists, including Radio Times editor Mark Frith . Other well-known writers have included Dave Rimmer, Mark Ellen (who went on to launch Q , Mojo and Word ), Steve Beebee , Chris Heath , Tom Hibbert and Miranda Sawyer . Neil Tennant of
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#1732854718108720-399: A live album, Minutes and Seconds – Live , taken from The Minutes Tour . On 30 July 2015, it was announced that Moyet would be releasing deluxe editions of her albums Hometime , Voice , and The Turn . According to her official web site: "Each album will feature plenty of bonus material – including some rare and previously unreleased material." On 21 September 2015, Moyet performed at
780-899: A piano tuner. At the age of 20, Moyet's mainstream pop career began in 1982 with the formation of the synth-pop duo Yazoo with former Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke . In the United States, the band operated under the name Yaz, due to trademark issues with the Yazoo Records record label already operating in the region. Yazoo had several hits, including " Only You ", " Don't Go ", " Situation " and " Nobody's Diary ", and recorded two albums, Upstairs at Eric's and You and Me Both . In 1983, Clarke decided to disband Yazoo. While Clarke went on to form The Assembly (another duo, this time with Eric Radcliffe ) and then Erasure (a duo again, with Andy Bell ), Moyet signed to CBS , and began her solo career. In 1984, Moyet released her debut solo album Alf (titled after her punk-era nickname). Alf
840-410: A podcast, 40 Moyet Moments , a 40-part podcast series where she discusses key moments of her career. Moyet plans to embark on a world tour in 2025. As of June 2023 her worldwide album sales have reached a certified 23 million, with over two million singles sold. All ten of her studio albums and three compilation albums have charted in the top 30 of the UK Albums Chart , reaching number one with
900-498: A reordered track listing. Largely produced by Jimmy Iovine , the album includes contributions from various session musicians such as T. M. Stevens , Omar Hakim and Herb Alpert . The album was originally going to be titled Chasing Rain , taken from a line in "Sleep Like Breathing". A deluxe edition of Raindancing was released on 25 November 2016 by BMG . Following the release of her successful debut album Alf , Moyet decided to move to Los Angeles, where she stayed for nearly
960-649: A year. The move to the United States had been prompted by Moyet's manager, who himself had found work there for a year and suggested she relocate there too. Once settled in Los Angeles, Moyet's manager enlisted Jimmy Iovine to produce the majority of the Raindancing album. The majority of songs that would appear on the album had already been written back in England. For some of these songs, Moyet teamed up with guitarist Rick Driscoll and keyboardist Jess Bailey. " Is This Love? "
1020-535: Is a supporter of Southend United . Moyet received a degree in Fine Art Printmaking from the University of Brighton in 2023 at age 62. Studio albums: Smash Hits Smash Hits was a British music magazine aimed at young adults, originally published by EMAP . It ran from 1978 to 2006, and, after initially appearing monthly, was issued fortnightly during most of that time. The name survived as
1080-493: Is in the same chug-along vein as the two singles, but it'd be nice if it didn't all sound so safe and predictable. The best songs, 'Ordinary Girl' and 'Stay', are, oddly enough, the two which sound rather like Yazoo." American magazine Cashbox commented: "Moyet's disarmingly plaintive vocals haunt this inviting Jimmy Iovine production." Barry Walters of Spin wrote: "Enter the American mega-mainstream FM guru Jimmy Iovine to tip
1140-482: The Burberry Show at London Fashion Week . Her set was released as a digital EP, Live for Burberry on 23 September. On 27 September 2016, it was announced that Moyet's first four studio albums Alf , Raindancing , Hoodooo and Essex would be reissued as Deluxe editions after having been remastered by BMG on 25 November 2016. Each double-disc set comes in a casebound book with the original album remastered from
1200-522: The Pet Shop Boys also worked as a writer and assistant editor, and once said that had he not become a pop star, he would likely have pursued his ambition to become editor. The magazine was also available in continental Europe, especially in Germany, where the issues could be bought at railway stations or airports. The title was licensed for a French version in the 1990s. There were other licensed versions in
1260-499: The Raindancing sessions, though only "Sleep Like Breathing" would be included on the album. " Weak in the Presence of Beauty " was written by Michael Ward and Rob Clarke, and originally recorded by their band Floy Joy in 1986. Moyet chose to record her own version of the song for the album, but would later reveal that she only recorded it because she knew it would be a hit. Raindancing was released in April 1987. Continuing her success in
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#17328547181081320-512: The UK Singles Chart . Geneviève Alison Jane Moyet was born on 18 June 1961 in Basildon , Essex , to a French father and English mother. She did not grow up bilingual, but spoke " Franglais ", and was called Alison from a young age. She grew up in the nearby town of Basildon , where she attended Janet Duke Junior School and then Nicholas Comprehensive at secondary level, where she was in
1380-471: The synth-pop duo Yazoo (known as Yaz in North America), but has since mainly worked as a solo artist. By June 2023 her worldwide album sales have reached a certified 23 million, with over two million singles sold. All of Moyet's ten studio albums and three compilation albums have charted in the top 30 of the UK Albums Chart , with two of them reaching number one, and she has had many top 10 hits on
1440-735: The Norwegian band A-Ha 's acoustic album, MTV Unplugged – Summer Solstice , singing "Summer Moved On". The performance was recorded at Giske island in Norway in June 2017. On 20 April 2018, Moyet released her second live album, The Other Live Collection , taken from The Other Tour. Moyet released the album Key on 4 October 2024. The albums contains 16 reworked singles and deep cuts, alongside two brand new tracks. A single, "Such Small Ale", premiered on Vernon Kay 's mid-morning show on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds on 13 June 2024. In June 2024, Moyet launched
1500-412: The Presence of Beauty.'" In a review of the 2016 deluxe edition of Raindancing , Helena Adams of the music website Reflections of Darkness commented: "The purpose of Raindancing was clear: to establish Alison Moyet as the pop star across the big pond. Raindancing is a continuation of the 80s dance-disco beats that indeed, parades much more production that parlays with the synthetic. Raindancing fits
1560-540: The UK Albums Chart at No. 1 and, following a UK tour, was re-issued as a double CD set which included Live (No Overdubs) , a bonus live CD. Upon re-issue, Singles charted again, this time in the Top 20. Due to prolonged litigation with Sony, Moyet did not record or release a new studio album for over eight years after the release of Essex . During this time, however, she recorded vocals for Tricky , Sylk-130, Ocean Colour Scene , The Lightning Seeds , and King Britt , and
1620-478: The UK Albums Chart on 22 October 2007. Moyet left W14 shortly after the release of The Turn . During mid-2008, Moyet reunited with Vince Clarke as Yazoo for a series of live dates. Sony Music released The Best of Alison Moyet on 19 October 2009. It was Moyet's personal selection of tracks from her seven solo albums. The deluxe edition of the album, The Best of: 25 Years Revisited , contained an extra disc, with re-recorded versions of older songs. Moyet supported
1680-404: The UK Albums Chart, her highest debut since 1987's Raindancing . In July 2013, Moyet said that she has begun writing new material for the follow-up to The Minutes . On 16 October 2013, Moyet appeared as a guest performer on ITV 1's The One and Only Cilla Black celebrating Cilla Black 's 50 years in show business. Moyet sang " Anyone Who Had a Heart ". On 10 November 2014, Moyet released
1740-452: The UK, and Moyet was nominated for a Grammy for the single " It Won't Be Long ". However, the release of Hoodoo marked the beginning of an eight-year fight for Moyet to secure complete control of her artistic direction. Like many similar artists (including Aimee Mann and the late Kirsty MacColl ), Moyet was reluctant to record a radio-friendly "pop" album simply for the sake of creating chart hits. Moyet's next album, Essex (1994),
1800-607: The UK, while becoming a hit across Europe and beyond. However, the single failed to chart in the US where it was released in March 1987. "Weak in the Presence of Beauty" was the album's second single, released in February 1987. It reached No. 6 in the UK and was also another hit elsewhere. It was released as a single in America in August 1987 but failed to chart. "Ordinary Girl", the album's third single,
1860-513: The United Kingdom, the album reached No. 2 and remained on the chart for 53 weeks. In America, the album peaked at No. 94, faring less well commercially than Alf . Across Europe and elsewhere, the album was a commercial success. It topped the charts in both New Zealand and Norway. The album also spawned four singles. The lead single "Is This Love?" was released in November 1986 and reached No. 3 in
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1920-402: The bar of commercial albums back then, the overproduction provides it with a poppy freshness that Alf lacked." Josh Lee of Attitude stated: "Big choruses that demand to be sung along to don't come more insistent than "Is This Love?" and "Weak in the Presence of Beauty but their singer wasn't as enthralled by the album as her fans." Gay Times writer Darren Howard wrote: "It's not that it's
1980-516: The challenges of having dyslexia and ADHD . She embarked on a weight loss programme, because she did not want to become "an obese old woman". On 14 October 2014, Moyet was presented with a Gold Badge Award by professional music writers association The Ivors Academy . Moyet was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to music. She
2040-487: The debut of Martin's West End musical & Juliet . In April 2022, another free special issue was released to promote the third series of Derry Girls . EMAP licensed the brand for a number of compilation albums, including a tie-in with the Now That's What I Call Music brand for Now Smash Hits , a retrospective of the early 1980s (80 - 87). The Australian edition of Smash Hits magazine began in November 1984 as
2100-495: The first stanza of the song. (Twenty years later, he overdubbed his vocal for the Live Aid DVD release.) Moyet also released a single not featured on Alf , a cover of the standard " That Ole Devil Called Love ", which climbed to No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart (it remains Moyet's highest-charting UK single). Moyet had another big UK hit the following year with " Is This Love? " (co-written by Eurythmics ' Dave Stewart , under
2160-475: The following June, Moyet confirmed that she was still recording her album and that she was not rushing it. On 22 January 2013, Moyet announced that she had signed a worldwide deal with London-based record label Cooking Vinyl . Sony Music had earlier announced that Moyet's four solo albums on the label ( Alf , Raindancing , Hoodoo and Essex ) were being digitally remastered and would be reissued with B-sides and bonus material. In February 2013, Moyet said of
2220-484: The magazine would cease publication after the February 13 edition due to declining sales. In July 2009, a one-off commemorative issue of the magazine was published as a tribute to singer Michael Jackson . Further one-off specials were released in November 2009 ( Take That ), December 2010 ( Lady Gaga ) and November 2019 ( Max Martin ), the latter was a free magazine at certain London Underground stations to mark
2280-503: The magazine's history. In 1984, an Australian version was created and proved just as successful for that new market as the original had back in Britain, whilst in the United States, a version was published during the 1980s under the title Star Hits , drawing articles from the British version. It was published by EMAP, who also use the name for one of their digital television services, and for
2340-410: The one I now find myself with 30-years-in. Guy Sigsworth returns me to a programmer's world and marries it with perfect musicality. I have been waiting for him. We have made an album mindless of industry mores that apply to middle-aged women and have shunned all talk of audiences, demographics and advert jazz covers. This has easily been my happiest studio experience". The Minutes debuted at number 5 on
2400-407: The original tapes along with 12-inch remixes, b-sides and previously unreleased songs. Moyet's ninth studio album Other , described as "intelligent, adventurous electronic pop," co-produced by Guy Sigsworth, was released 16 June 2017 on Cooking Vinyl. From September through December that same year, she embarked on a world tour, The Other Tour. In October 2017, Moyet featured as guest artist on
2460-504: The originals triumph through Moyet's intimate presence, both as an intelligent songwriter and an anguised voice one never tires of." Musician stated: "Unlike its synth-smart predecessor, Raindancing lacks the instant appeal of Swain & Jolley's intellectualized dance music. But though the performances here take a bit more patience to appreciate, they're no less rewarding; if anything, Moyet's interpretive gifts have grown, and Jimmy Iovine's understated production takes pains not to get in
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2520-477: The play Smaller , which undertook a regional tour before a stint at London's Lyric Theatre . Moyet's first marriage, to hairdresser and retired London firefighter Malcolm Lee, with whom she has a son, ended in divorce. Moyet has a daughter with former partner Kim McCarthy, and a daughter with her current husband David Ballard. In 2013, Moyet moved from Radlett , Hertfordshire , to Brighton . She has been candid about her battles with weight and agoraphobia and
2580-493: The pseudonym Jean Guiot), followed in 1987 by her second LP, Raindancing . Raindancing spawned further hit singles, including a cover of Floy Joy 's " Weak in the Presence of Beauty " and " Ordinary Girl ". In 1987, she scored another cover hit with " Love Letters ", which peaked at UK No. 4. The video for the song featured comedy duo French & Saunders . Following a period of personal and career evaluation, she released Hoodoo in 1991. The album sold respectably in
2640-816: The release with a tour of the UK and Ireland during November and December 2009. Also in 2009, she provided vocals to My Robot Friend's single "Waiting." Moyet appeared with Jools Holland throughout his tour of the UK in 2010. In the same year she contributed vocals to "The Man That Got Away" on Holland's album Rocking Horse . Moyet appeared with Heather Peace in January 2012 on the final concert of Peace's first studio album, Fairytales . Moyet announced on BBC Radio 6 Music that her new album with Guy Sigsworth would be released in 2012, but in February that year she stated: "I appear to have forfeited my recording deal because I won't do reality TV. No-one needs to make an album that badly. Tea anyone?" In an interview with Touchbase
2700-496: The remastered albums: "The project was Sony's – some initial work was done and then the project was suspended." The Minutes was released in the UK on 6 May 2013. The first single, " When I Was Your Girl ", was released on 1 April 2013. A tour of the UK and Ireland to promote the album was announced for October. Describing the album, Moyet said: "I avoided listening to anything during the process of writing and recording this album, choosing instead to be led by my own melodic voice,
2760-666: The same sixth form class as future Depeche Mode members Andrew Fletcher and Martin Gore . She was involved in a number of punk rock , pub rock , and blues bands in the southeast Essex area during the late 1970s and early 1980s, including the Vandals , the Screamin' Ab Dabs, the Vicars, and the Little Roosters. After leaving school at age 16, Moyet worked as a shop assistant and trained as
2820-479: The scales on her new Raindancing . Gone for most part are the R&;B grooves. Although synths still rule, there's nothing remotely Yaz-tech about them. Even when funk occasionally surfaces, as on 'You Got Me Wrong,' it's hammered out with an American rock drum sound that's pure MTV. There's a tangible effort to push Moyet into the 'til Tuesday camp of semisweet pop, especially on 'Weak in the Presence of Beauty'. But most of
2880-641: The songs but the conception of them was all wrong... what was written as jangly, English irony got the American session, pop treatment. I didn't involve myself in the 'sound'. I was driving on cruise control. It was made and not felt." Upon release, Smash Hits said: "Ever since she made her first solo LP, Alf , Alison Moyet has been slagging it off for being a bit of a middle-of-the-road coffee table record, so it's surprising that Raindancing isn't really that different. There's less roaring singing and less emphasis on being intensely 'soulful' but these are still 10 fairly polite pop songs. Not that it's bad – most of it
2940-487: The studio album Alf (1984) and the compilation album Singles (1995). She has also achieved nine top 30 singles and six top 10 hits on the UK Singles Chart . Moyet made her stage debut in the London West End production of the musical Chicago in 2001. She played the part of Matron "Mama" Morton. Although the play was initially intended for a short run, it was extended to six months. In 2006, she appeared in
3000-426: The success of the album contributed to Moyet receiving her second Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist. Despite the success of Raindancing , Moyet later revealed she was not happy with the album's American sound. Later recalling the album's period in 2007, Moyet felt that using an American producer and giving much control to engineers was a "bad move". Writing for her website, Moyet recalled: "I do like some of
3060-512: The time of its demise, it was down to 120,000. In the 1990s, the magazine's circulation slumped and it was overtaken by the BBC 's spin-off magazine Top of the Pops . EMAP's other biweekly teen magazine of the period Big! (which featured more celebrities and stars of TV series including Australian show Home and Away and United States import Beverly Hills, 90210 ) was closed and this celebrity focus
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#17328547181083120-419: The way. Which is why the likes of 'Sleep Like Breathing' or 'Weak in the Presence of Beauty' hold such lasting allure." Jonathan Butler of People said: "Moyet's solo career has been like one of those baffling marriages in which you adore the wife but can't figure out what she sees in her oafish husband. It's hard to resist the British singer, who has a captivating voice, gracious, full-bodied and colored with
3180-499: Was also a source of controversy for her; in order for the album to be released, her label (now Sony ) insisted that certain Essex tracks be re-recorded and re-produced, and that there be additional material remixed to create a more "commercial" package. The video for the single " Whispering Your Name " again featured Dawn French . Following the release of Essex , Sony released a greatest hits compilation of Moyet's work. Singles entered
3240-458: Was co-written with David A. Stewart of Eurythmics while Moyet was living in Los Angeles. As a friend of Iovine's, Stewart had called into the studio to see Iovine, who suggested he and Moyet write a song together. To avoid problems with his publishers, Stewart's contribution was disguised under the pseudonym Jean Guiot. " Sleep Like Breathing " was written by David Freeman and Joseph Hughes of The Lover Speaks . The duo contributed three songs to
3300-581: Was featured on the British leg of the Lilith Fair tour. 2001 saw the release of The Essential Alison Moyet CD, and in 2002 The Essential Alison Moyet DVD. In 1995, she sang back-up vocals with Sinéad O'Connor for one of Dusty Springfield 's last television appearances, singing "Where Is a Woman to Go?" on the music show Later...with Jools Holland . In August 2002, Moyet was released from her Sony contract. Moyet signed to Sanctuary Records and released her first studio album in eight years. Hometime
3360-613: Was less successful commercially when released in May 1987, peaking at No. 43 in the UK and No. 22 in Ireland. The final single was Sleep Like Breathing", a duet with David Freeman . It peaked at No. 80 in the UK after being released in September 1987. To promote the album, Moyet embarked on her only world tour. Although successful, Moyet would later describe the tour as "lack-lustre", while noting that it signalled her breakdown with her label CBS. In 1988,
3420-399: Was novel at the time and, rather than looking up to the big names, it often made fun of them, asking strange questions rather than talking about their music. Created by journalist Nick Logan, the title was launched in 1978 and appeared monthly for its first few issues. He based the idea on a songwords magazine that his sister used to buy, but which was of poor quality. His idea was to launch
3480-514: Was produced by The Insects , who had also produced works by Massive Attack and Madonna . The release of the CD launched Moyet into the top five best-selling female UK artists of 2002, and resulted in a BRIT Awards nomination for Best Female Vocalist, as well as a nomination for the Mercury Music Prize . Hometime was certified Gold in the UK for sales in excess of 100,000 copies. Voice ,
3540-482: Was produced by the record producing and songwriting team of Jolley & Swain . The album was co-written by the duo and Moyet, with the exception of " Invisible ", which was written for Moyet by Lamont Dozier . The record was a hit in Britain, reaching No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart . Alf spawned three international hit singles, Love Resurrection (UK No. 10), Invisible (UK No. 21) and All Cried Out (UK No. 8). In some European territories,
3600-411: Was shifted over to Smash Hits , which became less focused on teen pop and more of an entertainment magazine. The magazine also shifted size a number of times in subsequent relaunches, including one format that was as big as an album with songwords to be clipped out on the card cover. Television presenter and journalist Kate Thornton was editor for a short time. In February 2006, it was announced that
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