Belinda Carlisle Has Not Released A Bad Single Ever

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

I got Belinda Carlisle's greatest hits thing in HMV sale at the weekend and I don't want to listen to anything else ever again. This is the one from 1999 with the silver sleeve and there is not a sub-glorious track on it - Leave A Light On is currently the galaxy-sized Greatest Single Ever, California is all Brian Wilson and immaculately-timed "do-do-do"s, Live Your Life Be Free has more colossal crunchy explosions buried therein than I remembered, Summer Rain is all balmy-humid-implied-death.

This is all fairly inconsequential stuff but was just curious as to whether or not there was a general consensus of opinion about Ms C. Basically.

― alexfack (alexfack), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 12:13 (twenty-two years ago)

I had the misfortune of seeing Fergie Carlisle live once.

Never have I seen such a stampede for the bar.

She was more fun on cocaine.

Deeply dud.

― russ t, Tuesday, 15 April 2003 12:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Belinda Carlisle has yet to release anything worth listening to after The Go-Go's broke up.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 12:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Siuation flamable, love is a big scary animal

=> classic

― Robin Goad (rgoad), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 12:50 (twenty-two years ago)

I love Belinda and the thread-starter is OTM on those underrated tracks. 'Leave A Light On' is as good an example as any.

― the pinefox, Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:13 (twenty-two years ago)

what is the difference between belinda carlisle and beverley craven? am i right in thinking that it is hard to confuse the two? beverley craven went to school in my town btw.

― ambrose (ambrose), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:21 (twenty-two years ago)

All I remember about Beverly Craven was that she was mostly piano-orientated and that Kim Wilde was really excellently condescending to her when presenting her with a Brit in about 1992.

― alexfack (alexfack), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:38 (twenty-two years ago)

(Belinda is about a billion times more joyous and Necessary)

― alexfack (alexfack), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:38 (twenty-two years ago)

i like 'Circle In The Sand' - all her other singles suck but she does have a cool voice

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Such love for The Belinda!! Over here in America she had like one hit, in whose video she writhed, under shadowy stripes of light. I never really thought about it much.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:43 (twenty-two years ago)

i move that Jane Wiedlin's 'Rush Hour' be considered better than most Belinda Carlisle songs....all in favour?

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:45 (twenty-two years ago)

I'll vote for Jane. Belinda had a lousy voice, all quivering forced vibrato.

― Sean (Sean), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:48 (twenty-two years ago)

I Get Weak, that was it!!

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:50 (twenty-two years ago)

I Get Weak was a shameless, weak pastiche of the Floy Joy classic 'Weak in the Presence of Beauty' (also done by Alison Moyet of course.

― russ t, Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Certainly Rush Hour is spinetingling sparkly perfection also, but it's the only Jane Wiedlin thing I know. Suggestions of other stuff in this vein would also be much appreciated.

― alexfack (alexfack), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:52 (twenty-two years ago)

whats that Go-Gos track, the one where Belinda (i think) yells out 'gimme that funky 808' or something towards the end...?

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:53 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm all about some Jane Wiedlin love (note: I only know the one song)

― James Blount (James Blount), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 13:57 (twenty-two years ago)

ooohhh "Rush Hour" mmmmm

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 16:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Aha! I remember another Jane song: Blue Kiss.

― Sean (Sean), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 18:38 (twenty-two years ago)

"Cool Places"-Jane w/Sparks (double good)

― Charles McCain (Charles McCain), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 18:52 (twenty-two years ago)

"Leave a Light On" (fantastic!!) made my choice of Top 10 AOR Songs list, way back when...

Top 10 AOR Songs

― Joe (Joe), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 19:00 (twenty-two years ago)

You're all HIGH.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 19:02 (twenty-two years ago)

That's an insult to people who actually get high, goddamnit. I mean, besides "Leave A Light On" what the hell are you people talking about?

― Ally (mlescaut), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 23:55 (twenty-two years ago)

I got Belinda Carlisle's greatest hits thing in HMV sale at the weekend and I don't want to listen to anything else ever again

I felt this way about Debbie Gibson's Greatest Hits when I bought it several years ago. "Out of the Blue" is just amazing.

― Aaron A., Wednesday, 16 April 2003 00:44 (twenty-two years ago)

can someone make me a mixtape with "mad about you" on it? i miss having that song in my life.

― di smith (lucylurex), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 00:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Over here in America she had like one hit

She's had a few, no? "Mad About You", and "Heaven is a Place on Earth" is hers too I think.

― Vinnie (vprabhu), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 02:00 (twenty-two years ago)

"Summer Rain" is a fecking classic. Reminds me of Stevie Nicks, too.

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 02:04 (twenty-two years ago)

"La Luna"!

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 03:52 (twenty-two years ago)

man, the title of this thread is so goddamn true. does she have a best-of? if so, i'm THERE

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 05:42 (twenty-two years ago)

duhhhh i should probably read the thread. disclaimer: i am drunk

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 05:42 (twenty-two years ago)

'Runaway horses' rocks most mightily, and the guitar solo in 'Leave a light on' is the best thing George Harrison did since ' My sweet lord'.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 07:19 (twenty-two years ago)

'Circle In The Sand' beats all else i'm tellin ya

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 09:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Good God, that really IS George Harrison? Wow..

― Joe (Joe), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 13:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Lowest point in Killing Joke history: Following the gradual implosion that preceded the abortive Outside the Gate album, bassist Paul Raven became a sessioneer and hired gun.....and actually played bass in the backing band for Belinda Carlisle, appearing on Top of the Pops with her. His only comment on Ms.Carlisle?: "Fucking Coke Slut!"

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 13:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Alex.... err... was this before or after Youth produced a Bananarama album?

And, incidentally, shagged one of 'em (Sara I believe)?

― russ t, Wednesday, 16 April 2003 13:41 (twenty-two years ago)

His only comment on Ms.Carlisle?: "Fucking Coke Slut!"
b-b-b-but what about us on forum who LIKE Fucking Coke Sluts?

― Lord Custos Epsilon (Lord Custos Epsilon), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 14:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, what the hell, that's not necessarily an insult.

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 14:38 (twenty-two years ago)

fucking coke sluts, thats my ambition

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 14:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Youth split after Revelations. Raven split after Brighter Than a Thousand Suns . Both returned later, and are now both in the band again. Not sure how that's going to work.

Oh, and Raven claims to have had angry, coke-slathered hate-sex with Belinda. Believe it or don't.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 14:40 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.an-irrational-domain.net/images/raven/raven10.jpg

The Raven in question.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 14:42 (twenty-two years ago)

RAVEN: What the FUCK do you think YER LOOKIN AT, FUCKNUGGET?

― Lord Custos Epsilon (Lord Custos Epsilon), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 14:44 (twenty-two years ago)

A rather accurate portrayal, actually.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 14:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Coke-slathered?!

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 16:23 (twenty-two years ago)

slath·er
P

Pronunciation Key (slthr)
tr.v. Informal slath·ered, slath·er·ing, slath·ers

1.To use or give great amounts of; lavish: slathered gifts and attention on their only child.
2.
a.To spread thickly: slather onions on the steak.
b.To cover with something spread thickly: bagels slathered with cream cheese.

Slang. A great amount. Often used in the plural: slathers of jewels.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 16:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, if you ask me, it sounds like they were rubbing it on themselves, Scarface-style, which sounds fantastic and has given me a newfound appreciation for Ms. Carlisle. "I'm so decadent that I don't even snort the coke! I wear it!"

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 16:33 (twenty-two years ago)

What? No kudos for the Raven?

http://www.an-irrational-domain.net/images/raven/raven15.jpg

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 16:37 (twenty-two years ago)

God, Alex NYC, that looks like the bastard Neanderthal son of Gary Numan!
And a tad like JJBurnel from the Stranglers.

Frightening.

― russ t, Wednesday, 16 April 2003 16:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Alright, fine, kudos to him too, I didn't know you were such good friends with him and would be offended by my glossing over his involvement.

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 16:52 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.reelartgallery.com/crime_drama/scarface/pacino_c.jpg

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 16:59 (twenty-two years ago)

'Rush Hour' has hardly ever been mentioned on ilx before. I adore it, and adored the 1988 performance I saw Jane W in her 1988 gear (cor!) give on totp2 last week. Maybe I even prefer that song to all Carlisle's. Nonetheless, I love Carlisle.

― the pinefox, Thursday, 17 April 2003 12:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Skipping 7 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

After working with then Jericho she was cursed.

― Gatinha (rwillmsen), Friday, 18 April 2003 03:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Does that mean somewhere out there, there might be an unreleased version of "I'll Love Her for Both of Us" from Bonnie Tyler?

― Joe (Joe), Friday, 18 April 2003 03:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Jim Steinman wrote "Total Eclipse of the Heart" for Bonnie Tyler.

Kristian Hoffman wrote "Total Eclipse" for Klaus Nomi. He also wrote a song called "Belinda". "Now you're moving in with Cindy, Dennis and Kid/Well they know who you are and they saw what you did/ Even Pleasant had a wedding to show you the way/But now Buster's alone with a beer in LA." It's all early-eighties LA namedropping, it's great.

God, I hate Jane Drano, the loudmouth S&M pixie. She's a nuisance. Search the bridge to "Our Lips Are Sealed" in the back of that convertible. Destroy everything else.

Wow, she really makes me cranky.

― Arthur (Arthur), Friday, 18 April 2003 05:18 (twenty-two years ago)

one year passes...

The video for Rush Hour is great. Jane is a real cutie. Blue Kiss is a great track also.

― the orion syndicate, Wednesday, 5 January 2005 15:31 (twenty-one years ago)

I just got Beauty & The Beat. It is perfect. What next?

― Alex In Doncaster (Alex in Doncaster), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 15:54 (twenty-one years ago)

I think the only solo-Belinda I ever enjoyed was "Mad About You," which is kinda catchy. "Circle in the Sand" struck me as sounding too much like an attempt to compete with Tiffany and Debbie Gibson, who both had very similar songs out at about the same time.

The Go-Gos, though, freakin rawked. Cf. the Yamaha stage piano on the intro to "Head Over Heels." And its bass solo over handclaps. Gina's drum break in "Vacation." "Our Lips Are Sealed." I can even get behind the "WOOOOOOOO" in "We Got the Beat." It's burned into my brain as part of the soundtrack to my middle-school years.

― The Mad Puffin, Wednesday, 5 January 2005 16:10 (twenty-one years ago)

heaven is a place on earth = you give love a bad name

― andrew m. (andrewmorgan), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 16:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I love all Belinda singles; in fact, I'm shocked so many remember minor singles like "Leave A Light On" (yes, agreed, the BEST solo of George's career) and "Summer Rain." If I was in a band, I'd demand that my guys cover "Heaven is a Place on Earth," even though it's basically "You Give Love A Bad Name" with synthesized heavenly choir and Belinda's inimitable quavery vibrato.

"Talk Show" is as underrated as "Beauty & The Beat" is overrated. "Head Over Heels," yes, but what about "Turn To You"? Belinda's fiercest vocals, Gina's loudest drumming. Or "Forget That Day".

VH-1 Classic plays "Rush Hour" a lot. Wieldin was always the Go-Go's more sophisticated songwriter...

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Wednesday, 5 January 2005 19:37 (twenty-one years ago)

And Wiedlin looked cuter jumping up and down in a studded leather miniskirt, also.

― The Mad Puffin, Wednesday, 5 January 2005 20:07 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

My oldies station played "Circle in the Sand"; am deliriously happy.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 28 October 2006 23:15 (nineteen years ago)

why is talk show out of print?

― kyle (akmonday), Sunday, 29 October 2006 03:56 (nineteen years ago)

I thought Heaven is a Place on earth more ~ Living on a Prayer (the bass lines in the respective chorus' sound similar at one point)

― Joe (Joe), Sunday, 29 October 2006 04:40 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=befYI0vGJi0

― the orchid and the wasp (Jody Beth Rosen), Sunday, 29 October 2006 04:57 (nineteen years ago)

summer rain is really catchy in a nice quasi-evocative sort of way. semi-classic

― Charlie Howard (the sphinx), Sunday, 29 October 2006 06:58 (nineteen years ago)

OMG people, Belinda solo is just nauseating. The title of this thread makes no sense.

― Am I laughing or crying? Am I ripping or burning? (Bimble...), Sunday, 29 October 2006 08:59 (nineteen years ago)

I recently heard her do "Bonnie & Clyde" from her forthcoming album. While this sounds like it could be awesome, it wasn't.

― mcd (mcd), Monday, 30 October 2006 14:25 (nineteen years ago)

You mean, she is not to blame for "Heaven Is a Place On Earth"?

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Monday, 30 October 2006 15:50 (nineteen years ago)

"Heaven Is A Place On Earth" is one of the most enduring melodic pop hits of the 1980's.

No doubts you were listening to amelodic garbage like Pubic Enemy at the time.

― Comstock Carabineri (nostudium), Monday, 30 October 2006 15:54 (nineteen years ago)

I sadly own all of Belinda's solo records.

I think Live Your Life Be Free is the best of the bunch. My favorite song is "You Came Out Of Nowhere" which marries a 60's girl group sound with a Sarah Cracknell 'modern' dancefloor style.

No, I cannot be helped.

― zaxxon25 (zaxxon25), Monday, 30 October 2006 18:59 (nineteen years ago)

I recently heard her do "Bonnie & Clyde" from her forthcoming album.

What, the Gainsbourg song? Blargh!

― Django Blowhardt (Rock Hardy), Monday, 30 October 2006 19:12 (nineteen years ago)

yup. http://www.stereogum.com/archives/003607.html

― mcd (mcd), Monday, 30 October 2006 19:17 (nineteen years ago)

haha, alfred, aren't you the one complaining about george harrison's bad singing on the ATMP thread? belinda's voice is way more grating than george's.

― timmy tannin (pompous), Monday, 30 October 2006 19:53 (nineteen years ago)

They say in heaven
love comes first
We'll make heaven a place on earth

― Joe (Joe), Monday, 30 October 2006 20:55 (nineteen years ago)

Yes, but Belinda's wobbly pipes bespeak charm and insouciance! Besides, there are no Extra Textures in her oeuvre.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Monday, 30 October 2006 22:16 (nineteen years ago)

She should have quit the music biz when The Go-Go's broke up and she would have quit on top.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Monday, 30 October 2006 22:31 (nineteen years ago)

ten years pass...

Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii get a-weak

― Neanderthal, Saturday, 18 February 2017 03:09 (nine years ago)

fabulous video -- the hot dude is the object of desire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmMCXLdNrz8

― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 18 February 2017 03:10 (nine years ago)

one of the few Diane Warren songs I can take

― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 18 February 2017 03:10 (nine years ago)

i wouldn't have even known it was hers, and usually I can smell Warren off the bat

― Neanderthal, Saturday, 18 February 2017 03:12 (nine years ago)

this belongs on my "songs I used to hear on the way to little league baseball games" along with Peter Cetera/Cher's "After All", Cheap Trick's "The Flame", etc

― Neanderthal, Saturday, 18 February 2017 03:12 (nine years ago)

belongs on my *mixtape

― Neanderthal, Saturday, 18 February 2017 03:13 (nine years ago)

nine years pass...

I resumed Black Mirror after a couple of years, just watched "San Junipero" (S3). "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" is used prominently, reminding me that it was also used prominently in The Handmaid's Tale.

I've always liked the song, but I never considered it major or anything, never thought of it as a pop song that defines its moment. But those two appearances suggest to me that it struck a deep chord with some. And I can see that.

(The music was interesting all through "San Junipero.")

― clemenza, Tuesday, 10 March 2026 02:09 (two weeks ago)

Too often, I watch "Bargain Hunt" and when someone picks up an interesting thingy and the expert sidles up to them..

In my mind, I hear the intro to "Heaven is a place on earth"

― Mark G, Wednesday, 11 March 2026 07:26 (two weeks ago)

I suspect its more the initial impact hit, straight to well known chorus and then recognisable instrumental melody that can then be dipped below the dialogue that makes it so suitable for syncs.

its likely her best known song in the UK though, for some via hearing the Orbital sample in a tired and emotional state.

― my opinionation (Hamildan), Wednesday, 11 March 2026 13:13 (two weeks ago)

It's certainly one of the songs that has crossed over to the radio format that mixes 80s songs with Taylor, Arianna etc.

― 138,683 Serious, Earnest Americans Emphasize Demand for Prepar (President Keyes), Wednesday, 11 March 2026 13:49 (two weeks ago)

Taylor Swift songs like "Red" and "Starlight" evoke its spirit.

― The Luda of Suburbia (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 March 2026 14:04 (two weeks ago)

The production on "Heaven Is a Place" is so fantastic, the absolute peak of that late '80s big glossy pop sound. Sounds great coming out of car speakers.

― paper plans (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 March 2026 15:02 (two weeks ago)

I'm glad we've reclaimed "Heaven..." b/c it got a lot of sniffy contempt at the time, in part b/c it sounds a lot like the inferior "You Give Love a Bad Name."

― The Luda of Suburbia (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 March 2026 15:15 (two weeks ago)

And weirdly (as I noted on the 'sounds like' thread) Wire's "Kidney Bingos"!

― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 March 2026 15:21 (two weeks ago)

You mean "Living on a Prayer"

― Josefa, Wednesday, 11 March 2026 16:20 (two weeks ago)

No, "You Give Love a Bad Name."

Shot through the heart
and you're to blame
darling you give love a bad name

You can sing the HIAPOE chorus atop it perfectly: both songs even lead with the chorus.

― The Luda of Suburbia (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 March 2026 16:24 (two weeks ago)

"Heaven" is far superior to "You Give Love," but perhaps that's the point you're making? that the assessment has been inverted?

― Cattedrale metropolitana di Santa Maria de Episcopio, Wednesday, 11 March 2026 16:28 (two weeks ago)

That explains why that's my favorite Bon Jovi single — tho not a patch on Belinda's.

― paper plans (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 11 March 2026 16:28 (two weeks ago)

Yeah I guess it sounds like both of those Bon Jovi songs

― Josefa, Wednesday, 11 March 2026 16:29 (two weeks ago)

The BJ single came first in America tbc

― The Luda of Suburbia (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 March 2026 16:29 (two weeks ago)

I don't really hear it, but that's probably because SHOT THROUGH THE HEART is so pronounced while "oooh baby" isn't.

― 138,683 Serious, Earnest Americans Emphasize Demand for Prepar (President Keyes), Wednesday, 11 March 2026 16:30 (two weeks ago)

Yeah, I was surprised to relisten to "Heaven" and find that there's almost no syncopation in the chorus melody; she's basically just delineating quarter notes. But the effect somehow isn't one of rigidity. Think it has to do with how she extends "earth" into two syllables, with the second one landing on the & of 3 and giving it a slinkier vibe than if it had simply been PLACE ON EARTH à la Bon Jovi

― Cattedrale metropolitana di Santa Maria de Episcopio, Wednesday, 11 March 2026 17:31 (two weeks ago)

The growl she inserts into "I'm not afraid any-mo-HOORE" does wonders

― The Luda of Suburbia (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 March 2026 17:56 (two weeks ago)

You can sing the HIAPOE chorus atop it perfectly: both songs even lead with the chorus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6pUyxcKrRQ

― my opinionation (Hamildan), Wednesday, 11 March 2026 21:15 (two weeks ago)

5:50 in the post above for context.

― my opinionation (Hamildan), Wednesday, 11 March 2026 21:15 (two weeks ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.