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Eye Dance
Eye Dance
Eye Dance
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Eye Dance
Studio album by
Boney M.
Released2 October 1985
Recorded1985
StudioFar Studios, Munich
Genre
Length41:33
LabelHansa (FRG)
Atlantic (US)
Carrere (UK)
ProducerFrank Farian
Boney M. chronology
Christmas with Boney M.
(1984) 		Eye Dance
(1985) 		The Best of 10 Years – 32 Superhits
(1986)
Singles from Eye Dance
  1. "My Cherie Amour"
    Released: May 1985
  2. "Young, Free and Single"
    Released: September 1985
  3. "Bang Bang Lulu"
    Released: June 1986
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllmusicStarHalf star [1]

Eye Dance is the eighth and final studio album by the vocal group Boney M., released in 1985. The cover artwork was symbolic of the state the group was in at that time, as neither the famous "Boney M." logo nor the group members appeared on the cover, and were replaced by an anonymous drawing.

Eye Dance was recorded with a number of session singers. Original group members Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett only appeared on a few of the tracks, the main focus being on Reggie Tsiboe. The singles "My Cherie Amour" and "Young Free and Single" were promoted by Boney M. as a quintet, with former group member Bobby Farrell back in the line-up; both these singles and the album were resounding failures, both critically and commercially, and in early 1986 the band and producer Frank Farian went their separate ways after a 10 Years Boney M. anniversary TV special.

Track listing

[edit]
  1. "Young, Free and Single" (Mary Susan Applegate, Frank Farian, Robert Rayen) - 4:10
  2. "Todos Buenos" (Mary Susan Applegate, Frank Farian) - 4:34
  3. "Give It Up" (Bernd Dietrich, Gerd Grabowski, Engelbert Simons) - 3:58
  4. "Sample City" (Rainer Maria Ehrhardt, Frank Farian) - 3:43
  5. "My Cherie Amour" (Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder) - 4:04
  6. "Eye Dance" (Mary Susan Applegate, Frank Farian, Pit Löw) - 4:04
  7. "Got Cha Loco" (Mary Susan Applegate, Harald Baierl, Frank Farian, Robert Rayen) - 3:34
  8. "Dreadlock Holiday" (Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart) - 4:52
  9. "Chica da Silva" (Catherine Courage, Frank Farian, Hans-Jörg Mayer "Reyam") - 5:33
  10. "Bang Bang Lulu" (Traditional, Frank Farian, Peter Bischof-Fallenstein) - 3:01

Personnel

[edit]

Production

[edit]
  • Frank Farian - producer
  • Harry Baierl - arranger, programmer
  • Mats Björklund - arranger, programmer
  • Pit Löw - arranger, programmer
  • Bernd Berwanger - sound engineer
  • Carmine Di - engineer
  • Michael Bestmann - engineer
  • Tammy Grohé - engineer
  • David Simic - artwork, cover design
  • Recorded and mixed at Far Studios, Rosbach and Basic Studio, Munich.

Reissued

[edit]
  • 1994: CD, BMG 74321 21264 2
  • 2007: CD, Sony BMG Music Entertainment 88697094842
  • 2017: Boney M. Complete, 9 LP, Sony Music 88985406971

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Eye Dance

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Eye Dance is the eighth and final studio album by the German Euro disco group Boney M., released in October 1985 by . Produced by , the album incorporates and electronic elements, featuring 10 tracks including covers like "My Cherie Amour" and originals such as "Young, Free and Single." With a runtime of 41:33, it represents Boney M.'s shift toward more contemporary production styles amid declining commercial success. The album includes notable singles "Young, Free and Single," which peaked at number 48 in , and "My Cherie Amour," a cover of the classic adapted to the group's disco-infused sound. Tracks like "Todos Buenos" and "Dreadlock Holiday" (a cover) highlight the diverse influences, blending Latin rhythms, , and upbeat pop. Recorded at Far Studios in Rosbach and Basic Studio in , Eye Dance was the last project under Farian's production before the group's original lineup disbanded in 1986. Despite not matching the chart-topping success of earlier albums like , Eye Dance was a commercial disappointment that did not achieve significant chart positions. It has been reissued in remastered formats, including a 2007 edition by . The cover art, featuring the band members in stylized poses, symbolizes the era's transition in their career.

Background and Development

Group's Context in 1985

Boney M. rose to international fame in the late 1970s and early , propelled by massive hits such as "," which topped charts across and sold millions of copies, alongside other successes like "Daddy Cool" and "Rasputin" that contributed to over 100 million records sold worldwide. By the mid-1980s, however, the group's popularity had significantly declined amid escalating internal conflicts, including disputes among members that strained relationships and led to multiple lineup shifts. Producer , who had created and guided Boney M. since its inception, displayed waning interest in the group by 1985, shifting focus toward new ventures like the supergroup while the band grappled with instability. This period saw original lead singer Liz Mitchell's involvement diminish, with assuming a central vocal role after replacing in 1982; Farrell had rejoined the group in 1984, forming a , and participated in promotional efforts for the album's singles. and remained as core members, but the lineup's fractures were evident in the reduced participation of Mitchell and Barrett on recordings. The album's , an abstract and anonymous drawing devoid of the group's or any depictions of its members, underscored the fractured dynamics within Boney M. at the time.

Conception and Pre-Production

Following a period of declining commercial success in the early , producer conceived Eye Dance as Boney M.'s eighth studio album to attempt a revival through a blend of original compositions and covers of established hits, such as Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amour," intended to capitalize on familiar material. Pre-production in early 1985 focused on selecting tracks and arranging vocals, with an emphasis on session singers such as and Elaine Goff, alongside limited contributions from core members , , and , supplemented by Farian's own vocal input on several songs. The recording was planned for Far Studios in Rosbach and Basic Studio in to facilitate Farian's direction toward a and electronic dance sound that reflected prevailing 1980s trends in and .

Production

Recording Process

The recording of Eye Dance took place throughout 1985 primarily at Far Studios in Rosbach, , with additional sessions at Basic Studio in . The process emphasized electronic production techniques, incorporating synthesizers to achieve a contemporary aesthetic that updated the group's sound. Vocals were largely overdubbed to accommodate the limited availability of original members, with lead vocals provided by , , , and , Farian handling several leads and backing parts, Liz Mitchell on select leads and harmonies, and Marcia Barrett on limited features. Session vocalists Amy Goff and Elaine Goff provided additional backing vocals on key tracks to fill out the arrangements. This approach addressed participation constraints while maintaining the group's multi-vocalist style. Post-production involved final mixing handled by engineers including Bernd Berwanger, Carmine Di, Michael Bestmann, and Tammy Grohé, culminating in summer 1985 preparations for vinyl LP and cassette releases. Frank Farian oversaw the overall production to ensure cohesion.

Key Personnel and Contributions

Frank Farian served as the primary producer for Eye Dance, overseeing the album's overall vision, songwriting contributions, and arrangements while also providing lead and backing vocals on several tracks. The arrangements were handled by Harry Baierl, Mats Björklund, and Pit Löw, who also contributed instrumentation from 's regular studio team; Baierl and Löw focused on keyboards and programming, while Björklund added guitar and bass alongside similar keyboard work. Drummer provided percussion support across the recordings. provided lead vocals on several tracks, alongside who handled primary male leads on multiple others, with session singers including Amy Goff, Elaine Goff, and Judy Cheeks delivering backing and additional features. Original members and offered limited input, appearing only on select tracks for leads and backing. Engineering duties were led by Bernd Berwanger and Carmine Di, who handled recording and mixing at studios including Far Studios in Rosbach and Basic Studio in München.

Musical Content

Genre and Style

Eye Dance represents a transition in Boney M.'s discography toward 1980s electronic pop, blending Eurodisco roots with prominent synth-pop elements that marked a departure from the group's earlier pure disco sound of the late 1970s. The album's primary genre is classified as electronic, specifically synth-pop, reflecting the era's shift to synthesized instrumentation and programmed rhythms over live band arrangements. This evolution aligns with broader 1980s trends in European dance music, where producers like Frank Farian incorporated digital synthesizers to create a more polished, machine-like production style, reducing the organic funk and reggae influences prominent in prior releases such as Nightflight to Venus (1978). Stylistically, the album features upbeat dance tracks with repetitive, melodic structures designed for club play, often at tempos around 120-130 BPM to evoke energy and movement. Synthesizers dominate the , providing layered electronic textures and basslines, while vocal arrangements emphasize harmonious group choruses with occasional male leads, contributing to a happy, escapist vibe. Lyrical themes center on themes of personal freedom, romance, and lighthearted , as seen in tracks exploring singledom and affection, which complement the album's dance-oriented ethos without delving into deeper . The album's approach also incorporates a mix of original compositions and covers, drawing from diverse sources to infuse variety into its electronic framework; for instance, it reinterprets Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amour" and the traditional folk song "Bang Bang Lulu" alongside newly written pieces, showcasing Farian's strategy of blending familiar motifs with contemporary production techniques. Compared to Boney M.'s earlier work, which relied more on live instrumentation and Caribbean-infused grooves, Eye Dance prioritizes programmed beats and synthetic effects, resulting in a cleaner, more clinical sound that mirrors the group's adaptation to waning popularity and rising synth-driven pop. This stylistic pivot underscores Farian's production philosophy of evolving with electronic trends while maintaining the group's accessible, danceable appeal.

Track Listing and Analysis

The album Eye Dance is structured as a standard vinyl LP with five tracks on Side A and four on Side B, yielding a total runtime of approximately 35 minutes. It comprises six original songs, two covers, and one adaptation of a traditional folk song, the majority of originals written by a team including producer alongside Mary Susan Applegate and others.
SideTrackTitleDurationWritersNotes
A1Young, Free and Single4:10Applegate, Farian, RayenOriginal
A2Todos Buenos4:34Applegate, FarianOriginal
A3Give It Up3:58Applegate, Farian, ReinholdOriginal
A4Sample City3:43Applegate, Farian, ReinholdOriginal
A5My Cherie Amour4:04Wonder, Moy, CosbyCover of
B1Eye Dance4:01Farian, Reinhold, JayOriginal (title track)
B2Got Cha Loco3:15Farian, Reinhold, JayOriginal
B34:22Stewart, GouldmanCover of
B4Bang Bang Lulu3:10Traditional, arr. FarianAdaptation of traditional folk song
"Young, Free and Single" opens Side A as an energetic opener with prominent synth hooks and a repetitive, anthemic chorus emphasizing themes of youthful , establishing the album's dance-oriented vibe. "Todos Buenos" follows with Latin-tinged rhythms and multilingual , delivering a funky, percussive groove that highlights the group's international appeal through its call-and-response structure. "Give It Up" maintains the momentum via straightforward verse-chorus form and pulsating basslines, focusing on themes of surrender to the dancefloor. "Sample City" incorporates urban sampling motifs and electronic textures, structured around layered synth riffs to evoke city nightlife. Closing Side A, "My Cherie Amour" reinterprets Stevie Wonder's soulful in a mid-tempo with added percussion and harmonious vocals, shifting the focus to romantic longing. Side B begins with the title track "Eye Dance," a synth-driven original built on hypnotic beats and ethereal keyboard lines, exploring themes of visual allure and movement in a looping, trance-like structure. "Got Cha Loco" brings high-energy funk with rapid tempo shifts and infectious hooks, centered on playful chaos and attraction. "Dreadlock Holiday" adapts 10cc's reggae-rock hit into a lighter, synth-infused version retaining its vacation escapism theme while incorporating Boney M.'s vocal harmonies over a relaxed rhythm section. The album concludes with "Bang Bang Lulu," a lively take on the traditional folk tune arranged with upbeat tempo and call-and-response vocals, infusing simple narrative elements of mischief with pop flair.

Release and Promotion

Singles and Chart Performance

The lead single from Eye Dance, "My Cherie Amour", was released in May 1985 as a cover of Stevie Wonder's 1969 hit, available in 7-inch vinyl and 12-inch extended formats. The track, produced by , peaked at number 55 on the German singles , spending five weeks in the Top 100. Its B-side featured "Sample City", an original track incorporating elements reminiscent of Eruption's "". "Young, Free and Single" followed as the second single in September 1985, credited to featuring and released in both 7-inch and 12-inch versions. The upbeat track reached number 48 on the German charts, marking a modest success with six weeks on the chart. Its B-side was "Blue Beach", and promotion included video shoots with Farrell rejoining the lineup as a for the first time since 1981. The third single, "Bang Bang Lulu", arrived in July 1986 as a 7-inch vinyl release, serving as a minor post-album effort with limited distribution. It failed to achieve notable chart placement in major European markets. Overall, the singles from Eye Dance experienced modest performance primarily in , reflecting the group's waning commercial momentum in the mid-1980s. The album itself did not enter significant charts, including no position in the UK Top 75, and also failed to chart in other major European markets such as the and .

Marketing Efforts

Eye Dance was released in October 1985 through , a division of that would later be acquired by BMG and subsequently , produced by . The album's initial distribution focused on vinyl LPs and cassettes primarily in , including countries such as , the , , , and , with no significant push into the market. A Japanese edition followed in 1986 on . Promotion for the album centered on television appearances in to support its singles, including performances on popular shows like Ein Kessel Buntes in September 1985, where the group showcased tracks such as "Young, Free and Single" and "Kalimba de Luna," and Show & Co mit Carlo in May 1985 featuring "My Cherie Amour." These TV spots highlighted the reformed lineup with rejoining the group, emphasizing visual energy to align with the album's and dance-oriented style. Due to ongoing internal tensions within the group, particularly between members and producer , promotional activities were constrained, resulting in a limited tour confined to select European venues rather than an extensive international schedule. Marketing efforts faced notable challenges, including a minimal advertising budget that reflected Farian's waning interest in the project amid his shift toward new ventures, leading to a primary reliance on radio for singles like "Young, Free and Single" to drive visibility. This restrained approach underscored the album's position as Boney M.'s final studio release, with promotional resources directed more toward leveraging existing European fanbases than broad global expansion.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

Upon its release in 1985, Eye Dance was met with limited critical attention, reflecting a broader decline in interest toward Boney M., with reviewers describing the album as unexciting and symptomatic of the group's waning momentum. Retrospective assessments have largely echoed this sentiment, positioning Eye Dance as one of the least consistent entries in Boney M.'s catalog and a sign of creative fatigue after nearly a decade of output. The album's average user rating on Rate Your Music stands at 2.4 out of 5, based on over 130 ratings, with commentators highlighting a mix of "fine catchy ditties" amid "some of the lamest crap the group ever did." Similarly, AllMusic users have rated it 6.2 out of 10, underscoring perceptions of diminished energy compared to earlier works. Critics have pointed to an over-reliance on session singers, which further diluted the established group identity, as original members and contributed vocals to only select tracks. Production choices aimed at an synth-pop sound were often deemed dated and uninspired, failing to recapture the vibrant essence of prior albums. Despite these shortcomings, some reviewers have offered positive notes on standout elements, particularly the "Young, Free and Single," appreciated for its upbeat, danceable energy and nostalgic appeal as a fun closer to the group's run. Modern perspectives from fan communities and reissue discussions frequently frame Eye Dance as a flawed but sentimental endpoint, valuing its role in the band's legacy amid the era's shifting musical landscape.

Commercial Impact and Reissues

Eye Dance achieved limited commercial success upon its release, peaking at #51 in and #25 in with no other major chart entries, failing to secure any certifications and underperforming on international charts compared to Boney M.'s earlier albums, which had routinely earned and status in multiple countries. Its disappointing sales and reception contributed to the group's decision to disband in 1986, effectively ending their partnership with producer after a decade of collaboration. The album has seen several reissues to maintain its availability for fans. In 1994, BMG released a CD version that faithfully reproduced the original track listing without additional content. A digitally remastered edition followed in 2007 from , appending two bonus tracks—"Mother & Child Reunion" and "I'm Alive"—performed by , Farian's contemporaneous project featuring similar session musicians. In 2017, Eye Dance was included as part of the comprehensive 9-LP Complete (Original Album Collection) by , presenting remastered 180-gram vinyl pressings of all eight studio albums alongside the 1981 compilation Kalimba de Luna, using high-resolution transfers from the original master tapes. These reissues have helped preserve Eye Dance's place in Boney M.'s , marking the conclusion of their primary studio output while supporting ongoing compilations that draw from the group's broader catalog. The and editions, in particular, enhanced audio quality and contextual ties to Farian's ecosystem, addressing some perceptions of the original release's rushed production.

References

  1. https://www.discogs.com/master/407953-Boney-M-Eye-Dance
  2. https://www.discogs.com/release/809131-Boney-M-Eye-Dance
  3. https://www.discogs.com/master/130646-Boney-M-Featuring-Bobby-Farrell-Young-Free-And-Single
  4. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/boney-m/eye-dance-1/
  5. https://www.amazon.com/Eye-Dance-Boney-M/dp/B000TXPZNA
  6. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/boney-m-mn0000081403
  7. https://top40-charts.com/artist.php?aid=17284
  8. https://startsat60.com/media/entertainment/boney-m-singer-maizie-williams-real-reason-70s-band-split-up
  9. https://lizmitchell.com/?page_id=447
  10. https://www.discogs.com/release/2003205-Boney-M-Eye-Dance
  11. https://cdgo.com/en/detalhe/0889854091910/boney-m-eye-dance
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88IsUuefEbw
  13. https://musicbrainz.org/release/2d7b656e-5f58-44cf-bbe6-91e0c09efc3e
  14. https://www.discogs.com/release/2928083-Boney-M-Featuring-Bobby-Farrell-Eye-Dance
  15. https://music.youtube.com/browse/MPREb_yfUmiuPB1TR
  16. https://www.allmusic.com/album/eye-dance-mw0000763283
  17. https://rateyourmusic.com/music-review/tiger_soren/boney-m/eye-dance-1/3602243
  18. https://www.boney-m.tv/disco
  19. https://www.offiziellecharts.de/suche?artist_search=Boney%2BM.&do_search=do
  20. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/boney-m/young-free-and-single-blue-beach-1/
  21. https://www.discogs.com/release/2468700-Boney-M-Bang-Bang-Lulu
  22. https://hitparade.ch/song/Boney-M./Bang-Bang-Lulu-67063
  23. https://www.uk-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Boney%2BM%252E&titel=Eye%2BDance&cat=s
  24. https://www.discogs.com/release/2378487-Boney-M-Eye-Dance
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5aTLWOA1XA
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHB_C7gEpjA
  27. https://www.beat-magazine.co.uk/2019/way-back-when-boney-m/
  28. https://musicboxtw.com/boney-m/
  29. https://rateyourmusic.com/music-review/akhenatonheretic/boney-m/eye-dance-1/3759413
  30. https://www.facebook.com/BoneyM.de/posts/celebrating-40-years-of-boney-ms-eighth-studio-album-eye-dance-which-brought-us-/1349839389831720/
  31. https://bestsellingalbums.org/artist/1691
  32. https://www.discogs.com/release/528832-Boney-M-Eye-Dance
  33. https://www.discogs.com/release/1543183-Boney-M-Eye-Dance
  34. https://www.discogs.com/release/10524047-Boney-M-Complete
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