Murray Head discography

The discography of Murray Head, an English singer, songwriter, and actor, comprises twelve studio albums, several live recordings, compilations, EPs, and singles, alongside contributions to cast recordings for notable musical theatre productions, spanning from his debut in 1972 to releases as recent as 2024.^[1] Murray Head's recording career gained early prominence through his vocal performance on the single "Superstar" from the 1970 concept album Jesus Christ Superstar, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.^[2] His first studio album, Nigel Lived, arrived in 1972 on the Dawn label, marking the start of a prolific output that blended pop, rock, and theatre influences.^[1] Key releases in the 1970s and early 1980s include Say It Ain't So (1975, featuring the title track single "Say It Ain't So, Joe"), Between Us (1979), Voices (1981), and Shade (1983), showcasing introspective tracks like "Joey's on Fire."^[1] His international breakthrough occurred in 1984 with "One Night in Bangkok" from the musical Chess, with music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, which peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming his signature hit and driving sales for the accompanying Chess concept album.^[3][4][5] Head sustained his momentum through the late 1980s and 1990s with albums such as Sooner or Later (1987), Wave (1992), and Innocence (1993), often exploring themes of love, loss, and social commentary in both English and French.^[1] Entering the 2000s, he shifted toward covers and personal reflections in releases like the compilation-style Emotions (2006), the French-language Rien n’est écrit (2008), and the Bob Dylan tribute My Back Pages (2012), while Blues & Beyond (2020) highlighted his affinity for blues interpretations.^[1] Live efforts, including Collection Live (2009) and Say It Ain’t So - Live! (2024), underscore his enduring stage presence, with performances drawing from hits like "One Night in Bangkok" and "Say It Ain't So, Joe."^[1] Throughout, Head's work reflects collaborations with figures like Alan Stivell and involvement in soundtracks, cementing his niche as a versatile artist bridging musical theatre and pop.^[1]

Albums

Studio albums

Murray Head has released twelve original studio albums as a solo artist over his career, spanning folk-rock influences in the 1970s to more introspective and multilingual works in later decades. These albums represent his primary creative output, often exploring themes of personal struggle, relationships, and social observation through a blend of pop, rock, and blues elements. Production styles evolved from orchestral arrangements in early works to more acoustic and electronic textures in subsequent releases, reflecting Head's collaborations with producers like Rupert Hine and his shift toward French-language projects. Formats primarily include vinyl LPs and CDs, with some digital reissues. The following table lists his studio albums, including release years, labels, primary formats, and peak chart positions where applicable: Nigel Lived, Head's debut, is a concept album divided into "Success" and "Failure" sides, featuring soft rock arrangements with orchestral elements produced by Joe Wissert, capturing the urban alienation of 1970s London life. Say It Ain't So marked a shift to folk-rock influences from the British scene, with introspective tracks like the title song exploring loss and disillusionment, recorded primarily at Morgan Studios. Between Us incorporated bluesy guitar work, emphasizing relational dynamics in a more stripped-back production. Voices and Shade continued this evolution, with the former showcasing diverse vocal narratives over pop-rock backings and the latter adopting atmospheric synths for introspective themes. Later albums like Restless and Sooner or Later blended energetic pop with personal reflections on ambition and love, produced with a polished 1980s sound. Wave and Innocence returned to emotional, acoustic-driven songwriting, highlighting Head's maturing vocal style. Pipe Dreams delved into bluesy, dreamy explorations. Tête à Tête featured intimate duets, while Rien n'est écrit incorporated French philosophical lyrics alongside English tracks, peaking modestly in France. My Back Pages is a tribute to Bob Dylan with covers, and Blues & Beyond highlights blues interpretations. No certifications such as gold or platinum have been awarded to these albums in major markets.

Live albums

Murray Head has released two live albums, capturing his performances during concert tours and emphasizing the dynamic interplay with audiences in theatrical and intimate settings. These recordings highlight his ability to reinterpret material from his studio catalog with extended arrangements and live energy, distinguishing them from polished studio versions. The first live album, Find the Crowd, was released in 1981 by Mercury Records in formats including LP, cassette, and later CD reissues (1993 and 2012 remastered editions).^[6] It was recorded by Mobile One Studio during three concerts in France and engineered and mixed at Farmyard Studios in Amersham, England, preserving the raw atmosphere of European venues with prominent audience participation in tracks like the closing "Pity the Poor Consumer."^[7] The setlist features live interpretations of songs such as "How Many Ways," "Old Soho," "Los Angeles," "Losing You," "Children Only Play," "Last Daze of an Empire," "Countryman," "Never Even Thought," "Say It Ain’t So Joe," and "Pity the Poor Consumer," with the rendition of "Say It Ain’t So Joe" showcasing an extended, emotive delivery that builds on its studio origins from the 1975 album of the same name.^[6] His second live album, Say It Ain't So - Live!, arrived in 2023 (digital) and 2024 (physical) via the independent label Editions Murray Head Music, available as a double CD and double LP.^[8] This full concert recording from a recent tour captures a comprehensive performance spanning his career, including live versions of "Boy on the Bridge," "Boats Away," "When I'm Yours," "Say It Ain’t So Joe," and "One Night in Bangkok," where Head's stage presence infuses the hits with improvisational flair and crowd engagement during encores.^[9] The production emphasizes unadorned acoustics and band chemistry, self-released to reflect his ongoing solo touring ethos without major label intervention.^[10]

Soundtrack albums

Murray Head has contributed to three soundtrack albums, primarily in the French film industry during the 1980s, where he provided vocals, lyrics, and compositional elements in collaborative efforts tied to cinematic narratives. These works highlight his versatility in blending pop and rock styles with film scoring, often focusing on thematic songs that enhance the movies' emotional depth. None of these albums achieved significant commercial chart success, though they received minor recognition in French music circles.^[11][12][13] The following table summarizes the soundtrack albums: These soundtrack projects underscore Head's involvement in European cinema, with no associated awards or nominations documented for his contributions. Some tracks from these albums, such as "Cocktail Molotov," later appeared as singles, but detailed charting is covered elsewhere in the discography.^[15]

Cast recording albums

Murray Head has contributed to several notable cast recordings from musical theatre productions, primarily in lead or prominent roles within concept and studio albums that preceded or accompanied stage shows. These recordings highlight his versatile vocal style, blending rock influences with theatrical narration, and often feature collaborations with renowned composers and performers. His involvement in these projects helped launch international hits and shaped the sound of 1970s and 1980s musical theatre.^[16] The following table lists his key cast recording albums, including release details, roles, and chart performance where applicable: In the 1970 Jesus Christ Superstar concept album, Head's portrayal of Judas Iscariot delivered raw, emotive rock vocals that defined the character's betrayal and internal conflict, backed by orchestral arrangements from Andrew Lloyd Webber and co-stars including Ian Gillan as Jesus and Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene. The production, recorded in London, emphasized a progressive rock sound with gospel influences, and the single "Superstar" (featuring Head with the Trinidad Singers) became a breakthrough hit. Reissues include a 2012 remastered edition and a 2020 50th anniversary deluxe set with alternate takes.^[19] The 1978 Dear Anyone recording, a concept album for the unproduced musical by Don Black, Geoff Stephens, and Jack Rosenthal, explored themes of relationships through an "agony aunt" lens, with Head contributing to ensemble tracks amid performers like Maggie Moone and Steve Harley. Its light pop-rock orchestration reflected late-1970s British theatre trends, though the show never reached the stage. No major reissues exist, but tracks have appeared in compilations of unproduced musicals.^[20] Head's role in the 1984 Chess concept album, composed by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice, showcased his dramatic delivery in songs like "Pity the Child," opposite Tommy Körberg as the Russian and Elaine Paige as Florence, with the London Symphony Orchestra providing sweeping arrangements. The album's blend of pop, rock, and balladry propelled the single "One Night in Bangkok" (Head's rap verses) to global success. A 2014 deluxe remastered edition includes bonus tracks and alternate mixes from the sessions. The Stockholm concert recording, captured live during the album's promotional tour, features the same principal cast and was later released commercially, preserving the energetic stage interpretations with added audience elements.^[21] For the 1986 Time concept album by Dave Clark, Head lent his voice to futuristic ensemble pieces in a sci-fi musical narrative, alongside Cliff Richard and narrated by Laurence Olivier, with production emphasizing synthesizers and orchestral swells. Though the stage production followed without a full cast album, this studio version captured the show's ambitious scope. A 2012 reissue bundled it with related singles.

Compilation albums

Murray Head's compilation albums provide retrospective overviews of his musical career, drawing primarily from tracks across his studio discography to highlight key singles and fan favorites. Released between 1981 and 2010, these collections often feature remastered audio, thematic selections, or bonus material, catering to both new listeners and longtime supporters. Unlike his original studio works, they emphasize curation over new compositions, with some incorporating live elements or rarities for added depth. Six such albums have been issued, each tailored to different markets or eras of his output.

EPs and singles

Extended plays

Murray Head released one extended play during his career, a four-track EP tied to his contributions to film soundtracks. Pour 100 Briques T'As Plus Rien!
Released in 1982 on the Mercury label (catalog number 6210 105), this EP was issued exclusively in France as a 7-inch vinyl at 45 RPM, focusing on the French market with limited distribution. It serves as a soundtrack companion to the 1982 comedy film Pour 100 briques t'as plus rien! directed by Jacques Rouffio, for which Head composed and performed select pieces, including unique material not featured on full-length albums. The EP highlights Head's versatility in blending pop elements with cinematic scoring, produced under Éditions Murray Head Music. No significant chart performance was recorded for the release, and it has not seen official reissues, remaining a collector's item with average market values around £7-£9 for originals.

Singles

Murray Head's singles discography encompasses over 40 releases from his debut in the mid-1960s through digital reissues and new tracks in the 2020s, primarily as 7-inch vinyl in early years transitioning to CD, digital download, and streaming formats later. Many were tied to his albums or musical theater projects, with notable commercial success for tracks like "Superstar" and "One Night in Bangkok." The list below catalogs his singles chronologically, including primary A-sides, representative B-sides (varying by region), labels where documented, formats, and peak chart positions in key markets where applicable.^[28] Several singles, particularly from the 1970s and 1980s, received promotional support through radio play and live performances tied to theater productions like Jesus Christ Superstar and Chess, though few achieved certifications as standalone releases. Reissues in the 1990s and 2000s often bundled tracks for digital platforms, reflecting Head's enduring catalog appeal.^[28]