Wired for Sound
View on Wikipedia
| Wired for Sound | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 14 September 1981 | |||
| Recorded | ||||
| Venues |
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| Studios | Gallery Studios, London | |||
| Label | EMI | |||
| Producers |
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| Cliff Richard chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Wired for Sound | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Smash Hits | 7/10[4] |
Wired for Sound is the 24th studio album by Cliff Richard, released in September 1981. The album peaked at number 4 in the UK albums chart upon release and spent a total of 25 weeks on the chart in 1981–82.[5] The album was certified Platinum by the BPI and achieved global sales of over one million.[6][7]
The title track was released as the lead single off the album and was followed up by a cover of Shep and the Limelites 1961 doo-wop hit, "Daddy's Home". The singles peaked at numbers 4 and 2, respectively, on the UK singles chart.[8] "Daddy's Home" was held off number 1 for four consecutive weeks by the Human League's "Don't You Want Me" but earned gold certification from the BPI for sales over half a million.[9][10] The track was recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon on 1 May 1981, for a rock 'n' roll special to be broadcast later by BBC Television.[6]
"Broken Doll" is a cover of a Wreckless Eric single from 1980. Reportedly, Richard also wanted to record Eric's "(I'd Go The) Whole Wide World", too, but only if he could change some of the lyrics – which Eric refused.[3] "Young Love" was given new lyrics and retitled "The Last Kiss" for a cover version by David Cassidy featuring George Michael. It was released as the lead single for Cassidy's 1985 album Romance, becoming a top ten hit in the UK and Germany.[11][12] "Once in a While" was originally recorded by Leo Sayer on his 1980 album Living in a Fantasy and released as a single in the UK and Australia.
The promotional video for the title track is one of Richard's best-known and was filmed around the centre of Milton Keynes, the new town in Buckinghamshire that was developed after the Second World War. It features Richard walking around and on rollerskates while listening to music on a Walkman cassette player; such devices were then newly available in the UK.[13]
A remastered version of the album was issued in July 2001, with the B-sides of both singles included as bonus tracks.
Track listing
[edit]All songs written and composed by Alan Tarney except where indicated.
- Side one
- "Wired for Sound" (Tarney, B. A. Robertson) – 3:36
- "Once in a While" – 4:38
- "Better Than I Know Myself" (Dave Cooke, Judy MacKenzie) – 3:39
- "Oh No, Don't Let Go" – 3:37
- "'Cos I Love That Rock 'n' Roll" – 4:10
- Side two
- "Broken Doll" (Eric Goulden, Walter Hacon) – 4:15
- "Lost in a Lonely World" (Chris Eaton) – 4:01
- "Summer Rain" (Eaton) – 4:15
- "Young Love" – 4:03
- "Say You Don't Mind" (does not appear on the US release) – 4:01
- "Daddy's Home" (live) (James Sheppard, William Miller) – 2:56
- 2001 reissue bonus tracks
- "Shakin' All Over" (live) (Frederick Heath) (B-side of "Daddy's Home") – 2:43
- "Hold On" (B-side of "Wired for Sound") – 3:43
Personnel
[edit]- Cliff Richard – vocals and backing vocals
- John Clark – guitar on "Lost in a Lonely World"
- Nick Glennie-Smith – piano on "Young Love", engineer
- Graham Jarvis – drums on all tracks except "Once in a While", "Summer Rain" and "Young Love"
- Trevor Spencer – drums on "Once in a While", "Summer Rain" and "Young Love"
- Alan Tarney – all instruments except those listed in credits, backing vocals, arrangements, production
- Rebecca Swearingen – photography
Charts
[edit]
Charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[25] | Platinum | 50,000^ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[26] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[27] | Gold | 7,500^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[28] | Platinum | 300,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "Cliff Richard - Daddy's Home". www.cliffrichardsongs.com. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ^ Lewry, Peter; Goodall, Nigel (1991). Cliff Richard: The Complete Recording Sessions, 1958–1990. London, England: Blandford Press. pp. 127–129, 156–157, 175. ISBN 978-0-71372-242-0.
- ^ a b Wired for Sound at AllMusic. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- ^ Katz, Robin (1 October 1981). "Albums: Cliff Richard – Wired for Sound (EMI)" (PDF). Smash Hits. Vol. 3, no. 20. Peterborough: EMAP National Publications, Ltd. p. 19. ISSN 0260-3004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Official Albums Chart on 27/9/1981 – Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ a b Wired for Sound (CD liner). EMI Records. 2001.
- ^ "Cliff Richard - The Six Continental Man" (PDF). Billboard. 12 February 1994. p. 72. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
- ^ Roberts, David, ed. (2001). British Hit Singles (14th ed.). London, England: Guinness World Records. p. 378. ISBN 978-0-85112-156-7.
- ^ "Cliff Richard's UK Chart positions". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
- ^ "UK certification Database". BPI. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
- ^ "David Cassidy's UK Chart positions". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ "David Cassidy's Germany Chart positions". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Bromley, Tom (2012). Wired for Sound: Now That's What I Call an 80s Music Childhood. London, England: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1-84983-393-6.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 16 January 1982. p. 50. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Image 402". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 May 2022. [dead link]
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Cliff Richard – Wired for Sound" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Cliff Richard – Wired for Sound". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Cliff Richard – Wired for Sound". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Cliff Richard – Wired for Sound". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Cliff Richard Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
- ^ "Top 100 National Albums 1982 - Australia". Retrieved 27 December 2016.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Image 7529". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 May 2022. [dead link]
- ^ UK 1981 Best Selling Albums
- ^ "Kent Music Report No 453 – 28 February 1983 > Platinum Albums 1982 (Continued)". Retrieved 26 December 2022 – via Imgur.com.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Cliff Richard – Wired for Sound". Music Canada.
- ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Cliff Richard – Wired for Sound". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "British album certifications – Cliff Richard – Wired for Sound". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Formats field. Type Wired for Sound Cliff Richard in the "Search:" field.
Wired for Sound
View on GrokipediaBackground and recording
Development
Following the release of his more introspective album I'm No Hero in 1980, Cliff Richard positioned Wired for Sound as a return to upbeat pop-rock sounds, drawing on the successful formula established by producer Alan Tarney to evoke the commercial triumphs of Richard's 1970s era.[1][8] The title track, "Wired for Sound," was co-written by Tarney and B.A. Robertson, with its lyrics directly inspired by the revolutionary portable music devices like the Sony Walkman, which had recently transformed personal audio consumption.[3][5] Tarney contributed significantly to the songwriting, penning five original tracks for the album, including "Once in a While," "Oh No, Don't Let Go," "'Cos I Love That Rock 'n' Roll," "Young Love," and "Say You Don't Mind."[1] Among the selections was a live cover of the 1961 doo-wop classic "Daddy's Home," originally recorded by Shep and the Limelites, which added a layer of nostalgic appeal to the otherwise contemporary collection.[9] Pre-production planning for Wired for Sound commenced in early 1981.[1] This phase focused on assembling the tracklist and coordinating with Tarney on production direction, setting the stage for the subsequent recording efforts.[1]Recording sessions
The recording sessions for Wired for Sound took place between May and July 1981 at Gallery Studios and Riverside Studios in London, with a live recording at Hammersmith Odeon.[1][2] Producer Alan Tarney oversaw the multi-track recording process, handling production duties while also contributing as a multi-instrumentalist on bass, guitar, and keyboards, and arranging the tracks to incorporate layered guitars and synthesizers that defined the album's polished, modern 1980s pop-rock sound.[1][8] The sessions involved session musicians such as drummer Graham Jarvis on most tracks, Trevor Spencer on select tracks including "Once in a While," "Summer Rain," and "Young Love," and pianist Nick Glennie-Smith on "Young Love," with an emphasis on overdubs to enhance the arrangements. Tarney worked concurrently on projects for other artists like Barbara Dickson and Bow Wow Wow.[1] The title track, "Wired for Sound," was recorded with a focus on rhythmic bass lines and electronic elements, including synthesizers, to create a sense of energetic movement and synthpop drive that complemented the song's theme of music's invigorating power.[1] In contrast, "Daddy's Home" was captured live at Hammersmith Odeon on May 1, 1981, during a concert performance for a BBC TV special, preserving its authentic doo-wop energy and nostalgic appeal, with basic mixing by Nick Sykes at Gallery Studios.[10][1] This live approach underscored the track's raw, harmonious vocal delivery, arranged by Tony Rivers.[10] One key challenge during production was integrating Cliff Richard's signature warm, melodic vocal style—often featuring overdubbed harmonies for depth—with the era's contemporary electronic production techniques, ensuring the arrangements felt cohesive rather than disjointed.[1][8] Tarney's expertise in blending organic elements like shiny acoustic guitars with synthetic layers helped navigate this, resulting in a sound that modernized Richard's appeal while retaining his classic timbre.[8]Release and promotion
Album release
Wired for Sound was released on 14 September 1981 by EMI Records in the United Kingdom and for international markets.[11] The album marked Cliff Richard's continued partnership with EMI, following his previous releases, and was distributed globally through the label's network.[12] In the United States, the album appeared under EMI America with catalog number SW 17059, also in September 1981.[13] The initial formats consisted of a vinyl LP and cassette tape, while a compact disc version was issued in subsequent years as the medium gained popularity.[12] The UK vinyl pressing carried the catalog number EMC 3377.[5] The original packaging featured a sturdy sleeve with a printed inner containing full lyrics for the tracks.[14] The cover artwork portrayed Richard in an energetic pose, wearing large headphones connected to a portable music player, visually capturing the album's central theme of being immersed in sound through modern technology.[15]Singles
The album Wired for Sound produced two singles, both issued primarily in 7-inch vinyl format with picture sleeves featuring thematic imagery related to the album's hi-fi and modern lifestyle motifs. The lead single, "Wired for Sound", was released on 17 August 1981, backed by the non-album track "Hold On" on the B-side. Written by Alan Tarney and B.A. Robertson, the song became a top-five hit, peaking at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart, spending 9 weeks on the chart.[16] It achieved similar success internationally, reaching number 2 on the Australian Kent Music Report chart.[3] The second single, "Daddy's Home", followed on 6 November 1981 as a live recording from Cliff Richard's performance at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. The B-side was another live track, "Shakin' All Over". A cover of the 1961 Shep and the Limelites original, it climbed to number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, spending 11 weeks in the top 40,[17] and was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry for sales exceeding 400,000 units.[10]Promotion
The album was promoted through various marketing efforts, including television appearances and live performances. The music video for the title track, directed by Brian Wiseman, was filmed in the newly opened Milton Keynes Shopping Centre, showing Richard roller-skating while using a Walkman, emphasizing the song's theme of portable music.[3] Richard also performed tracks from the album on shows like Top of the Pops and during his 1981 tour, contributing to its commercial success.Promotion
Marketing efforts
EMI's marketing campaign for Wired for Sound emphasized Cliff Richard's lasting popularity and the album's vibrant pop sound, with a primary focus on the UK and European markets through television and radio advertisements. The strategy leveraged the title track's theme of portable music, aligning closely with the emerging Sony Walkman phenomenon, as the song served as a tribute to the device's innovation in personal audio. This tie-in was intended to appeal to a younger audience embracing 1980s technology. To further drive sales, the promotion integrated with the 1981 UK tour, where key album tracks were performed.[3]Music videos and live performances
The promotional music video for the title track "Wired for Sound" was filmed in May 1981 at the central shopping area of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. Directed in a vibrant, energetic style, it depicts Cliff Richard roller-skating through the modern urban landscape while wearing a Walkman, accompanied by a group of dancers on skates, emphasizing themes of mobility and personal audio technology. The video's setting, including the then-new Centre:MK and nearby underpasses, captured the futuristic appeal of the new town and contributed to the song's visual promotion across television networks.[18][19] For the single "Daddy's Home," promotion relied on live footage from Cliff Richard's concert at Hammersmith Odeon in London on 1 May 1981, which served as the basis for the track's recording and subsequent TV appearances. These clips were featured on the BBC's Top of the Pops in episodes aired on 26 November and 17 December 1981, showcasing Richard's dynamic stage presence with a full band and audience interaction to mimic a live return-home narrative. The use of this concert material helped bridge the album's studio sound with authentic performance energy for British viewers.[10][20] Live performances played a key role in showcasing the Wired for Sound album material. On 15 October 1981, Richard delivered a full set highlighting tracks from the album on the German television program Musikladen, broadcast by Radio Bremen, including the title song amid a selection of hits that introduced European audiences to the new release's upbeat pop-rock style. Complementing this, Richard embarked on his UK Tour 81 from September to November 1981, a nationwide run of concerts where several album tracks, such as "Wired for Sound" and "Daddy's Home," received their live debuts alongside classics, drawing large crowds and reinforcing the album's commercial momentum through intimate theater and arena venues.[21][22]Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Upon its release in September 1981, Wired for Sound received generally positive to mixed contemporary reviews, with critics praising Cliff Richard's vocal delivery and the album's polished production while noting its adherence to familiar pop formulas.[2] Overall, the 1981 critical consensus positioned Wired for Sound as a solid, fan-pleasing pop effort that reaffirmed Richard's enduring appeal without pushing artistic boundaries, solidifying his status as a reliable chart contender in the early 1980s.[2]Retrospective assessments
In the years following its release, Wired for Sound has been reassessed as a significant entry in Cliff Richard's discography, often praised for its successful fusion of rock and pop elements during the early 1980s. AllMusic contributor Dave Thompson described the album as living up to high expectations with sharp production by Alan Tarney, signaling Richard's creative momentum into the decade.[2] This perspective underscores the album's role in Richard's evolution toward more contemporary sounds. In the 2010s, The Guardian revisited the album in broader discussions of British pop history, emphasizing the cultural resonance of its Walkman-themed title track amid reflections on the shift to digital streaming and personal devices.[23] Writer Bob Stanley lauded tracks like "Wired for Sound" for melding soft rock with glossy synth-pop, aligning perfectly with Richard's vocal style and contributing to narratives on 1980s pop transitions.Commercial performance
Charts
Wired for Sound achieved notable success on the UK Albums Chart, entering at number 7 on 20 September 1981 before climbing to its peak of number 4 the following week on 27 September 1981, and remaining in the top 100 for 25 weeks overall.[4] The album also performed well in other markets, reaching number 13 in Australia on the Kent Music Report chart.[1] It reached number 4 in New Zealand on the RIANZ Albums Chart.[24] In the United States, the album peaked at number 132 on the Billboard 200.[25] The lead single "Wired for Sound" peaked at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart.[16] It reached number 2 in Australia on the Kent Music Report Singles chart.[1] The follow-up single "Daddy's Home" climbed to number 2 on the UK Singles Chart.[17] In the Netherlands, "Daddy's Home" peaked at number 14 on the Dutch Top 40.[26] On year-end charts, the album ranked number 31 in the UK for 1981 according to Music Week.[27]Album Chart Peaks
| Country | Peak Position | Chart |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 4 | Official Albums Chart[4] |
| Australia | 13 | Kent Music Report[1] |
| New Zealand | 4 | RIANZ Albums Chart[24] |
| United States | 132 | Billboard 200[25] |
Singles Chart Peaks
| Single | Country | Peak Position | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wired for Sound | United Kingdom | 4 | Official Singles Chart[16] |
| Wired for Sound | Australia | 2 | Kent Music Report Singles[1] |
| Daddy's Home | United Kingdom | 2 | Official Singles Chart[17] |
| Daddy's Home | Netherlands | 14 | Dutch Top 40[26] |
Year-End Charts (1981)
| Chart | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums (Music Week) | 31 [27] |
Certifications
The album Wired for Sound achieved notable sales certifications in several markets, reflecting its commercial success following its 1981 release. In the United Kingdom, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded it Platinum certification on 21 December 1981 for shipments exceeding 300,000 units.[27] In Canada, Music Canada certified it Gold in 1981 for 50,000 units.[27] New Zealand's Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ) granted Gold status in 1981 for 7,500 units.[27] Among the singles, "Daddy's Home" earned Gold certification from the BPI in December 1981 for sales of 250,000 units in the UK.[28] The title track "Wired for Sound" reached sales levels implying Silver certification by the BPI (over 250,000 units), though it was not explicitly awarded at the time.[29]| Country | Certifying Body | Certification | Units Sold | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Music Canada | Gold | 50,000 | 1981 |
| New Zealand | RMNZ | Gold | 7,500 | 1981 |
| United Kingdom (album) | BPI | Platinum | 300,000 | 21 December 1981 |
| United Kingdom ("Daddy's Home") | BPI | Gold | 250,000 | December 1981 |
Track listing
Original edition
The original 1981 edition of Wired for Sound by Cliff Richard was released on 14 September in the UK by EMI Records, available on vinyl LP and cassette formats, featuring 11 tracks produced by Alan Tarney.[12] The album's running order places the lead single as the opening track, followed by strong pop rock material to engage listeners from the start.[1]Side one
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Wired for Sound" | Alan Tarney, B.A. Robertson | 3:36 |
| 2. | "Once in a While" | Alan Tarney | 4:38 |
| 3. | "Better Than I Know Myself" | Dave Cooke, Judy McKenzie | 3:39 |
| 4. | "Oh No, Don't Let Go" | Alan Tarney | 3:37 |
| 5. | "'Cos I Love That Rock 'n' Roll" | Alan Tarney | 4:10 |
Side two
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Broken Doll" | Eric Goulden, Walter Hacon | 4:15 |
| 7. | "Lost in a Lonely World" | Chris Eaton | 4:01 |
| 8. | "Summer Rain" | Chris Eaton | 4:15 |
| 9. | "Young Love" | Alan Tarney | 4:03 |
| 10. | "Say You Don't Mind" | Alan Tarney | 4:01 |
| 11. | "Daddy's Home" | James Sheppard, William Miller | 2:56 |