The (Not) Hit Singles of Squeeze
But coulda, woulda, shoulda been.
One of the things that baffles me as a recent fan of English new-wave/pop-rock band Squeeze, is discovering that a number of their singles didn’t fare as well as I thought, commercially, especially here in the UK.
Of course, there are notable exceptions like Cool For Cats and Up The Junction, Squeeze’s two best-selling singles, both of which reached No. 2 in the UK charts in 1979 - a spectacular year for music, in general. Labelled With Love also made it into the Top 5 in October 1981, and you might recall the catchy, rat-a-tat chorus of Hourglass from 1987, accompanied by its fun, illusion-filled music video.
Despite the success of Hourglass, which reached 16 in the UK and 15 in the US, most of their better-known singles didn't perform as well. For instance, the classic Tempted just missed the Top 40, peaking at No. 41 in 1981.
But let's delve deeper. What are your thoughts on No Place Like Home, the second single from their 1985 comeback album, Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti? Or how about Love Circles, lead vocals by Chris Difford and released in 1990? And then there's It's Over from 1994.
To give credit where it's due, Squeeze have had three hits in the Top Ten, twelve in the Top Forty, and twenty-three in the Top 75, according to the Official Charts website. Nothing to be sniffed at. Yet, to date, 21 of their singles have not charted at all, whether they were released across the board, internationally, or in specific countries only.
(I’ll be writing a follow-up to this post, focusing on the chart positions, or lack of, outside the UK, so consider subscribing, if not already, to be notified when the post becomes available.)
If you’re already a Squeeze fan, I invite you to comment below and let me know which non-hits are your favourite and which songs you think should have been singles. For everyone else, read on, and take a moment to listen and judge the songs for yourself. I’ll be focusing on UK charting, despite a couple of the singles doing fairly well in specific US charts.
Before we dive in, I want to express my surprise that Goodbye Girl, their third single from 1978, only reached No. 63 in the UK! I mean… WHAT?!
(Check out this brilliant live version of the song from 2012 with great audience participation, uploaded to YouTube by user Snipturn, who has lots of other Squeeze-related videos on their channel)
When The Hangover Strikes
Released in July 1982. Failed to chart.
This UK-only single was the second release from their fifth studio album, Sweets From A Stranger, following the single Black Coffee In Bed, which itself narrowly missed the UK Top 50. The band had already showcased their musical diversity with previous releases, most notably with the gorgeously orchestrated Vanity Fair from the East Side Story album released the year before. Continuing to explore different genres, this moody, jazz-tinged track was inspired by Frank Sinatra whose music the band’s melody maker, Glenn Tilbrook, was listening to at the time. The songs lyrics from the reliable pen of wordsmith, Chris Difford, delves into the themes of loneliness and introspection that often comes following a night of drinking.
Lyrics: I see the sun in the trees and a draught at the door / With my head in my lap, there’s a day to explore
No Place Like Home
Released in 1985. Peaked at no. 83.
This is another UK-only release that really made me knit my brows (not into a cosy winter jumper) and wonder why it didn’t perform better. Taken from their 1985 reunion album, Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti, the narrator finds themselves abruptly confronted by their partner who is hurling not only accusations but objects as well. The outro, marked at one point by the sound of smashing glass and a jarring piano, underlines the intensity of the confrontation. No official video was made for this, as far as I’m aware. Perhaps with MTV having launched in 1981, not having an accompanying video harmed a song’s prospects as it might have done here.
Lyrics: She’s growling and stalking, and grabs from a pile / A book that she throws, and it’s missed by a mile
Footprints
Released June 1988. Failed to chart.
Despite never having charted, this final single from Squeeze's 1987 album Babylon and On has often been featured in the band’s live gigs over recent years. It has a simple yet catchy bass riff and a simple singalong chorus. Squeeze haven’t typically produced a music video for every release, so when they do, it shows their strong belief in the song’s potential (or that they found the money to make a video). Unfortunately, the public didn’t seem to share the faith enough.
Lyrics: Now the summer is over, I can count the cost / Footprints on the beaches are now footprints in the frost
If It’s Love
Released September 1989. Failed to chart.
A catchy little guitar riff that’s played throughout? Check! Witty lyrics capturing the feeling of being in love? Check! Another fun, colourful video? Check! A goddamn backing choir ending with a singalong refrain? Check! Yet, the first release from 1989’s Frank album did not chart AT ALL in the UK (In fact, it would be another three years before the band made it to the UK charts with a 1992 re-release of Cool For Cats which reached no. 63). It’s a head-scratcher, that’s for sure. Once you’ve watched the official video, check out this glorious live version from 1990 - everyone is having a blast and the audience particpation is wonderful.
Lyrics: If it’s love, does it matter / if I’m thin or I’m fatter / if it’s love then it feels like I’ve won the pools
Love Circles
Released 15 January 1990. Failed to chart.
This track, only the second Squeeze single featuring Chris Difford on lead vocals, is a wonderful mid-tempo piece with the circles of the title each representing a different stage of a relationship. While Difford himself might admit to not having the strongest vocals, his solo work sometimes reveals a pleasant timbre and tone when he’s at ease—qualities that are evident in this song too. As a fan of bands sharing singing duties, I find this change refreshing - not that I don’t love Tilbrook’s vocals. Unfortunately, no music video was produced for this track, so you'll have to enjoy the audio alone.
Lyrics: The last circle comes around, you’re making plans to fill your days / You’re always wanting to stay out late / And you can feel love start to fade
Satisfied
Released in 1991. Reached no.132 in the UK charts.
Squeeze does… sexy? Briefly they did, in 1991, with Satisfied, the second single from the underrated Play album. It seems the British public wasn't quite ready for the band's depiction of post-coital bliss and lines about “a rhythmic breath and a gentle grip”. However, US fans proved a bit bolder; even though the song was only released as a promo, it climbed to no. 3 on the Modern Rock Charts. There's a mature quality to both the lyrics and the music that fits well with the album's broader themes. The single's moody video includes a brief but charming moment near the end where the band members break the serious mood they’re going for and giggle.
Lyrics: They stroked each other / He played with her hair / Deep in a warm sedation
Some Fantastic Place
Released 30 August 1993. Reached no. 73 in the UK.
The title track from Squeeze's 1993 studio album, Some Fantastic Place, is hugely personal for both Difford and Tilbrook as a heartfelt tribute dedicated to Maxine Barker, Tilbrook's first girlfriend and a friend of Difford, who played a crucial role in the duo's initial meeting which led to the formation of Squeeze. Sadly, Barker was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away in 1992 at the age of 36. The song brings in a gospel choir, and a guitar solo that Tilbrook composed around the time he first met Difford. Both band members regard this track as their favourite Squeeze song. A music video was produced for the single, featuring the then-current lineup of Difford, Tilbrook, Pete Thomas (of Elvis Costello & The Attractions), bassist Keith Wilkinson, and the brief return of Paul Carrack.
Lyrics: So simple her humility / Her beauty found in grace / Today she lives another life / In some fantastic place
It’s Over
Released 12 March 1994. Reached UK no. 89.
The final single from the Some Fantastic Place album delves into misunderstandings and reassurances within a relationship when an ex gets in contact. The track features an interesting musical arrangement, with pauses in the verses that serve as an interesting hook. There’s also a subtle folk music tinge to the track, as well. It’s a shame the band don’t seem to include it in their live sets anymore.
Lyrics: What’s there to hide / It baffles me / Throw out those thoughts of jealousy
I’ll stop there. I could go on; there are more songs that failed to chart or charted very low, but I wanted to focus on my favourites or the ones that I assumed would have fared better.
I should also mention Difford and Tilbrook's brief stint as a duo. During the band’s first hiatus, they continued to write and release music together. They brought out one self-titled album in 1984, and two singles. Only one single did modestly well. Love’s Crashing Waves spent three weeks in the chart, peaking at no. 57, while the second single, Hope Fell Down, failed to chart at all (I prefer the music arrangement and vocals in the latter).
Incidentally, have a read of this superb audio autopsy of the Difford & Tilbrook album by
which I discovered not long after first joining Substack.
Before summing up, here’s a lengthy list of the songs that did chart in the UK, in reverse order of success:
853-5937 - Released 6 Feb 1988, taken from the ‘Babylon and On’ (No. 91)
It’s Over - Released 12 Mar 1994, taken from ‘Some Fantastic Place’ (No. 89)
No Place Like Home - Released 21 Sept 1985, taken from ‘Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti’ (No. 83)
Some Fantastic Place - Released 11 Sept 1993, taken from ‘Some Fantastic Place’ (No. 73)
Trust Me To Open My Mouth - Released 10 Oct 1987, taken from ‘Babylon and On’ (No. 72)
Goodbye Girl - Released 18 Nov 1978, taken from ‘Cool For Cats’ (No. 63)
Cool For Cats - Re-released 25 Apr 1992, presumably due to popularity of a UK milk advert that featured the song (No. 62)
Black Coffee In Bed - Released 24 Apr 1982, taken from ‘Sweet From A Stranger’ - (No. 51)
Bang Bang - Released 10 Jun 1978, taken from self-titled debut album (No. 49)
Last Time Forever - Released 15 Jun 1985, taken from ‘Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti - (No. 45)
Pulling Mussels (From The Shell) - Released 10 May 1980, taken from ‘Argybargy’ (No. 44)
Electric Trains - Released 18 Nov 1995, taken from ‘Ridiculous’ (No. 44)
Annie Get Your Gun - Released 23 Oct 1982, a non-studio album single (No. 43)
Tempted - Released 25 Jul 1981, taken from ‘East Side Story’ (No. 41)
Third Rail - Released 24 Jul 1993, taken from ‘Some Fantastic Place’ (No. 39)
This Summer - Released 9 Sept 1995, taken from ‘Ridiculous’ (No. 36)
Is That Love? - Released 16 May 1981, taken from ‘East Side Story’ (No. 35)
This Summer (Remix) - Released 24 Aug 1996 (No. 32)
Heaven Knows - Released 15 Jun 1996, a different version appears on ‘Ridiculous’ and a third mix was used in the closing credits of the 1995 film, ‘Hackers’ (No. 27)
Slap And Tickle - Released 8 Sept 1979, taken from ‘Cool For Cats’ (No. 24)
Take Me I’m Yours - Debut single, released 8 Apr 1978, taken from debut album, ‘Squeeze’ (No. 19)
Another Nail In My Heart - Released 1 Mar 1980, taken from ‘Argybargy’ (No. 17)
Hourglass - Released 8 Aug 1987, taken from ‘Babylon and On’ (No. 16)
Labelled With Love - Released 10 Oct 1981, taken from ‘East Side Story’ (No. 4)
Cool For Cats - Released 24 Mar 1979, taken from ‘Cool For Cats’ (No. 2)
Up The Junction - Released 2 Jun 1979, taken from ‘Cool For Cats’ (No. 2)
To sum up, Squeeze still have an impressive list of chart successes and a clutch of songs that have long-settled in the public’s conscience if not their record collections. In these modern times, it's so easy to find an artist's back catalogue and for new generations to discover tunes that they may not otherwise have heard before. The band have discussed the demographic of fans attending the gigs broadening, thanks to the music being available on streaming sites and YouTube. And with an almost-completely sold out UK tour starting next month, they're not short of people who still love the music and enjoy watching them live. While they never secured a Number One or reached the heights of their peers, such as The Police or Elvis Costello, they remain a likeable, hard-working band with a string of catchy tunes who are still pushing ahead with new music (two albums will be released next year, a reworking of unreleased tunes from the early days, as well as a brand new set of original songs).
So which of the above Squeeze songs do you think should have been a hit? Or if you’re familiar with the band’s studio albums, which tracks do you feel should have been released as singles instead? Leave a comment below!
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As a dedicated lifelong fan, I have to say "Rose I Said" is a big one. It's not one they perform in their current line-up, but Glenn's opening riff with Gilson Lavis just snap pounding it in... a real punch to the gut song not often heard (enough). Oh, and one from the Difford & Tilbrook era: "Wagon Train," a piece of silliness that chugs along with Difford's voice going real low.
Some Fantastic Place should have been a hit, a beautiful song