Band Couple had A NASTY FIGHT--Turned it into a Song...Became an 80s Classic! | Professor of Rock

While trying to finish their second album, today’s band Thompson Twins needed one more song. But they needed it quick. So their frontman Tom Bailey wrote a last-minute filler track overnight… just something to tack on the end of the record, But as it turned out, it was an accidental #1 hit. It was the 80s smash In the Name Of Love And it turned the band upside down: changing their musical direction throwing the guitars into the corner adding synthesizers and paving the way for an even bigger hit a short while later. A hit that also happens to be today’s featured song. Hold Me Now has become An essential 80s Masterpiece. Written shortly after a falling out and reconciliation between two bandmate-slash-lovers, Tom Bailey and Allanha Currie. It is a surefire punch to the gut in the best way possible. In this episode we’re giving you the fascinating story behind Thompson Twins the classic hit, Hold Me Now, and also an interview with the singer and writer Tom Bailey coming up… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
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Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If you remember the book orders that your teachers used to send home and begin your parents for joke books to movie novelizations you’ll dig this channel of mega nostalgia. Make sure to subscribe below right now. I promise that you’re going to dig what we’re putting down here. Also, check out our Patreon and our merch below.
So, it’s time for another edition of #1 in Our Hearts. This show honors songs that were so unbelievably great, they absolutely should've been #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. But for whatever reason, be it radio play, lack of marketing, label support, or just sheer stupidity, the song came up short. On previous episodes, we have covered Just Like Heaven by The Cure, Your Love by The Outfield, and Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears.
Today we’re taking a trip back to 1983 and 1984 to cover the Thompson Twins classic ‘Hold Me Now’ from their fourth studio album ‘Into The Gap.’ This is going to be a good one. Let’s get into it. So UK synth-pop pioneers Thompson Twins formed in Sheffield, England in 1977. The original lineup consisted of three friends: Tom Bailey, Peter Dodd, and John Roog. The trio named themselves after a pair of clueless detectives from the Belgian comic series ‘Adventures of Tin Tin’. Bailey explained that they chose the name because it represented a fascinating dynamic. ‘Thomson and Thompson’ were a clumsy mess when it came to their job… and yet somehow they would accidentally stumble onto the right answer by the end of each case. It’s a process that would actually be prophetic of the Thompson Twins’ own rise to commercial success. I’ll give you more on that in a minute.
So early on, the threesome moved to London where they added drummer Chris Bell to the lineup. Then in 1981, the group expanded to include Joe Leeway on percussion and vocals, Matthew Seligman on bass, and Alannah Currie on percussion and saxophone. There in London, the seven-piece became something of a novelty act… often encouraging their audience to join them onstage to beat on cans for extra percussion.
That same year the Twins signed with Hansa Records, who allowed them to set up their own label: T Records.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: Who is your pick for the greatest New Wave act of the 80s?

[@catherine6653]

Howard Jones 😊. Talking Heads

[@stephenbrown4211]

Flock Of Seagulls Howard Jones Thompson Twins

[@christineml1476]

Flock of Seagulls

[@Code.Name.V]

Adam Ant Duran Duran INXS Psychedelic Furs Tears For Fears

[@Fiona2254]

Thomas Dolby Adam Ant

[@MJmysummerlove]

“Hold Me Now” is one of those 80s songs that you still sing along to, no matter how many times you hear it. It’s a staple for any 80s music station or compilation album, wouldn’t be the same without it 😊🎶

[@ProfessorofRock]

So true. A staple for sure.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Definitely an earworm.

[@oldschoolrr6077]

:"Hold Me Now" is still my favorite Thompson Twins song. Heard it the first time on Friday Night Videos and always enjoyed it.

[@vincentini1]

This is a band that was sorely underrated for their contributions to music. "If You Were Here" perfectly captured the moment at the end of Sixteen Candles.

[@devinjohnson1999]

LOVE THAT SONG

[@chrisvaughn5960]

Yes, and all of their songs!

[@thefifthwheellastwheel1903]

This song will forever stay in fondness of my memories. I was a kid with super strick parents,but I always snuck out. One night there was a school dance that I was not allowed to go to. I had a 1984 Honda 250 ATC. I pushed it down the street so my parents wouldn't hear it start up,then road it (on back roads and trails) to my school to meet up with a girl I was head over heals with. By the time I got there she was with another guy dancing to this song. I was completely devastated to say the least. I went outside and sat on the steps of the school to process what just happened when another girl I was best friends with came out to comfort me. She saw what had happened and knew the history. She dragged me out onto the dance floor and we slow danced to the song "true" by Spandua Ballet. She saved me that night and we've been best friends ever since.

[@RC32Smiths01]

It's bizarre how legends simply go on to write great "filler" songs in last minutes situations. It takes true experience to do such!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Did my comment disappear?

[@RC32Smiths01]

@@ProfessorofRock oh, I do not know actually. It's ok!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Most of the time you can’t even tell it was supposed to be filler!

[@marktait2371]

yeh last time i was the local record store tatoo you stones was on the store nice system friends with manager were like sometimes the discarded or filler songs end up being some of their best as pof has profiled many

[@leightnite3056]

Speaking as a songwriter (not a successful one lol) I can attest to the truth of your throwaway tunes being the audience favorites! Very frustrating, especially when your crying your heart out to 12 people in a bad café, and they only like your novelty song!

[@davidhinkson8856]

It's always fascinating to hear the back stories to these songs. "Hold me Now" is one of those timeless songs. 1983/84 was such a phenomenal time in the music industry; so many great songs and artists around the competition for the top spot on the charts was truly intense.

[@christineml1476]

"Hold Me Now" is one of the most beautiful, and bittersweet, songs of the 80s. The Thompson Twins were such a great band that, in my opinion, never got all the love they deserved.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree. SO many great hits that define the 80s... What other TT song did you like?

[@RBS_]

....s'VERY true....T-Twins were the 'outcasts' of the 80's....and they LIKED it like that, so we never really give them that "80's eye" like Duran2, Culture Club, Frankie Goes, Erasure, etc. always gets....they are VERY important to the advent of the Electro / New Wave generation.....

[@christineml1476]

@@ProfessorofRockLove "The Gap".

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

They are a very underrated new wave act and I love their catalog.

[@stevedj101]

@@ProfessorofRock "If you were there", it's off of the Sixteen Candles Soundtrack, not off a Thompson Twins album, but pure 80's delight.

[@sariahut1]

I’ve got so many memories attached to this song. Thompson Twins are one of the most essential bands of the 80’s. You really can’t talk about music from that era without mentioning them. So many amazing songs.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

They have so many underrated songs for example Love on Your Side.

[@sariahut1]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I completely agree! They are so underrated.

[@fivestring65ify]

Absolutely true.

[@eauhomme]

You mention Steve Lilywhite, and it makes me think of a great Professor of Rock story to cover, the life and career of his wife Kirsty MacColl. Starting with her hit "They Don't Know", progressing through a few more hits while battling stage fright, then finding Tracey Ullman as the performer of her songs who loved the stage as much as MacColl feared it, and finally the controversy over her death when she was swimming at a Mexican beach when a local millionaire's boat veered into the roped off swimming area and struck her.

[@kissfan003]

A wonderful song at the worst time of my life. Lost my old man in August of 85. He was only 40 I was 14. I clearly remember looking forward to hearing it during live-aid. I kinda felt bad for Tom as he was pretty flat if memory serves. Still one of our generations great pop tunes that has stood the test of time.

[@catherine6653]

I ❤ Thompson Twins! Tom Bailey is a talented musician. He studied classical piano and guitar, and he can really sing. Tom is one of my favorite front man. The vocal harmony with Alanna and Joe is terrific. Hold Me Now is pop perfection. Thanks so much 😊. Tom's latest release, Science Fiction is worth a listen. I dig the song, Bring Back Yesterday.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Catherine. You know your TT!

[@mysticwolf75]

Science Fiction is a great album! I'm so glad Tom returned to singing, after over a decade of making instrumental dub music as International Observer.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

My favorite part of the song is its ending with Joe’s falsetto vocal runs and the beautiful, beautiful piano accents.

[@catherine6653]

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Hi Lilly. You have a new picture. 😊

[@Jabberwok28]

You Take Me Up is actually my personal favorite TT songs. Just something about the groove and vocals… it just works.

[@TheSlowoldman]

Hold Me Now is a staple of the '80's songbook, instantly recognizable and undeniably timeless. My favorites are If You Were Here, King for a Day and Lay Your Hands On Me. I never saw the Twins live but I still enjoy their music to this day.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

King For A Day is great. Don't Mess With Dr Dream is an innovative song, too. But it was probably the beginning of the end of the major success in the UK and likely elsewhere.

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure!

[@warrenstrachan9765]

I saw Tom Bailey live in July, he still sounds amazing

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I wonder if they’re still touring.

[@deanhenderson7940]

I grew up in the 80’s however my mom who was born in ‘44 alway loved that song. She said it reminded her of hits from the 50’s. Ever since she said that, I could totally hear that reworked in to a 50’s juke box soda shop anthem!

[@Fiona2254]

Just one more song seems to be a theme for hits that surprised the band and record company. I just love these stories.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Me too. So damn interesting.

[@PrairieDawnC]

Pop music is, at its foundation, simple and catchy, the opposite of over-thinking.

[@louiebee6745]

Hold Me Now is a MUST on any 80s mixtape!😎👍😁

[@leonardking84]

You don't have to be a New Wave or Synth-Pop fan to love this song. It's one of those tunes that gets in your head and stays there.

[@ladyandrade]

Into the Gap was the first record I bought, in 5th grade. I played it so many times! Still love it today. ❤

[@bartbluemusic]

Yes! I loved the album "Into the Gap". Full of great songs, front to back. "Hold Me Now" is one of my all-time favorite 80's hits. One time, my parents had 3 or 4 different families over for a get-together, food and fun. All of us kids migrated back to me and my brother's room where we promptly turned on the radio and had it going while we were hanging out. "Hold Me Now" came on and soon we were singing it together. We were singing it SO loud, that my Dad had to come back and tell us to "hold it down" (sorry for the pun - lol). I always remembered that. A great moment in time. :)

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for sharing.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Haha, I love this!

[@starks1974]

TT had the 80’s sound that defined the new wave genre and made it mainstream.

[@robertgreen1282]

I love Thompson Twins! They were so unique! My favorites of their songs are King for Just One day and If You Were Here. I just looked them up and am embarrassed to say I always thought Howard Jones was there lead singer. 😂

[@kathyo9420]

This song is haunting, honest, and has aged well. It stood the test of time. It's an iconic early 80s tune and I still love it today. "Both of us searching for some perfect world we know we'll never find." That's reality.

[@catsnfashion80s]

Brings back memories of their concerts in 1986 and Tom's a few years ago w/Howard Jones! Met him at both, in 1986, when I was lying on a cot backstage, among other teen girls who were overheated at the TT & OMD concert in AZ and were carried back there for safety. Lol He came over and checked on me and held my hand. He went around to check on us all, on our cots, under the bright, fluorescent lights. What a nice man. I told him about that, when I saw Tom in concert, a few years ago. He asked jokingly if I was okay, now. Hearing Hold Me Now as the last song of the concert with the band and the whole audience repeating the chorus over and over, a cappella, under blue lights, was such a wonderful experience to have with other human beings! I will never forget that wonderful, beautiful moment connecting with other human beings!!

[@drthmir8215]

" So perhaps I should leave here Yeah, yeah, and go far away. But you know that there is nowhere that I would rather be than with you here today". Professor of Rock.....Simple yet " Dazzling " piece of poetry. These lines speak VOLUMES One of the New Wave Anthems of the 80's Love from Kashmir

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching!

[@drthmir8215]

@@ProfessorofRock I'm thousands of miles away from you, yet there exists a precious bond of love- brotherhood and respect for you. I grew up with almost similar musical tastes.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Definitely a stunning line of poetry for sure.

[@lnyenhuis3765]

My last name is Thompson and the first time my sister and I heard this song back in the day, we went crazy over it. First because it was an amazing song and secondly, last name. It was our 80's jam. Today, in our late 50's we both agree this is still one of the best songs of the era. Thank you for bringing back some truly amazing memories!

[@benglez]

For me 'Into the Gap' and 'Here's to Future Days' are right up there in my top 20 albums of the 80's...there's a song however that only appears in the soundtrack of a 'Pre-Academy Awards' Tom Hanks movie, 'Nothing In Common', that is actually my favorite Twins song...agreed...criminally underrated, I remember Berlin also...both were amazing bands...

[@louiseluna704]

I've seen Tom Bailey a few times at the Rewind 80s Festival in the UK. Hearing the whole crowd singing the chorus is just another level

[@ericrietschel6854]

I agree with your conclusion; The TT are under-rated! I had the pleasure of seeing Tom perform these songs in New Orleans a few weeks ago. Even met him! Amazing show, very kind and gracious man. Thompson Twins for life!

[@scottcopeland3730]

I saw them live in Cincinnati in their last tour as a trio, and it's one of the best shows I've ever seen. They actually played a second encore because the crowd was so into the show.

[@duromusabc]

Great interview Professor! Nice to see the members in this interview after so many years ! 6th grade memories for me (1983-1984 school year)😊

[@ProfessorofRock]

Glad you enjoyed it! Tom is a good dude!

[@duromusabc]

@@ProfessorofRockThompson Twins and Culture Club - those two Brit bands were similar in style and appearance in early ‘84

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

What was another favorite from that year for you?

[@duromusabc]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Say It Isn’t So - Hall&Oates Karmachameleon- Culture Club Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler Jump and Panama - Van Halen

[@GroovyDoom]

Thanks for covering one of my all time favorite bands. It's nice to see Thompson Twins getting some respect these days, for many years they seemed forgotten.

[@trinapatterson8872]

Definitely a classic of the 80 and number one in our hearts

[@The.Last.Guitar.Hero.]

was such a big fan of them, first single, first album and first concert all by them. I was even in the fanclub. I preferred the early stuff to this as it was too poppy for me, when they had guitars and sounded like an English Talking Heads. From late 82 they became a totally different synthpop outfit, however Quickstep And Sidekick was an excellent album. when i used to help dj in the eary 90s we'd play Come Inside (Feedback Max house mix) and people loved it not knowing it was the thompson twins

[@cheeriog9394]

I was completely mesmerized when I first discovered the Thompson Twins and one of my biggest fantasy was to be one of the members. I truly loved their artistry. what they gave to the world during that era was a precious jewel that continues to shine til this day.

[@DeliRevv]

Lay Your Hands On Me has stayed with me for decades, especially the ending.

[@javiermojica6322]

I LOVE the songs, style and concept of their QUEER album. The cover looks like a frame from a Kenneth Anger film run through a psychedelic lens. The title track consists of a poem by Edith Sitwell and Alannah RAPS it. Genius! And their two albums as BABBLE (specifically "The Stone") is absolute mystical, mysterious bliss. 💙

[@MyWillypilly]

At the time 80s music videos were low tech, sillyness. This is the best music video of the 1980s. I was struck by that at the time. Totally a time capsule , so well done and looks so fresh yet.

[@RBS_]

***"(PROF.) ME NOW" : PROF. DOUBLES UP ON THE 'TWINS', & TAKES US UP TO 1984, w/ A CLASSIC TRACK THAT 'HOLDS' US, NOW...AND TO THIS PRESENT DAY...*** ...stop it, Prof. ...STOP IT! ....I pulled out 5 Thompson Twins CD just yesterday to play (while I clean me Fridge today), and, you give me THIS!??? ...are we moving in some parallel universe, together!?? ...ha-HAA!! (cont.) ....Oh, what can I SAY about the 'Twins'!? ...highly underrated, creatively abundant (I still have their stuff from Babble, too)....and I respect them for moving forward, and not staying in the (80's) 'Past'.....they REALLY meant it! ..ha-HAAA!! ...But, since I'M stuck in the 'past', May, 1984..... 10. Miss Me Blind - Culture Club 9. Let's Hear It For The Boy - Deniece Williams 8. They Don't Know - MISS Tracy Ullman (..will FOREVER love this tune.....) 7. You Might Think - The Cars 6. To All The Girls I've Loved Before - Julio Iglesias & Willie Nelson 5. Love Somebody - Rick Springfield 4. Footloose - Kenny Loggins 3. ***Hold Me Now*** - Thompson Twins 2. Hello - Lionel Richie 1. Against All Odds - Phil Collins .....NOW, I gotta get started on me Fridge, what should I play!?? Here's To Future Days (Deluxe Version) Close To The Bone Sidekicks Into The Gap (Deluxe Version) Greatest Mixes (1988) .....s'up to YOU, Prof., since we travel in the same CIRCLES! ...HA-HAAA!! ...keep HOLDIN' US NOW..... ; ) ....

[@catherine6653]

I have three Thompson Twins albums. I ❤ this band!

[@RBS_]

@@catherine6653 ....well, Lady Catherine, you can't go wrong with "...Gap", "Sidekicks" & "In The Name..." ...you're a DIEHARD, if you have "Big Trash", "Come Inside" & "BABBLE" (the '96 CD under a different name).....

[@ProfessorofRock]

Do Sidekicks! Love it! RBS for the win!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Haha, coincidence strikes again for RBS! Sidekicks is my favorite.

[@littlecatfeet9064]

Thanks for recognising the brilliant and complicated lyrics in this song 🎧. My friends and I memorised them and sang them together. Looking back on it, Hold Me Now has some pretty impressive concepts for a song all of us 14-year olds loved, with 20-something lyrics. Now we have 14-year old lyrics for 20 somethings.

[@JoeyLevenson]

I’m a massive Twins fan, thank you for mentioning Queer and Babble, since Tom won’t! They were massive influence on my own music and me, as well. Early Twins was also very cool, quite Talking Heads-esque. The Rowe, Bouncing, Physics and Chemistry, Coastline. A lot of bangers!

[@dimahkhan5203]

This band has always earned a top spot in my all time favorite bands... Their style of music us very different and that makes them a special band to listen. Like ABBA, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Ultravox; Thompson Twins are so underrated yet they have the mist unforgettable songs ever produced...

[@MademoiselleRose40]

This is one of my most fave songs from the 80s. I saw them in concert in Australia around that time. It's fun finding out the back stories on music from that time as without the internet we didn't know a lot of about the bands. I really enjoy this channel.

[@CowGirlKat8691]

"Just Like Heaven" is one of many 80's music I still love! Love the movie of the same name too! I'm not a great flyer & that movie helps me pass the time especially when hubby & I finally had flights that absolutely nothing happened last January!

[@steveblog1]

I love Hold Me Now, but it’s just beaten as my favourite track from the album by You Take Me Up. I think it was just the whole theme of someone making your life better and worthwhile that struck a chord with me. The Twins were one of the big hitters in 84 thanks to Into The Gap. I don’t remember any of my friends not liking them, whereas the mere mention of Wham, Duran Duran or Spandau Ballet would start a musical turf war 😂 I’m also not embarrassed in the least to admit to crushing on Alannah 😊 I had no clue they morphed into Babble, so THANK YOU for giving me some old/new music to chase down. Loved today’s U2 tee shirt today dude. Had the very same one myself back in 92 👍🏻 Edit: I hadn’t heard In the Name of Love before until 1984, when I bought the Ghostbusters OST.

[@johnbarney5787]

These insights and backstories you give ALWAYS make the songs of our past even more special. Thanks Adam!

[@trinaq]

Hold Me Now is so iconic, and I have nostalgic memories of listening to it on long car journeys.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool! It's an 80s classic for sure. DO you remember their other songs?

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s a great tune to turn on and pass the time.

[@fluidikons]

Thank you! I was living for this video. Into the Gap was the first album I bought with my own money, earned from a paper route in Muncie, IN. Good times

[@josephschiesler1927]

Fillers. There was a band that had just played their filler song. A song the band didn't like. Their manager said that's a hit song and insisted they record and release it. The song was The Boys are back in town and it became the biggest hit for Thin Lizzy.

[@mattyswan1]

Thank you for covering one of my fav's from the '80's! I sang this at my go to karaoke spot once and for the next year the KJ put it in for me automatically whenever I showed up. Never gets old.

[@malcolmbolton1473]

Love the Thompson twins,whenever I hear Hold me now or Doctor Doctor on the radio or music streaming these songs take me right back to 1984,lay your hands just sends shivers down my spine,Thompson twins,Eurythmics & The Cure probably my favourite top 3 new wave acts,cheers

[@greva2904]

I was never a fan of their music, but in the UK they were absolutely everywhere in the early to mid 80’s. Then they just seemed to mysteriously vanish. So at least now I know what happened to them. Thanks, prof!

[@bethmiller9774]

That song is my favorite Thompson Twins song, and one of my favorite songs from the 80s. It reminds me of a man I dated in the 90s who liked to play it.

[@tdsollog]

I can’t help but be transported when I here songs from youth, including “Hold Me Now”.

[@capricornqueen5262]

I remember the chills I'd get when I heard the first few notes. We had a ' top 5 at 5' radio show and for weeks it was vying for first place with against all odds. A 13 year old's angsty dream😂 situation

[@Out_of_My_Head]

I loved the song when I first heard it in high school and it continues to appeal to me. One song I love from them that was fun and catchy is “We Are Detective.” It's nice to see how they grew as a band. It's funny how certain songs like “Hold Me Now” the original is the only version for me and other songs like “Mad World” by Tears For Fears I've latched onto covers particularly the one in “Donnie Darko” and the cover of that cover done by Adam Lambert. There are Beatles’ songs I can't hear being done by anyone else and others like “Come Together” done by Aerosmith that resonate well with me. Thank you for doing this episode.

[@sandyshirley5079]

His anxiety shows just like mine does when I feel like attention is on me! Fidgeting but not giving into it. Brave to become a performer. 😊

[@AnonYmous-jp8uu]

Tom Bailey is a genius and TT is still one of my all time favorite bands

[@rzrbckmz23]

I saw them live in May of 1984 for the "Into the Gap" tour. Very good show. Doctor Doctor is my favorite song of theirs of Hold Me Now is a close second. I like their more pop songs like Hold Me Now better than the more sysnthesizer sound of Lies and Love on Your Side but those songs are also pretty good. Tom Bailey has a good voice and was pretty much a one man band guy who wrote, arranged, lead singer and played several instruments. Very talented guy.

[@jeffreykress3505]

Adam, thank you for doing an episode on the Thompson Twins. They are one of my favorite bands of all time. And Hold Me Now is such a classically great song. It's a shame it didn't hit #1 in the U.S. It certainly deserved it.

[@doccolour]

Thank you professor for featuring one of my top favorite bands from the 80's!! I love the Thompson Twins... I even tried to make my hair look like Tom Bailey's back in 1984. There are 2 tracks from SET that I played over and over... "Good Gosh" and The Rowe". And my favorite song from THE GAP that didn't chart is "No Peace For The Wicked". And "Judy Do" from SIDE KICK. So many great songs they have. Anyway, keep up the in-depth passionate work you do... big fan of the channel... you rock.

[@josephreynoldsii5048]

Thank you for highlighting one of my favorite bands! As a huge collector of theirs, I'm always interested in hearing what others thought of the band and meeting other fellow collectors. It's a shame that their album Queer didn't chart much higher as I thought it was a step in the right direction musically.

[@mysticwolf75]

I agree! Queer is one of my favorite TT albums. I bought that and Big Trash at the same time in 1994 (they were in the Columbia House clearance insert in my monthly catalog) and I was simply amazed at how good both albums were when I played them the first time.

[@ChrystalMagic]

Saw them in Europe with Kajagoogoo and Duran Duran in early 80s. Greatest time to be teenager. Hold me now still touches me like it did 40 years ago.

[@mysticwolf75]

I absolutely LOVE Thompson Twins! One of my favorite bands from the 80s-90s. I have all of their albums on CD, including the 2 Tom and Allanah did in the 90s as Babble (I highly recommend those ones to anyone who hasn't heard them). Allanah was my childhood crush - I was happy to hear that she and Tom eventually got married (but sad when they divorced, although I understand they are still good friends). The first 2 albums are actually really good, some great songs on there like Bouncing, Make Believe, The Rowe, and of course In the Name of Love (which I first heard in Ghostbusters!) I thought that Into the Gap and Here's to Future Days were their strongest 80s albums, but I also have a soft spot for Close to the Bone, their first album as a duo - it has some really strong tracks like Follow Your Heart, Savage Moon, Long Goodbye. And I really love their 2 Warner albums, Big Trash and Queer. I think on Queer, they began to go in the direction they would continue as Babble. The 2 Babble albums, The Stone and Ether, are still 2 of my favorite albums of all time! Allanah actually sings lead vocals on 1 song on The Stone and 2 songs on Ether, and she has a really beautiful, etheral voice! Tom's singing is more dreamy and atmospheric than on the Thompson Twins albums. There was supposedly a third Babble album in the works, but it was never completed (I'd still love to hear what they did finish of it, though!) I always thought the Babble song You Kill Me actually had a somewhat similar, if not darker, vibe to Hold Me Now.

[@JohnRotonto-ql9ds]

Sometimes when you're under the gun the creative juices start flowing. Great 80s tune! Remember watching the video on MTV. One of the best 80s staples ever written! 👍👍🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁😎😎😎😎😎

[@thebunter]

I still remember this album coming out and I had to pick it up based on Hold Me Now. I'm so glad I did for as great as HMN is I love Storm on the Sea even more so. As a senior in high school that year ('84) the song Storm on the Sea was one of the songs I listened to on the way home after the various parties. The lyrics "This party is over and we, we are alone" were so evocative in my mine of what I wished I could have said to "that girl" who was at the party. We all had a "that girl" or "that guy". in high school. Sometimes they changed from party to party and sometimes, like in my case, they are still "that girl" in my dreams. This entire album still brings her to mind. While I never even dated "that girl" it was always top on my bucket list to see her again and 35 years after graduation I got a chance to talk with her at the high school renunion. I had taken Storm on the Sea with me that night to play in my car and the 1/2 hour drive home the repeat button got phit a few times. Great Video Professor and while I can't say thanks for bringing back the memories I can at least thank you for refreshing them.

[@PKUZINA]

Side kick also featured the song “If You Were Here”, although I don’t believe it was released formally as a single, many a child of the 80s will recognize it as the closing track from the end of the classic John Hughes film Sixteen Candles.

[@theresahawes8304]

I love Hold Me Now. Great song. I didn’t discover this song until I was in first grade in 1987 when I saw the music video on VH1 and then of course MTV.

[@rashidclark]

Thank you for the vid. When you were listing the Thompson Twins' hits, I was wondering, "Where is, 'If You Were Here'?" But searching through your library, of course there already is a video entry discussing that one. I'll check it out now, thank you!

[@mariflame1821]

They were one of my top 80s bands. Their sound was so unique.

[@traywilson]

I tracked down Joe, who is/was working as a therapist in Los Angeles a few years ago. I emailed him and thanked him for the music...and he actually took the time to respond.

[@michaelrue1400]

I love Hold Me Now, and I'd totally love to hear a metal version. I remember Lies, Doctor Doctor sounds familiar, but I don't know any other Thompson Twins songs.

[@ryaneverett8375]

The synth solo from Doctor! Doctor! never fails to move me. Also, If You Were Here has a great similar part. Pretty in Pink 😁 Doesn't get much more 80's than that

[@likeitornotwithmichaellane4896]

I remember becoming pretty ticked off while listening to American Top 40 after finding out that “Hold Me Now” dropped from it’s peak position of #3. I wanted it to hit the top spot so bad. And I felt the same way when my favorite song from them didn’t land at the top, “Lay Your Hands On Me” (#7). The album Here’s To Future Days” is my favorite album from them. Here’s my top 5 favorites from The Thompson Twins: 1.) Lay Your Hands On Me 2.) Hold Me Now 3.) Doctor Doctor 4.) King For A Day 5.) Sugar Daddy

[@scottburton9701]

"Hold Me Now" still sounds great 40 years later!

[@mygreywolf]

I found you less than 24 hours ago. Now transported back to 40 years ago. Amazing how you sound like Casey Kasem and can iterate the tops just like him. Thank you!

[@davidwalker683]

Thompson twins are underrated. Had a lot of good tracks, if you were here in 16 candles such a classic!

[@carlgoldsmith5444]

I always liked " Watching " with Grace Jones adding her vocals to the mix. Sigue Sigue Sputnik or Yello, definitely need attention.

[@FreihEitner]

Though I would never list Thompson Twins as one of my most favorite bands, they were certainly formative in my early appreciation of music and without them and Human League I doubt I would have ever known about Pet Shop Boys or Erasure which quickly became, and remain, favorites for me. So thank you Thompson Twins!

[@carlosantillon365]

I loved every single second I watched Hold me now on Mtv, man those were the days!

[@jenniferkubik478]

Lots of my favorite songs didn't make #1. I did a little research into some of mine. Oh well, that's how it is. I have a few Thompson Twin songs I love, "King for One Day" and "Lay Your Hands on Me" from 1985.

[@ProfessorofRock]

BOth wonderful songs! Did you ever get to see them live? Tom Bailey is touring now...

[@RBS_]

.....that's "King For 'A' Day"....I looooooooooved that tune! ....hey remember the hubbubb over the (original) Video with the garter-belted Nuns!?? ....ay-yi-YI! ....ha-HAA!!

[@jenniferkubik478]

​@@ProfessorofRockNo. They were my favorites as a kid from radio.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I love both of those as well.

[@briseboy]

What's cool, is when it's NOT nostalgia = hearing TT mostly this winter, it's fresh.

[@flavellinator]

I remember seeing Thompson Twins at Hollywood Park as an opener for The Police on their Synchronicity tour. I had to see for myself if the two other members besides Tom Bailey actually did any singing at all (the rumor at the time was they didn't) and I still couldn't tell after watching them perform... It was a great show nonetheless... Berlin and The Fixx also played

[@davidday5731]

Was at that show..Other than being a bad place for a concert was still a great show..My Sister worked serving beer and food..Got all the beer i wanted but in a popcorn container..lol!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Wow what a show! WHO was the best of the night?

[@flavellinator]

@@ProfessorofRock For me it was The Fixx... big Cy Curnin fan! I remember being surprised that The Police didn't have Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic in their setlist.. such a fun song for a concert!

[@flavellinator]

@@davidday5731 you're right on... A race track was no place for a concert of that magnitude... Too wide and not deep enough!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Sounds like the dream concert for a new wave obsessor!

[@taketheredpill1452]

So glad you're finally covering the Thompson Twins!!!!!!!

[@jimrhodes8261]

Saw The Thompson Twins open for The Police in 1983! Great concert! Also included Oingo Boingo and The Fixx!

[@sjzara]

I don’t understand why Thompson Twins aren’t mentioned more these days. They had such a great distinctive sound.

[@sidle]

I've always said this is a great movie song, it just needs the right movie.

[@stevebrien1041]

LOVE The Thompson Twins

[@carlawolf8769]

Sugar Daddy is one of my favs. I played it in the clubs....

[@raulbric]

I was too young to catch Hold Me Now in '83...12 years old and in South America. But I noticed the band in '86 when I saw the video for the song "Nothing in Common" from the movie with the same name and Tom Hanks as the main actor. Regardless, Hold Me Now is the type of song that manages to transport the listener directly to the 80s, even those who weren't even born in that decade. The Thompson Twins are also one of the favorite bands from the 80s.

[@fjcrod]

Great album. Hard to believe that was a filler song. Had me hooked from the moment, I first heard it, all those years back.

[@johnbarney5787]

Cool! Doctor Doctor was the first song played on my boom box I received as a high school graduation present , class of 1984. There's you nostalgia...lol

[@supremedreamstation]

GREATEST SONG OF THE 80's...GOT ME THROUGH HARD EMOTIONAL TIMES...CHEERS!!!

[@NITE_SHIFTING]

MINISTRY toured with T.T.. Also, members of THE CURE Boris Williams (drums) Roger O'Donnell (keyboards) were also members of T.T.'s touring band 1983, 1984.

[@mordaciousfilms]

Theyre such a great band because they have this distinct LOOK you remember and that stands out, but they have a SOUND you associate with the "Thompson Twins" sound. I could hear like a fragment of one of their songs and tell it's by them.

[@rogerklein1007]

I was with them in Compass Point recording Into The Gap and then we went back to London to Mickey Most's RAK Studios with producer, the late ALex Sadkin and engineer Phil Thornalley who went on to write Torn. I remember being in the Bahamas at Compass Point when we heard that Hold Me Now went to No 1 in the UK . Very Surreal. Also, much later (in mid 1985) Tom Bailey called and vouched for me with Clive Davis and all the Arista people and got me my first A&R job. Great interview!!!

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Great anecdote. I can't believe it seems to have been missed so far. What were they like to work with? They all seem to come across very well. Just had a read through your website- very impressive if I may say so!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool! Thanks Roger!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Tell us more!

[@rogerklein1007]

@@ProfessorofRock I had got to be friends with them in 1982 when they played the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood. I was the manager of the Roxy at the time. We got quite close and they were considering bring me in to work with their management. About a year later in Dec of 1983 I went to Compass Point Studios where everyone from the Police to ACDC had recorded records. It was owned at the time by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell. Just before Christmas everyone went back to London to continue recording with a short break to go to NYC for the MTV New Year's Eve special. At the time, Tom Bailey and everyone were living in "squats" (unoccupied old apartments) in South London and they had to nail their front door shut (they didn't have a key) when we left for NYC . As a point of reference, their drummer, Boris Williams eventually joined The Cure via Phil Thornalley who was the bass player at the time (he produced Love Cats). Boris played on all of The Cure's hits. Thompson Twins keyboard player Roger O'Donnell also joined The Cure later. As a newly minted A&R executive at Arista I was put somewhat in charge (but, not really at all,,,I was way too green!lol) of the next TT's record produced by Nile Rodgers. Fortunately, I figured out what I was doing and after leaving Arista for Epic Records I ended up signing Indigo Girls, Social; Distortion, and flamenco guitarist Ottmar Liebert and stayed there for the next 10+ years. So, I owe my A&R career to Tom Bailey.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Wow. What was your favorite song on the record?

[@jamesbullock9209]

“Hold Me Now” is not only an 80s playlist staple, but most often overlooked is the sublime production values associated with it. The percussion played by Alannah Currie will definitely test your sound equipment on very subtle nuances. I often use this track to test my sound system for any distortion and other deviances that may plague it. But once everything is in place, the song sounds simply incredible!!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

The instrumental to it is fantastic. Piano, synths, guitars and all, it’s the perfect strike of ambient.

[@jamesbullock9209]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I need to check that out then! Thank you!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@jamesbullock9209 Well, it’s part of the production!

[@jamesbullock9209]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Let me reiterate; I will check out the instrumental version. I did and it was fantastic.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@jamesbullock9209 It’d be a great karaoke backdrop…😊

[@cheeriog9394]

I was completely mesmerized when I first discovered the Thompson Twins and one of my biggest fantasy was to be one of the members. I truly loved their artistry.

[@kam0406]

I had a picture…. Love this song from start to finish!

[@Brickwall2468]

this is my number one favorite 80s song

[@karenbricker4687]

Love Me Now is my favorite song from the Thompson Twins. 😊😊❤❤