Spandau Ballet Reaction True (OH! THIS WERE LLYOD GOT THIS?!?) | Empress Reacts

[@andymcgill354]

British band great song and great singer

[@Mr17051963]

The backing vocals add a sensual mood to the song! 😉

[@Hollingsworth2781]

that is some seriously brilliant pop.

[@deancummings586]

When I was in the 10th grade, I was part of my school's band. Our instructor was early in her music teaching career, and she created such a fun atmosphere for all of us. "What song should we perform for the year-end concert?" She asked, and we the students voted on "True" by Spandeau Ballet because it was such a popular song, and because we all loved it! Playing this song in band is one of my most vivid and cherished memories of my high school years...and by the way, I played alto Saxophone! 😊 Thanks so much for another engaging, entertaining, and informative reaction.

[@EmpressReacts]

Thanks for watching! I hope you sub😊

[@wheelmanstan]

This is that Sophisti-Pop, like Tears for Fears and Johnny Hates Jazz..great stuff, like classy new wave, synthesizers and saxaphones, heck of a prom song

[@mr.balloffur]

The lead singer has the greatest voice

[@Nearraen14]

This is one of those songs that'll never die. It gets sampled every few years, just like Isley Brother's "Between the Sheets." Lloyd sampled this, Nelly sampled this, 90s rap duo PM Dawn scored a number 1 hit sampling this. Surprised Kanye never sampled it -- maybe it's too obvious a sample for even him??

[@darnell49]

💯

[@vegasbaby3669]

Facts

[@altaariq]

I hear this song almost everyday on the smooth jazz channel. I've been hearing this song over 30 years

[@Topgooner01]

It was the idea of the songwriter to put the different sounds to this performance, because the songwriter, is the piano player, that is because this is the original, but covered so many times!

[@EmpressReacts]

great idea

[@darnell49]

This the O.G. right here. CLASSIC ‼️Sounds so smooth.So many hits sampled this song.

[@dcaseng]

GOLD is another great song by them.

[@dalee72]

This song is part of the Sixteen Candles movie soundtrack directed by John Hughes and starring Molly Ringwald. This song is also sampled by P.M. Dawn's Set Adrift On Memory Bliss. The lead singer of Spandau Ballet makes a cameo appearance in the music video. It's pronounced Spandow. Yes they're British. React to their song Gold please.

[@brucedowney9164]

I love your reactions inside and out ❤️

[@EmpressReacts]

Thank u‼️

[@diamondm9746]

I was def OBSESSED w/ this smooth & sophisticated song and band. Around 83, of course Spandau Ballet inspired me to show up for a regular day in Junior High FULLY suited up....🤣

[@EmpressReacts]

LOL

[@jim87vette]

That classic Sax 👌 😅!

[@patrickmiller1834]

I’m reliving my ‘run the streets’ high school college day. Thank you I needed this today. Youth and is precious

[@EmpressReacts]

😘🥰

[@melande-ru7ro]

A great british band I heard this song in 1983 , I was 17 years of age, great memories

[@petersavieri]

Another of the greatest and most 80s bands of the 80s. Spandau Ballet ARE British, yes! Your instincts serve you well… You could wear formal attire while listening, or you could wear more of a billowing preppy Perry Ellis casual look (which is still comparitively formal I guess)… You could also tease your hair and wear androgynous makeup and a pirate shirt for early Spandau Ballet swag when they were foundational to the New Romantic scene along with bands like Duran Duran, Culture Club, Soft Cell, Human League and Depeche Mode. Spandau Ballet are so iconic for that era. One of the coolest bands to emerge from the New Romantic genre, and one with some of the most complex compositions. I’m sure you’ll hear their song Gold soon enough, and just LISTEN to the piano line running in contrast to the vocal melody on that, all offset syncopation and elegant elusiveness, but still with that sleek 80s pop appeal. Absolutely brilliant writing and performance is what they always brought. You mention the chorus being adapted or sampled by Lloyd… it’s also been sampled by PM Dawn, Nelly and others, and covered by the Black Eyed Peas and Paul Anka. It’s on the soundtrack to multiple iconic movies and was sung by Steve Buscemi in The Wedding Singer! I’m all for sampling and adaptation when it takes the music into a newly original place. It can be so interesting and cool. I do sometimes feel that songs about more complex tone and imagery (this one is like a longing letter to an unrequited love, told by the traveler in search of identity, hoping he’s gained enough sophistication to impress) can then be adapted to serve a much more simple and direct love/hook up song theme like Lloyd’s. There are some amazing lifts from pop to hip hop or RnB but sometimes it’s a bit… hmm… reductive ☕️

[@EmpressReacts]

😂😂😂reductive - love it

[@BJcatq]

Yacht Rock… Stylish, Stiff, Smooth…. 👍

[@michaelscott9974]

This is when men could just sang it And that's an 80's dress style Mega swag just saying And the one line Listening to Marvin all nite long That's all about Marvin Gaye

[@Honey-bh2jh]

now this was a fun reaction! this is a must have for stepping back into the 1980s. loved your reaction on this one! 😀❤️😘

[@EmpressReacts]

Thank you!! 😁

[@itchyandred4131]

Even though I remember this song from the 80's and always loved it.....,. every time I hear this I think of Adam Sandler's movie "the wedding singer"....... ✌️

[@LOAFEMB]

The English groups back then were CLEAN! Everyone was “suited up”

[@EmpressReacts]

Interesting

[@marycoplin7875]

This much is true - "Hah Hah Hah Hah Hah" is the best part about this great song. Sooooo smooooth!!!!!

[@EmpressReacts]

💯💯

[@MightMouse2174]

P.M. Dawn did a sample of this song and the lead singer did a cameo in the video

[@MaleOrderBride]

This song has been sampled a million times by other artists...but this original is the best ❤

[@EmpressReacts]

🔥🔥

[@michaelwilliams-vu2nf]

Here a song that you will love Ruby and the romantic. Our day will come

[@jaquayvius]

Glad You noticed that about Young Lloyd Adding that Lyric in His "You" Song. I noticed it too Years ago when I First Heard this Song Myself. I Love it!! It's One of My Favorite Love Songs. The Vocals are definitely On Point and so is the Lyrics.

[@EmpressReacts]

🔥🔥

[@therunningmanz5339]

An all time 80s classic! Spandau Ballet had some great tracks! The vocals all round are awesome but Tony's lead vocals are incredible. Always reminds me now of The Wedding Singer soundtrack starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore) If you haven't seen that movie check it out its hilarious (lost count of the number of times I've watched it lol) and has an awesome soundtrack! Great reaction!

[@PjRjHj]

Tony Hadley has a fog horn of a voice, no need for a mic 😄

[@jaquayvius]

It was also on the 80s 'Sixteen Candles' Movie Soundtrack also.

[@shonaharris9328]

This song is so smooth. I like the breathy sound that reminds of the 70s, BeeGees sound. Their other hit was “Gold”, both early 80s. Yes they were British and more success in the UK.

[@EmpressReacts]

love that comparison

[@graphiquejack]

I was like… oop… she threw up 🔟🔟🔟s but will she take it back when she hears that sax solo? Lol… no weak horns! I have always loved this song. Spandeau Ballet had that swag like Tom Jones had where you just know women in the audience were throwing their undies on the stage… 🤣🤣🤣

[@jamesclifford189]

I've seen Spandau live, that's true! Lots of screaming from their female (as well as some male) fans

[@EmpressReacts]

No this was good sax lol

[@BrenJen86]

This song was played at EVERY 80s prom after it dropped! #classof86

[@EmpressReacts]

Believable 😂

[@Mr1031964]

both great songs!! Great reaction too!

[@EmpressReacts]

Thank u‼️

[@Marc-zi5cq]

OMG i loved that Lloyd song!! I was obsessed with it! Whatever happened to him? I remember he had D.woods from Danity Kane in the video :D

[@timfahey7127]

Coffee, my 80's jam and empress bopping to the beat....it's going to be a good day...🌄👍

[@EmpressReacts]

😂😘

[@landisix9709]

As a kid in the 80s.. I thought the chorus was saying” I know theres ….virgins …..true” 🤓

[@brenthowell8883]

British they are!✌

[@PjRjHj]

A seminal 80s Classic. Spandau's guitarist/pianist/songwriter Gary Kemp, wrote True as an unrequited love letter to actress/Altered Images singer Clare Grogan. You have to do "Gold". still a 🔥 anthem in the UK and Commonwealth countries like Australia and New Zealand.

[@derekdonnell7780]

Cleaner then the board. Yep, straight out of england

[@xcrazyhorsex13tiger35]

Steve Perry foolish heart

[@mikecaetano]

Sweet! Takes me back to high school. This song and Simply Red "Holding Back the Years" were the top ballads of the eighties, imo, but I'm not keeping score. Spandau Ballet took its name from a macabre source. The phrase supposedly describes how Nazi war criminals at Spandau Prison in Berlin would dance at the end of the rope when they were hanged for their crimes after the war.

[@EmpressReacts]

interesting!!!

[@lamusiclover2264]

Yes, they are British.

[@AlexanderCalderon-kd6mh]

I didn't know they were British until recently when I saw lead singer Tony Hadley in the music video for Do They Know It's Christmas (the all British artists, We Are The World type song)

[@tammyy155]

You should check out PM Dawn’s Set Adrift on Memory Bliss of You - it samples this song beautifully

[@EmpressReacts]

✅noted

[@adnap]

Okay, now you totally have to react to P.M. Dawn “Set Adrift On Memory Bliss” there’s even a special guest cameo from a “special guest”. 😉

[@EmpressReacts]

✅

[@adnap]

@@EmpressReacts lol I didn’t realize I said “special guest” twice. Kind of redundant.

[@scottvanhille5688]

LOL another hit that's played on the radio a lot. "Gold" is their other hit.

[@fjvbfjvb]

Omg! So glad you liked my pick. One of my fave songs of all time. So catchy and the production is great. Love the outro change up. But what is this song really about?? Lol

[@EmpressReacts]

😂😂True‼️

[@TimothyStidham]

The songwriter said it was about wanting to tell this girl he liked how he really felt, but didn’t want to ruin the friendship. So he has all the feels but can’t find the words.

[@alfaduko]

Spandau Ballet yay, great pick. The Kemp brothers doing backup, cool song. They’d be touring like Duran Duran but lead singer Tony Hadley apparently ain’t interested.

[@PjRjHj]

Yeah Gary Kemp and Tony Hadley have a pretty toxic relationship these days. Gary wrote the songs (composition and lyrics), while Tony knows he was indispensable.

[@alfaduko]

@@PjRjHj ahhhh thanks for the details👍

[@sirhandsome1349]

Empress sees a LOT more in this song than I am able to see. Guy's half crying though the whole song but, fails to convey that emotion with lyrics

[@EmpressReacts]

lolz

[@bufordt.justice6741]

some people may not like this but i cant stand when rap gets a hit primarily or for a big reason due to having taken a hook from a classic like this song. i mean if youre going to create something then write it ALL yourself from the melodic hook to your rap! other than that, always loved this song from the moment i heard it in sixteen candles and their sound and style was hugely influenced by Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music like so many 80's bands.

[@todddepue681]

Brilliant song! One weird thing I always notice in video is why does he use that dinky little microphone for one part of the song and then suddenly have a different one for the rest???

[@EmpressReacts]

lol wow i didn't notice

[@joshuawater3493]

Please react to pm Dawn set adrift of memory bliss

[@MarksMark]

Hmm was it called "romantic" new wave?? Hmmmm

[@PjRjHj]

This was more blue eyed soul / pop. they'd left the specific New Romantic vibes the album before True.

[@IshwaraYogaNET]

Scottish yes lady, British for now but a vote for independence may change that

[@EmpressReacts]

😂okay