Figaro (song): Difference between revisions
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"'''Figaro'''" is a [[1978 in music|1978]] No.1 single by pop group [[Brotherhood of Man]]. |
"'''Figaro'''" is a [[1978 in music|1978]] No.1 single by pop group [[Brotherhood of Man]]. |
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== Background == |
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By 1978, Brotherhood Of Man had experienced a certain amount of chart success in both the UK and Europe, notably so with "[[Save Your Kisses For Me]]" and "[[Angelo (song)|Angelo]]". Following this, came the surprise failure of their next single "Highwayman" (released in late [[1977 in music|1977]]). In January 1978, they released this song, which borrowed the title-idea from their previous No.1 "Angelo". The song became a No.1 hit in February, spending one week on top of the charts in the UK and becoming one of the twenty best selling singles of the year. This was to be Brotherhood of Man's final No.1 single.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=7625 |title= "Figaro"UK Chart details |author=Chartstats|accessdate=2008-10-04 |dateformat=dmy}}</ref> It was awarded a [[gold disc]] by the [[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]] in February 1978.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/ |title=Certications - Statistics - Brotherhood of Man |author=BPI|accessdate=2009-02-05 |dateformat=dmy}}</ref> |
By 1978, Brotherhood Of Man had experienced a certain amount of chart success in both the UK and Europe, notably so with "[[Save Your Kisses For Me]]" and "[[Angelo (song)|Angelo]]". Following this, came the surprise failure of their next single "Highwayman" (released in late [[1977 in music|1977]]). In January 1978, they released this song, which borrowed the title-idea from their previous No.1 "Angelo". The song became a No.1 hit in February, spending one week on top of the charts in the UK and becoming one of the twenty best selling singles of the year. This was to be Brotherhood of Man's final No.1 single.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=7625 |title= "Figaro"UK Chart details |author=Chartstats|accessdate=2008-10-04 |dateformat=dmy}}</ref> It was awarded a [[gold disc]] by the [[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]] in February 1978.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/ |title=Certications - Statistics - Brotherhood of Man |author=BPI|accessdate=2009-02-05 |dateformat=dmy}}</ref> |
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"Figaro" was written by band members [[Lee Sheriden]] and [[Martin Lee (singer)|Martin Lee]] along with their manager [[Tony Hiller]], who also produced the track. The lead vocals are sung jointly by members [[Sandra Stevens]] and [[Nicky Stevens]]. The opening drum roll on the song was performed by [[Clem Cattini]] of the 1960s band [[The Tornados]]. |
"Figaro" was written by band members [[Lee Sheriden]] and [[Martin Lee (singer)|Martin Lee]] along with their manager [[Tony Hiller]], who also produced the track. The lead vocals are sung jointly by members [[Sandra Stevens]] and [[Nicky Stevens]]. The distinctive opening drum roll on the song was performed by [[Clem Cattini]] of the 1960s band [[The Tornados]]. |
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The song tells of a (presumably) Spanish cabaret singer who is intent on gaining the interest of young ladies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/gary.hart/lyricsb/brotherhood.html |title= "Figaro" song lyrics |author=Gary Hart|accessdate=2008-12-12 |dateformat=dmy}}</ref> As co-writer Hiller stated; ''"That came about because my daughter went on holiday and came back talking about all the dishy Spanish waiters trying to pick up the girls"''.<ref>Tony Hiller interview with Michael Heatley, 1995</ref> Musically, the song has been reported on many occasions of its similatity to [[ABBA]]'s "[[Fernando (song)|Fernando]]", and while this may be partly true of their previous No.1 ("Angelo"), stylistically, these particular songs are very different apart from similar titles. Member Sheriden denies these allegations. Ironically however, it was ABBA themselves who knocked Brotherhood Of Man off the top of the charts in the UK, with their single "[[Take a Chance on Me]]" |
The song tells of a (presumably) Spanish cabaret singer who is intent on gaining the interest of young ladies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/gary.hart/lyricsb/brotherhood.html |title= "Figaro" song lyrics |author=Gary Hart|accessdate=2008-12-12 |dateformat=dmy}}</ref> As co-writer Hiller stated; ''"That came about because my daughter went on holiday and came back talking about all the dishy Spanish waiters trying to pick up the girls"''.<ref>Tony Hiller interview with Michael Heatley, 1995</ref> Musically, the song has been reported on many occasions of its similatity to [[ABBA]]'s "[[Fernando (song)|Fernando]]", and while this may be partly true of their previous No.1 ("Angelo"), stylistically, these particular songs are very different apart from similar titles. Member Sheriden denies these allegations. Ironically however, it was ABBA themselves who knocked Brotherhood Of Man off the top of the charts in the UK, with their single "[[Take a Chance on Me]]" |
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"Figaro" became a hit in many European countries, including Ireland, where it was a No.1 hit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement|title= Irish chart details |author=Irish charts.ie|accessdate=2008-11-01 |dateformat=dmy}}</ref> The song featured on the group's album ''[[B for Brotherhood]],'' and was followed up by top 20 hit "Beautiful Lover". "Figaro" went on to be voted best song of the first half of 1978 by readers of |
"Figaro" became a hit in many European countries, including Ireland, where it was also a No.1 hit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement|title= Irish chart details |author=Irish charts.ie|accessdate=2008-11-01 |dateformat=dmy}}</ref> The song featured on the group's album ''[[B for Brotherhood]],'' and was followed up by top 20 hit "Beautiful Lover". "Figaro" went on to be voted best song of the first half of 1978 by readers of ''[[Look-in]]'' magazine and best song of the year by viewers of TV's [[Magpie (TV series)|''Magpie'']]. |
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== Chart performance == |
== Chart performance == |
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Revision as of 23:40, 27 August 2009
| "Figaro" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "You Can Say That Again" |
"Figaro" is a 1978 No.1 single by pop group Brotherhood of Man.
Background
By 1978, Brotherhood Of Man had experienced a certain amount of chart success in both the UK and Europe, notably so with "Save Your Kisses For Me" and "Angelo". Following this, came the surprise failure of their next single "Highwayman" (released in late 1977). In January 1978, they released this song, which borrowed the title-idea from their previous No.1 "Angelo". The song became a No.1 hit in February, spending one week on top of the charts in the UK and becoming one of the twenty best selling singles of the year. This was to be Brotherhood of Man's final No.1 single.[1] It was awarded a gold disc by the BPI in February 1978.[2]
"Figaro" was written by band members Lee Sheriden and Martin Lee along with their manager Tony Hiller, who also produced the track. The lead vocals are sung jointly by members Sandra Stevens and Nicky Stevens. The distinctive opening drum roll on the song was performed by Clem Cattini of the 1960s band The Tornados.
The song tells of a (presumably) Spanish cabaret singer who is intent on gaining the interest of young ladies.[3] As co-writer Hiller stated; "That came about because my daughter went on holiday and came back talking about all the dishy Spanish waiters trying to pick up the girls".[4] Musically, the song has been reported on many occasions of its similatity to ABBA's "Fernando", and while this may be partly true of their previous No.1 ("Angelo"), stylistically, these particular songs are very different apart from similar titles. Member Sheriden denies these allegations. Ironically however, it was ABBA themselves who knocked Brotherhood Of Man off the top of the charts in the UK, with their single "Take a Chance on Me"
"Figaro" became a hit in many European countries, including Ireland, where it was also a No.1 hit.[5] The song featured on the group's album B for Brotherhood, and was followed up by top 20 hit "Beautiful Lover". "Figaro" went on to be voted best song of the first half of 1978 by readers of Look-in magazine and best song of the year by viewers of TV's Magpie.
Chart performance
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK | 1 |
| Ireland | 1 |
| Norway [6] | 12 |
| South Africa [7] | 12 |
| Belgium [8] | 16 |
| The Netherlands [9] | 28 |
References
- ^ Chartstats. ""Figaro"UK Chart details". Retrieved 2008-10-04.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - ^ BPI. "Certications - Statistics - Brotherhood of Man". Retrieved 2009-02-05.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - ^ Gary Hart. ""Figaro" song lyrics". Retrieved 2008-12-12.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - ^ Tony Hiller interview with Michael Heatley, 1995
- ^ Irish charts.ie. "Irish chart details". Retrieved 2008-11-01.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - ^ Tsort. "Norwegian Chart position". Retrieved 2009-01-14.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - ^ Rock.co.za. "South African chart position". Retrieved 2009-01-14.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - ^ Dutch Brotherhood of Man site. "Charts - Belgian chart position". Retrieved 2008-10-04.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - ^ Radio 538, Netherlands. "Dutch Chart details". Retrieved 2008-10-04.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)