Review
Ariola’s Hits series began in 1985 with two simultaneous releases – Die Internationalen Doppelalbum and Die Deutsche Doppelalbum. After the success of both titles they repeated the concept the following year with the added bonus of a scaled-down CD version which featured 16 tracks [the double LP had 30]. This 1986 compilation is particularly memorable as I spent two glorious weeks in Italy that August so a number of these tracks bring back fond memories.
There’s three UK heavy hitters in a row; Human League’s stately Human where Joanne Catherall’s confession of infidelity continues to get me every time, Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s comeback single Rage Hard and Depeche Mode’s uptempo A Question Of Time. This triple play is book-ended by two euro pop classics – Modern Talking’s Geronimo’s Calling and Sandra’s ultra-catchy Hi, Hi, Hi!
There’s a romantic streak here with Chris Norman’s swoonsong Some Hearts Are Diamonds, Boris Gardiner’s chart smash and C.C. Catch’s Heartbreak Hotel. Italo greatness is represented by Den Harrow’s hypnotic Charleston and Princess Stephanie’s gorgeous Irresistible.
There’s humour too; the hilarious Holiday Rap, Falco’s delightful The Sound Of Musik and the stupendously silly Geil [Bruce and Bongo]. All three will bring out the robot dancers. What else? You get Samantha Fox’s assured and confident Touch Me which remains one of the year’s key moments and to finish off, OMD’s timeless flight of melancholia that is (Forever) Live And Die.
Favourite tracks
Depeche Mode – A Question Of Time (Remix)
Stephanie – Irresistible
Lest we forget
Falco – The Sound Of Musik (Single Edit)
A Pop Fan's Dream 