Essential Albums of the 80's: Yaz' 'Upstairs at Eric's'

Back in the early 1980's, new wave was fresh new genre of music that melded elements of punk and dance music into an intoxicating blend of synthesizer-heavy sounds that would take the music world by storm. It made great strides during the early days of MTV, when the "M" still stood for music. During the decade, many bands would leave their indelible marks on the Billboard charts, groups like Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, the Cars, Culture Club, and so many more. One new wave band, a duo from England called Yaz, created an album of music in 1982 that was epic, and no true fan of the genre can say that they never owned a copy of an album called '˜Upstairs at Eric's.'

Yaz, called by their original name Yazoo in Great Britain, consisted of former Depeche Mode songwriter Vince Clarke on keyboards and powerhouse soulful singer Alison Moyet. The album was released in mid-1982 and featured an eclectic mix of synth-heavy dance tracks and soulful power ballads. Here's a closer look at the tracks on the album:

Don't Go

This fast moving track was a big hit in the dance clubs, hitting the #1 spot on Billboard's Dance/Club Charts. The song typifies the early technotronic sounds that were beginning to permeate the music scene at the start of the decade. Take a look at the video for '˜Don't Go' here.

Too Pieces

This one's a pleasant and melodic, synthesizer laden song that's easy on the ears. Check out a live performance of it here.

Bad Connection

Bad Connection is a song about, well, just that, a bad telephone connection. The up tempo song is very catchy and fun to sing along to. Here's a live performance of the tune from New York City right here.

I Before E Except After C

This is one track that never made any sense to me whatsoever. It's mostly acapella, with Clarke speaking gibberish throughout, and Moyet's Old English vocals towards the end being the only semi-bright spot. Pure filler!

Midnight

Midnight is my absolute favorite song on '˜Upstairs at Eric's.' The song takes place just after a woman has confessed her infidelities to her man and he's run off into the night, leaving her alone with nothing but pain and regret for what she'd done. Moyet's vocals are absolutely stellar here, with a heartfelt desperation in her voice at facing the consequences of what she's done. The song is simply enthralling!

Midnight, it's raining outside, he must soaking wet.
Everyone is sleeping tight
God knows i tried my best, but
Darling you know it looks bad
Just lost the best thing that I ever had
Still I don't know why I did him wrong
It's too late now he's gone to say

Rather than share a live performance of '˜Midnight,' only the original audio from the album carries the authentic sound as it was recorded. Check out '˜Midnight' right here.

In My Room

This is another great song that was a real crowd pleaser at the duo's reunion tour of 2008. It begins with Clarke's morose recitation of the "Our Father," set to a slow, steady synthesizer beat. Once Moyet jumps in with her hauntingly introspective vocals, the song really gets going. Check out the crowd-pleasing performance in New York right here.

Only You

All I needed was the love you gave

All I needed for another day

And all I ever knew

Only you

This sweet and tender ballad was the first single off of the album and the spark that ignited the duo to record an album. Clarke had written the tune originally with the intentions of giving it to Depeche Mode, but when they turned it down, he went out in search of a female vocalist to sing it. After seeing Moyet perform at several clubs with her then band, The Vandals, he approached her about recording it. The record became a big hit in the UK and excited record company execs approached the duo about making an album together, which became '˜Upstairs at Eric's.' Check out '˜Only You' here.

Goodbye Seventies

This fast-moving, hard-driving ode to the previous decade is pure new wave and nothing but catchy and fun. Check out a performance of the song in Los Angeles right here.

Situation

Situation was hands down the biggest hit off of '˜Upstairs at Eric's,' hitting #1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play Charts for 4 weeks and even crossing over to the magazine's R&B chart. The easily recognizable synth track has been sampled many times over, as were Moyet's laughs heard in the background of the song (Hers are the laughs heard in Los del Rio's '˜Macarena.'). Check out '˜Situation' here.

Winter Kills

This slow moving ballad was more filler that never did too much for me. Sort of depressing!

Bring Your Love Down (Didn't I?)

This was another one of those fast moving, catchy songs that featured the best of Clarke's keyboard hooks and Moyet's powerful voice. Great song! Take a listen here.

So there you have it, '˜Upstairs at Eric's,' one of the best new wave albums of the 1980's! Unfortunately, the duo didn't last too long, deciding to part ways just before releasing their second album '˜You and Me Both' in 1983. Clarke went on to form another successful new wave band, Erasure, with Andy Bell, and Moyet had a successful, albeit short-lived solo career. Due to popular demand, the duo reunited in 2008 for a successful tour of Europe and the States playing favorites from both albums. We no longer have Yaz, but what we do have left today are the songs, the marvelously crafted tunes that were the epitome of what made new wave music so special back in the day.

For more "Essential Albums of the 80's", check these out:

George Michael's '˜Faith'
Prince's Purple Reign of the Eighties

Cyndi Lauper's '˜She's So Unusual'

Culture Club's '˜Colour by Numbers'

Madonna

For more on 80's Music, check out:

Top Ten New Wave Songs of the 80's

The 80's: A Decade in Music

Top Ten One Hit Wonders of the 80's

Top Twenty New Wave Bands of the 80's, Part 1

Top Twenty New Wave Bands of the 80's, Part 2

Top Twenty Dance/Club Hits of the 80's