Racey

Racey were a British pop group, formed in 1976 in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England, by Clive Wilson and Phil Fursdon.[1] They achieved success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with hits such as "Lay Your Love on Me" and "Some Girls".[2] Their 1979 song "Kitty" was an international hit in 1981 for Toni Basil when she reworked it into "Mickey".

For other uses, see Racey (disambiguation).

Racey
The original lineup of Racey, 1979.
Background information
OriginWeston-super-Mare, United Kingdom
GenresPower pop, glam rock (before 1980), new wave
Years active1976–1985
LabelsRAK Records
Associated actsRichard Gower's Racey (1992 to present), The Original Racey (1990 to present)
Websitewww.racey.net www.raceyweb.com/history.htm
Past membersRichard Gower
Phil Fursdon
Pete Miller (†2003)
Clive Wilson

Career

The original line-up featured Richard Gower (born 1955, Hackney, London, England; vocals and keyboards), Phil Fursdon (vocals and guitar), Pete Miller (vocals and bass) and Clive Wilson (vocals and drums). After early success in their local pub circuit, they came to the attention of Mickie Most.[1] Racey's first single, "Baby It's You", was penned by Smokie members Chris Norman and Pete Spencer and released in 1978. Their second single, "Lay Your Love on Me", was the group's first hit single, peaking at No.3 in the UK Singles Chart in late 1978 through to early 1979.[1] The third single, "Some Girls", was written for the American band Blondie, for whom Mike Chapman also produced, but was instead given to Racey as a follow-up to "Lay Your Love on Me".[1] ("Some Girls" was later recorded by Barry Manilow for his 1982 "Here Comes the Night" album.) The band then parted company with Chinn and Chapman after the album was released and although they continued to play and tour they released only a few more singles that did not match their previous successes. The only album they made under the original line-up was their 1979 debut album Smash and Grab. The band's hits were either written and/or produced by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn.[1]

The band formally split in 1985, and since then two separate groups named Racey exist, one featuring band member Richard Gower and the other featuring Clive Wilson, Phil Fursdon and Pete Miller, the original bass player.[1] Miller died of cancer on 6 May 2003.[2] Several albums and CDs with re-recordings of the original hits as well as new material are available from both of the present-day versions of the group.

In May 2009, the reissue of Racey's Smash And Grab album was available on a double CD through 7Ts Records, a division of Cherry Red Records in London. It included the original 1979 album along with all other recordings made for RAK Records between 1978 and 1982.

Discography

Albums

Smash and Grab (1979)

    1. "Love’s A Riot" (Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman)
    2. "Such A Night" (Steve Glenn, David Most, Mike Burns)
    3. "There’s A Party Going On" (Jimmie Cameron)
    4. "Lay Your Cards On The Table" (Glen, Most, Burns)
    5. "She's A Winner" (Richard Gower)
    6. "Some Girls" (Chinn, Chapman)
    7. "Lay Your Love On Me" (Chinn, Chapman)
    8. "Kitty" (Chinn, Chapman)
    9. "Rah Stateway" (Gower)
    10. "Boy Oh Boy" (Gloria Macari, Roger Ferris)
    11. "We Are Racey" (Gower)

    (produced by Mickie Most in 1979)

    Lay Your Love On Me (1996)

      1. "Some Girls"
      2. "Lay Your Love On Me"
      3. "She's A Winner"
      4. "There's A Party Going On"
      5. "Rah Stateway"
      6. "Runaround Sue"
      7. "Love's A Riot"
      8. "Such A Night"
      9. "Lay Your Cards On The Table"
      10. "Boy Oh Boy"
      11. "Kitty"
      12. "Not Too Young to Get Married"
      13. "Rock It"
      14. "Little Darling"
      15. "Rest Of My Life"
      16. "Baby It's You"
      17. "We are Racey"

      (recorded between 1978-1996)

      Singles
      Year A-Side B-Side Label Other
      1978"Baby It's You"
      (Chris Norman, Pete Spencer)      		 "Rudi""
      (Richard Gower)      		RAK 277
      1978"Lay Your Love on Me
      (Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman)      		 "I Believed You"
      (Richard Gower)      		RAK 284UK #3, Ireland #2, Australia #1
      1979"Some Girls"
      (Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman)      		 "Fighting Chance""
      (Richard Gower)      		RAK 291UK #2, Ireland #2, South Africa #1, Australia #1
      1979"Boy Oh Boy"
      (Gloria Macari, Roger Ferris)      		 "Sensational Buzz""
      (Richard Gower)      		RAK 297UK #22, Ireland #9, South Africa #2, Australia #12
      1980"Such a Night"
      (Steve Glenn, David Most, Mike Burns)      		 "There's A Party Going On""
      (Jimmie Cameron)      		RAK 301Australia #94
      1980"Rest of My Life"
      (R. Scott - S.Wolfe)      		 "Cry Baby Cry""
      (Richard Gower)      		RAK 317Australia #45
      1980"Runaround Sue"
      (Dion DiMucci and Ernie Maresca)      		 "Hold Me Close"
      (Richard Gower)      		RAK 325UK #13, Ireland #9, Australia #91
      1981"Shame"
      (Richard Gower)      		 "Let Me Take You Home Tonight"
      		RAK 329
      1981"Little Darlin'"
      (Maurice Williams)      		 "Rock It"
      (Richard Gower)      		RAK 335
      1981"There's A Party Going On"
      (Jimmie Cameron)      		 "High Street Sunset"
      		RAK 338
      1982"Not Too Young to Get Married"
      (Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry)      		 "Love Games"
      (Richard Gower)      		RAK 348
      1996"Cry Cry Time"
      		CMC records[3]

      List of Songs

      The following is a sortable table of all songs by Racey:

      • The column Song list the song title; bold means released as a single.
      • The column Writer(s) lists who wrote the song.
      • The column Time shows the length of the song.
      • The column Album lists the album the song is featured on.
      • The column Producer lists the producer of the song.
      • The column Year lists the year in which the song was released.
      Song Writer(s) Time Album Producer Year Other
      Baby It's YouChris Norman, Pete Spencer4:32 non-album-songMickie Most 1978A-side of Rudi
      Boy Oh BoyGloria Macari, Roger Ferris2:54 Smash and GrabMickie Most 1979A-side of Sensational Buzz
      Crazy3:40 The Best Of 2006 2006
      Cry Baby CryRichard Gower2:37 The Best Of RaceyRacey 1980B-side of Rest of My Life
      Cry Cry Time?4:04 non-album-song 1986A-side of ?
      Fighting ChanceRichard Gower3:47 The Best Of RaceyMickie Most 1979B-side of Some Girls
      High Street SunsetRichard Gower non-album-songRacey 1981B-side of There's A Party Going On (1981)
      Hold Me CloseRichard Gower2:44 The Best Of RaceyRacey 1980B-side of Runaround Sue
      I Believed YouRichard Gower3:07 The Best Of RaceyMickie Most 1978B-side of Lay Your Love on Me
      I Mean It This Time3:10 Say Wow! (Greatest & Latest) 1996
      Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)John Fred, Andrew Bernard3:44 The Best Of 2006
      KittyNicky Chinn, Mike Chapman3:38 Smash and GrabMickie Most 1979
      Lay Your Cards On The TableSteve Glenn, David Most, Mike Burns3:08 Smash and GrabMickie Most 1979
      Lay Your Love on MeNicky Chinn, Mike Chapman3:16 Smash and GrabMickie Most 1978A-side of I Believed You
      Let Me Take You Home TonightRichard Gower3:26 non-album-songMickie Most 1981B-side of Shame
      Little Darlin'Maurice Williams2:40 non-album-songMickie Most 1981A-side of Rock It
      Little Girls2:50 The Best Of 2006 2006
      Little Girls (beach Mix)2:46 2006
      Love GamesRichard Gower3:19 non-album-songRichard Gower 1982B-side of Not Too Young to Get Married
      Love's A RiotNicky Chinn, Mike Chapman2:54 Smash and GrabMickie Most 1979
      Mad About The Girl3:14
      Not Too Young to Get MarriedPhil Spector, Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry3:01 non-album-songSteve Glen 1982A-side of Love Games
      Rah StatewayRichard Gower3:47 Smash and GrabMickie Most 1979
      Rest of My LifeSteve Wolfe, Ronnie Scott3:36 The Best Of RaceyMickie Most 1980A-side of Cry Baby Cry
      Rock ItRichard Gower2:42 non-album-songMickie Most 1978B-side of Little Darlin"
      RudiRichard Gower2:53 non-album-songMickie Most 1978B-side of Baby It's You
      Runaround SueDion DiMucci and Ernie Maresca2:57 The Best Of RaceyMickie Most 1980A-side of Hold Me Close
      Satin 'N' Lace4:13 The Best Of 2006 2006
      Say Wow3:53
      Sensational BuzzRichard Gower3:23 The Best Of RaceyMickie Most 1979B-side of Boy Oh Boy
      ShameRichard Gower2:35 non-album-songMickie Most 1981A-side of Let Me Take You Home Tonight
      She's A WinnerRichard Gower2:49 Smash and GrabMickie Most 1979
      She's Different3:52 Say Wow! (Greatest & Latest) 1996
      Some GirlsNicky Chinn, Mike Chapman3:46 Smash and GrabMickie Most 1979A-side of Fighting Chance
      Still The One4:08 The Best Of 2006 2006
      Such a NightSteve Glenn, David Most, Mike Burns2:40 Smash and GrabMickie Most 1980A-side of There's A Party Going On
      There's A Party Going OnJimmie Cameron3:10 Smash and GrabMickie Most 1980B-side of Such a Night
      There's A Party Going OnJimmie Cameron3:10 Smash and GrabMickie Most 1981A-side of High Street Sunset
      We Are RaceyRichard Gower3:05 Smash and GrabMickie Most 1979
      Worlds Apart3:43 The Best Of 2006 2006

      Cover songs
      Song Writer(s) Original artist Album Year Other
      Baby It's YouChris Norman, Pete Spencer SmokieBright Lights & Back Alleys 1977
      Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)John Fred, Andrew Bernard John Fred & His Playboy BandAgnes English 1967
      Little Darlin'Maurice Williams The Gladiolas 1957successful cover version by The Diamonds
      Not Too Young to Get MarriedPhil Spector, Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry Bob B. Soxx & the Blue JeansZip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah 1963
      Runaround SueDion DiMucci and Ernie Maresca DionRunaround Sue 1961

      Racey songs covered by others
      Song Writer(s) First artist Name Album Year Other
      KittyNicky Chinn, Mike Chapman Toni BasilMickeyWord of Mouth 1981
      Lay Your Love on MeNicky Chinn, Mike Chapman a) Kikki Danielsson
      b) De Strangers
      c) Benny Schnier      		a) Lay Your Love on Me
      b) Melksjoekkelat mè neutjes (Dutch)
      c) Wenn deine Süße einmal sauer ist (German)      		a) Rock'n Yodel
      b) Te Pakke Of Te Late
      c) Amigo Charly Brown      		 1979
      Some GirlsNicky Chinn, Mike Chapman StreaplersFlickor (Swedish)Om Jag Säger Att Jag Älskar.. 1979
      Such a NightSteve Glenn, David Most, Mike Burns BoyJede Nacht 'ne Muppet-Party (German) 1980

      References
      1. "Racey | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
      2. "Racey". Racey. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
      3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 447. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

      Bibliography
      • Kacey Traver. The Life of Racey Raver, 2009, Penguin House Books.
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