Racey

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For other uses, see Racey (disambiguation).

Racey
OriginWeston-super-Mare, United Kingdom
GenresPower pop, glam rock (before 1980), new wave
Years active1976–1985, 1990–present
LabelsRAK Records
Websitewww.racey.net www.raceyweb.com/history.htm
Past membersRichard Gower
Phil Fursdon
Pete Miller (†2003)
Clive Wilson

Racey are 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".

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.[3]

In 1990 Racey reformed after Wilson and Fursdon were approached to play at a 4th July party.[3]

Miller died of cancer on 6 May 2003.[2][3] 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 August 2021, the band released "It's a Glorious Day".[4]

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
AUS
[5]
Smash and Grab
  • Released: 1979
  • Format: LP
  • Label: RAK (SRAK 537)
 5

Compilation albums[]

List of albums, with details
Title Album details
The Best of Racey
  • Released: 1993
  • Format: CD
  • Label: EMI (7895382)
Say Wow! (Greatest & Latest)
  • Released: 1996 (Denmark)
  • Format: CD
  • Label: CMC Records (24248-2)
Lay Your Love On Me
  • Released: 1996
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Disky (SE 865702)
Some Girls
  • Released: 1998 (Europe)
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Wise Buy (WB 885562)
The Very Best of Racey
  • Released: 1998
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Go On Deluxe (1016-2) / Rem!nd (5300252)
Lay Your Love On Me
  • Released: 1999 (Netherlands)
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Digimode Entertainment Ltd. (BT-33029)

Singles[]

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year Title Peak chart
positions 		Album
UK
[citation needed] 		AUS
[5] 		IRE
[citation needed] 		RSA
[citation needed]
1978 "Baby It's You" - - - - non album single
"Lay Your Love on Me" 3 1 2 - Smash and Grab
1979 "Some Girls" 2 1 2 1
"Boy Oh Boy" 22 12 9 2
1980 "Such a Night" - 94 - -
"Rest of My Life" - 45 - - non album single
"Runaround Sue" 13 91 9 - non album single
1981 "Shame" - - - - non album single
"Little Darlin'" - - - - non album single
"There's a Party Going On" - - - - non album single
1982 "Not Too Young to Get Married" - - - - non album single
1992 "Little Girls Don't, But Big Girls Do" - - - - non album single
1996 "Cry Cry Time"[6] - - - - non album single
2021 "It's a Glorious Day"[4] - - - - non album single

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Racey | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Racey". Racey. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c "History". www.racey.net. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Racey's New Single – It's a Glorious Day". www.racey.net. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 244. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  6. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 447. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

External links[]

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