Nows and Forevers

Forty years ago this week, Thompson Twins proved they weren’t a one-hit wonder with their No. 6 Billboard Hot 100 hit, “Lay Your Hands on Me.” Take out the pure ‘80s-ness of the video — and yes, there’s a lot of it — it’s also a soulful song that steps ever so close the faith ‘80s pop music mostly avoided.

Tom Bailey, he’s singing about grace.

That’s pretty rare for a pop song. And like some good pop songs, it can be about two things at the same time. But Nile Rodgers inclusion of a gospel choir on one of the versions kinda says it all.

Contrast this with what topped the charts the same week: Starship’s “We Built This City.”

I’ve always felt Thompson Twins were underrated, even if “Hold Me Now” was a monster hit in ’84. I’m glad there was a moment when Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie and Joe Leeway were on top.