Power pop was well and alive during the 1990s. I remember this song in the early 90s but I never caught who did it. I heard it on our local alternate channel Lightning 100.
This band was from Scotland and they formed in Bellshill near Glasgow in 1989. They were influenced by Big Star, Badfinger, and the Byrds. They signed to the indie label Creation Records in Britain.
This song was off of their 3rd album Bandwagonesque and it was released in 1991. This was their breakthrough album in the US where it was distributed by Geffen Records. The album was voted album of the year by Spin magazine beating out Nevermind by Nirvana. Some critics called this album Big Star’s 4th because of the influence.
The album had several Top 20 hits on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart, including Star Sign, The Concept, and this song What You Do to Me. They played this song on Saturday Night Live on April 27, 1992.
Singer guitarist Norman Blake wrong this song.
The song peaked at #31 in the UK and #19 on the US Alternate Charts in 1991. The album peaked at #22 in the UK and #137 in the Billboard Album Charts. The album was #1 in the Billboard Heatseeker Album Charts.
From Wiki: The cover is designed by Sharon Fitzgerald. When Kiss member Gene Simmons, who had trademarked the logo of a moneybag with dollar symbol, was made aware of the record he sent a letter to Geffen Records, who in turn gave in and sent Simmons a cheque, according to Simmons’s book Sex Money Kiss.
The band is still together and has released a total of 11 studio albums.
What You Do To Me
What you do to me…
I know, I can’t believe
There’s something about you
Got me down on my knees.
What you do to me…
I know, I can’t believe
There’s something about you
Got me down on my knees.
What you do to me…
What you do to me…
What you do to me…
What you do to me…
What you do to me…
I know, I can’t believe
There’s something about you
Got me down on my knees.
What you do to me…
I know, I can’t believe
There’s something about you
Got me down on my knees.
What you do to me…
What you do to me…
What you do to me…
What you do to me…
What you do to me…
What you do to me…
What you do to me…
What you do to me…
…
Discover more from PowerPop... An Eclectic Collection of Pop Culture
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I used to hear of this band, but never heard their music. I like their sound. That Gene Simmons story is so…Gene Simmons. Sheesh.
With me I knew the song but not the band…yes that is Simmons through and through.
I definitely thought Beatles / Byrds sound until about the 2:03 mark of the What You Do to Me video. Lol. Also props to Brendan the drummer in that video for his fur lined coat and his drum kit that says “Brendan the Drummer.” Lol. I guess he figured if he ever quit or got kicked out of a band, his bass drum would still be immediately usable with his next group instead of being stuck with a bass drum that had a former band name on it. Very smart.
I noticed that “Brendan the Drummer”….that is genius! The fur lined coat also was a keeper.
Yes they turned into a normal 90s band at that mark at the end.
wow, this is interesting. I have seen their name a lot but don’t think I ever heard them and I must admit I somehow thought they were just a “boy band” – N Sync Lite or something. this song has turned me around and make me wonder what else they did… and why Toronto radio never seemed to notice them at all.
They had a song off of this album called Star Sign that got a lot of play back then.
I heard this before but didn’t know much about them back then. Yea their name would make you think that.
one of my favorite 90’s albums- Songs From Northern Britain.
I’ve been listening to it recently… I didn’t know much about these guys in the 90s
neither did I- I can’t recall how I came across them but around 2000..
great single, under-appreciated sadly, and the band are always good. Very Byrds/Beatles/Badfinger jangly guitar. They had a great single in 2010 called Baby Lee, too.
They really had some great songs and yes…they should be more known…way more known.
Great pick (again). I have a lot of time for these guys – proper brilliant. Great song from a great album (I don’t think they have a bad one!).
I’m liking everything I hear from them.
They’re a great band. Incredibly consistent, too. Grand Prix and Thirteen are my go-tos, though Songs from Northern Britain is quite brilliant, too.
Their new album has got a bit of attention – apparently Blake divorced after a long marriage and it’s a bit heartbroken.
Sad way to write but I’m glad something good came of it.
Nice song and much better than the band’s name! I also sampled a few other tunes from “Bandwagonesque” and like what I’m hearing.
They are good and that name probably didn’t help their cause. Dave said he thought they were a boy band because of the name.
I guess boy band is a good comparison. That’s what the name kind of sounds like! In any case, it’s good stuff, Max!
Thanks Christian! It is a good power pop song. Great album also.
I missed this band back when.
Love the drummer in the fur-trimmed cape-thing. I vaguely recall their name.