Sunday Soundtrack: Heatwave – “Always & Forever”
After reloading this song three times this morning, I realised it’s undoubtedly my Sunday Soundtrack. Rather than conjuring images of romantic love, this track makes me think of my mother, who often played it in the car when I was younger. “Always & Forever” was released in 1976, from Heatwave‘s debut album Too Hot To Handle.
International funk/disco band Heatwave was comprised of Americans Johnnie Wilder, Jr. and Keith Wilder on vocals, Englishman Rod Temperton on keyboards, Spaniard Mario Mantese on bass, Czechoslovakian Ernest “Bilbo” Berger on drums, Jamaican Eric Johns and Briton Roy Carter on guitar. Active between 1975 and 1984, the group also had hits “Boogie Nights” and “Groove Line”.
See guys, I’m not that well-versed in Heatwave! I just know this tune, as I said up top, reminds me of childhood. So this morning I found myself singing it, so I put it on, reloaded it 4 times, threw in some “delusional-X-factor-karaoke-esque” harmonies and head-shakes, and belted it out with passion. I don’t know what’s gotten into me; I’m not even in love! :p
*googles all aforementioned tracks by you guys*
Great choice, especially with the great weather! Heatwave are one of my favourite groups from this period! This tune, Boogie Nights and especially Mind Blowing Decisions are classics!
Yes Henry! It’s all about ‘Mindblowin’ Decisions’. The ‘Central Heating’ album has some classics. It’s good to know Heatwave were ‘homegrown’ Brits too. I’m actually not a fan of ‘Always and Forever’; maybe it’s because it’s been over-played, the fact I wasn’t crazy about Luther’s version or that they’ve done better songs. ‘Boogie Nights’ is fun, really like the harmonies in the intro. ‘Star of the Story’ is amazing though. George Benson did a cover of it too. It’s all thanks to one of my main songwriting men Rod Temperton. He might look like a secondary school Geography teacher but he could compose some seriously great soul tunes.
Shalom x