Naked Eyes — “When The Lights Go Out”

Entered Top 40:  December 17, 1983
 3 weeks 
Peaked at: 37

A thing I probably should have known in the ’80s is that Naked Eyes and Tears for Fears both came out of the same band, an act called Neon that only recorded a handful of songs before splitting up in 1981. Pete Byrne and Rob Fisher formed Naked Eyes, while the other four started Tears for Fears, which eventually pared down to Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal. Tears for Fears were first of them to get a big UK hit, as “Mad World” hit #3 in late 1982. Naked Eyes’ debut single, a cover of Bachrach/David’s “Always Something There to Remind Me” stalled out in the UK at #59, but gradually rose to #8 in the US by Summer 1983.

Naked Eyes’ followup single, “Promises Promises,” did about as well over here (#11 US), but was their last breath of any UK love (#95). “When The Lights Go Out” had the familiar Third Single fate. I probably enjoy it more than their previous two hits, but it’s starting to blend in with other synthy acts of the era. Without the video, I might have a hard time distinguishing this from a Howard Jones album track.

I think I’d be more disturbed by the preppies singing in my bedroom than the little guys coming out of the wardrobe. Then again I grew up loving Time Bandits.

Naked Eyes will be back before you know it in 1984. Tears for Fears would eventually eclipse Naked Eyes in the US, as 1985’s Songs From the Big Chair would include their three huge hits. But we’ll also see them in the Bottom Five near the end of the decade.