Empty Spaces (Spandau Ballet song)
| "Empty Spaces" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Spandau Ballet | ||||
| from the album Heart Like a Sky | ||||
| B-side | "Fight for Ourselves (live)" | |||
| Released | 13 November 1989[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1988–1989 | |||
| Length | 3:57 | |||
| Label | CBS | |||
| Songwriter | Gary Kemp | |||
| Producers |
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| Spandau Ballet singles chronology | ||||
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"Empty Spaces" is a song by the English new wave band Spandau Ballet, released as the third single from their 1989 album Heart Like a Sky. It was poorly received and became their third consecutive single that failed to make the top 40 in the UK.
Background
While Kemp had recently begun a romance with his eventual wife, actress Sadie Frost, who he credits with inspiring his songwriting for the Heart Like a Sky album,[2] "Empty Spaces" was actually a song Kemp wrote about the end of his relationship with his previous girlfriend. During recording, Hadley felt pressure from Kemp about the quality of his vocals to the point that Kemp eventually demanded to split the vocals with him. Hadley responded, "I'm the lead singer of this fucking band. Now fuck off."[3]
Release and commercial performance
"Empty Spaces" was released in the UK in November 1989.[1] It debuted on the UK Singles Chart in its peak position at number 94.[4]
Critical reception
Number One's guest critic Taylor Dayne gave "Empty Spaces" two-and-a-half stars out of five. She described it as "a bit bland" and felt that it "isn't really going anywhere".[5]
Track listings
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Charts
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (Official Charts)[4] | 94 |
References
- 1 2 "Also released this fortnight". Smash Hits. Vol. 11, no. 22. 15–28 November 1989. p. 69. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ↑ Kemp, Gary (2009). I Know This Much: From Soho to Spandau. London: Fourth Estate. ISBN 978-0-00-732330-2.
- ↑ Hadley, Tony (2004). To Cut a Long Story Short. London: Sidgwick & Jackson. ISBN 978-0-283-07386-1.
- 1 2 "Spandau Ballet Songs and Albums | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ↑ Panos, Andrew (22 November 1989). "Spandau Ballet: Empty Spaces". Number One. No. 335. p. 43. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ↑ Empty Spaces (7-inch single liner notes). Spandau Ballet. CBS. 1989. SPANS 5.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ↑ Empty Spaces (12-inch single liner notes). Spandau Ballet. CBS. 1989. SPANS T5.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ↑ Empty Spaces (CD single liner notes). Spandau Ballet. CBS. 1989. SPANS C5.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ↑ Empty Spaces (Picture CD single liner notes). Spandau Ballet. CBS. 1989. SPANS D5.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
Bibliography
- Kemp, Gary (2009). I Know This Much: From Soho to Spandau. London: Fourth Estate. ISBN 978-0-00-732330-2.