Blue Plate Special: Naked Eyes
Naked Eyes is an English new wave duo formed in Bath, Somerset, in 1982, comprising vocalist Pete Byrne and keyboardist Rob Fisher. Both musicians were previously part of the band Neon, alongside future Tears for Fears members Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. The band gained prominence with their synth-pop rendition of Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s classic “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me,” which became a Top Ten hit in the U.S. in 1983. They followed this success with original tracks like “Promises, Promises,” “When the Lights Go Out,” and “(What) In the Name of Love,” solidifying their presence in the early ’80s music scene.
The duo’s debut album, Burning Bridges (1983), produced by Tony Mansfield, showcased their adept use of the Fairlight CMI sampling synthesizer, a pioneering move at the time. Their sound was characterized by catchy melodies layered over lush electronic arrangements, aligning them with contemporaries in the synth-pop genre. Despite their studio success, Naked Eyes faced challenges in replicating their intricate sound live, which limited their touring capabilities.
After releasing their second album, Fuel for the Fire (1984), the duo pursued separate paths. Byrne relocated to California, contributing as a session musician on tracks like Stevie Wonder’s “Part-Time Lover” and working with artists such as Rita Coolidge and Princess Stéphanie of Monaco. Fisher formed the duo Climie Fisher with Simon Climie, achieving hits like “Love Changes (Everything).” Tragically, Rob Fisher passed away in 1999 following surgery for bowel cancer. In 2005, Byrne revived Naked Eyes, continuing to tour and release new material, including the acoustic album Fumbling with the Covers (2007) and Disguise the Limit (2021).
Some of my favorites from their catalog:
Always Something There to Remind Me – from the album Naked Eyes (1983)
(What) In The Name of Love – from the album Fuel for the Fire (1984)
Promises Promises – from the album Naked Eyes (1983)
Ready – from the album Disguise the Limit (2021)
The Time Is Now – from the album Burning Bridges (1983)
Flag of Convenience – from the album Fuel for the Fire (1984)
Low Life – from the album Naked Eyes (1983)
