W INTERVIEW
L
AN INTERVIEW WITH
BELINDA CARLISLE
Wirral Life talks to Belinda Carlisle about her forthcoming
album releases – the 30th Anniversary Box Set of 'Runaway
Horses' and 'Belinda Carlisle Gold' which are released on 6th
September, she also talks about her tour which starts on 18th
September.
You are celebrating the 30th anniversary of Runaway Horses
with the release of the super deluxe box set. Do you look back
fondly on the album?
Absolutely. Out of all my solo albums, it's my favourite. The
material is so good. Some of the songs have a real melancholy
about them, which I've always liked. There is an element that
is less rock and more melancholic. It also has more unusual
arrangements. It's more European sounding.
There was a lot of pressure to follow up Heaven is a Place on Earth.
A lot of overthinking and second-guessing went into the making
of it, but it is still an amazing album. It has some of my favourite
songs. No matter how many times I have the privilege of singing
Summer Rain, I just love it. Of all the songs from my career, that
is the one I most enjoy singing.
George Harrison from The Beatles played on the Runaway
Horses track, Leave a Light On. How did that come about?
It was just a matter of asking him. He was a fan of the girl
group genre and liked my voice because it had that particular
sound. I said to him, "Do whatever you want," and of course his
contribution came back perfect. He hadn't worked with many
people outside The Beatles, so it was a real honour to have him
involved on the album. I met him at the San Remo Festival, and
he was lovely.
Have you met the other Beatles?
John and Yoko came to a Go-Go's gig, and I have met Ringo. I
haven't met Paul yet, but I'd love to. Perhaps you can make that
happen as he's also been a cover star?
Bryan Adams also worked on Runaway Horses. How did that
happen?
I have worked with so many amazing artists and it’s always been
just a matter of asking. We had a lot of chart success at the same
time, and I am a very big fan of his. He was great. I have worked
with so many terrific artists, and it's always just a matter of asking.
You do a wonderful new version of Gordon Lightfoot's "If You
Could Read My Mind" on Runaway Horses. What inspired
that?
I've always loved that song. From the age of eight, I grew up
listening to California Radio, and songs like that have really
influenced me. The best songs - like "If You Could Read My Mind"
- make a very big impact. It also has some of the best lyrics ever
written. I always used to think, "I could sing that song." So, we
gave it a shot on the new release of Runaway Horses, and I think
it turned out very well.
Tell us about the other new recordings you have made for this
edition of Runaway Horses.
I've done a version of Elton John's "I Need You to Turn To." I love
that song. I always thought the chord structures were reminiscent
of Runaway Horses. So, it fits very well with that. It doesn't hold a
candle to Elton John's version, but I think people will like it. I've
also done a version of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now." I grew up
loving that song. Early Joni Mitchell was all over California Radio.
My recording of the song is more like the Judy Collins’ version.
You are also releasing a new compilation entitled "Gold" ...
Yes. I 'm very proud of it. It's not some sort of crappy compilation.
It's really well done. It's released in a limited edition. Some people
might cringe at the idea of a compilation, but the fans absolutely
love these reworkings of the catalogue. They eat them up. These
albums do exceptionally well. I'm very lucky. For real music
lovers, it's great. I feel really good about it.
You have a brilliant relationship with your British fans, don't
you?
Yes. I feel a great connection with them. In the UK, it's different
from in the US. When British fans discover you at the beginning,
they're there for the long haul. American fans are fickler. I see fans
here that I've been seeing for 30 years. I can name five of them off
the top of my head.
What is it about them?
I love the enthusiasm of British audiences. They're not quiet or
subdued. Every concert in the UK is a great exchange of energy. If
people just sit there and don’t move, it’s a drag.
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