Talking in Your Sleep (The Romantics song)

"Talking in Your Sleep"
Single by the Romantics
from the album In Heat
B-side"I'm Hip"
ReleasedSeptember 1983
Recorded1983
Genre
Length3:54
LabelNemperor
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Peter Solley
The Romantics singles chronology
"No One Like You"
(1981) 		"Talking in Your Sleep"
(1983) 		"Rock You Up"
(1983)
Music video
"Talking in Your Sleep" by the Romantics on YouTube
Audio sample
The Romantics – "Talking in Your Sleep"
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"Talking in Your Sleep" is a song by American rock band the Romantics. Released in September 1983, It became the band's most successful single in the US, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1984, being their only US Top 10 hit. The song would have a release two months later in Australia and New Zealand, a release later that year in Japan, and in January 1984 in the UK. It failed to chart in both countries.[4] It became a UK hit in August that year for British group Bucks Fizz. The song is in natural minor.[5]

Song history

It appeared on the Romantics' 1983 album In Heat and was the Romantics' biggest chart hit, garnering substantial radio airplay and a million in US 45 RPM single sales.[citation needed] Nemperor Records also released an extended 12" dance mix, which was timed at 5:56.

The song reached No. 3 – where it held for three weeks – on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1984.[6] It also went to No. 1 on the Dance/Disco Top 80 chart,[7] as well as hitting No. 2 on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart.[8]

In Australia, "Talking in Your Sleep" climbed to No. 14 on the Australian Singles Chart (Kent Music Report).[9]

Music video

The song's music video, directed by Bob Dyke, was widely aired at the time on MTV and elsewhere. It featured the band performing while surrounded by standing, but seemingly sleeping, women who were dressed in lingerie, pajamas, and other sleepwear.

Chart performance

Bucks Fizz version

"Talking in Your Sleep"
Single by Bucks Fizz
from the album I Hear Talk
B-side"Don't Think You're Fooling Me"
ReleasedAugust 13, 1984[29]
GenrePop
Length4:18
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
  • Canler
  • Skill
  • Palmar
  • Solley
  • Marinos
Producer(s)Andy Hill
Bucks Fizz singles chronology
"Rules of the Game"
(1983) 		"Talking in Your Sleep"
(1984) 		"Golden Days"
(1984)
Music video
"Talking in Your Sleep" by Bucks Fizz on YouTube

The Romantics' single was unsuccessful in the United Kingdom, but in August 1984, the song became well-known when pop group Bucks Fizz covered it. This version reached No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart.[30] It was produced by Andy Hill and featured on their fourth album, I Hear Talk.[31][32] The single was the group's first for nine months and became their biggest hit since "When We Were Young", a year previously. It was also released as a limited-edition EP, which included the live tracks "Twentieth Century Hero" and a cover of Chris de Burgh's "Don't Pay the Ferryman". The B-side, "Don't Think You're Fooling Me" was written and produced by band member Bobby G.

Track listing

7" vinyl

  1. "Talking in Your Sleep" (Canler / Skill / Palmar / Solley / Marinos) – (4.18)
  2. "Don't Think You're Fooling Me" (Bobby G) – (3.50)

12" vinyl

  1. "Talking in Your Sleep" (Extended Mix) – (8.39)
  2. "Don't Think You're Fooling Me" – (3.50)

Limited edition EP

  1. "Talking in Your Sleep – (4.18)
  2. "Don't Think You're Fooling Me" – (3.50)
  3. "Twentieth Century Hero" (Live) (Andy Hill / Pete Sinfield) – (3.20)
  4. "Don't Pay the Ferryman" (Live) (Chris de Burgh) – (3.56)

Weekly charts

Chart (1984) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[33] 14
UK Singles (OCC)[30] 15

Sampling

Canadian singer The Weeknd interpolated the chorus of "Talking in Your Sleep" in his song "Secrets" from his 2016 album, Starboy.[34] It peaked at No. 47 in both the UK and US, while also charting in other territories.

"Talking In Your Sleep" appears in the 2023 film Five Nights At Freddy's, where it is played several times, functioning as the main song that the animatronic characters (Freddy, Bonnie, and Chica) perform on stage.[35]

The song also appears in the season 2 premiere of the television series Stranger Things, where it is heard playing on the radio inside Steve's car.[36]

References

  1. ^ DeVille, Chris (November 23, 2016). "The Weeknd's "Secrets" Samples Tears For Fears & The Romantics". Stereogum. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  2. ^ Molanphy, Chris (September 16, 2022). "At Last, My Legacy Has Come Along Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  3. ^ Rolling Stone Staff (September 17, 2014). "100 Best Singles of 1984: Pop's Greatest Year". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 31, 2023. This was a calmer, moodier, creepier piece of jangle-noir...
  4. ^ "The Romantics - Talking in Your Sleep - dutchcharts.nl".
  5. ^ Stephenson, Ken (2002). What to Listen for in Rock: A Stylistic Analysis, p.89. ISBN 978-0-300-09239-4.
  6. ^ a b "The Romantics Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  7. ^ a b "Billboard Dec 10, 1983" (PDF). Billboard. New York, NY, USA. December 10, 1983. p. 34. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  8. ^ a b "Billboard Dec 24, 1983" (PDF). Billboard. New York, NY, USA. December 24, 1983. p. 28. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  10. ^ "The Romantics – Talking in Your Sleep" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  11. ^ "Radio 2 Top 30" (in Dutch). Top 30. Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  12. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4457." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  13. ^ "CHART NUMBER 1413 – Sunday, February 05, 1984". CHUM. Archived from the original on November 7, 2006. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  14. ^ "Le Détail par Artiste". InfoDisc (in French). Select "ROMANTICS" from the artist drop-down menu. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  15. ^ "The Romantics – Talking in Your Sleep" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  16. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 7, 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  17. ^ "The Romantics – Talking in Your Sleep" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  18. ^ "The Romantics – Talking in Your Sleep". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  19. ^ "Los éxitos en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). May 12, 1984. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  20. ^ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1965 – 1989 Acts R". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  21. ^ "The Romantics – Talking in Your Sleep". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  22. ^ "The Romantics – Talking in Your Sleep". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  23. ^ "Las canciones más populares en América Latina". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). January 20, 1984. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  24. ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending JANUARY 21, 1984". Cash Box. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  25. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of November 18, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  26. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9638." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  27. ^ a b "Volume 96 No. 51, DECEMBER 22. 1984" (PDF). Billboard. New York, NY, USA. December 22, 1984. p. TA-19,TA-25. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  28. ^ "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1984". Cash Box. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  29. ^ "Bucks Fizz - Talking in Your Sleep - dutchcharts.nl".
  30. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  31. ^ Rafaels and Stefans pictures
  32. ^ bucksfizzearlyyears.co.uk - video shots
  33. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Talking in Your Sleep". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  34. ^ Angermiller, Michele (December 1, 2016). "The Romantics' Mike Skill on The Weeknd Reviving 'Talking in Your Sleep' on 'Starboy': 'There's a Thirst for the '80s'". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  35. ^ Odom, Dani Kessel (October 27, 2023). "Five Nights At Freddy's Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When It Plays". ScreenRant. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  36. ^ Lindquist, David. "'Stranger Things 2' music is both heavy, mellow". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved February 8, 2024.