One forgotten 1980s radio song sent me down a glorious pop rabbit hole

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There’s something special about rediscovering a song or band you haven’t thought about in ages. It often leads to exploring more of their music, and sometimes even what other projects the band members have been involved in. Before you know it, you’re completely immersed in a world of fantastic music. That’s exactly what happened to me this week when I heard a record by Wax.

I was so excited when I discovered Wax! It’s basically a dream team-up of two incredibly talented guys: Andrew Gold, who already had a great solo career and was a fantastic producer, and Graham Gouldman, who I knew and loved from 10cc. It was amazing to see them collaborate!

That was only one example of his many skills. Before forming the successful band with Lol Creme, Kevin Godley, and Eric Stewart, he’d already achieved considerable success as a songwriter. He wrote numerous hit songs for popular groups like Herman’s Hermits, the Hollies, the Yardbirds, and Ohio Express.

Forgotten 1980s song and that pop rabbit hole

Okay, so Wax – that was Gold and Gouldman, and they were seriously talented. They didn’t blow up huge here in the States, even though they both had experience in the music scene, but they definitely left a mark. Their sound was awesome – really catchy pop songs with a bit of soft rock and a cool keyboard vibe. I still find myself humming their tunes!

Wax wasn’t a fleeting project; it was a long-term collaboration spanning several years and four albums. They released three albums between 1986 and 1989, and another in 1998. In between, Gouldman briefly rejoined 10cc before he and the other member of Wax resumed working together.

Wax found their biggest audience in the UK and Europe, and successful singles boosted their album sales. However, they didn’t achieve the same level of popularity in the United States. You might remember their two most famous songs: “Right Between Your Eyes,” which reached number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986, and helped their first album, Magnetic Heaven, climb to number 102. These were the highlights of their US success.

I recently heard their song “Bridge To Your Heart” on the radio, and it really stood out. It was a big hit in the UK and across Europe, reaching the top twenty, but unfortunately didn’t do as well in the US. It’s a shame, because it’s a fantastic 80s pop song by a very talented pair.

Exploring Wax’s music also opened my ears to other talented artists. Gold’s solo work is especially enjoyable, and I particularly love his songs “Thank You for Being a Friend” from 1978 and “Never Let Her Slip Away.”

10cc created some truly fantastic songs and albums. I especially love their 1985 album, The Original Soundtrack. It had such a fresh and distinctive sound when it came out.

So, I was reading about Howard Gouldman, and it turns out he wrote a ton of songs before even forming 10cc! It’s crazy – a lot of people probably wouldn’t realize he’s behind hits like “For Your Love” by The Yardbirds. Seriously, this guy wrote so many songs, starting from just hearing things on the radio and turning them into classics. It’s mind-blowing!

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2026-05-22 20:00