DAVID ESSEX - A WINTER'S TALE (1982)

By Mark Nobes, chief editor

The only way is Essex - David Essex that is! This video clip is from TOTP2 (which was shown on BBC2) showing a 1989 performance of the Christmas 1982 song, on a special BBC1 80s Christmas Top Of The Pops - I Hope that didn't confuse you!

Released in December 1982, A Winter's Tale reached #2 in the UK singles chart on January 15th 1983 and spent ten weeks in the chart. The song was later included on the album The Whisper, and was written by Mike Batt (he also wrote music for The Wombles and Katie Melua) and Tim Rice.

That vinyl single sleeve brings back a lot of memories for me, as I bought my Mum the 7 inch record for Christmas (from Woolworth's), and I ended up playing it more than her! The B-side featured the track "Verity", which was written and produced by Essex.

Released on the Mercury record label, A Winter's Tale was the 19th single release from David Essex and his third-highest charting single. Hold Me Close (1975) and Gonna Make You A Star (1974) both made #1. 

Although not quite as successful as he was in the 70s, Essex did acheive a No.4 hit in 1980 with "Silver Dream Machine", and a No.8 hit in 1983 with "Tahiti".

Between June and October  2011, Essex appeared in the British soap Eastenders as the character Eddie Moon. However, he left the show on October 16th. Also in 2011, he starred in the film Tribe.

Lyrics for A Winter's Tale

More 80s Songs