By Mark Nobes, chief editor
The Yorkshire born singer-songwriter Robert Palmer enjoyed eight Top 40 singles in the
UK during the 80's, including two with the Power Station. Addicted to Love
is his most recognised song and was a #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and on the Top Rock Tracks chart in the U.S. It also topped the Australian Kent Music Report chart. In the UK, the single peaked at #5.
Taken from the album Riptide, the only other hit from the album was I Didn't Mean to Turn You On
which made #2 in the U.S. and #9 in the UK. The guitar riff was played
by Andy Taylor from Duran Duran.
The single was released in January 1986 and the B-side featured the track "Remember to Remember". I actually have the 7 inch vinyl single in my hand as I write. I don't have a very extensive collection of 7" singles, sadly, and this is the only Robert Palmer record I ever bought.
The video is iconic, although it was rather controversial at the time as it upset some women's rights groups for "intentionally making women look like sex objects". However, it was Palmer's intention to create an abstract band that resembled showroom dummies, with pale skin and heavy make-up. The female models also pretend to play guitar, albeit very unconvincingly!
Palmer, of course, is dressed like a businessman in all of these videos, and he was rarely seen without a shirt and tie during the 80s.
The girls are; Julie Pankhurst (keyboard), Julia Bolino (guitar), Kathy Davies (drums), Patty Elias (guitar), Mak Gilchrist (bass).