John Adams - Through The Eyes Of Love

7" Single, released in 1985

John Adams - Through The Eyes Of Love (A-Side)

John Adams - Don't Turn And Walk Away (B-Side)

Here's the solo 1985 single from Private Lives front man John Adams, produced by Andy Taylor of Duran Duran.

Rent Boys - Kick Down The Door

7" Single, released in 1980

Rent Boys - Kick Down The Door (A-Side)

Rent Boys - Feeling Ice (B-Side)

For quite a long time I thought the Private Lives single, "Where Do I Go", was the earliest by John Adams and the band. Then I read about a year or so ago that "Kick Down The Door" was an earlier single released in the same year under a different name. In my continuing quest* to track down all the John Adams/Private Lives material I've noted the various different styles the man managed to commit to vinyl. Here John and co jump on the Police/pop reggae bandwagon. I believe I now have all the John Adams related singles from 1980 to 1987, so it's about time to put some sort of compilation together. You're welcome.

*like Star Trek, but without any kind of prime directive.

John Adams - Strip This Heart

7" single, released in 1987

John Adams - Strip This Heart (A-Side)

John Adams - Precious One (B-Side)

More from John Adams, lead singer with UK band Private Lives. The single was taken from his first solo album, Strong, but the B-Side was exclusive to this release in the UK.

Private Lives - Where Do I Go

7" single, released in 1980

Private Lives - Where Do I Go (A-Side)

Private Lives - On Your Own (B-Side)

Here is the elusive first single by Private Lives. There seems to be quite a few fans of John Adams and his various outputs which has provided an alternative music soundtrack to the 80's including synth pop, dance pop, moody balladeering and, as here, new wave power pop.

I wrote to Cherry Red a while back suggesting they might like to reissue some Private Lives stuff, especially as the recent chart band Hurts is basically a carbon copy. But, they do not feel there would be enough interest, apparently.

I will continue to feature more Private Lives material as I am able to track it down. Enjoy!

Sunday Night Special

More requests and other stuff.

Seven - Stranger Than Fiction (1984)

Private Lives - Swim Away (1982) - Rare B-Side from John Adams and the boys

Kevin Kitchen - Tightspot (1985)

John Adams - Strong (1987)

As promised here is the solo album by former Private Lives frontman John Adams. It's very dance orientated and typical of the late 80's sound. And he looks very debonair, too.

1. Strip This Heart
2. Passion
3. Strong
4. Stranger Than Love
5. Message To Rudi
6. What Do You Want From Me
7. No Turning Back
8. Don't You Think It's Time
9. Someone To Believe In
10. Hold Back The Tears

Download

[Update Feb 2013] Download from Putlocker

There was also a solo single released in 1985 which I will post later.

Private Lives - Prejudice & Pride (BY REQUEST)

I've had several requests to re-upload this album. What's held me back is that I don't own the original, and the tracks I have are in various bit-rates and condition. But, seeing as I don't expect to get the album myself anytime soon, here is what I do have.

BREAK THE CHAINS
This one I ripped myself from the 7" single. Ripped at 320 kbps.

FROM A RIVER TO A SEA (EXTENDED MIX)
Found on the internet. Ripped at 192 kbps.

LIVING IN A WORLD (TURNED UPSIDE DOWN)
Found on the internet. Ripped at 320 kbps.

NO CHANCE YOU'LL PAY
Found on the internet. Ripped at 320 kbps.

DON'T WANNA CRY (ANY MORE)
Found on the internet. Ripped at 320 kbps.

BREAK THE WHOLE THING DOWN
Found on the internet. Ripped at 320 kbps.

GOD ONLY KNOWS
Found on the internet. Ripped at 320 kbps.

STOP
Found on the internet. Ripped at 320 kbps.

FROM A RIVER TO A SEA
Found on the internet. Ripped at 320 kbps.

WIN (YOU'VE GOT TO)
Found on the internet. Ripped at 320 kbps.

PREJUDICE & PRIDE
Found on the internet. Ripped at 320 kbps.

LIVING IN A WORLD (EXTENDED MIX)
Found on the internet. Ripped at 148 kbps.

BREAK UP
The B-Side of "Living In A World". Very crackly, I'm afraid. I found it under a tire. Ripped at 320 kbps.

John Adams (writer and lead vocals) is a bit of a dour bloke, isn't he? I'll post his 1987 solo album next if there is any interest. It's a bit more upbeat.

Private Lives - The Memory of Your Name (1982)

Apologies, been really busy with work and the ice storms here this week. Here's something to tide you all over for a day or two:

Private Lives - The Memory of Your Name (Extended Mix)

Private Lives - Prejudice & Pride (1984)

In which we imagine a world where the compact disc was introduced in 1980, and now-obscure artists and albums could be preserved for posterity...
Yes, it's dated. Like a classic automobile, Private Lives' Prejudice & Pride album symbolizes a specific time and place. First of all, the keyboards sound old, and secondly, its studio gloss is totally '80s. But those are just two reasons why the LP is highly attractive to new wave disciples. The term "dated" is only bad to people who weren't born during the era the work originated in, or who have no affection for it. On Prejudice & Pride Private Lives combine their love for jazz and funk with the synthesized beats of mid-'80s England. The result is a hybrid of blue-eyed soul and new wave à la Fiction Factory, a group that Private Lives stylistically resemble. The music is often upbeat; however, the lyrics mainly consist of torn love letters, filled with bitterness and regret. "Living in a World" is the best track, the story of a promiscuous girl whose life has been overturned and who can't find her way to happiness; consequently, she begins having suicidal thoughts: "You say you want to drink and drive/Over the bridge to the other side," vocalist John Adams sings with both anger and empathy. The words veer between resentment and compassion, but it becomes obvious that he still cares for her: "No, you're just hanging around/Waiting for someone to rescue you." It's a beautiful ballad, hauntingly sung and sharply arranged with mournful synthesizers and toe-tapping basslines. (The 12" extended version, "Living in a World (Turned Upside Down)," is also worth searching for.) As strong as "Living in a World" is, one would assume that Private Lives used all of their ammo on one track; thankfully, they didn't. Prejudice & Pride has no filler. It may take a few spins for the record to sink in, but songs such as "River to a Sea" and "God Only Knows" are just as catchy -- if not as moving -- as "Living in a World." The angst level is pretty high; Adams seeks liberation from a dying relationship in "Break the Chains," and "No Chance You'll Pay" and "Break the Whole Thing Down" offer more romantic diatribes. All the dourness may seem a tad overwhelming; however, many British new wave artists weren't exactly cheerful. Prejudice & Pride details heartbreak with a sweet tooth for pop that is hard to resist. ~ Michael Sutton, All Music Guide

Private Lives - Prejudice & Pride (1984)

1. River To A Sea
2. No Chance You'll Pay
3. Living In A World (Turned Upside Down)
4. Stop
5. God Only Knows
6. Break The Chains
7. Don't Wanna Cry
8. Win
9. Break The Whole Thing Down
10. Prejudice & Pride
11. Living In A World (Extended Version) [Bonus Track]
12. Because You're Young [Bonus Track]

I'VE RE-POSTED THE ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK WITH SOME EXTRAS. YOU CAN FIND IT HERE