"Empty Spaces" is a song by English new wave band Spandau Ballet, released as the third single from their 1989 album Heart Like a Sky. It was poorly received and became their third consecutive single that failed to make the top 40 in the UK.
| "Empty Spaces" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Spandau Ballet | ||||
| from the album Heart Like a Sky | ||||
| B-side | "Fight for Ourselves (live)" | |||
| Released | November 1989[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1988–1989 | |||
| Length | 3:57 | |||
| Label | CBS | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Gary Kemp | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Spandau Ballet singles chronology | ||||
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Background
editIn October 1987 Spandau Ballet lead guitarist and songwriter Gary Kemp serendipitously reconnected with actress Sadie Frost, who had appeared in the band's videos for "Gold" and "Fight for Ourselves". He began a romance with her that replaced his tendency to be cautious with a devil-may-care attitude. The newfound freedom he felt as a result of the relationship recharged his desire to write again, which lead to several songs for their 1989 album Heart Like a Sky, including "Empty Spaces".[2]
Release and commercial performance
edit"Empty Spaces" was released in the UK in November 1989.[1] It debuted on the UK Singles Chart in its peak position at number 94.[3]
Critical reception
editNumber One's guest critic Taylor Dayne gave "Empty Spaces" two-and-a-half stars out of five. She described it as "a bit bland" and felt that it "isn't really going anywhere".[4]
Track listings
edit
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Charts
edit| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[3] | 94 |
References
edit- ^ a b "Also released this fortnight". Smash Hits. Vol. 11, no. 22. 15–28 November 1989. p. 69. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Kemp 2009, pp. 254–256
- ^ a b "Spandau Ballet: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ Panos, Andrew (22 November 1989). "Spandau Ballet: Empty Spaces". Number One. No. 335. p. 43. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Empty Spaces (7-inch single liner notes). Spandau Ballet. CBS. 1989. SPANS 5.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Empty Spaces (12-inch single liner notes). Spandau Ballet. CBS. 1989. SPANS T5.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Empty Spaces (CD single liner notes). Spandau Ballet. CBS. 1989. SPANS C5.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Empty Spaces (Picture CD single liner notes). Spandau Ballet. CBS. 1989. SPANS D5.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
Bibliography
edit- Kemp, Gary (2009). I Know This Much: From Soho to Spandau. London: Fourth Estate. ISBN 978-0-00-732330-2.