Breakout

Every day this week, I've listened to the sophistipop landmark It's Better To Travel by Swing Out Sister. Some may consider the British group to be a "one-hit wonder" after their massive success in 1987 both locally and in the US with the song "Breakout." In truth, they've had a long and productive career. So much so that UK-based Cherry Red Records released an 8-CD retrospective box set, Certain Shades Of Limelight, in July.

"Breakout," which is in the pole position on It's Better To Travel, the first Swing Out Sister album, brought sudden success for the group right out of the gate. The video shows just how easy it would have been for the band to (however briefly) dominate the charts. The mid-eighties provided a sympathetic audience for well-orchestrated sophistipop with complex arrangements. Beyond that, the band's most recognizable member was vocalist Corinne Drewery. Drewery, with her trademark black hair in a bob (a cut she still sports today) and background as a fashion designer not afraid to take sartorial risks, exuded charm and charisma.

Swing Out Sister — Breakout (YouTube)