I must admit I was stumped this week when I saw Jim Adam’s challenge for Song Lyric Sunday. Talented With Potential But It Didn’t Pan Out. I was going to give it a miss and then I happened to be in the grocery store yesterday evening and the song ‘Breakout’ by Swing Out Sister came on the Musak. There it was, My pick for this week!
I always liked this song but it was the only song I ever remembered by the band. It was in the 80s and I remember thinking the beautiful lead singer, Corinne Drewery, a former fashion designer, should get together with Bryan Ferry because they would make a handsome couple and have gorgeous babies together! Anyway after researching the band I find that they are still around but they have found their niche market in Asia where they are very popular. They just did not make it big in the UK or the USA apart from the initial couple of songs.
The Song
“Breakout” is a song by British band Swing Out Sister. It was released in September 1986 as the second single from their debut album It’s Better to Travel. Written and performed while the group was still a trio, it became one of their biggest hits, reaching the number four in the United Kingdom; in the US, it rose in 1987 to number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The song was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards in 1988.
Lead singer Corinne Drewery wrote the song while recovering from a fractured skull she had suffered in an equestrian accident. Swing Out Sister had already signed a two-song deal with Mercury Records, but the first song, “Blue Mood”, had failed to chart. Mercury said the band had to have their second demo in by the next Monday morning or risk being dropped, causing the band to compose “Breakout” under stress. This influenced the lyrics, as Drewery was inspired primarily by her decision to give up on a much more secure career as a fashion designer to pursue her dream of being a singer. There was some controversy around the bass line used in the song; it was claimed that the band had taken it from an unpublished Elezze Records track, and the band argued that they had created the line on their own after listening to the 1986 FIFA World Cup TV theme in Britain.
The music video for “Breakout” features lead singer Corinne Drewery as a fashion designer, who with the assistance of the other two band members designs and makes her own dress, and later makes a successful runway debut, modelling the garment while her bandmates open a bottle of champagne and toast to her success. There are two versions of this video; the official monochrome version and the alternative colour version. The video was directed by Nick Willing.
Research Wiki
Poetry For Healing 
Excellent choice, Christine! I’m glad you found this tune. I love grocery shopping because of Muzak as I can’t help but dance down the aisles without a care in the world as I throw groceries into the cart. This was perfect for the prompt. thank you for sharing. Happy Sunday
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Thanks Jilly! 🥰 I always liked this song as it was such a different sound. It would be hard to keep that up and stay popular at that time. However, they are doing well in Japan! ☺️👍
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This one wasn’t my usual style but I liked it, and it’s good to hear it again. Nice to know they have found a niche to prolong their career, too.
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Thanks Clive. I really do enjoy all kinds of music. You should hear some of my song lists! 🤣
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Is that a threat, or a promise? 🤣
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Maybe both!! 🤣
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🤣
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Love this song Christine 🤗
Thank you 💖
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Aww thanks Maggie. I have always liked songs with a big production and lots of instruments. This one had that. I liked their different, classy look too.
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Yes, it brings back good memories for me.
Thanks again for sharing.
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Lovely music, Christine as I enjoyed the song and I also learned a lot about Swing Out Sister, who I knew nothing about. Thanks for joining in again.
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Thanks Jim. You’re always so kind with your comments ☺️ It’s always interesting to listen to something outside of the box and SLS does that for you.
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You got me good this time, Christine …. a double whammy! I never heard of this group nor do I know the song. It’s a good thing. I’m not on.”Name That Tune” right now because I’d be going home broke! I enjoyed reading the background information and listening to this new song. Very entertaining!
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I think this was the last of your comments in my SPAM box today Nancy!!! Thank you. You’re always so kind. You would thank me even if you hated it 🥰 So sweet.
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Band and song are new to me. It is not my type of music, but it’s enjoyable.
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Thank you Marina. I do like different music genres, that’s for sure 🥰
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Brand new group for me. I agree, she and Bryan would have made beautiful babies together 🙂 The music sounds like Madonna, but with its own pizazz. Thanks for the introduction, Christine!
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I’m a big fan of Swing Out Sister. They’re still at it and are very big in Japan.
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Thanks John. So pleased to hear that. I thought they were so unique at the times. I love that style of music. I think you were the only one from SLS who had ever heard of them. I really do appreciate all kinmd of music. ☺️
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