New Beginning (Mamba Seyra)
Encyclopedia
"New Beginning" (often referred to as simply "New Beginning") is a 1986 single by UK pop group Bucks Fizz
. It was a comeback hit, achieving their highest chart placing for four years. It is still one of the group's best remembered songs.
who had replaced Jay Aston
a year earlier. It was also their first release on new record label, Polydor after their five-year contract with RCA
had finished. The song was notable for its full and lavish production and multi-layered vocal work and received much praise from critics as well as becoming very popular on radio. The song became a big hit in the Summer of 1986 and reached the top ten in the UK, becoming a No.8 hit and spending 10 weeks on the chart. This was the group's biggest hit in four years, but was also their last top 40 hit.
The song was written by Mike Myers and Tony Gibber and was produced by Myers along with the group's regular producer Andy Hill
. According to the group, the recording of the song took an unusually long time due to the vocal tracks. As well as the group recording their vocals repeatedly, there was also a children's choir and gospel choir used on the track. The musicians in the studio also were used on distant back-up vocals. Member Cheryl Baker
remembers one version where Hill instructed them to deliberately sing out of tune, which she found difficult. The original mix of the song was completed in February 1986.
"New Beginning" (as it is very often more simply referred) was originally recorded a year earlier by Force 8 - who were actually pop group The Dooleys
under an assumed name. The theme of the song is one of hope where the narrator talks about building a happier world, with some parts of the song sung in Swahili
. The video for the single depicts the group performing the song in a Metropolis
-type setting backed by dancers and drummers - due to the heavy drum sound on the track.
"New Beginning" was followed up by a cover of the Stephen Stills
song "Love The One You're With
" and featured on the group's final studio album, Writing on the Wall
, which was released at the end of the year. Several versions of the song have been released. The album version differed slightly from the 7" mix in that member Bobby G
features prominently on backing vocals at the end - a version that was used in the video. As well as this, two 12" singles were released: one with an extended version of the song, the other an extended mix by dance producer Ian Levine
. On the Writing on the Wall CD re-issue in 2004, a largely instrumental extended version of the song was included as a bonus track. The song remains among the group's most highly regarded work.
12"
2nd 12"
Bucks Fizz (band)
Bucks Fizz are an English pop group who achieved success in the 1980s, most notably for winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up". The group was formed in January 1981 specifically for the contest and comprised four vocalists: Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and...
. It was a comeback hit, achieving their highest chart placing for four years. It is still one of the group's best remembered songs.
Song history
The song was released in May 1986 and was seen as a comeback single as it was their first release in eight months and featured new member Shelley PrestonShelley Preston
Shelley Preston , is a singer who is most famous for being the new girl when she joined pop group Bucks Fizz in June 1985.- Career :...
who had replaced Jay Aston
Jay Aston
Jay Hilda Aston is a singer, dancer, and occasional songwriter who was formerly with the British pop group, Bucks Fizz. She was the youngest member of the group's original line-up, being just 19 at the Eurovision Song Contest....
a year earlier. It was also their first release on new record label, Polydor after their five-year contract with RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
had finished. The song was notable for its full and lavish production and multi-layered vocal work and received much praise from critics as well as becoming very popular on radio. The song became a big hit in the Summer of 1986 and reached the top ten in the UK, becoming a No.8 hit and spending 10 weeks on the chart. This was the group's biggest hit in four years, but was also their last top 40 hit.
The song was written by Mike Myers and Tony Gibber and was produced by Myers along with the group's regular producer Andy Hill
Andy Hill (composer)
Andy Hill is a British music producer and songwriter who scored many hits during the 1980s and 90s...
. According to the group, the recording of the song took an unusually long time due to the vocal tracks. As well as the group recording their vocals repeatedly, there was also a children's choir and gospel choir used on the track. The musicians in the studio also were used on distant back-up vocals. Member Cheryl Baker
Cheryl Baker
Cheryl Baker is an English television presenter and singer. She is most famous for being a member of 1980s pop group Bucks Fizz, and has performed for the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest twice, winning it the second time.-Early career:After leaving school and a series of secretarial jobs, Cheryl...
remembers one version where Hill instructed them to deliberately sing out of tune, which she found difficult. The original mix of the song was completed in February 1986.
"New Beginning" (as it is very often more simply referred) was originally recorded a year earlier by Force 8 - who were actually pop group The Dooleys
The Dooleys
The Dooleys were a United Kingdom male–female pop group comprising eight members — six of them family members — at their peak. They achieved several UK chart hits between 1977 and 1981 including top-ten hits "Wanted", "Love of My Life" and "The Chosen Few"....
under an assumed name. The theme of the song is one of hope where the narrator talks about building a happier world, with some parts of the song sung in Swahili
Swahili language
Swahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...
. The video for the single depicts the group performing the song in a Metropolis
Metropolis (film)
Metropolis is a 1927 German expressionist film in the science-fiction genre directed by Fritz Lang. Produced in Germany during a stable period of the Weimar Republic, Metropolis is set in a futuristic urban dystopia and makes use of this context to explore the social crisis between workers and...
-type setting backed by dancers and drummers - due to the heavy drum sound on the track.
"New Beginning" was followed up by a cover of the Stephen Stills
Stephen Stills
Stephen Arthur Stills is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash . He has performed on a professional level in several other bands as well as maintaining a solo career at the same time...
song "Love The One You're With
Love the One You're With
"Love the One You're With" is a 1970 single by folk rocker Stephen Stills. The first release off his first solo album Stephen Stills, it rose to the top twenty of the pop singles chart, peaking at No. 14....
" and featured on the group's final studio album, Writing on the Wall
Writing on the Wall
Writing on the Wall is an album by British pop group Bucks Fizz. It was released in 1986 and featured the comeback single "New Beginning ". It was the first album to feature member Shelley Preston and their only album released on Polydor Records...
, which was released at the end of the year. Several versions of the song have been released. The album version differed slightly from the 7" mix in that member Bobby G
Bobby G
Bobby G is a member of pop group Bucks Fizz. He was the only remaining original member in the group...
features prominently on backing vocals at the end - a version that was used in the video. As well as this, two 12" singles were released: one with an extended version of the song, the other an extended mix by dance producer Ian Levine
Ian Levine
Ian Levine is an English songwriter, producer, and DJ. He is also a well-known fan of the long-running television show Doctor Who.Levine attended Arnold School in Blackpool from 1963 to 1970...
. On the Writing on the Wall CD re-issue in 2004, a largely instrumental extended version of the song was included as a bonus track. The song remains among the group's most highly regarded work.
Track listing
7"- "New Beginning (Mamba Seyra)" (4.03)
- "In Your Eyes" (4.19)
12"
- "New Beginning (Mamba Seyra) (extended mix)"
- "In Your Eyes"
- "I Need Your Love" (4.40)
2nd 12"
- "New Beginning (Mamba Seyra) (Ian LevineIan LevineIan Levine is an English songwriter, producer, and DJ. He is also a well-known fan of the long-running television show Doctor Who.Levine attended Arnold School in Blackpool from 1963 to 1970...
remix)" (9.24) - "New Beginning (Mamba Seyra) (Ian Levine remix - Dub version)" (8.23)
- "New Beginning (Mamba Seyra)"
Chart performance
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK | 8 |
| Ireland | 11 |
| The Netherlands | 24 |
| Poland | 33 |