Breathe and their Hands to Heaven

Breathe was a British band that had more American success than in their homeland. Isn’t that messed up? The sound was very 1980s pop from England. They had this breezy jazzy sound that didn’t fit in with American loud or macho type pop. I can’t explain why they broke here.

The first song that was big in America was “Hands to Heaven.” According to Wikipedia, the song went to 44 on the British music charts but went to number 2 in America. 

I just watched the official video for the song. It’s not something you’d expect to be so popular. It starts with a Fancy car and a ballerina. The lead singer, David Glasper is in a suit. The song is slow with keyboards filling in the music. The reason for the long life of the song is in these amazing lyrics. 

As I watch you move

Across the moonlit room

There is so much tenderness in your loving

Tomorrow I must leave 

The dawn knows no reprieve

God give me strength when I’m leaving. 

Internal rhyme and different syllables in each line - short line the long line then short then long. This first verse tells a story with visuals. He never says why he’s leaving. I imagine when Nicholas Sparks writes stories of teenagers joining the military then coming home, he’s jamming on this song. Touchy feelings, a tad religion, and heartbreak.

Breathe followed this incredible song with “How Can I Fall.” It came out in the autumn of 1988. I can’t find an exact release date, but I really believe I heard this song in the final weeks of summer 1988. 

I went to some other sites to research the band. While this song was big in America hitting number 2 on the pop charts, it didn’t break Top 40 in England. Everyone remembers “Hands to Heaven” but not this song so much. Honestly, they sound a lot alike. “Hands” being the better song. Each song made it to number 2 on the pop charts. How not number one?

Breathe was never able to follow up these very 1980s songs and they broke up. Irony that their biggest song was about a breakup. 

Check this song out. You’ll like it. I’m sure Nicholas Sparks would agree.