Andy Hill (composer)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Andy Hill |
|---|
Andy Hill is a British pop composer who scored many hits during the 1980s and 90s. He is most famous for his work with Bucks Fizz.
Contents |
[edit] Career
Andy Hill first experienced his earliest success when he co-wrote and produced the UK's winning 1981 Eurovision Song Contest entry for Bucks Fizz, "Making Your Mind Up".
Ironically, Hill himself took part in the 1981 A Song For Europe contest, alongside his partner (later wife) Nichola Martin with their band Gem, performing "Have You Ever Been In Love?" This was released as a single under the name Paris but didn't chart. Leo Sayer took his version of the single into the UK top 10. [1] The song has gone on to be covered by many artists, most recently by Westlife on their "Love Songs" album.
For much of the decade, Hill concentrated on carving a successful career for Bucks Fizz and following their Eurovision chart-topper, he went on to write and produce two further UK No.1's "The Land Of Make Believe" and "My Camera Never Lies". By 1986 he was responsible for (either writing or producing) all 11 of the band's UK top 20 hits.
Since then, he has also written for Celine Dion, Cliff Richard and Cher. These writing credits include Celine Dion's "Think Twice" which reached number one in the charts of Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In the UK, the song topped the charts for seven weeks and went on to sell over a million copies. It currently stands as the 45th highest selling single of all time in the UK.[2] It remains Hill's biggest hit to date.
He also gained success in the US when he partnered with Peter Cetera for his "World Falling Down" album. From this, the single "Restless Heart" reached No.1 on the Adult Contemporary Chart for 10 consecutive weeks.[3]
On many of his compositions he was partnered by lyricist Pete Sinfield, who had formerly worked with King Crimson. [4]
Most recently he has written with Gary Barlow on Katherine Jenkins 2007 album "Rejoice".
[edit] Compositions
The following is a selected list of his most popular songs (with the artist who most famously recorded it)
- Making Your Mind Up (Bucks Fizz, 1981)
- Piece of the Action (Bucks Fizz, 1981)
- Land of Make Believe (Bucks Fizz, 1981 and AllStars, 2002)
- Have You Ever Been in Love (Leo Sayer, 1982)
- My Camera Never Lies (Bucks Fizz, 1982)
- Now Those Days Are Gone (Bucks Fizz, 1982)
- If You Can't Stand the Heat (Bucks Fizz, 1982)
- Run For Your Life (Bucks Fizz, 1983)
- Heart of Stone (Cher, 1989)
- Restless Heart (Peter Cetera, 1992)
- Peace In Our Time (Cliff Richard, 1993)
- Think Twice (Celine Dion, 1994)
- Call the Man (Celine Dion, 1996)
- Real World (D-Side, 2003)
He has also provided songs for albums by the following artists:
- Boyzone
- Michael Ball
- Bonnie Tyler
- Lulu
- Elaine Paige
- Elkie Brooks
- Jane Weidlin
- Vanessa Mae
- Barbara Dickson
- Nick Berry
- Albert Hammond [5]
[edit] Producer
As a producer, he produced many of Bucks Fizz's biggest hits as well as UK top ten hits "One Step Further" by Bardo,"Real World" by D-Side and the US AC #1 "Restless Heart" by Peter Cetera.
His trademark as a Producer tended to consist of full productions with heavy drum sounds. Critics have called his production both "cluttered" and "stylish".
[edit] Performer
As a performer he played guitar on many of his own productions.
He also sang lead vocals for his short-lived early 80s band Paris.
Paris were a three piece group consiting of Hill, Nicola Martin (keyboards, backing vocals)and Graham Broad (drums, backing vocals).
Paris released four singles in total:
- March 1982 "Have You Ever Been In Love"
- May 1982 "No Getting Over You"
- January 1983 "Censored"
- July 1983 "Another Sad Affair"
Of these, only "No Getting Over You" made the UK Charts, peaking at No.49.[6]
Andy also provided substantial backing vocals on many Bucks Fizz songs.
