Something happened between the final single from Take That and Party being released and the lead off single from their sophomore set Everything Changes. It was if the five lads had taken more control of their music and formed a much more cohesive unit. And it was also as if the entire nation had got together and decided that actually, Take That were pretty amazing. And for me I had made some decisions in my life that probably weren't the best for me. And so everything came together when the epic Pray was released. Not only did this have another gloriously homoerotic (yet very classy) video, it was the song that confirmed that indeed Take That were a musical tour de force to be reckoned with. A magnificent three minute pop classic, it had tight harmonies, a great sing a long chorus and a tune that was nigh on impossible to get out of your head. For me, this really set the bar by which all other pop songs should be measured. And most importantly (as corny as it sounds), it really helped me get some clarity around what I was doing and finally accept who I really was. And of course then I was ready for some disco, and the That were more than happy to oblige. Relight My Fire was a duet with Lulu and was the jolt of pure indulgent dance electricity the charts and myself needed at the time. It became an iconic visual display too as devil horns appeared way before Steps pilfered them for their cover of Better The Devil You Know. Third single Babe saw Mark take lead vocals on a gentle ballad with a great middle eight crescendo that gave the song power and impact. Ideally timed for the festive market, it became their third consecutive number one. Further proof that the That were acting more as a cohesive unit came when Robbie took lead on the next single – the title track of their second album Everything Changes. A great video accompanied it filmed in hued brownish tones and the jaunty song was the first indication that a) I was right to be totally smitten with Robbie and b) that his cheeky chappie appeal would soon woe a nation. Sometimes the musical content of an album is less important than the moment it encapsulates (summer 93 – summer 94) and Everything Changes was not only a boyband masterpiece by which all others should be judged, but a perfect snapshot in time of a year where I finally learned how to grow up and be what i wanted to be :)
.
LINK: Buy Take That's Everything Changes Expanded Edition
MP3: Take That - The Party Remix (relight/magic/minute/changes)
MP3: Take That - Babe (return mix)
