The Upstroke

Album: Club Mixes of the '80s (1984)
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Songfacts®:

  • This was the first song produced by Stock, Aitken and Waterman. Co-written by Pete Ware, Matt Aitken and Mike Stock, it was released on the RCA label in May 1984 backed by "Shadow Man."

    In the 2012 ITV documentary The Hit Factory - The Stock, Aitken and Waterman Story, Pete Waterman said after he returned from the States where he'd been working with Musical Youth, the other two played him this one song, and he organized its release. Peter Robinson then of RCA said it was somewhat influenced by Frankie Goes To Hollywood (meaning "Relax"), but failed to trouble the top 75.

    Waterman added that John Peel championed it, becoming the first DJ to play a Stock-Aitken-Waterman record.
  • Agents Aren't Aeroplanes was the sister act of Julie and Diana Seabrook, who were enlisted to record this song by the producers. "The Upstroke" single was their only release. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

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