There’s something genuinely moving about this two-part deep dive. Wax always felt like one of those acts where you can hear the quality—every hook, every melodic turn, every bit of craft sparkles—and yet the commercial story never quite aligned. What this piece lays out so well is that the music itself never faltered. It was the system around them that did.
The Spanish breakthrough, the near-misses in the UK and US, the absence of proper remixes, and the limitations caused by travel, timing, and label priorities—it all paints the picture of a duo who gave far more than they ever got back. And somehow, that makes the music even easier to admire today.
It’s also a reminder of how many artists lived in that space between brilliance and the industry’s blind spots. Wax just happens to be one of the best examples of how those gaps swallow potential whole.
Thanks, Howard. I’d also add “chance” as an important factor. The Spanish success showed that sometimes all it takes is one label or marketing manager who’s willing to go the extra mile. Their enthusiasm can spark momentum — and the quality of the record does the rest.
Spain wasn’t (and isn’t) a major market, so it couldn’t really influence other local branches to follow. If this had happened in the UK or the US, the story would have been completely different. It must have been frustrating for Graham and Andrew. In the interview I heard, Graham said he’s still quite pleased with what they achieved, though.
Thanks for reading, sharing, and reacting, Howard. Have a great start to the week!
All well-said, Howard! And, you've picked out the various reasons Pe has unearthed that this duo didn't hit the motherload, chart-wise! Fine detective work on this one by Pe!
Listening to Right Between the Eyes, I wonder if it did so well in the Spanish market (and Brazil, noted in another comment) because it's got a great beat for couples dancing. That struck me as soon as I started listening to it, that when I did ballroom and Latin dancing with partners I would have loved dancing to that.
That could certainly be part of it, Ellen. But in Spain it really came down to the timing, just after Franco’s dictatorship, when the country was racing to catch up with the rest of Europe. The upbeat feel of the song matched that moment perfectly.
And why this song in particular? That was down to someone at BMG Spain (who distributed RCA) who genuinely loved the record and championed it.
In Brazil, the success was linked to its use in a popular TV show.
Thanks for reading and responding, Ellen. Wishing you a relaxing Sunday!
Superb piece on the "12 inch Gold Rush" as you call it, when the 12" single became the property of fans and to some extent expanded beyond the dancefloor. Lots of gems from that period got lost in the rush and one of my favourites has a link to Wax because it features Tessa Niles, who as you point out provided b/vox on the American English album. Niles took a rare lead vocal role alongside Bill Sharpe on the single Famous People. Unlike much of Wax's 12" output which was merely extended, this one did receive a 12" Latin Rascals edit no doubt because, as co-founder of Shakatak, Bill Sharpe WAS firmly embedded in dance culture, unlike Gold and Gouldman. This didn't do much good as it wasn't a hit, but check out the 12" US remix of Sharpe and Niles Famous People, which beyond the ferociously cut up beats has some real lyrical poignancy.
Thanks, Paul. You’re absolutely right about the Sharpe & Niles 12-inch — I have it in my collection. I really should use it in one of the upcoming mixtapes. Great track, and the Latin Rascals make it even better.
Here in Brazil, "Right Between The Eyes" by Wax was a big hit in 1987 and was part of the soundtrack of the soap opera "Hipertensão," whose plot revolved around a theater company.
Fantastic continuation to yesterday's fantastic piece. As well as the wider commercial/industry insights, which are always so informative, I particularly enjoyed learning more about the different format strategies and the contrast between the 70s and 80s. Every day is a school day, they say, but they didn't tell me it would be this much fun! Happy weekend!!
Thanks, Andy! I also loved reading Pe's peek into the push me-pull you of the duo trying to stay "relevant" in the day's market...especially for one of my favorite acts of the '80s (and there weren't that many, which was mainly due to my out-of-the-biz life then!).
But, I love hearing (and wondering about the reasons why) how a record was huge in, say, Spain, but barely a blip on the radio radar in the States! Happy weekend to you, as well!😉
There’s something genuinely moving about this two-part deep dive. Wax always felt like one of those acts where you can hear the quality—every hook, every melodic turn, every bit of craft sparkles—and yet the commercial story never quite aligned. What this piece lays out so well is that the music itself never faltered. It was the system around them that did.
The Spanish breakthrough, the near-misses in the UK and US, the absence of proper remixes, and the limitations caused by travel, timing, and label priorities—it all paints the picture of a duo who gave far more than they ever got back. And somehow, that makes the music even easier to admire today.
It’s also a reminder of how many artists lived in that space between brilliance and the industry’s blind spots. Wax just happens to be one of the best examples of how those gaps swallow potential whole.
Thanks, Howard. I’d also add “chance” as an important factor. The Spanish success showed that sometimes all it takes is one label or marketing manager who’s willing to go the extra mile. Their enthusiasm can spark momentum — and the quality of the record does the rest.
Spain wasn’t (and isn’t) a major market, so it couldn’t really influence other local branches to follow. If this had happened in the UK or the US, the story would have been completely different. It must have been frustrating for Graham and Andrew. In the interview I heard, Graham said he’s still quite pleased with what they achieved, though.
Thanks for reading, sharing, and reacting, Howard. Have a great start to the week!
All well-said, Howard! And, you've picked out the various reasons Pe has unearthed that this duo didn't hit the motherload, chart-wise! Fine detective work on this one by Pe!
Really interesting history of the 12-inch format.
Listening to Right Between the Eyes, I wonder if it did so well in the Spanish market (and Brazil, noted in another comment) because it's got a great beat for couples dancing. That struck me as soon as I started listening to it, that when I did ballroom and Latin dancing with partners I would have loved dancing to that.
That could certainly be part of it, Ellen. But in Spain it really came down to the timing, just after Franco’s dictatorship, when the country was racing to catch up with the rest of Europe. The upbeat feel of the song matched that moment perfectly.
And why this song in particular? That was down to someone at BMG Spain (who distributed RCA) who genuinely loved the record and championed it.
In Brazil, the success was linked to its use in a popular TV show.
Thanks for reading and responding, Ellen. Wishing you a relaxing Sunday!
Superb piece on the "12 inch Gold Rush" as you call it, when the 12" single became the property of fans and to some extent expanded beyond the dancefloor. Lots of gems from that period got lost in the rush and one of my favourites has a link to Wax because it features Tessa Niles, who as you point out provided b/vox on the American English album. Niles took a rare lead vocal role alongside Bill Sharpe on the single Famous People. Unlike much of Wax's 12" output which was merely extended, this one did receive a 12" Latin Rascals edit no doubt because, as co-founder of Shakatak, Bill Sharpe WAS firmly embedded in dance culture, unlike Gold and Gouldman. This didn't do much good as it wasn't a hit, but check out the 12" US remix of Sharpe and Niles Famous People, which beyond the ferociously cut up beats has some real lyrical poignancy.
Thanks, Paul. You’re absolutely right about the Sharpe & Niles 12-inch — I have it in my collection. I really should use it in one of the upcoming mixtapes. Great track, and the Latin Rascals make it even better.
Have a great Sunday!
Thanks for this deep dive! Since I knew nothing about Wax I need to do my own!
Thanks Dan! Have a great Sunday!
Here in Brazil, "Right Between The Eyes" by Wax was a big hit in 1987 and was part of the soundtrack of the soap opera "Hipertensão," whose plot revolved around a theater company.
Fascinating how differently the success played out across countries and continents, Robson. Thanks for reading and chiming in! Have a great weekend!
Fantastic continuation to yesterday's fantastic piece. As well as the wider commercial/industry insights, which are always so informative, I particularly enjoyed learning more about the different format strategies and the contrast between the 70s and 80s. Every day is a school day, they say, but they didn't tell me it would be this much fun! Happy weekend!!
Thanks, Andy! I also loved reading Pe's peek into the push me-pull you of the duo trying to stay "relevant" in the day's market...especially for one of my favorite acts of the '80s (and there weren't that many, which was mainly due to my out-of-the-biz life then!).
But, I love hearing (and wondering about the reasons why) how a record was huge in, say, Spain, but barely a blip on the radio radar in the States! Happy weekend to you, as well!😉