Brand New Lover

Album: Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know (1985)
Charted: 31 15
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Dead or Alive had a hit with their 1984 song "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)," which was produced by the mighty team of Stock, Aitken and Waterman (SAW) and included on their second album. "Brand New Lover," released in 1986 on their next album, Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know, was also a Stock, Aitken and Waterman production and gave them a second US hit. The band wrote both songs, which hold up as high energy '80s dance classics.
  • The title of the album Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know comes from a phrase originally used by aristocrat and novelist Lady Caroline Lamb to describe Lord Byron. We presume it was uttered upon emerging from the sack, given the usual score for a Byron relationship in the gothic period. In fact the two shared a passionate affair, publicly fighting while privately smooching and in later years they even shared each other's writing styles. Since then the phrase has been nicked for the title to albums, books, and other creative works.
  • Released in 1986, this song is as steeped in the '80s as a Rubik's Cube in a bed of Pac-Man Pogs. The band was fronted by Pete Burns who had an MTV-friendly androgynous look that drew comparisons to Boy George of Culture Club. Their sound was heavy on synthesizers and drum machines - very club friendly.

    The group had a few more dance hits in America but had a more lasting impact in the UK, where Pete Burns earned tabloid coverage, particularly when he went through extensive plastic surgery that ballooned his lips. He died from a heart attack in 2016 at age 57.
  • "Brand New Lover" is a kiss-off song where Pete Burns admits he's a pleasure-seeking cad who wants surprises, not safety. His current lover is simply too nice:

    I need to leave you by yourself
    And go in search of someone else
    To satisfy my curiosity


    Burns fit the bill with some of these traits but he had been married at the time for six years to a woman named Lynne Corlett. They didn't divorce until 2006.

Comments: 2

  • Timmy! from UsaWhile true that Dead or Alive had only two Top 15 Billboard Hot 100 singles (You Spin Me Round, and Brand New Lover... numbers 11 and 15 respectively) they had a total of SEVEN Billboard Hot 100 singles overall
  • Mitch from New YorkGreat song. Pete Burns had a great voice. Too bad he messed himself up and died young.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.