1. Jason Donovan - "Too Many Broken Hearts"
Or, "Why do we only have one cassette tape?"
The idea of this Substack is to associate songs with memories. However, I don’t remember this song going to Number 1. In fact, I don’t remember this song coming out at all.
I’m too young.
I was two and half when this track was released as a single and I’ve no recollection of it. But then, I don’t remember anything from when I was that age.
Growing up, the radio was always on in the kitchen, and it was always tuned to BBC Radio 1. The radio itself was a fairly standard one for the time and all I really recall of it was that it was black and had one cassette deck. One day, I realised that the tape deck wasn’t empty.
It contained a cassette single of “Too Many Broken Hearts” by Jason Donovan.
I had no idea why. My parents weren’t fans of Jason Donovan as far as I knew. I wasn’t a fan of Jason Donovan — that much I did know. And the cassette was never played.
Then the truth emerged. I may not have been a fan of Jason Donovan by that time, but I sure as hell was as a toddler.
I was apparently captivated with this song back in 1989, and would beam with joy and dance along whenever it came on the radio. The whole reason our house had a copy of the single was pretty much so my parents could play it when guests were over and I could share my party trick.
Does it hold up today? Hahahahahaha, no.
The production obviously sounds ridiculously dated but I will say two things about it. One, I’m still a sucker for a track that puts sad lyrics over a happy tune and, two, that key change into the chorus is sweeter than a hit of Junior Calpol for a pre-schooler — it’s no wonder I loved it.
But it turns out this wasn’t an isolated incident. Not long after I learned to talk, I’d latch on to songs, music and even individual pop stars. Another of my infant favourites was the Fine Young Cannibals’ “She Drives Me Crazy” which, I’m told, I would announce whenever it came on the radio with a cry of, “Ooh! Drive my crazy!”
I was also a big fan of Don Henley’s “New York Minute”, exclusively for the “Oo-ee-oooooooh” backing vocals in the chorus.
I was also apparently convinced our postman was Phil Collins, and called him that to his face on at least one occasion.
Really, it’s no wonder I grew up obsessed with pop music and here I am, over 35 years later, still as obsessed as ever.
In 2016, I moved to Australia with my now-wife. At the time, my Dad asked if it was so I could be in the homeland of my favourite pop star, “Jase”. It’s a joke he still makes at least once a year. The fact Jason Donovan has lived in London for ages doesn’t make me enjoy it any less.
What didn’t get to Number 1 because of this song?
Michael Ball - “Love Changes Everything”
I’ve no recollection of this song and have no interest in listening to it. You can if you really want to, though. Apparently it’s from an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical and isn’t the Climie Fisher track.
Madonna - “Like a Prayer”
Okay, this I have heard of. I think it had a video of some sort. Anyway, don’t fret, it knocked Jase off the top spot the following week where it remained for three weeks.