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Lay Your Hands on Me (Thompson Twins song)

"Lay Your Hands on Me" is a song by the English pop band Thompson Twins, written by Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie, and Joe Leeway. Released as a single in the UK in 1984, a different version of the song appeared on their fifth studio album Here's to Future Days (1985).

There are two main versions of the song, with various edits and remixes of the two. The first version, produced by Alex Sadkin and Tom Bailey, was released in November 1984 in Europe and Australia. The 1985 version was a reworking co-produced by Nile Rodgers, adding electric guitar and a gospel choir and released as a single in the US; this version appeared on the album.

The single peaked at No. 13 on the UK singles chart, spending nine weeks there. In the US, it peaked at No. 14 on both the Adult Contemporary and Rock Tracks charts, No. 46 on the Dance Club Play chart, and No. 6 on the Hot 100 singles chart.

The B-side, "The Lewis Carol (Adventures in Wonderland)", is an instrumental variation of the song and was exclusive to this single.

Content

Singer Tom Bailey said,

Music video

Two versions of the promotional music video directed by Dee Trattmann exist for the single. The original edit of the music video features the band performing the 1984 version of the song on a stage in front of an audience of pop star look-alikes including David Bowie, Siouxsie Sioux, Mari Wilson, Prince, Rod Stewart, Adam Ant, Boy George and Grace Jones. When the song was reworked in 1985, the video was re-edited with the 1985 version dubbed instead.

Formats

7" UK vinyl single (1984) Arista TWINS 6
  1. "Lay Your Hands on Me" – 4:11
  2. "The Lewis Carol (Adventures in Wonderland)" – 4:10
12" UK vinyl single (1984) Arista TWINS 126
  1. "Lay Your Hands on Me" (Extended Mix/Full Version) – 6:08
  2. "The Lewis Carol (Adventures in Wonderland)" – 4:10
7" UK vinyl single (1984) Arista TWING 6
  1. "Lay Your Hands on Me" (U.S. Re-mix) – 4:19
  2. "The Lewis Carol (Adventures in Wonderland)" – 4:10
12" UK vinyl single (1984) Arista TWINS 226
  1. "Lay Your Hands on Me" (U.S. Re-mix) – 5:51
  2. "The Lewis Carol (Adventures in Wonderland)" – 4:10
7" UK vinyl Picture Disc (1984) Arista TWISD 6
  1. "Lay Your Hands on Me" (Single Version) – 3:44
  2. "The Lewis Carol (Adventures in Wonderland)" – 4:12
New Zealand cassette single (1984) Festival Records-C 14155
  1. "Lay Your Hands on Me" (Extended Version) – 6:05
  2. "Lay Your Hands on Me" (U.S. Remix) – 5:56
  3. "The Lewis Carol (Adventures in Wonderland)" – 4:13
7" U.S. vinyl single (1985) Arista AS1-9396
  1. "Lay Your Hands on Me" (Single Version) – 3:44
  2. "The Lewis Carol (Adventures in Wonderland)" – 4:12
12" U.S. vinyl single (1985) Arista AD1-9397
  1. "Lay Your Hands on Me" (Single Version) – 3:52
  2. "The Lewis Carol (Adventures in Wonderland)" – 4:14
  3. "Lay Your Hands on Me" (Extended Version) – 6:00
7" vinyl (1985 promo) Arista AS1-9396
  1. "Lay Your Hands on Me" (Cold Ending) – 3:44
  2. "Lay Your Hands on Me" (Fade) – 3:44

Personnel

Written by Alannah Currie, Tom Bailey, and Joe Leeway.

  • Tom Bailey – vocals, piano, Fairlight, synthesizers, guitar, contrabass, Fairlight and drum programming
  • Alannah Currie – lyrics, marimba, backing vocals, acoustic drums, percussion, tuned percussion
  • Joe Leeway – backing vocals, congas, percussion

1984 Versions

1985 Versions

  • Produced by Alex Sadkin, Nile Rodgers, and Tom Bailey
  • Engineered by James Farber and Terry Becker
  • Mixed by James Farber
  • Backing Vocals – East Harlem Hobo Choir
  • Mixed at Skyline Studio, NYC
  • Photography – Rebecca Blake
  • Artwork/Design – Andie Airfix, Satori
  • Art Direction – Alannah

Chart performance

Official versions

References