AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Go West

Artist:Go West

Song:King of Wishful Thinking

Album:Pretty Woman: Original Soundtrack

King of Wishful Thinking was a top ten hit in 1990. It was the biggest US hit for the British duo Go West. It appeared in the 1990 hit film Pretty Woman. Go West would have been unknown to most listeners when the film was released. So it was a bit of a fluke hit supported by a pretty good video. It is not a one hit wonder nor a discography orphan though it did appeared in the film first. Peter Cox and Richard Drummie were already writing together and they had a publishing deal when they decided to record together. A demo got them a record deal with Chrysalis Records in 1982. They were on Capitol in the US. Cox is lead singer but both guys play multiple instruments. Go West's 1985 debut single We Close Our Eyes reached #5 on the British Singles chart and #41 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Godley & Creme directed video was an MTV favorite. This would turn out to be their biggest hit in England. The 1984 album Go West was certified 2XPlatinum on England. The 1987 album Dancing on the Couch didn't do as well. So now Capitol is trying to figure out how to sell Go West. And one good way is to put one of their songs in a movie. Of course Pretty Woman starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts was a big hit. And the soundtrack album was a big seller too. The Roxette single It Must Have Been Love topped the charts. King of Wishful Thinking reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified 3XPlatinum. Mission accomplished, right? No because I think most folks remembered Pretty Woman but not Go West. The soundtrack for Pretty Woman is available as a budget CD. Capitol did add King of Wishful Thinking to Go West's 1992 album Indian Summer. That song and most of the album was produced by Peter Wolf. No not Peter Wolf of J. Geils Band. This Peter Wolf is an Austrian who moved to Los Angeles after playing with Frank Zappa. He produced Starship in the late 80s. The album sales were disappointing and Go West lost their record deal. They have reunited occasionally. Cox records for his own label. Could Go West have been bigger? I guess but I don't think Capitol did them any favors. Here's the video for King of Wishful Thinking by Go West.