Level 42
Active: 1980–1994
29
Releases
15
Active Years
About Level 42
Slap-bass virtuosity is historically the province of prog-rock musos and flashy fusionists, but in the mid-’80s, Level 42 brought jazz-schooled chops to pop.
Formed in 1979 on the Isle of Wight, Level 42 were originally among the coterie of musicians orbiting around producer Robin Scott’s new-wave project M (of “Pop Muzik” fame), but their initial, instrumental-heavy albums were steeped in the synth-sparkled gloss and worldbeat accents of early-’80s fusion.
By mid-decade, the vocal interplay between bassist Mark King’s smooth croon and keyboardist Mike Lindup’s swooning falsetto had become increasingly central to their sound, and alongside groups like Tears for Fears and Wang Chung, Level 42 epitomized the sophisticated, aspirational sound of Thatcher-era British pop on crossover hits like “Something About You” and “Lessons in Love.” Following the multi-platinum global success of 1987’s Running in the Family, fraternal founding members Phil and Boon Gould left due to a combination of burnout and dissatisfaction with the band’s commercial direction.
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Complete Discography
LOVE MEETING LOVE
Documented across 4 weeks
LOVE GAMES
Documented across 6 weeks
TURN IT ON
Documented across 6 weeks
STARCHILD
Documented across 4 weeks
ARE YOU HEARING (WHAT I HEAR)
Documented across 5 weeks
WEAVE YOUR SPELL
Documented across 4 weeks
THE CHINESE WAY
Documented across 8 weeks
OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND
Documented across 4 weeks
THE SUN GOES DOWN (LIVING IT UP)
Documented across 12 weeks
MICRO-KID
Documented across 5 weeks
HOT WATER
Documented across 9 weeks
THE CHANT HAS BEGUN
Documented across 6 weeks
SOMETHING ABOUT YOU
Documented across 16 weeks
LEAVING ME NOW
Documented across 10 weeks
LESSONS IN LOVE
Documented across 17 weeks
RUNNING IN THE FAMILY
Documented across 10 weeks
TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN
Documented across 7 weeks
IT'S OVER
Documented across 8 weeks
CHILDREN SAY
Documented across 5 weeks
HEAVEN IN MY HANDS
Documented across 5 weeks
TAKE A LOOK
Documented across 4 weeks
TRACIE
Documented across 5 weeks
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Documented across 3 weeks
GUARANTEED
Documented across 4 weeks
OVERTIME
Documented across 2 weeks
MY FATHER'S SHOES
Documented across 1 week
FOREVER NOW
Documented across 5 weeks
ALL OVER YOU
Documented across 3 weeks
LOVE IN A PEACEFUL WORLD
Documented across 3 weeks