Sandie Shaw

Synopsis of Pop Music

Like Lulu and Cilla Black, the English female vocalist Sandie Shaw got her first exposure in the U.S. in the wake of the ‘British Invasion.’ She is mostly known on these shores for her version of the Burt Bacharach classic “Always Something There To Remind Me,” but there was much more to her career than just that single. Shaw has recorded a rich body of work that influenced other English artists like the Smiths and was active as a recording artist well into the 1980’s.

Sandie Shaw’s career began when she was discovered by British pop star and impresario Adam Faith. She was a teenager when she began her recording career in 1964 with “As Long As You’re Happy,” but it was the next record that made her a star. Her inspired reading of “Always Something There To Remind Me” became a #1 hit in England and got substantial radio play in the U.S. She scored another #1 in the U.K. that year with “Long Live Love,” a pop ditty infused with colorful, tropical-sounding rhythms.

As the 1960’s progressed, Sandie Shaw moved from teen-oriented pop to a more adult-friendly cabaret style. However, one thing remained the same: she was still a major hitmaker in England. In 1967, she was chosen to represent the U.K. at the annual Eurovision Song Contest. Her song, the bubblegum-styled “Puppet On A String,” won the contest and later became a #1 English hit. She also hit big in the late 1960’s with “Tonight In Tokyo” and an English translation of the French Song “Monsieur Dupont.” After a long period of success, she retired in the early 1970’s.

However, Shaw would make a comeback in the 1980’s with the help of some unexpected friends. Her return began when she was invited by the electronic duo Heaven 17 to record a synth-pop cover of the old Cilla Black hit “Anyone Who Had A Heart.” Shaw did so and was soon being touted in interviews by Morrissey, a longtime fan. He and the Smiths backed Shaw up on her version of a Morrissey song, “Hand In Glove.” It became a British hit and led to a full album called Hello Angel that featured songs by the Smiths and the Jesus and Mary Chain.

Sandie Shaw has retired once more from the music business since her late 80’s comeback. However, the hits from her 1960’s heyday remain popular with listeners around the world, and she is still championed by famous fans like Morrissey as one of the important voices in British pop music.

Artist Release History

1964 - Always Something There to Remind Me
1965 - Sandie
1965 - Me
1965 - Long Live Love
1965 - Talk About Love
1966 - Message Understood
1966 - Tomorrow
1966 - Nothing Comes Easy
1966 - Run with Sandie
1967 - Sandie Sings
1967 - Puppet on a String
1967 - Sandie Shaw in French
1967 - Sandie Shaw in Italian
1967 - Love Me, Please Love Me
1968 - The Sandie Shaw Supplement
1969 - Reviewing the Situation
1977 - The Sandie Shaw File
1983 - Choose Life
1994 - 64-67 Complete Sandie Shaw Set
1995 - Nothing Less Than Brilliant: The Best of Sandie Shaw

Pop Sub Categories

pop

Essential Music Albums

Princess of Britpop (Castle)

Band Members

Sandie Shaw   vocals

Other Pop Music Links

Updates to this Artist

Do you have an update or correction for this item? Send us Feedback here!