I didn’t even try to pick up singles #3 and #4 on the first Mondays in March and April 1992. But as mentioned a couple of weeks back, I’ve got them here at Villain Towers, thanks to the eventual growth in buying second-hand vinyl online a few decades later. And neither were all that expensive.
I might have thought Go-Go Dancer was a rare misfire, but the run of 45s over the next few months turned out to be a glorious one.
mp3: The Wedding Present – Three
It was ingenious to have the song title match the third 45 in the series match, although I remember saying at the time that the next one better not be about a stray golf shot….
Three has long been one of the most popular songs among the fanbase. In anyone else’s hands, this could have come out just sleazy and sick-inducing as some sort of anthem for swingers. Instead, there’s a dark humour about the desperation of the protagonist wanting to get something just a bit kinky and different to spice up their sex life. And as he had done so on countless previous occasions, David Gedge needed to explain that not all of his songs were written out of personal experiences and circumstances, and indeed, most came from his vivid imagination.
The cover version this time was quite inspired
mp3: The Wedding Present – Think That It Might
It’s a great take on what is really quite an obscure album track by Altered Images that was on the 1982 album Pinky Blue. It wasn’t the first time they had covered one of their songs with Happy Birthday being part of a Peel Session back in 1988 but in this instance they have taken something and made it sound as if it was a TWP original.
Three went in at #14, and it secured another Top of The Pops appearance, one which many years later was part of a repeat show on BBC Four in high definition:-
And here’s the promo, directed by Andy Wilson.
The following month saw the release of this as the 45:-
mp3: The Wedding Present – Silver Shorts
With an intro that harked back to the beloved earlier material, Silver Shorts was a bit different from the sort of sounds of the past 18 months or so. More pop than rock, with David trying a bit of a falsetto vocal. There was a change of producer on this one, with it being handled by Ian Broudie, which is perhaps one of the main reasons why this one, and indeed the other two singles he would be involved in, were more radio-friendly than normal.
It really is rather wonderful and well-deserving of its #14 placing, which matched that of Three, but, sadly, didn’t see them invited onto Top of The Pops. Here’s the promo:-
This one was directed by Judith Carter.
The b-side this month was a brave choice. I’ll ‘fess up and say that it’s not one that I’ve much time for, but then again I was never a fan of the original, nor did I ever get into the TV programme for which it was the instrumental theme tune:-
mp3: The Wedding Present – Falling
Julee Cruise had enjoyed a #7 hit with the original in late 1990. A couple of later singles skirted the Top 60, but that was the extent of her success. The Weddoes version is nearly six minutes in length, and fair play for doing something unexpected, but it’s not for me.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
Music Week, 18 April 1992:
RCA has moved to reassure indie stores angered by alleged distribution bias in its monthly Wedding Present single releases.
Mirelle Davis, Wedding Present product manager, says the independent stores are in fact favoured by her careful sales strategy. However, she admits to being baffled by the high chart position of last month’s “Three”. Its number 14 ranking suggests sales of more than 15,000 when the usual multiplier is applied, but the company insists each single is limited to 10,000 copies.
Several indie stores have complained that they are unable to obtain stock. Others appear to be buying in from major stores to sell the single back later at inflated prices. “People have realised they can get more money for them later,” says Davis.
Last week’s release, Silver Shorts, had a mid-week position of three, underlining the strong support for each release. “We have been surprised even though we knew they would sell well,” says Davis.
Léon Macduff
I was so lucky to have a local shop all the way out in California that stocked these. I had felt the series had gotten off to a bit of a rocky start, but Three started a fantastic run that really seemed to justify the whole experience.
You’re not alone in your dislike of their version of ‘Falling’ – I always remember the review in the NME (by, Swells, I think, but wouldn’t want to swear to it) saying it was so bad that it would “kill birds stone dead out of the trees”. Which, having bought this one at the time, I have to say is fair enough.