Kissing the Pink -

Kissing the Pink was an English synthpop band that released three albums between 1983 and 1986 on Magnet Records. Their first, Naked, spawned five singles, including the UK hit “Last Film.”

Members: Nicholas Whitecross (lead vocals, guitar), Jon Kingsley Hall (keyboards, synthesizer, vocals), Stephen Cusack (drums, percussion, vocals, 1980-88), George Stewart (keyboards, vocals, 1980-85, 1988-present), Peter Barnett (bass, violin, vocals, 1980-85), Josephine Wells (saxophone, vocals, 1980-85), Sylvia Griffin (lead vocals, 1980-83), Simon Aldridge (guitar, bass, vocals, 1984-88)

Formation

Kissing the Pink formed in 1980 when singer–guitarist Nicholas Whitecross and keyboardist Jon Kingsley Hall teamed with fellow South Kensington peers at the Royal College of Music. Factory Records soundman Martin Hannett (Joy Division, Durutti Column) produced the sextet’s first single at Strawberry Studios, a Stockport (Greater Manchester) facility once owned by 10cc. KtP established Martyrwell for this first venture.

“Don’t Hide In the Shadows”

On September 4, 1981, Kissing the Pink released “Don’t Hide in the Shadows” backed with “Hand Held Cameras,” both group-written songs.

A. “Don’t Hide In the Shadows” ()
B. “Hand Held Cameras” ()

Kissing the Pink signed with Magnet Records, a label established in the seventies with with an array of pop singer (Alvin Stardust), retro acts (Darts, Matchbox), and singer–songwriters (Chris Rea).

1982 Singles

Magnet Records released “Mr Blunt” (b/w “Water In My Eye”) on June 11, 1982. This was followed by “Watching Their Eyes” (b/w “In Awe of Industry”) on October 8, 1982.

A. “Mr Blunt”
B. “Water In My Eye”

A. “Watching Their Eyes” – portrays a cynical perspective on societal indifference to suffering, where individuals prioritize self-interest and rationalize their inaction with survivalist mantras. “Another flag for the firing range” suggests that calls for change often lead to further conflict and destruction rather than genuine progress.
B. “In Awe of Industry” – examines the societal cost of industrial progress and unchecked capitalism, highlighting the plight of the working class and the systemic nature of poverty. The song conveys a deep sense of disillusionment with a system that teaches “boys & girls” to fail while perpetuating vast wealth inequality. The line “Oh wonderous deception, Don’t you know that you’re holding us” addresses the deceptive nature of this industrial system, implying it ensnares and controls individuals under the guise of progress.

In January 1983, the label issued “Last Film” (b/w “Shine”), also available as a double-pack with “Water In My Eye” (Instrumental) and “Garden Parties.”

A. “Last Film” – describes a final, disillusioning film viewing where the characters, despite their seemingly respectable appearance, are revealed to be deceitful. The recurring theme of being told lies highlights a pervasive sense of betrayal and a longing for the authenticity of “home.” The chorus, “It was the last film I ever saw,” convs a profound and absolute sense of finality and disillusionment.
B. “Shine”

C. “Water In My Eye” (Instrumental)
D. “Garden Parties”

Naked

Kissing the Pink released their debut album, Naked, on May 27, 1983, on Magnet. The album contains twelve originals by the group.

Naked features the classic sextet of guitarist/singer Nicholas Whitecross, keyboardist/synthesist Jon Kingsley Hall, keyboardist George Stewart, saxophonist Josephine Wells, drummer Stevie Cusack, bassist/violinist Peter Barnett — all credited with vocals — and singer Sylvia Griffin.

A1. “The Last Film” (3:29)
A2. “Frightened in France” (3:15)
A3. “Watching Their Eyes” (3:56)
A4. “Love Lasts Forever” (5:38)
A5. “All for You” (4:04) conveys a profound dedication to a loved one, emphasizing that all past struggles and future moments are entirely “for you.” The speaker urges their companion to “hold back the tears” and “don’t throw away the years,” highlighting a desire to move past hardship and cherish their shared time.
A6. “The Last Film (Hymn Version)” (3:17)

B1. “Big Man Restless” (3:48) depicts a chaotic social dynamic centered around a “big man restless” who relentlessly pushes for humor, alongside an unmoving, inscrutable group, and a “third group” that mirrors his relentless pursuit of humor. The line “like forty Indians” is a vivid and somewhat unsettling simile used repeatedly to convey a sense of relentless, overwhelming force or presence. The song culminates in an unpredictable turn as the “legal quarter” and the larger “lot” eventually turn on this “funny man.”
B2. “Desert Song” (3:59)
B3. “Broken Body” (3:24)
B4. “Maybe This Day” (3:38) expresses a hopeful yet uncertain anticipation for a significant evening, envisioning it as a “happy day” where romantic aspirations might be fulfilled. However, a contrasting undercurrent suggests the potential for disappointment, acknowledging that the night could “end in tears” despite the initial optimism.
B5. “In Awe of Industry” (3:18)
B6. “Mr. Blunt” (3:00)

Recording sessions took place at AIR Studios in London. Colin Thurston, Peter Walsh, Neil Richmond, David King, and Kissing the Pink produced the album. Tim Barnett created the front cover painting, with Shoot That Tiger! handling art direction and design.

Magnet Records lifted “Love Lasts Forever” as a single (b/w “Underage” (Instrumental Version)) in June 1983. This was followed by “Maybe This Day” (b/w “Middleton Row”) in August 1983.

B. “Middleton Row”

What Noise

Kissing the Pink released their second album, What Noise, in October 1984 on Magnet. The album contains twelve originals by the group.

What Noise features the sextet of guitarist/keyboardist/singer Nicholas Whitecross, keyboardist/synthesizer/singer Jon Kingsley Hall, keyboardist/singer George Stewart, guitarist/bassist/singer Simon Aldridge, saxophonist Josephine Wells, drummer/percussionist/singer Stevie Cusack, and bassist/violinist/singer Peter Barnett.

A1. “Other Side of Heaven” (4:10)
A2. “Captain Zero” (3:44)
A3. “Victory Parade” (2:54)
A4. “Greenham” (3:30)
A5. “Each Day in Nine” (3:08)
A6. “The Rain It Never Stops” (3:36)

B1. “Radio On” (3:40)
B2. “Martin” (2:52)
B3. “Watching the Tears” (3:44)
B4. “Footsteps” (3:52)
B5. “Love & Money” (3:41)
B6. “What Noise” (3:52)

Magnet Records lifted “Radio On” as the first single (b/w “How Can I Live”) in September 1984. This was followed by “The Other Side of Heaven” (b/w “Celestial”) in March 1985.

B. “How Can I Live”

B. “Celestial”

Between their second and third album, Kissing the Pink shrunk to a four-piece without George Stewart, Josephine Wells, and Peter Barnett.

Certain Things Are Likely

Kissing the Pink released their third album, Certain Things Are Likely, in 1986 on Magnet.

The album contains eight songs co-written by the band with producer Peter Walsh and two (“No-One’s on the Same Side,” “I Won’t Wait”) with co-producer Phil Harding.

Certain Things Are Likely features the quartet of lead vocalist/guitarist Nicholas Whitecross, keyboardist/vocalist Jon Kingsley Hall, guitarist/vocalist Simon Aldridge, and drummer/vocalist Stephen Cusack.

Additional musicians on Certain Things Are Likely include Matt Aitken (additional guitar), Alistair Fraser (bagpipes), Philip Bagenal (additional keyboards), Derek Forbes, Andy Pasque, Alan Taylor, and Chaz Jankel (additional bass), along with backing vocalists Judy Cheeks, Victoria Miles, Scarlett Von Wollenman, and The Lewis Sisters.

A1. “One Step” (4:29)
A2. “Never Too Late to Love You” (3:49)
A3. “Certain Things Are Likely” (4:13)
A4. “Dream Dream” (3:48)
A5. “No-One’s on the Same Side” (3:45)

B1. “Can You Hear Me” (4:29)
B2. “Jones” (3:49)
B3. “Identity Card” (3:26)
B4. “One Day” (4:11)
B5. “I Won’t Wait” (4:54)

Peter Walsh produced eight tracks. Kissing the Pink and Peter Walsh co-produced four tracks. Kissing the Pink and Phil Harding produced “No-One’s on the Same Side” and “I Won’t Wait.”

Magnet Records lifted “One Step” as the first single (b/w “Footsteps”) in February 1986. This was followed by “Never Too Late to Love You” (b/w “Michael”) in September 1986. “Certain Things Are Likely” was released as a remix single (b/w “Certain Things Are Likely” (Garage Edit)) in March 1987.

B. “Footsteps”

B. “Michael”

Discography: