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A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman

A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman

Chart Beats

Hosts Gavin Scott (from Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop) and Matthew Denby work their way through all the singles produced by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman (SAW), starting in 1984 with "The Upstroke" by Agents Aren't Aeroplanes and taking in hits by Dead Or Alive, Hazell Dean, Bananarama, Princess, Mel & Kim, Rick Astley, Kylie Minogue, Sinitta, Jason Donovan, Divine, Sonia and more, as well as lesser known chart misses. Bonus interviews and discussion: chartbeats.com.au/saw (Theme music: Switch Me On by Shane Ivers at www.silvermansound.com)
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Top 10 A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman - Ep 48: Sealed With A Kiss to Tell Him I Called

Ep 48: Sealed With A Kiss to Tell Him I Called

A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman

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03/19/23 • 63 min

The UK chart-toppers continued for Stock Aitken Waterman as another two singles reached the top spot in 1989. First, there was Jason Donovan's remake of a much-covered tune. Part of SAW's series of '50s and '60s covers performed by their teen-friendly artists, "Sealed With A Kiss" had the potential to widen Jason's appeal even further, but was the plan to go for the parents and grandparents of the kids buying his records as well? We speak to Mike Stock and David Howells, and hear archive quotes from Jason about the decision. Next, new singer Sonia, Pete Waterman's latest Liverpudlian discovery, shot to the top with debut single "You'll Never Stop Me Loving You". Mike discusses the inspiration for the song, while stylist Sharon McPhilemy recalls what it was like to put Sonia's look together. We also hear from Sequal's Angie Vollaro and Maria Christensen about this episode's third single, fan favourite "Tell Him I Called". Angie and Maria talk about their emergence on Miami's freestyle scene and getting snapped up by a major label, who connected them with SAW. Beyond Sequal, we hear about Maria's time as a solo artist and a songwriter for acts like Celine Dion and Eternal, and the worldwide smash she co-wrote during her time in girl group 3rd Party.

Support the show

Subscribe for bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/saw
Instagram: @chartbeatsau
Threads: @chartbeatsau, @matthew_denby360
Bluesky: @chartbeatsau, @matthewdenby.bsky.social
Facebook: Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop
Email: [email protected]

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A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman - Ep 47: Hand On Your Heart to I Don't Wanna Get Hurt

Ep 47: Hand On Your Heart to I Don't Wanna Get Hurt

A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman

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02/20/23 • 57 min

After blitzing the Australian and UK charts with her debut album, it was time for Kylie Minogue to move onto her follow-up, Enjoy Yourself, and thanks to the chart-topping success of its lead single, "Hand On Your Heart", there would be nothing difficult about this second album. Mike Stock returns to the podcast to discuss the inspiration and enthusiasm he had for working with Kylie at this point, and we also hear from Matt Aitken and backing singer Miriam Stockley on that topic. We take an in-depth look at the music video for "Hand On Your Heart" and director Chris Langman joins us to explain the lack of enthusiasm about it. Meanwhile, future production duo Julian Gingell and Barry Stone (aka Jewels & Stone, The Alias), who began working as assistant engineers at PWL around this time, share their Kylie memories. Another UK number 1 came from charity record "Ferry 'Cross The Mersey", which was released in the wake of the Hillsborough football disaster, with Liverpudlian acts Gerry Marsden, Paul McCartney, The Christians and Holly Johnson performing on the single. Mike talks about the process of putting that together. And we wrap up the episode with the second single from Donna Summer's Another Place And Time. Did Donna dislike the song? Which version is better: single or album? We speak to Mike, Phil Harding, Pete Hammond and Mae McKenna to address those questions and more.

Support the show

Subscribe for bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/saw
Instagram: @chartbeatsau
Threads: @chartbeatsau, @matthew_denby360
Bluesky: @chartbeatsau, @matthewdenby.bsky.social
Facebook: Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop
Email: [email protected]

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A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman - Ep 34: Mind Over Matter to Maybe (We Should Call It A Day)

Ep 34: Mind Over Matter to Maybe (We Should Call It A Day)

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07/17/22 • 56 min

It was good news and bad news for Stock Aitken Waterman in mid-1988. On the upside, their run of hits continued with the next single for Kylie Minogue. After the runway success of "I Should Be So Lucky", Mike Stock and engineer Karen Hewitt were dispatched to Australia to record a follow-up — and we hear all about the meeting to convince Kylie to continue working with SAW after her shabby treatment in London, as well as the ups and downs of the recording sessions that ensued. Pete Hammond tells us about the earlier version of "Got To Be Certain" recorded by Mandy Smith, while David Howells explains how he commissioned music videos filmed in Australia — like the one for Kylie's single — from PWL in London. Another song SAW recorded with more than one vocalist is "Mind Over Matter", which was unfortunately not a success on the UK chart. That song's writer, Michael Jay, reveals why it went from a Debbie Harry track to being recorded and released by E.G. Daily — and he also talks about another PWL tune he wrote: "Cross My Heart" by Eighth Wonder. In more good news, Hazell Dean scored her next hit with "Maybe (We Should Call It A Day)", even if, as she explains, she wasn't that keen on the tune. And in bad news for music lovers: SAW worked with the England Football Team on a song that went all the way down the dumper.

Support the show

Subscribe for bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/saw
Instagram: @chartbeatsau
Threads: @chartbeatsau, @matthew_denby360
Bluesky: @chartbeatsau, @matthewdenby.bsky.social
Facebook: Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop
Email: [email protected]

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A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman - Ep 28: A Walk In The Park to Whatever Makes Our Love Grow

Ep 28: A Walk In The Park to Whatever Makes Our Love Grow

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04/24/22 • 53 min

It was the end of an era as the final Dead Or Alive single produced by Stock Aitken Waterman was released. And although "I'll Save You All My Kisses" wasn't the biggest of hits, that song and the story of what came next for SAW's first number one act is given the in-depth treatment in this episode. In an archival interview with DJ Sveta, the late Pete Burns talks about the conclusion of his time at PWL — and his return there in 1993. Producer Barry Stone (of Jewels & Stone and The Alias) shares his memories of working with Dead Or Alive on their remake of "Rebel Rebel" and the Nukleopatra album. Also this episode, Bananarama's next big hit came in the form of the Europop-influenced "Love In The First Degree", while there are a couple of lesser known tracks to cover: the 1987 PWL remix of "A Walk In The Park" by Nick Straker, which Pete Hammond tells us about, and Edwin Starr's "Whatever Makes Our Love Grow".

Support the show

Subscribe for bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/saw
Instagram: @chartbeatsau
Threads: @chartbeatsau, @matthew_denby360
Bluesky: @chartbeatsau, @matthewdenby.bsky.social
Facebook: Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop
Email: [email protected]

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A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman - Ep 23: Hooked On Love to Get Ready

Ep 23: Hooked On Love to Get Ready

A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman

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02/06/22 • 45 min

Stock Aitken Waterman had their hands full with music legends in early 1987. First, they put together charity ensemble record "Let It Be" by Ferry Aid. Former PWL Records MD David Howells joins us to describe the process of assembling a who's who of the British music industry to sing on that track, while Pepsi & Shirlie and Kim Appleby also share their memories of Ferry Aid. Then, tracks by music icons Gloria Gaynor ("Be Soft With Me Tonight") and Debbie Harry ("In Love With Love") received the PWL magic touch, and Mike Stock shares an embarrassing story about working with the Blondie singer. The tension between Dead Or Alive and their record company came to breaking point over their next single, "Hooked On Love". Find out why and what happened as a result. And we hear about enigmatic, bald-headed Australian singer Carol Hitchcock, whose cover of The Temptations' "Get Ready" remains a fan favourite.

Support the show

Subscribe for bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/saw
Instagram: @chartbeatsau
Threads: @chartbeatsau, @matthew_denby360
Bluesky: @chartbeatsau, @matthewdenby.bsky.social
Facebook: Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop
Email: [email protected]

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A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman - Ep 10: Love Is War to I'll Keep On Loving You

Ep 10: Love Is War to I'll Keep On Loving You

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08/22/21 • 45 min

We launch into 1986 with the first five singles produced by Stock Aitken Waterman released that year — and we hear from all the artists involved. What was going on with that choreography in Brilliant's "Love Is War" music video? What happened in the aftermath of "This Is The House" by The Three Degrees? Why wasn't Haywoode completely comfortable with "You'd Better Not Fool Around"? Princess talks about "I'll Keep On Loving You" and her self-titled debut album, which featured one of Gavin and Mat's favourite SAW non-singles. Plus, a new band came to work with Mike, Matt and Pete — Italian trio Canton, and singer Marcello Semeraro tells the story of how they came to record at PWL and what went wrong just as their single came out.

Support the show

Subscribe for bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/saw
Instagram: @chartbeatsau
Threads: @chartbeatsau, @matthew_denby360
Bluesky: @chartbeatsau, @matthewdenby.bsky.social
Facebook: Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop
Email: [email protected]

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A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman - Ep 9: Taking Stock with Mike Stock

Ep 9: Taking Stock with Mike Stock

A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman

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08/15/21 • 28 min

Before we continue our journey through Stock Aitken Waterman into 1986, we take one last look at the early years with a man who knows a thing or two about what happened during 1984 and 1985: Mike Stock. One-third of the songwriting and production team shares his thoughts on Divine, Hazell Dean, Dead Or Alive, Brilliant, Princess, The Three Degrees and more. Did a fight really almost break out over "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)"? Did any of the singles that missed the UK top 40 deserve better in his opinion? What did he really think about working with all those bands? And what happened to producer Pete Ware, who worked with SAW on some of those early tracks? Mike shares his memories of the start of the SAW journey.

Support the show

Subscribe for bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/saw
Instagram: @chartbeatsau
Threads: @chartbeatsau, @matthew_denby360
Bluesky: @chartbeatsau, @matthewdenby.bsky.social
Facebook: Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop
Email: [email protected]

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A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman - Ep 71: Happy Together to Word Is Out

Ep 71: Happy Together to Word Is Out

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05/05/24 • 59 min

They were the pop stars that changed everything for the Hit Factory — and in this episode we discuss pivotal singles for Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue. In Jason's case, his remake of "Happy Together" was his final single with PWL, as he made the leap to musical theatre and a new record label. The cover version was also the first Stock and Waterman production, with Matt Aitken now out of the picture. Jason joins us for one last time to discuss the parting of ways with PWL, his third studio album, All Around The World, and how his career has developed until the present day. As for Kylie, she kicked off her fourth studio album with new jack swing single "Word Is Out" and its controversial music video. Terry Blamey, Mike Stock, Julian Gingell and Pete Day all share their memories of the Let's Get To It era of Kylie's career, while remixer Tony King talks about his Summer Breeze remix, which was released as the official single version in Australia.

Support the show

Subscribe for bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/saw
Instagram: @chartbeatsau
Threads: @chartbeatsau, @matthew_denby360
Bluesky: @chartbeatsau, @matthewdenby.bsky.social
Facebook: Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop
Email: [email protected]

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A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman - Ep 74: All You Have To Do to Finer Feelings

Ep 74: All You Have To Do to Finer Feelings

A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman

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08/04/24 • 75 min

In early 1992, Boy Krazy were still a year away from their belated massive success in the US with "That's What Love Can Do" and they followed up that debut single in the UK with "All You Have To Do". Now a four-piece, the girl group shifted musical gears, releasing a more club-influenced track, but once again it failed to connect. Ruth Ann, Kimberly and Josselyne discuss that single as well as "Good Times With Bad Boys", which was released in America after "That's What Love Can Do" had been a hit. The ladies also give their thoughts on the situation involving Johnna being positioned by the label as lead vocalist. Meanwhile, Pat & Mick returned to PWL for their annual cover version — a remake of "Shake Your Groove Thing", with Pat Sharp sharing his memories of the music video. We also hear from Mike Stock about PWL's latest signing Nancy Davis and her debut single, "If You Belonged To Me". And Steve Anderson is back on the podcast to tell the Brothers In Rhythm story and recall how he and Dave Seaman were commissioned to remix "Finer Feelings" by Kylie Minogue — and that single's connection to her post-PWL work.

Support the show

Subscribe for bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/saw
Instagram: @chartbeatsau
Threads: @chartbeatsau, @matthew_denby360
Bluesky: @chartbeatsau, @matthewdenby.bsky.social
Facebook: Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop
Email: [email protected]

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A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman - Ep 59: One Love One World to You've Got A Friend

Ep 59: One Love One World to You've Got A Friend

A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman

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08/27/23 • 58 min

They'd been on the verge of breaking through for a couple of years, and sisters Romi & Jazz had their hopes up when their record label paired them with Stock Aitken Waterman for their latest single in 1990. The siblings join us to share their musical journey — from their first steps into the industry with a bhangra meets hi-NRG remake of The Four Tops' "Reach Out", which was co-produced by former SAW associate Pete Ware, to their two initial singles with Chrysalis Records, "People In The House" and "Love Crime". Romi and Jazz talk about their aim of breaking down barriers with their fusion sound and rewriting the rule book for Asian women, despite some resistance from men in their culture to them even being onstage in the first place. Their collaboration with SAW, "One Love One World", was a club-influenced, socially conscious track born out of Romi and Jazz talking to Mike Stock and Matt Aitken about the struggles they'd faced as young Indian women. Another song with a more serious theme than you'd expect from the Hit Factory was "You've Got A Friend", a collaboration between Sonia and Big Fun (featuring Gary Barnacle on saxophone) for UK charity Childline. With help from Matt Aitken, we discuss the record and why the original track was chosen over a cover of the Carole King song of the same name, which the pop stars also recorded.

Support the show

Subscribe for bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/saw
Instagram: @chartbeatsau
Threads: @chartbeatsau, @matthew_denby360
Bluesky: @chartbeatsau, @matthewdenby.bsky.social
Facebook: Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop
Email: [email protected]

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FAQ

How many episodes does A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman have?

A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman currently has 89 episodes available.

What topics does A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman cover?

The podcast is about 90S Music, 90S, 80S, Music, Music History, Pop, Podcasts, Music Interviews and Music Commentary.

What is the most popular episode on A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman?

The episode title 'Ep 63: Step Back In Time (and Rhythm Of Love)' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman?

The average episode length on A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman is 51 minutes.

How often are episodes of A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman released?

Episodes of A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman are typically released every 14 days.

When was the first episode of A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman?

The first episode of A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman was released on May 3, 2021.

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