The Other Ones -- "Holiday"

(Not Available on iTunes)

(Debuted August 1, 1987, Peaked #29, 17 Weeks on the Charts)

"Holiday" was a hit in the autumn of 1987. At the time, I had just moved to another state and was still getting used to my new high school and distinctly remember hearing this song during that time period. It would be the only American hit The Other Ones ever had.

They were a mulitinational group, made up mainly of Australian natives, but based in Berlin, West Germany. The main vocalists were Jayney Klimek and her brother Alf. Another brother, Johnny, was in the group on bass guitar. The Australian and European connection explains the use of the term "Holiday" in the song. In the U.S., a holiday is a day off from work or school, but in places like Europe, the U.K. and Australia, the word "holiday" is synonomous with what we call a "vacation" on this side of the ocean. Perhaps this played a small part in why the song wasn't a bigger hit here.

Though I remember it, the song really doesn't stand out much from other music from 1987. It features a steady beat on a drum machine, liberal use of synthesizers and a clean production, but also an unusual use of the saxophone to accent the lyrics.