Timex Social Club - "Rumors"

(Not Available on iTunes)

(Debuted June 14, 1986, Peaked #8, 19 Weeks on the Chart)

When the song "Rumors" came out, there were several rumors that seemed to pop up about the song. One was the identity of the people mentioned by name in the lyrics -- Michael, Tina, Susan -- and whether they were directed at celebrities like Michael Jackson, Tina Turner or Susan Anton. On the other hand, I read somewhere that the names were people from high school. Another rumor about the song was that there was a problem with the group's name that prevented royalties from being paid to them because the Timex watch company hit them with an injunction. Though that fact seems to be missing from any "official" biographies about the band, it might have some truth to it, as the group disbanded shortly afterward and a new group made up of different members called Club Nouveau popped up to take their place.

In any case, the word of mouth generated about the song was helpful enough to push it into the pop Top 10. The song was an early example of the R&B form that would soon become known as New Jack Swing. The group was formed during the members' high school days in Berkeley, California in 1982, with some rotation before "Rumors" was a hit. It ended up being their only hit, but it sure was memorable.