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'Til Tuesday

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'Til Tuesday
OriginBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
GenresNew wave, pop, pop rock, alternative rock
Years active1982–1990
LabelsEpic
Past membersAimee Mann
Robert Holmes
Joey Pesce
Michael Hausman

'Til Tuesday (often stylized as 'til tuesday) was an American new wave band formed in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.[1] The band, consisting of Aimee Mann (lead vocals, bass), Robert Holmes (guitar), Joey Pesce (keyboards), and Michael Hausman (drums), was active from 1982 to 1989.[1] They are best known for their 1985 hit single "Voices Carry".[2]

History

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'Til Tuesday first gained fame six months after its formation when it won Boston's WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble in 1983. Their original composition "Love in a Vacuum" (credited to all members of the group) received a fair amount of airplay on the station, and the group was eventually signed to Epic Records.[3]

"Love in a Vacuum" was re-recorded for the Epic debut album, 1985's Voices Carry; however, the title track became their breakthrough song.[1] The "Voices Carry" single peaked at number eight on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100,[4] and is said to have been inspired by an argument between Mann and Hausman, who had broken off a relationship before the album's release.[citation needed] According to producer Mike Thorne on his Stereo Society web site, "The title track was originally written and sung by Aimee as if to a woman.... The record company was predictably unhappy with such lyrics."[5]

The band became an early MTV staple with the "Voices Carry" video, which depicts a domineering boyfriend trying to convert Mann to his upper-class lifestyle; she finally lashes out at him during a concert, standing up from her seat in the audience and removing her cap to reveal her signature spiky, rat-tailed hair. The group won that year's MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist.

By the 1986 follow-up Welcome Home, Mann was beginning to write more of the songs herself and the band was moving away from the slick new wave sound of their debut.[1] But while critical reaction was generally strong, the #26 placement for the lead single, "What About Love", was a commercial disappointment, especially after the top-ten success of "Voices Carry". The album entered the U.S. top 50,[6] also a letdown after the #19 placing for their debut.[6]

After the album's release Pesce left the band and was replaced by Michael Montes. At about the same time, Mann's two-year relationship with singer-songwriter Jules Shear,[1] whom she had been dating since the release of the Voices Carry album, came to an end.[7] This breakup somewhat informed the band's final album, 1988's Everything's Different Now,[1] particularly in the song "J for Jules", though Mann insisted that not every song on the LP was about the relationship. Shear collaborated with Matthew Sweet on the album's title track; it also featured "The Other End (Of the Telescope)", a collaboration between Mann and Elvis Costello on which Costello provided a guest vocal.[1] Holmes and Montes played on every track of the album, but Holmes left before its release; for live dates, Til Tuesday was now a duo of Mann and Hausman, supported by session musicians.

While critical praise continued to flow, Everything's Different Now album peaked at No. 124 in the U.S.,[6] while the lead single "(Believed You Were) Lucky" (co-written with Shear) reached number 95.[4] 'Til Tuesday broke up in 1990 when Mann left to start her solo career.[8] She said later that her musical interests had changed, and that she was more interested in "acoustic guitar music" than the new wave pop of 'Til Tuesday.[9] Hausman, her former boyfriend, became her manager.[10] 'Til Tuesday are due to reunite for their first show in 33 years at the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena in May 2025.[11]

Personnel

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Touring members

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  • Jon Brion – guitar, bass guitar
  • Clayton Scoble – guitar
  • Dave Darby – bass guitar

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[6]
AUS
[12]
CAN
[13]
Voices Carry
  • Released: 1985
  • Label: Epic
19 81 29
Welcome Home
  • Released: 1986
  • Label: Epic
49 65
Everything's Different Now
  • Released: 1988
  • Label: Epic
124

Compilation albums

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Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[4]
AUS
[12]
CAN
[16]
"Voices Carry" 1985 8 15 15 Voices Carry
"Looking Over My Shoulder" 61
"Love in a Vacuum"
"What About Love" 1986 26 92 55 Welcome Home
"Coming Up Close" 59
"(Believed You Were) Lucky" 1988 95 Everything's Different Now
"Rip in Heaven"
"Everything's Different Now"

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 1180/1. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  2. ^ Bleggi, Doug (November 21, 2018). "Aimee Mann Interview On 25 Years Of Going Solo". Stereogum. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  3. ^ Brooks, E. (May 1985). "'til tuesday – Voices Carry (Epic)". Spin. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c "'Til Tuesday Chart History, Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  5. ^ Thorne, Mike (March 1999). "The making of Til Tuesday's Voices Carry". StereoSociety.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2008. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d "'Til Tuesday Chart History, Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  7. ^ Willman, Chris (November 20, 1988). "'Til Tuesday: Art From a Broken Heart". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 31, 2011.
  8. ^ Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: MojoBooks. p. 603. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
  9. ^ Bleggi, Doug (November 21, 2018). "'Til Today: 25 years after her solo debut, Aimee Mann looks back". Stereogum. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  10. ^ Wiltz, Teresa (February 18, 2001). "Her own Mann: independent-minded singer sheds labels". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  11. ^ DeVille, Chris (October 21, 2024). "Cruel World announces 2025 lineup with New Order, Nick Cave, and a 'Til Tuesday reunion". Stereogum. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  13. ^ RPM album chart positions:
    • Voices Carry: "RPM 100 Albums". RPM. Vol. 42, no. 26. September 7, 1985. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
    • Welcome Home: "RPM 100 Albums". RPM. Vol. 45, no. 10. November 29, 1986. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Gold & Platinum ("Til Tuesday" Search)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  15. ^ "Gold/Platinum ("Til Tuesday" Search)". Music Canada. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  16. ^ RPM singles chart positions:
    • "Voices Carry": "RPM 100 Singles". RPM. Vol. 42, no. 23. August 17, 1985. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
    • "What About Love": "RPM 100 Singles". RPM. Vol. 45, no. 7. November 8, 1986. Retrieved September 6, 2021.