The Best of Spandau Ballet cover

The Best of Spandau Ballet

Spandau Ballet · 1991

75 min · 18 tracks · new wave · blue-eyed soul

A polished collection of synth-driven anthems steeped in romantic melancholy and rhythmic grooves.

Why this album works

'The Best of Spandau Ballet' peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart, highlighting the band's enduring popularity despite their previous disbandment. The album features timeless tracks that have influenced the synth-pop and soul genres, cementing Spandau Ballet's legacy and securing their position as icons of the 1980s music scene.
Best for
romantic nostalgia for evenings sing-along anthems with friends dynamic collection of hits
Context
Released in 1991, 'The Best of Spandau Ballet' arrived as the band was experiencing a significant shift in their career after a breakup in 1989. This compilation celebrated their greatest hits from the early 1980s, a time when they transitioned from new wave to blue-eyed soul, solidifying their place in pop history. It represented both a retrospective acknowledgment of their impact and a strategic move to rekindle commercial success.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 To Cut a Long Story Short 3:21
  • 2 The Freeze 3:31
  • 3 Musclebound 3:54
  • 4 Chant No.1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On) Standout 4:04
  • 5 Paint Me Down 3:41
  • 6 Instinction 3:33
  • 7 Lifeline 3:19
  • 8 Communication 3:25
  • 9 True Standout 5:32
  • 10 Gold Standout 3:51
  • 11 Only When You Leave 4:47
  • 12 I'll Fly for You 5:10
  • 13 Highly Strung 4:10
  • 14 Round and Round 4:32
  • 15 Fight for Ourselves 4:22
  • 16 Through the Barricades 5:16
  • 17 How Many Lies 4:34
  • 18 Be Free with Your Love 4:36

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata