Magical (song)

"Magical"
Single by Bucks Fizz
from the album Writing on the Wall
B-side	"Oh Suzanne"
Released	September 1985
Format	7" single, 12" single
Genre	Pop, Rock
Length	4.04
Label	RCA
Writer(s)	Meat Loaf, John Parr
Producer	Andy Hill
Bucks Fizz singles chronology
"You and Your Heart So Blue" (1985) "Magical" (1985) "New Beginning (Mamba Seyra)" (1986)

"Magical" is a 1985 single released by UK pop group Bucks Fizz. It was originally recorded and released as a single by John Parr.

Background

Following the success of the rock-orientated track "Talking in Your Sleep", Bucks Fizz were keen to replicate it with the release of this similar-themed song. Written by Meat Loaf and John Parr, this was the heaviest sound the group ever adopted. With the public still familiar with their clean-cut pop image, the move was unsuccessful and "Magical" became the group's lowest charting single. Released in September 1985, the song reached No. 57 and spent only three weeks on the chart. ^[1]

The single was significant in that it was the first release with new member Shelley Preston, who had joined a few months earlier, although she didn't perform on the recording. It was also the group's last release with label RCA before their move to Polydor early the following year.

Due to the failure of the single, plans for an album release at this time were shelved for a year. The song eventually featured on their fifth album Writing on the Wall, released in 1986. An alternative edit of the song, featuring vocals by departed member Jay Aston was uncovered during production for the album The Lost Masters 2 - The Final Cut. The song was included on the 2008 album. ^[2]

Writer John Parr recorded the song himself earlier in 1985 and released it as a single. It failed to chart in the UK but became a top 100 hit in the US, peaking at No.73. ^[3]

B-side

The B-side of the single was "Oh Suzanne", written by Warren Bacall. This song had been released two years previously on the group's Greatest Hits album. At the time of original release, it caused controversy within the group as it had featured lead vocals by Jay Aston, but they were soon after removed and replaced by a lead vocal by other female member Cheryl Baker. Years later, Aston commented on the incident and was angered by the time and money that had been spent re-recording it. In 2006, this original version was uncovered and included on the compilation; The Lost Masters, as well as an extended 12" version, hinting that it may have been considered for A-side release.

Track listing

7" vinyl

1. "Magical" (4.04)
2. "Oh Suzanne" (4.44)

12" vinyl

1. "Magical"
2. "Oh Suzanne"
3. "I Hear Talk" (extended remix)

References

1. ^ Chartstats.com - "Magical" Chart details
2. ^ Bucksfizzearlyyears - The Lost Masters 2
3. ^ Billboard.com - John Parr discography