Pleasure

The song Pleasure by Spandau Ballet stands out for its fusion of sounds evoking soul and R&B, influences that its composer and guitarist, Gary Kemp, decided to explore after realizing that his initial audience, lovers of dance music, had lost interest. This shift in direction took place during the recording of the album True, released on March 4, 1983. The incorporation of the saxophone, driven by the interest of his bandmate Steve Norman, also added a distinctive touch that enriched the band’s sound, taking it to a new level of musical sophistication.

The recording of Pleasure took place primarily at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas, an environment that provided a relaxed and creative atmosphere for the process. Kemp felt liberated from the pressure of composing for a specific audience and allowed himself to experiment with new styles, resulting in a song that distances itself from their past in dance music. At 3:33 in length, Pleasure encapsulates the essence of an era in which Spandau Ballet sought to redefine their musical identity, achieving a sound that would resonate in the 1980s pop scene.