Before Pretty in Pink was a John Hughes movie, it was a Psychedelic Furs song.
And no, the two don't exactly tell the same story.
In this classic Stuck in the ’80s interview, we talk with Psychedelic Furs bassist and founding member Tim Butler about the British band's rise, its distinctive sound and the songs that made the Furs one of the essential alternative-rock bands of the ’80s.
Tim Butler and The Psychedelic Furs
Formed in London in the late 1970s, The Psychedelic Furs emerged from the post-punk movement with a sound built around Richard Butler's unmistakably raspy vocals, Tim Butler's bass and a mixture of guitars, keyboards and saxophone.
Their self-titled debut arrived in 1980, followed by Talk Talk Talk in 1981.
That second album included the original version of “Pretty in Pink.”
A few years later, John Hughes borrowed the title for his 1986 movie starring Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer and Andrew McCarthy, bringing The Psychedelic Furs to an even larger American audience.
The band recorded a new version of “Pretty in Pink” for the movie's soundtrack, permanently connecting the song with one of the defining teen films of the decade.
“Love My Way” and “The Ghost in You”
Of course, The Psychedelic Furs were much more than one song.
The 1982 album Forever Now gave us “Love My Way,” one of the band's most enduring tracks and a staple of early alternative radio.
Then came Mirror Moves in 1984, featuring “The Ghost in You” and “Heaven.”
By the middle of the decade, The Psychedelic Furs occupied a fascinating place in ’80s music. They had emerged from post-punk but developed a more melodic sound that allowed them to reach mainstream listeners without losing the slightly dark, off-kilter quality that made them distinctive.
The Psychedelic Furs' ’80s Legacy
In our Tim Butler interview, the Psychedelic Furs co-founder looks back on the band's music, its evolution and the strange experience of watching one of their songs become forever associated with a Hollywood movie.
For many American fans, Pretty in Pink may have been the doorway into the Psychedelic Furs.
But once inside, there was a lot more waiting to be discovered.
And one of the most distinctive sounds to emerge from the British alternative scene of the ’80s.
But also pretty damn good.
Join Us on The ’80s Cruise
Want to spend a week surrounded by ’80s music, stars and fellow fans? Join Stuck in the ’80s aboard The ’80s Cruise for trivia, live events, podcasts and plenty of other decade-inspired fun at sea.
Use promo code STUCK when booking to receive $250 in onboard credit.
Apparently it involves a cruise ship.
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