Before it was a John Hughes movie, “Pretty in Pink” was a Psychedelic Furs song. Richard Butler’s raspy, sardonic voice and the band’s wall of guitars and sax made them one of post-punk’s best bands, and eventually a pop one.
London post-punk to American radio
Brothers Richard and Tim Butler formed the Psychedelic Furs in London in 1977. Talk Talk Talk (1981) carried “Pretty in Pink”. Forever Now (1982), produced by Todd Rundgren, gave them “Love My Way”, and Mirror Moves (1984) brought “Heaven” and “The Ghost in You”. When John Hughes built his 1986 film around “Pretty in Pink”, the band re-recorded it and it became a hit all over again.
Is The Psychedelic Furs new wave?
Yes. The Psychedelic Furs began in London’s post-punk scene and became one of the best-known new wave bands of the ’80s. “Love My Way” and “Pretty in Pink” are new wave radio essentials.
The essential Psychedelic Furs
- “Pretty in Pink” (1981)
- “Love My Way” (1982)
- “Heaven” (1984)
- “The Ghost in You” (1984)
- “Heartbreak Beat” (1987)
The Psychedelic Furs today
The Butler brothers still lead the band. They released Made of Rain in 2020.
Hear The Psychedelic Furs on New Wave Radio
Request “Love My Way” and listen for the marimba.
Related: Echo & the Bunnymen · The Cure · Modern English
