I had been listening to “The NeverEnding Story” theme song long before “Stranger Things” series made it a crucial part of its plot – if you know what I mean 😉 – so I’m really grateful and happy that the very artist who sang it accepted my invitation, becoming the first person featured in my new cycle: “Speedy Seven”. Limahl (Christopher Hamill) managed to win the hearts of millions of fans all over the world, first as the lead singer of British band Kajagoogoo, later as a solo artist. His music is used in popular TV shows, his concerts prove that he still has great charisma and artistic energy, and this year has recently brought us a song that can definitely become his next big hit – “Still In Love”. We talk about summer memories, concerts in Poland, summer movies and music, and his new single.
Łukasz Garbol: What do you love summer for?
Limahl: Everything, of course, it’s warmer, more outdoor life in general, cycling, flowers, canal/river walks, picnics, the coastal town visits (because we are a small island, we have so many choices). I also usually perform more at outdoor summer music events (a great atmosphere).
Are there any specific sounds, tastes or scents that come to your mind when you think of your childhood summers?
Interesting question. I would say the smell of the sea – I recall our regular summer vacations with the whole family to the south of the UK, an area called Cornwall, with many beautiful beaches, and quaint small villages. The taste would be of the famous ‘Cornish Cream Tea’ which is a Scone (a sort of sweet bread usually with currants) plus jam and clotted cream (thicker cream than normal). This is clearly bad for a diet but great as an occasional reward ☺️
Speaking of memories, what are your best memories from summer concerts in Poland?
I am always treated with such affection and respect in Poland so I feel very comfortable there. I spend so much time there I could apply for Polish/British citizenship lol. I remember a summer festival in Sopot with Kajagoogoo in 2008 (ŁG: Sopot Festival), great production and responses/excitement from the audience. Zakopane in December 2017 was also amazing because the day before we arrived, loads of fresh snow had just arrived and it looked like something from Disney. I posted a couple of iPhone videos on my social media pages from my hotel balcony – the reactions were great (you can find the links to Limahl’s social media below the interview).
Did you have a chance to go sightseeing a little bit during your visits to Poland?
It’s one of my rules, when I travel for work, I always try and have at least one or two days to be a tourist. I love architecture and history so I’m happy anywhere with some of that. I’ve been a tourist in Warsaw for a few days and of course Krakow is stunning. I rented an electric tricycle in Krakow which was perfect for getting around the park and quaint streets.
One of your greatest hits is the theme song to The NeverEnding Story movie. Not only is this song a huge hit, but the movie itself is a cult film, often shown in cinemas or aired on TV in the summer. What about your favorite summer flicks? Were there any summer movies that you loved when you watched them on the big screen as a kid?
Oh boy ! I have seen so many movies over the years, almost impossible to pick one BUT of course I’m old enough to remember the summer when the original movie Grease was released, I think I watched it 3 times in one week lol – I was only 18 or 19 years old at the time. Because I wanted to be a successful musician/songwriter, I was very inspired by the songs and craftsmanship of the music production and arrangements.
Which songs by other artists make you think of summer holidays?
Many from my summer holidays with the family as a kid – so they are:
“Laughter In The Rain” – Neil Sedaka
“Beach Baby” – First Class
“Dizzy” – Tommy Roe
“I’m Still Waiting” – Diana Ross
“Yesterday Once More” – The Carpenters
“You Can Do Magic” – Limmie & Family Cookin’
“Like Sister And Brother” – The Drifters
“Smarty Pants” – First Choice
“Rock Your Baby” – George McCrae
“Rock The Boat” – The Hues Corporation
“You Make Me Feel Brand New” – The Stylistics
One of the fresh summer (and not only summer) hits of this year can certainly be your new single “Still In Love”. Could you say a few words about this song and the music video that accompanies it?
The song doesn’t beat about the bush and deals head on with that shitty painful, dark side of love that most of us have experienced. During the songwriting process the verse mood came along first and then we stumbled on this lovely feeling of optimism at the chorus, even though the chorus lyric is a sort of lament. And that’s the stuff you can’t plan for. As musicians/songwriters, we are basically digging around for exactly these moments where interesting harmonics occur between the instruments and the vocals. My German co-producer Miro Markus and I wrote the song in the last couple of years.
In the video I play a sort of narrator character telling this story of unrequited love. I love dancing as an art form, ballet, contemporary, tap, etc. so we feature the lovely Cameron & Eliza who communicate the story physically/energetically/sexually. If song lyrics rhyme, dance too can be poetry in motion.
Thank you very much for the talk and making one of my interview dreams come true 🙂
by Łukasz Garbol, August 2020
Check Limahl’s official website and his social media:
Photo 1 – Reybee, Inc. / Limahl’s Facebook page, photo 2 – a frame from “Never Ending Story” music video, photo 3 – a frame from “Still In Love” music video (directed by The Bashford Twins). All photo copyrights belong to their respective owners.
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