The Lover Speaks

If Annie Lennox hadn't covered the Lover Speaks' "No More I Love Yous," the band could've become another forgotten British new wave act from the '80s. The Lover Speaks joined the list of one-hit wonders mainly due to record-label indifference; the public didn't hear anything beyond the group's self-titled 1986 debut. David Freeman (vocals) formed the Lover Speaks in 1985 with Joseph Hughes (arranger, composer). Freeman and Hughes had previously been involved in the punk outfit the Flys. A demo tape from the Lover Speaks was sent to Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics; after the cassette was forwarded to producer Jimmy Iovine, the band was signed to A&M Records in 1986. Iovine produced the group's eponymous first album, an LP highlighted by Freeman's rich, soulful croon. "No More I Love Yous" landed at number 58 on the U.K. charts, and the Lover Speaks toured with the Eurythmics. The Lover Speaks recorded a second album, The Big Lie; however, A&M Records refused to release it. In 1988, the Lover Speaks split up. Freeman then pursued a solo career, recording a number of solo albums in the '90s. In 1995, Annie Lennox produced a successful remake of "No More I Love Yous" for her Medusa album. ~ Michael Sutton