[1980] Lio - Amoureux Solitaires [102 444-100]

[1980] Lio - Amoureux Solitaires [102 444-100]

A1: Amoureux Solitaires - 3:40
B1: Petite Amazone - 3:13

This is a European 7" (Ariola 102 444-100), ripped to 16/48 FLAC in November 2012.

I think it's a law in France that the pop charts must always contain at least one child or one total sexpot. In the early 1980s, the latter role was often filled by Portugal-born, Belgian-raised Wanda De Vasconcelos, stage name Lio.

She was initially known for a novelty hit called "Le Banana Split". Her next big hit was this one, a similarly cutesy-wootsey pop ditty called "Amoureux Solitaires".

In the late '70s and early '80s there was a lot of light, synthesizer-based pop music like this in France. Calling it "synth-pop" makes it sound like it's part of the post-punk movement, which it's not, so I try to avoid that term. It's more like pure pop that just happens to be synthesizer based. There was a more experimental side to this French scene as well, but you won't hear any of that here.

I suggest you check out the TV appearance in which Lio bops around in her underpants. Was she good at singing, dancing, or lip-syncing on TV? I really don't know. All I know is I feel very dirty after watching that clip.