True (Spandau Ballet song)

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“True”
Single by Spandau Ballet from the album True
Released	1983
Format	7", 12"
Recorded	1982
Genre	New Wave, Synthpop
Length	6:29
Label	Chrysalis Records
Writer(s)	Gary Kemp
Producer	Jolley & Swain
Spandau Ballet singles chronology
"Gold" (1982) "True" (1983) "Communication" (1983)

"True" by the band Spandau Ballet is the title cut from their most popular album from 1983. Composed by group leader Gary Kemp, it is a six-minute (in its original album version) slow ballad-like love song that in part pays tribute to the late Motown artist Marvin Gaye and the sound he helped to establish. The song was recorded before Gaye's murder a year later. This was a huge worldwide hit peaking at #1 in 21 countries, including in the UK for four weeks and in Australia. It was their biggest and most remembered hit in the US, reaching #4 in 1983. The group has been forever branded as one hit wonders there as a result despite having several. The band performed the then two-year old song during Live Aid. A new mix by Tony Swain and Gary Kemp was released in 2002 on the compilation album Reformation.

It has been covered and/or sampled by:

• 1991 by PM Dawn on the single "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss"
• 1997 by Backstreet Boys on the single "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss"
• 1997 by Queen Pen featuring Chico DeBarge on the single "It's True"
• 1997 by Shades on the single "Serenade"
• 1998 by Alex Braydon on the single "True"
• 1999 by Fleetwood Mac featuring Bill Clinton
• 1999 by Underworld 805 Family on the single "True"
• 2002 by Perry La Marca Orchestra on the single "True"
• 2003 by Arnee Hidalgo on the single "True"
• 2003 by Duvall on the single "True"
• 2004 by will.i.am & Fergie from Black Eyed Peas
• 2004 by Silkk the Shocker on the single "Be There"
• 2005 by Nelly on the single "N Dey Say"
• 2005 by Paul Anka on the album Rock Swings
• 2005 by Cary Brothers on the single, "True"
• 2005 by Gary Kemp on the soundtrack "Le Demon De Midi"
• 2006 by Sister South (Shelly Colvin and Sarah Cardenas)
• 2006 by Lloyd on the single "You"
• 2006 by Z-Ro on the single, "Continue 2 Roll"
• 2006 by Thomas Anders on the single, "True"
• 2007 by Celsius on the single, "True"
• 2007 by Soul:ID on the single, "True"
• 2008 by Joanna Wang Ruo Lin on the single, "True"

• Also, American rapper Lil' Ray said he would sample the song in his future fourth album The Storm Is Over.

[edit] In the media

Versions of "True" have featured in:

[edit] Film

• Sixteen Candles (1984)
• The Wedding Singer (1998)
• Charlie's Angels (2000)
• Not Another Teen Movie (2001)
• Grind (2003)
• Duplex (2003)
• 50 First Dates (2004)
• The Two Jokers (2004) (shown on end and continued on credits)
• Sky High (2005)
• Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector (2006)
• Wedding Crashers (2006)

[edit] Television

• King of Queens
• Shameless
• The Office
• The Simpsons (twice)
• Veronica Mars
• Spin City
• MTV Cribs
• Psych
• Guerra dos Sexos (1983 Brazilian soap opera)
• Romeo!
• Spaced
• Two Pints of Lager & a Packet of Crisps
• Gilmore Girls
• Ugly Betty
• Top of the Pops - It was the number one single on the 1,000th edition of Top of the Pops.

Preceded by "Let's Dance" by David Bowie

UK number one single April 24, 1983

Succeeded by "Candy Girl" by New Edition