True (Spandau Ballet song)
Released 14 April 1983
Format
7″12″
Recorded October–November 1982
Genre New wave
Length
4:58 (promo 45 edit)
5:39 (single version)
6:08 (12-inch version)
6:29 (album version)
Label Chrysalis
Songwriter(s) Gary Kemp
Producer(s) Jolley & Swain
“True” is a song by the English band Spandau Ballet. It was released on 14 April 1983 as the third single from their third studio album of the same name. The song was written by band member Gary Kemp.
The song was a huge worldwide hit, peaking at number one in the UK Singles Chart on 30 April 1983 for four weeks, becoming the sixth-biggest-selling single of the year, and charting highly in 20 other countries. It is Spandau Ballet’s biggest hit and their only major hit in the U.S., reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in the autumn of 1983 and topping the adult contemporary chart for one week.
In 1985, the band performed the song during Live Aid. A new mix by Tony Swain and Gary Kemp was released in 2002 on the compilation album Reformation.
On 30 April 2008, the single celebrated its 25th anniversary, and in honour, EMI released a brand new True EP on 5 May 2008, which included the original single, the new mix found on Reformation and the remastered album version, plus a live recordings of “True” and “Gold” from the last show of the group’s 1983 tour at Sadlers Wells.
A notable omission is that Spandau Ballet bassist Martin Kemp did not perform on the track; rather, a bass synthesiser was used instead. However, Kemp appeared in the Music Video playing guitar and would play in his capacity for future live performances.
Track listing
7″: Chrysalis / SPAN1 (UK)
Side one
“True” – 5:40
Side two
“Lifeline (edities remix for U.S.A.)” – 3:34
7″: Chrysalis / VS4 42720 (US)
Side one
“True” – 5:40
Side two
“Gently” – 4:01
12″: Chrysalis / SPANX1 (UK)
Side one
“True” – 6:30
Side two
“Lifeline (remix edited for U.S.A.)” – 5:15
“Lifeline (a capella)” – 2:01
1991 CD: Chrysalis / CHSCD 3793 (UK)
“True (edit)” – 5:36
“Lifeline (edited remix)” – 3:39
“Heaven is a Secret” – 4:24
“Pleasure” – 3:30
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