#whiteonblonde

[texastheband]

Texas in Concert: MTV Rock Am Ring, July 1997

[bypetchiensky]

Sharleen Spiteri, 1997

[charmingbutdead]

i always have so many artists to list to the questions

"what music do you like?"

yet i never end up listening Texas despite white kn blonde is like my go to CD to have on in the background

[cupboardblender]

[texastheband]

Texas in Concert: T in The Park, July 1997

[texastheband]

On April 7, 1997 ’Halo’ single was released!

It was written by Sharleen Spiteri and Johnny McElhone. Produced by Texas and Mike Hedges.

"Besides the Glasgow sessions, Texas sent a demo of Halo to producer Mike Hedges - the band loved what he had achieved on the Manic Street Preachers' Everything Must Go. Hedges was keen to work on the track, but felt he couldn't improve on what he heard as a finished song. Instead, he simply upgraded the demo, and added his customary swirling strings." - Dotmusic, January 1997

The single picked at #10 and spent 8 weeks in the UK charts.

The music video was directed by David Mould, who previously worked on the band’s ‘Say What You Want’ main version video.

The video was filmed on the streets of Hong Kong and was massively inspired by the Wong Kar-wai film Chungking Express.

"[Halo] is just as infectious as [Say What You Want] with building strings and one of the strongest hooks currently going. Texas have a knack of making songs which fit radio perfectly, and this one makes Sharleen Spiteri's voice virtually jump out of the speakers. As big a hit as the last one." - Music & Media, 1997

"This simply-structured, classic-sounding single produced by Mike Hedges boasts another breathtaking vocal from Sharleen Spiteri, and can only further emphasise what a superb comeback White On Blonde is.' - Music Week, 1997

"Radio-friendly [single] with strings and brass [that] combine with Debbie Harry-ish vocals to make the perfect breezy summer hit." - Sunday Mirror, 1997

Official release included b-sides 'Asking for Favours', 'Coming Down', 'Halo (Orchestral version)', 'Halo (Remix By Florent Prabel)', 'Halo (Rae & Christian Mix)'.

Watch Performances Compilation: 1, 2

Lyrics; Buy at Discogs

[texastheband]

Texas - Halo (Rae & Christian Mix) B-side from ‘Halo’ single

Where to buy: at Discogs

[texastheband]

Texas - Halo (Orchestral version) B-side from ‘Halo’ single

Lyrics: Genius

Where to buy: at Discogs

[texastheband]

On July 28, 1997 ’Black Eyed Boy’ single was released!

It was written by Sharleen Spiteri, Johnny McElhone, Eddie Campbell, Richard Hynd and Robert Hodgens. Produced by the band itself.

The single picked at #5 in the UK and reached Top 50 in Australia, Belgium, France, Ireland, Israel and Sweden.

The music video was directed by Karen Lamond, who later worked on the band's 'Put Your Arms Around Me' video.

"Texas immerse themselves in Motown on this thumpingly catchy Supremes-sounding groove, conjuring up a perfect summer gift for radio... Sharleen plays Diana Ross on the stand-out track from White On Blonde, its Motownalike euphoria pumped up even further in this single version. Will send the album shooting back up the chart." - Music Week magazine, 1997

"[Black Eyed Boy is] little more than the Supremes-by-numbers." - The Times, 1997

Official release included b-sides 'Sorry', 'Fameless', 'Black Eyed Disco' and 'Say What You Want (Acoustic Version)'.

Watch Performances Compilation: 1, 2, 3, 4

Lyrics; Buy at Discogs

[texastheband]

Scans from Best magazine November 1997 issue: ‘Tex Mix’

Photography by Elle Von Unwerth.

[texastheband]

Texas - Halo (Remix By Florent Prabel) B-side from ‘Halo’ single

Where to buy: at Discogs

[texastheband]

Texas - Coming Down B-side from ‘Halo’ single

Lyrics: Genius

Where to buy: at Discogs

[texastheband]

Halo: Performances Compilation Part 2

[texastheband]

Halo: Performances Compilation Part 1

[texastheband]

Texas - Say What You Want (Acoustic Version) B-side from ‘Black Eyed Boy’ single

Where to buy: at Discogs

[texastheband]

Texas - Black Eyed Disco B-side from ‘Black Eyed Boy’  single

Where to buy: at Discogs