Barbershop Bop: The Timeless Charm of Naked Eyes' “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me”

The other day, I found myself at the barbershop getting a haircut, and in the midst of the usual chatter and hum of clippers, the song "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" by Naked Eyes started playing.

It’s not universally recognized as one of the mega-hits of the era, but it always hits just right. This time was no exception. Suddenly, everyone in the shop was either swaying, tapping their feet, or even dancing. The older folks like me were lip-syncing the lyrics. It was an unexpected yet beautiful moment of bonding. Great music has a way of doing that.

This classic tune, originally written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, has a rich history. The song was first recorded by Lou Johnson in 1964 and then by Sandie Shaw, who took it to number one in the UK. Naked Eyes, a new wave duo from the early '80s, reinvented the song with a synth-pop flair, making it a major hit in the U.S., peaking at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983.

The story of Naked Eyes' version is quite interesting. Pete Byrne and Rob Fisher recorded it as a demo in 1982, getting the lyrics read over the phone by a friend. They were eventually signed to EMI and recorded the track at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. Despite some technical challenges in replicating their studio sound live, Naked Eyes' version remains a memorable piece of the '80s music scene.

So, let’s put "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" on the mixtape. Thank you, Naked Eyes, for that unforgettable barbershop moment.