Kylie Minogue’s “Confide In Me” Is 20: See Steve Anderson’s Tweets About The Recording Process
Kylie Minogue staged one of the most impressive career reinventions of all time when “Confide In Me” dropped on this day (August 29) in 1994. After releasing four massively successful albums of (glorious) bubblegum pop, the Australian diva switched labels and reemerged with a haunting Brothers In Rhythm-produced indie-pop anthem that still seethes and seduces 20 years later.
Despite the startling change of genre, “Confide In Me” was an instant hit. It became the pop icon’s first number one record in Australia since 1988 and landed at number two on the UK chart. It even managed to find an audience in the US — reaching number 39 on the Billboard Club Chart. More importantly, the song finally showcased Kylie’s vocal ability (there was genuine surprise that she could, you know, actually sing) and established her as a credible artist.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Confide In Me”, Steve Anderson (one half of Brothers In Rhythm) shared some secrets about the recording process on Twitter. For starters, did you know that there’s a gated didgeridoo in the “stick or twist” breakdown? Mind blown! He also posted the original lyric sheet (above) and revealed that the much-loved B-side “If You Don’t Love Me” was recorded in one take. Learn all these is to know about the classic hit after the jump.
Steve’s fascinating tweets:
Original work in progress lyrics from the session written by @daveseaman – @kylieminogue #confide20yearsoldtoday pic.twitter.com/izIkvv9sTA
— Steve Anderson (@MrSteveAnderson) August 29, 2014
▶ Kylie Minogue Album Advert 1994 – YouTube //t.co/bWbf1CKGLA
— Steve Anderson (@MrSteveAnderson) August 29, 2014
#ConfideInMe there is a gated digeridoo in the 'stick or twist' section in the middle
— Steve Anderson (@MrSteveAnderson) August 29, 2014
#ConfideInMe nearly all of the sound effects in the intro were made in the studio including dictaphone recordings from the original session
— Steve Anderson (@MrSteveAnderson) August 29, 2014
#ConfideInMe the strings were arranged and conducted by Will Malone who also arranged Massive Attack's "Unfinished Sympathy"
— Steve Anderson (@MrSteveAnderson) August 29, 2014
#ConfideInMe the really long note in the Big Brothers mix is as recorded – she held it for as long as possible as a dare
— Steve Anderson (@MrSteveAnderson) August 29, 2014
#ConfideInMe nearly all of the final vocal is from the original demo recorded at DMC in a tiny studio when we first tried the song with her
— Steve Anderson (@MrSteveAnderson) August 29, 2014
#ConfideInMe The piano I play in the intro and "If You Don't Love Me" is a Bosendorfer that Freddie Mercury played on Bohemian Rhapsody
— Steve Anderson (@MrSteveAnderson) August 29, 2014
#ConfideInMe The violin solo was completely improvised in one take by the legendary Gavyn Wright who lead the string section at Sarm West
— Steve Anderson (@MrSteveAnderson) August 29, 2014
#ConfideInMe when @petetong first played the Big Brothers mix he remarked about it having more compartments than the orient express
— Steve Anderson (@MrSteveAnderson) August 29, 2014
#ConfideInMe the b side was recorded in one take – Kylie Minogue – If You Don't Love Me – YouTube //t.co/DPp2F023a5
— Steve Anderson (@MrSteveAnderson) August 29, 2014
Revisit “Confide In Me”:
Is “Confide In Me” one of Kylie’s best tracks? Let us know in the comments below.
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