Care - Whatever Possessed You (lyrics) ⭐ Ultra HD
Ian Broudie’s production provides a "majestic, often orchestral" backdrop that contrasts sharply with the bleakness of the prose.
: The creative friction between Broudie’s "gleeful commercial pop" sensibilities and Simpson’s "darker, more serious" inclinations is palpable in the song's structure, which balances catchy hooks with haunting undertones. Legacy and Aftermath
: The narrator warns, "My lies they fall like an acid rain" and describes a "tongue [that] is a dying flame," indicating a collapse of communication and the toxic residue of a failed bond. Care - Whatever Possessed You (Lyrics)
"Whatever Possessed You" is a haunting mid-80s masterpiece by the Liverpool duo , comprised of vocalist Paul Simpson and producer/guitarist Ian Broudie. Released in early 1984, the track serves as a poignant epitaph for the band itself; Simpson famously walked out on the group just as the single hit the shops, leading to the shelving of their nearly completed debut album. The song’s lyrics and composition are a masterclass in neo-psychedelic gloom and romantic despair. The Winter of Discontent: Lyrical Themes
The tracks intended for their lost album, Love Crowns and Crucifies , were eventually collated and released in 1997 on the compilation Diamonds & Emeralds , preserving this frozen moment of 80s melancholia for future listeners. Care: Whatever Possessed You - Spiralphoria - WordPress.com "Whatever Possessed You" is a haunting mid-80s masterpiece
: The track features "explosive, melodious 12-string guitars" and "eastern sounding chimes". This creates a lush, shimmering wall of sound that reviewers have described as the "missing link" between the brooding post-punk of Joy Division and the grandiosity of Echo & the Bunnymen.
: The setting is established with "November cold frost bites" and a bed described as "colder than chloroform". This medical/chemical metaphor suggests a numbing, artificial state of grief. The Winter of Discontent: Lyrical Themes The tracks
Despite its brilliance, "Whatever Possessed You" failed to reach the commercial heights of their Top 50 hit "Flaming Sword". It has since become a cult classic, particularly in Japan and the Philippines. For Simpson, the song's themes of corrosion and coldness were mirrored in his own life—he was reportedly involved in a "self-destructive relationship" during the recording, which contributed to his sudden departure from the band.
