Jimmy Somerville discography

Scottish recording artist Jimmy Somerville has entered the music industry as the frontman of the synth-pop act, known as Bronski Beat. Alongside, he would score an early international success with a series of top-ten hits, such as "Smalltown Boy", "Why?" and "I Feel Love Medley"; all taken from the trio's debut album, The Age of Consent (1984), as well the remix equivalent, Hundreds & Thousands (1985). A similar status enjoyed the follow-up hit singles: "Don't Leave Me This Way", "So Cold the Night" and "Never Can Say Goodbye"; these though, were recorded for the eponymous set of his later duo Communards (1986), or its Red successor (1987) yet. The singer's own full-length debut would see its eventual results at the very end of the 1980s, marking the ending of his former bands' years, or rather the beginning of his solo era since.

Until now, Somerville has released nine studio albums; mostly on London Recordings, the latters through various independent labels. One conceptual work has initially been published by himself, for a change. In addition to three remixed collections, five live albums and ten retrospective compilations, two of which are double sets, he has also delivered four extended plays (EP); these more or less self-published again. His singles discography counts to thirty-nine physical releases—excluding four promotional-only—fifteen digital and over sixty other appearances; regardless of their format. Apart from that, he has been included on three video albums, two video EPs, and has made thirty-five music videos; with three further being "captured" in just vocally.

His principal debut arrived on 27 November 1989 under title Read My Lips. The outcome spawned two top-ten compositions, namely "Comment te dire adieu", performed as a duet with June Miles-Kingston, and "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)", another revival. While the lead cover went on to be certified Silver by the Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique (SNEP), the album itself Gold by the SNEP and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI); breaking into the top-forty of the music charts in France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. The titular track, written solely by musician, received a short-running but decent response on a single of its own.

By the time The Singles Collection 1984/1990 was issued for the next Christmas season, the combining sales of all his records were estimated by Music & Media for more than six million units, with France becoming the singer's most successful territory then. Upon its release on 12 November 1990, his first best-of set continued selling streak across the European continent, earning both Platinum and Gold certifications; each twice and respectively. The first two from the French SNEP and the Swiss IFPI, the latters from the Dutch NVPI and the German BVMI. Having reached the additional top-ten spots in Austria, Belgium, Ireland and the UK, the compilation recycled for its opening single also one of the Bee Gees' songs, "To Love Somebody", and likewise the remaining "Run from Love", previously not promoted commercially.

Even though, the management had expected their artist publishing a new material already the upcoming year, Somerville semi-retired from the business for four years. His one-off projects involved him only in recording themed tunes for the feature film Orlando (1992), or a short called The Attendant (1993). Simultaneously, he contributed for a charitable EP of duets, Gimme Shelter (1993).

The singer's second studio effort, Dare to Love, was launched on 12 June 1995. Despite its favorable reviews, the album somewhat failed to match the sales of its predecessors. Having missed the top-forty, except for the UK, it ultimately became his closing release on London Recordings. The lead-off singles, however, they did make an impact, either in the dance or airplay field. While "Heartbeat" received club play on both sides of the Atlantic, topping the US Dance eventually, "Hurt So Good" cracked into the mainstream top-ten in his homeland, and turned into a radio favorite in England, too. Besides in July 1997, Somerville experienced a late comeback, after "Safe in These Arms" had been reproduced for the dancefloor via German-based SPV GmbH. Altered as "Safe", it climbed to the number-one on the Spanish singles chart, and gained him club following in the United States.

Subsequently, musician managed to secure a record deal with Gut Records, and to release a number of singles, some of which would garner attention within their genre. Among those were "Dark Sky", "Lay Down" and "Something to Live for". On 14 June 1999, his third solo album came, backed up in the U.S. later with a remix companion, Root Beer (2000). Nevertheless, unlike its supporting cuts, Manage the Damage suffered from a short-lived potential in general, and the label parted ways with their protégé. Shortly though, his rendition of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" appeared on the spare soundtrack to the TV series Queer as Folk (2000), roofed by Almighty Records. In March 2001, the song resulted in his first chart entry in almost a decade in France.

Following another four-year hiatus, Somerville—no longer part of the pop culture that brought him once a global recognition—pursued local options instead. Upon signing to Jinx Musix, he would present several further singles, particularly towards the German audience, and sealed them by introducing his forth studio set. These included "It's So Good", "Come On" and the only charting "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". Distributed through BMG in few other countries, Home Again was issued on 8 November 2004 to friendly reviews, but a limited commercial performance.

For the next years to come, much of his own output was showcased to his fanbase, primarily, in a virtual format. Apart from an acoustic collection of cover versions named Suddenly Last Summer (2009), artist also gradually published a trilogy of electronic EPs, such as Bright Thing (2010), Momentum (2011) and Solent (2012); all marketed via The Orchard online music distribution. Many of the compositions featured on those, would serve instrumental for the singer's most recent album entitled Homage, which was co-released on 6 March 2015 by German Membran and British Strike Force Entertainment to positive feedback from music critics, yet again moderate sales.