Tight Fit - The Lion Sleeps Tonight 1982

Good quality video recorded live from Top Of The Pops 1982. Tight Fit are a British pop group who had a number of hits in the early 1980s, including a UK No.1 (for three weeks) with their cover version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" in 1982. The group had two completely different line-ups - the first (a group of session singers) in 1981 and a male/female trio in 1982.

In 1981, record producer Ken Gold came up with the idea to record a single made up of a medley of 1960s songs. The medley trend was in full swing at this time, following the success of Starsound and their Stars on 45 singles. He put together a group of male/female session singers and released "Back to the 60s" under the group title, Tight Fit. The song became a hit in the summer and reached No.4 in the UK Singles Chart. A follow-up, "Back to the 60s Part 2" was released soon after and also hit the UK Top 40.

Later in the year record producer Tim Friese-Greene recorded the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" with another group of session singers. The song was released in early 1982 again under the title Tight Fit. The song gained instant attention and so a group was formed to front it. Dancer, singer and male model Steve Grant was teamed up with female singers Denise Gyngell and Julie Harris. The song reached No.1 in the UK for three weeks and the line-up were catapulted into sudden and unexpected stardom.

Satisfied that this line-up could actually sing in their own right, Friese-Greene produced their next single, "Fantasy Island" - a song which had been in the Dutch Eurovision Song Contest heats. The song, in a very similar vein to pop group ABBA, also became a success and reached No.5 in May.

The group then set about recording an album as well as rehearsing for their first tour. A third single was released in August. "Secret Heart" was not as big as a success as the previous two and stalled at No.41. The debut album was released soon after, but coincided with both Harris and Gyngell leaving the group. Both unhappy with their contract, they claimed that they were not receiving any royalties from their hits and were being paid a paltry wage to tour the world as well as recording sessions, television appearances and magazine interviews. Swiftly, two new female singers were employed to take their place and the group released another single, "I'm Undecided" - a song from the album, with new vocals. The song failed to make the UK Chart and this signalled the end of Tight Fit's brief pop stardom. In an interview, Harris stated that the public did not take to the new line-up and had she and Gyngell been still with the group, it would have likely been a hit.

The following year, Tight Fit released one more single - a cover of Stephen Stills' "Love The One You're With". Under the banner, Steve Grant with Tight Fit, the song completely missed the chart and the group duly split-up.

In 2008, members Denise Gyngell and Julie Harris reformed Tight Fit with new male member Silvio Gigante as a touring band, playing nightclubs around Britain.[8] In 2010 they are touring in a show called "Back to the Eighties", performing many well-known songs from the 1980s as well as their own hits. Steve Grant has also appeared with them at some gigs and with him, they are recording a new album for Sony Music, produced by Ross Alexander. Tight Fit are currently back in the recording studio. Recording new material as well as remixing some of their classic tracks (Fantasy Island) for a new album due to be released towards the end of August 2010 called "Now & Then". They are also currently in filming for the new series of "Pineapple Dance Studio's for SKY TV. The programme, featuring the original members, is due to air in January 2011. Please visit My other Channel. Keep Rockin!.
http://www.youtube.com/user/squizzy104?feature=mhum#p/a/u/2/6MHSf1SP2nM

Category:

Music

Tags:

• tight fit
• the lion sleeps tonight
• fantasy island
• top of the pops 1982

[gillian0511]

That one person who dislikes it has hit the wrong button by mistake

[memorylane1980s]

@gillian0511 ROFL!

[hardyfh1]

That bloke with the head band and string vest has got to be Rab C Nesbitt before he let himself go.

[memorylane1980s]

@hardyfh1 ROFL!! 

[babbyily101]

If he's gay for playing in a pride fest, are YOU gay for watching it?? Who gives a fuck if he is or not, he's got talent.

[memorylane1980s]

Sheesh! I feel sorry 4 this guy?...he's gettin some stick! all he ever did was record a song!..I think ya all jealous bastards coz he's better lookin than you uglies!! :p

[SamantharoseLarryjoe]

It's like Star Wars Sets gone Wild... hehehe...

[wild14me]

All through this he's thinking "There not paying me enough for this"

[hardyfh1]

Yes, I can confirm, that is definitely Rab C Nesbitt in his younger days. Now let that be a warning to all you kids out there on Blue Tube - leave off the Dolly Birds and the Irn Bru. The high life may look good but there's a price to be paid in later life. He was a good looking fellow, though. And what a mover. This song is guaranteed to raise a smile, and a happy memory or two. Especially for old Rab.

[chunkymunky1974]

he looks like John Barrowman's younger camper brother

[SuperPatrickmorris]

You know they ain't singing live you can blantenly see the lead singer lip sinking pmsl

[donninzagreb]

that awkward moment when you LOVE the SONG and HATE the VIDEO... this is my pick.

[vixie72]

use to love this and Fantasy Island :)

[ledzeplad]

@hardyfh1 Thats the funniest fucking comment on youtube that i have ever read!!!!.....its 02.15am and i woke the house up laughing!!!.....good one, thank you.

[vidsee]

I had a total lack of humour failure when this version came out. There was ssooo much crap music flying around at the time, pop medley's an' all. I regarded it as another rip-off stunt. Looking at it again though I can see it's tremendous fun. Headband, pistol and string vest, two stroking bimbos and the name Tight Fit. It's great. LOL! The song is an all time classic.