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Suzanne Fellini

by Suzanne Fellini

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CharlesFVincent
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CharlesFVincent This can be listened to as a New Wave concept album about a woman who embarks on a hot romance, but her bad-boy love sours, she chooses independence, and roller skates away.
The singing is little like Lene Lovich—sometimes half-spoken, sometimes belted out in vibrant melody. Stands up as a hidden gem of New York-flavoured pop/rock, in with Blondie, Benatar, Scandal, and with chops like Manchester where needed.
Solid musicianship throughout, with especially powerful and energetic drums.
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  • Full Digital Discography

    6
    releases

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    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Bad Influence, Something's Over, Permanent Damage, Give Me The Light, Love On The Phone, and Suzanne Fellini. , and , .

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1.
Double Take 03:24
lyrics
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Lots of guys pass through here Some are bad and some are queer But that one Look at that one That one with the black pants on He really has me going strong That one Look at that one; he's a double take Lately it's so hard to find A guy with looks who's got a mind But that one; look at that one He really looks like he's so smart I hope he doesn't break my heart That one; look at that one He's a double take Check him out Want a new romance Check him out Gotta take a chance Check him out Check him out He's a double take Double take Some of them are much too straight Some of them they just can't wait But that one Look at that one I could give him sympathy If he'd only come with me That one; look at that one He's a double take Check him out I want a new romance Check him out Got to take a chance Check him out Check him out He's a double take Double take Check him out Here he comes again Check him out Looking for a friend Check him out Check him out He's a double take Double take
2.
First Kiss 04:15
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It was nothing like I ever felt before As soon as it was over I wanted some more He closed his eyes But his lips just couldn't miss He gave me the first kiss, the first kiss He turned on the flame He started the game I won't be the same since he gave me O-oh, he gave me the first kiss It was nothing like I ever felt before From the moment he touched me I knew it for sure He's the only one can make me feel like this My heart stopped beating When he gave me, o-oh, he gave me the first kiss The first kiss He turned on the flame He started the game I won't be the same since he gave me He gave me the first kiss You never know when it will happen You don't get time to prepare All of a sudden he's there and he's close, so close He's so close to you You feel him everywhere It was nothing like I ever felt before He had me burning, down to the core It got so hot that I could not resist I loved him deeply as he gave me O-oh, he gave me the first kiss, the first kiss
3.
Bad Influence 03:36
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Just because you play your music real loud Just because you're running with a black leather crowd Just because you dye your hair blue and red Just because you got an idea in your head They say that you're a bad influence They say that you're a bad influence They say you're way out of line Bad influence You know you're doing just fine Bad influence, bad influence Just because you pierce your nose or your lip Just because you give your teachers a fit Just because you sleep with your fender guitar Just because you've gone a little too far They say that you're a bad influence They say that you're a bad influence They say you're way out of line Bad influence You know you're doing just fine Bad influence, bad influence You're born too soon And you're up too late You'd really rather be in another state Your mama takes you to a shrink Trying to teach you how to think Bad influence, bad influence Just because you're wailing alien sounds Just because you're always breaking new ground Just because you're energized and you're high Just because you'd like to spit in their eye They say that you're a bad influence They say that you're a bad influence They say you're way out of line Bad influence You know you're doing just fine Bad influence, bad influence You know we need you as a bad influence Bad influence You're just ahead of your time You're just ahead of your time
4.
Love On The Phone 02:59
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Miles and miles away from you You know I'd fly there if you told me to We speak on the phone but where is your body Help me Help me It's so hard when I'm feeling on fire and all I can hold is the telephone wire It's so hard being almost alone and lying here in the dark Making love on the phone Love on the phone Making love on the phone Love on the phone I call your number and its rings once or twice You answer softly and your voice sounds so nice You whisper sweet things and you tell me what to do and I respond and make love to you I know you want me I know you care I'm over here you're over there You know I want you Cause you're the best Hang on a minute I'll get undressed Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No! It's so hard when I'm feeling on fire and all I can hold is the telephone wire It's so hard being almost alone and lying here in the dark Making love on the phone Love on the phone Making love on the phone Love on the phone Long distance loving it's not ideal but just the same we like how it feels I am a woman and you are my man I guess were doing the best we can Making love on the phone Love on the phone Love on the phone Love on the phone
5.
Crazy 03:48
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I wasn't looking for love I wasn't looking for you You're not the one in my dreams You weren't one of my schemes I wasn't looking for love I wasn't looking for - It's crazy But you're the one that I love I wanted somebody hot I wanted somebody cool He would be bigger than you He would know just what to do I wanted somebody hot I wanted somebody crazy But you're the one that I love You make me feel You are the one that's right The one that's real You make me feel You are the one that's right The one that's real You make me feel You are the one that's right The one that's really crazy But you're the one that I It's crazy You are the one that I Crazy You are the one that I love I was alone for so long And just nothing was right I was alone for so long 'Cause, baby, something was wrong I just couldn't feel Nothing was real I just couldn't feel And I was, I was going crazy I was going crazy I was going crazy I didn't think it was love I didn't think it was you It was a crazy surprise To find my love in your eyes I didn't think it was love I didn't think it was crazy But you're the one that I - It's crazy You are the one that I You make me feel You are the one that's right The one that's real You make me feel You are the one that's right The one that's real You make me feel You are the one that's right The one that's really crazy But you're the one that I It's crazy You are the one that I Crazy You are the one that I love You are the one that I love
6.
Permanent Damage 03:16
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You think you can say anything that you want You can say anything that you want You can say anything if you say I didn't mean it; I didn't mean it It's mean when you say it, baby How can you say it, baby And it won't go away No matter what you say to me, baby Sticks and stones break my bones Words tear me apart Sticks and stones break my bones But your words are doing permanent damage Permanent damage Permanent damage, permanent damage Damage to my heart You think you can scream anything in my face You can scream anything in my face You can scream anything if you scream I didn't mean it; I didn't mean it It's mean when you scream it, baby How can you scream it, baby And it won't go away No matter what you say to me, baby Sticks and stones break my bones Words tear me apart Sticks and stones break my bones But your words are doing permanent damage Permanent damage Permanent damage, permanent damage Damage to my heart Can't you see your words have weight They don't evaporate They're badly bruising You'd better stop accusing You're gonna wind up losing Can't you see you're doing damage Permanent damage Permanent damage, permanent damage
7.
Give Me The Light 03:41
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Staring at the ceiling Trying very hard to sleep But trying makes me think too hard And thinking makes me weep You know how bad the bad gets In the middle of the night You think you're going crazy Until you see the light Everything looks better in the light Sometimes I get frightened by something in the night I only see my fears I only taste my tears Take away the darkness Give me the light Give me the light Take away the darkness Give me the light In the night another nightmare You watch the demons dance In the dark there's only dreaming In the light another chance Everything feels better in the light Sometimes I get frightened by something in the night I only see my fears I only taste my tears Take away the darkness Give me the light Give me the light Take away the darkness Give me the light
8.
Bad Boy 03:13
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The only time you keep is your own You never heard of the telephone You always go away and you leave me alone Please go away and leave me alone It's too bad, but you're too bad for me It's too bad, but you're too bad I'm bad, too, But not like you You know you're too bad for me You're a bad boy I loved you but now we're through Too bad for me You're a bad boy Leave me alone You're a bad boy You can't give anymore I won't take anymore I won't take anymore It's the last straw, the last straw Oh no , oh no, oh no, oh, no more No, no more, oh, no more I got a heart You got a stone Just go away and leave me alone It's too bad, but you're too bad for me It's too bad But I'm bad, too, But not like you You know you're too bad for me You're a bad boy I loved you but now we're through Too bad for me You're a bad boy Leave me alone You're a bad boy It's too bad that you're too bad for me Too bad for me you're a bad boy
9.
I'm A Rock 04:22
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I like to move on my two feet I like the way that it feels Flying along down on my street No wings I got wheels I like to move on my own steam Rolling around, rolling wild I'm captain boss of my team I'm just a free wheeling Just a free wheeling child Sometimes I'm down, but never for long Don't hang around if you're not that strong I'm a rock, I'm a rock I'm a rock and roller skating girl I'm a rock, I'm a rock I'm a rock and roller skating girl I rise up, I rise up and roll on I like to move on my own steam Rolling around, rolling wild I'm captain boss of my team I'm just a free wheeling Just a free wheeling child Sometimes I'm down, but never for long Don't hang around if you're not that strong I'm a rock, I'm a rock I'm a rock and roller skating girl I'm a rock, I'm a rock I'm a rock and roller skating girl I rise up, I rise up and roll on I can get hurt, but I heal fast I always try to roll right past All of the things that can break my stride I just want a real good ride Sometimes I'm down, but never for long Don't hang around if you're not that strong I'm a rock, I'm a rock I'm a rock and roller skating girl I'm a rock, I'm a rock I'm a rock and roller skating girl I rise up, I rise up and roll on
10.
Something's Over 04:47
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Say goodbye to that room You've got a right to assume Something's over You turn into stone 'Cause you fear the unknown You're lying all alone 'cause something's over Though it hurts to face the ending What can you do or say? While your heart is slowly mending Nothing saves the day There's nothing left to say It's over. It's over. It's over, all over. It's over. Don't turn around You won't hear a sound It's an old battleground when something's over You've bled enough Don't make it rough You've got to get so tough when something's over Though it hurts to face the ending What can you do or say? While your heart is slowly mending Nothing saves the day There's nothing left to say It's over. It's over. It's over, all over. It's over. It's over, all over. It's over.

about

Suzanne Fellini only recorded one album during her musical career. One hit single came from her self titled album in 1980 called "Love On The Phone", this is a cut called "First Kiss" from her album, actually one of my favorites on the album.

As Days of Broken Arrows once said:

Sometime around the start of 1980, radio stations started playing the hell out of a semi-novelty new wave song called "Love on the Phone." Then they stopped playing it almost immediately.

The song, it turned out, was by an unknown singer named Suzanne Fellini. It pretty much stayed that way for Fellini. She's still unknown.

"Love on the Phone," which Fellini co-wrote, only got to #87 on the pop charts, where it had a two-week run. Fellini is remembered in Joel Whitburn's "Top Pop Hits" reference book only as being "songstress from New York City." "Love on the Phone" was also released on her self-titled debut album. That was her only LP. According to Discogs, it came out in a whole bunch of countries, and five of its songs were pulled as singles, but it's never been re-released on CD.

As albums go, Suzanne Fellini is a pretty generic major label release from its era, sort of a more generic Blondie or Huey Lewis and the News with female vocals. There's a little '50s camp ("First Kiss"), hyped-up "bad-ass" rockers ("Permanent Damage," "Bad Boy"), and the requisite would-be hit ("Love on the Phone").

Why was "Love on the Phone" not a bigger hit? There's never a clear-cut answer to such questions. Maybe the tempo moved a bit too fast for mass consumption (new wave might have been snappy at the time, but Top 40 mostly wasn't). Maybe Fellini's semi-spoken vocal was perplexing to the masses who hadn't heard Lene Lovich or the Bush Tetras (and have probably still never heard of them). Maybe the sex kitten image she cultivated on her album and picture sleeves was too in-your-face for its time.

Or maybe it was her record label. "Love on the Phone" was a Casablanca release. That company was associated with both disco and KISS, both of which were falling rapidly out of fashion by 1980. On top of that, the company's founder, Neil Bogart, had left by this time and their releases were less successful than in the Casablanca's heyday.

"Love on the Phone" and its accompanying LP are definitely products of their time. But if you like the sound of that time, you should like this album.

In that light, this album can be placed alongside efforts by one- or two-album acts like Scott Wilk & the Walls, the Orchids, Bugs Tomorrow, Sue Saad & the Next, or D.B. Cooper. All these acts had their moments. While none were brilliant, none were bad by any means, and all of 'em have grown more interesting over the years due to the simple fact that people don't sing or play like this anymore. At least not without a healthy dose of irony thrown in.

Fellini herself seems to have dropped into total obscurity, which is odd in an age where virtually anyone who had any success in the past can drum up some sort of revival via the Internet. Someone did make her a Facebook fan page, which has some rare scans of 45 picture sleeves...and a whopping 61 likes as of this writing.

There's no word on whether rock writers have looked up her number only to find the line busy, because she was still on the phone.

credits

released May 1, 1980

Credits

Arranged By, Written-By, Keyboards – Jeff Waxman*
Backing Vocals – David Sonenberg, Eric Troyer, Jeff Waxman*, Rory Dodd, Suzanne Fellini
Bass – Hugh McDonald
Drums, Percussion – Barry Lazarowitz
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Sid McGinnis
Producer, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Steve Burgh
Written-By – David Sonenberg, Enid Futterman (tracks: A5 to B4), Johanna Deneroff (tracks: A1 to A3)
Written-By, Vocals – Suzanne Fellini

Notes
Gold stamp on back cover, at bottom-left:
LOANED FOR PROMOTION ONLY
Not For Sale
Ownership And All Rights Reserved

"Promotional Copy Not For Sale" under catalog # on right side of label

Recorded and Mixed at Power Station, New York City

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Suzanne Fellini

Released her only one self-titled album that includes "Love On The Phone" in 1980. Discontinued as a solo artist and became a session background singer for Peter Criss. Retired in 1983.

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