The 10 Best Howard Jones Songs of All-Time
Originally born on February 22, 1955, as John Howard Jones, is the Welsh musician more commonly known as Howard Jones. He was part of the second wave of the infamous British Invasion during the 1980s when they overwhelmed the North American music charts. When Jones was still a teenager, his family moved to Canada, but he went back to the UK to attend the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester during the mid-1970s. It was while there Jones met with Buddhist practitioner Bill Bryant, who was instrumental in directing Howard Jones towards his music career as he wrote many of the lyrics for Jones’ songs. Along with his three younger brothers, Howard Jones performed in the late 1970s as Red Beat. It wasn’t until 1982 Howard Jones went solo as a musician. He first performed among local venues before earning support slots with the English wavebands of China Crisis and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. Then, come 1983, Jones signed with Warner Music Group and started to record and release his own music. His debut album (Human’s Lib) was released in 1984 and has since earned Double Platinum Certification with the UK’s British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and Music Canada’s Gold Certification. The 1985 album (Dream into Action) earned for Howard Jones Platinum Certification in Canada and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), as well as Gold Certification in the UK. Still performing today, Howard Jones has so far released a total of 13 studio albums, 3 live albums, 9 compilation albums, 1 EP, and 34 singles.
10. Everlasting Love
In Canada, the single (Everlasting Love) charted as high as #3 on their music charts while with the US Billboard Hot 100 at #12. This track comes from Howard Jones’ 1989 album (Cross That Line), which also did well enough to chart at #62 with the UK Hot Singles Chart and #91 with Australia’s ARIA Charts. The most impressive spot Everlasting Love peaked at was #1 with the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart. The song was co-produced by Ian Stanley of Tears for Fears fame.
9. All I Want
Released in 1986, the single (All I Want) comes from the third album (One to One) and proves to be more favored among European music fans as it charted as high as #13 with Ireland’s Official Music Chart and #35 with the UK Singles Chart. All I Want is still charted at #76 with the US Billboard Hot 100. While it may not have charted as well as some of the other singles released by Howard Jones, it is still highly favored among his fans.
8. Hide and Seek
The debut album (Human’s Lib) of Howard Jones was first released in 1984 and the single (Hide and Seek) joins the list of hits that came from it. On the UK Singles Chart, it peaked at #12, as well as reaching chart rankings as high as #5 in Ireland and as low as #38 in the nations of Belgium and Germany.
7. Look Mama
The 1986 single (Look Mama) comes from the second album (Dream into Action) which was recorded and released in 1985 by Howard Jones. It reached #10 with the UK Singles Chart and did very well throughout the European nations, especially in Ireland as it peaked at #3. While the North American charts may not have recognized the song so much, his fans have as they often regard Look Mama as among their favorites.
6. Life in One Day
The most charted single (Life in One Day) comes from Howard Jones’ second album (Dream Into Action). Released in 1985, Life in One Day earned a solid spot on every single major music chart of its time except for Sweden. Life in One Day peaked at #3 with the Irish Singles Chart, at #14 with the UK Singles Chart, #19 with the US Billboard Hot 100, #23 with the Dutch Single Top 100 chart, #30 with Belgium’s Ultratop chart, #33 in Australia and Canada, #39 with the Official New Zealand Music Chart, #47 with Fedarazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI), and #57 with Germany’s GfK Entertainment charts.
5. No One Is to Blame
Coming from the second album (Dream into Action) from Howard Jones is the single (No One Is to Blame), which peaks as high as #1 with the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, #4 with the US Billboard Hot 100, and also #4 with the Irish Singles Chart. In Canada, No One Is to Blame charts at #5. With Australia’s ARIA, the song ranks at #9 and in the UK at #16.
4. New Song
The single (New Song) was released in September 1983. Within the UK Top 75 Singles Chart, it continued to be ranked for 20 weeks. At one point, it peaked as high as #3. In 1984, when it was finally released to the Americans, New Song peaked as high as #27 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Since its release, New Song has earned Silver Certification with UK’s British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
3. Like to Get to Know You Well
The second album (Dream into Action) brings forth its 1984 single (Like to Get to Know You Well), which has since earned Silver Certification from UK’s BPI. The song peaks at its best with Ireland as it reached #3. In the UK, it peaked at #4. Among the Australians, Like to Get to Know You Well reached #16, and at #18 in Italy. With the US Billboard Hot 100, the single reaches #59. The popularity of the song spiked even more among the fans when the single was released at the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, California, USA. It was also featured in the 1985 John Cusack film (Better Off Dead) and in the 2006 video game (Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories)
2. What Is Love?
The second single (What Is Love) coming from Howard Jones’ debut album (Human’s Lib) has earned Silver Certification from the UK’s BPI since its 1984 release. On the UK Singles Chart, it peaked as high as #2, and with the US Billboard Hot 100 at #33, What Is Love charted especially well within Europe, as it peaked at #6 in Germany, #10 in Sweden, #16 in Belgium, #17 in Ireland, and #18 in Italy. In Canada, the song reached #49.
1. Things Can Only Get Better
Howard Jones’ 1985 album (Dream into Action) sees the most commercially successful single (Things Can Only Get Better) sell over 250,000 copies to earn Silver Certification with the UK’s BPI. With the US Billboard Hot 100 and with the Irish Singles Chart, the song peaks to #5. The UK Singles Chart peaks Things Can Only Get Better at #6, while in Canada at #9. Among the vast majority of well-reputed music charts throughout the world, Things Can Only Get Better performed the best.
