Tom Robinson - Tango an der Wand (7", 1981)

Tomorrow is the 30th anniversary of German reunification. The single "Tango an der Wand" is a spotlight on the divided Germany.

Thomas Giles Robinson (born 1 June 1950) is a British singer-songwriter, bassist, radio presenter and long-time LGBT rights activist, best known for the hits "Glad to Be Gay", "2-4-6-8 Motorway", and "Don't Take No for an Answer", with his Tom Robinson Band. He later peaked at No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart with his solo single "War Baby".

In 1980, Robinson organised Sector 27, a less political rock band that released a critically acclaimed but unsuccessful album, "Sector 27", produced by Steve Lillywhite. The band nevertheless received an enthusiastic reception at a Madison Square Garden concert with The Police. However, their management company went bankrupt, the band disintegrated, and Robinson suffered another nervous breakdown. Desolate, in debt, and sorrowing from a breakup with a beau, Robinson fled to Hamburg, Germany, much like his idol David Bowie had escaped to Berlin at a low point in his life. Living in a friend's spare room, he began writing again and ended up working in East Berlin with local band NO55. He released the single "Tango an der Wand" in German language.

In 1982, Robinson penned the song "War Baby" about divisions between East and West Germany, and recorded his first solo album "North by Northwest" with producer Richard Mazda. "War Baby" peaked at No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart and at No. 1 in the UK Indie Chart for three weeks, reviving his career.

Tracklist:

A Tango An Der Wand 3:38
B Alptraum Tango Dub 3:52


Tom Robinson - Tango an der Wand (7", 1981)
(192 kbps, cover art included)