Howard Jones Songs Ranked
John Howard Jones (born 22 February 1955) is a Welsh musician, singer, and songwriter. He had ten top 40 hit singles in the UK between 1983 and 1986; six of those 10 singles reached the top ten, including, “What Is Love?”, “New Song”, and “Things Can Only Get Better”. His 1984 album Human’s Lib reached number one on the UK Albums Chart. Around the world, Jones had 15 top 40 hit singles between 1983 and 1992. The 1986 hit single “No One Is to Blame” reached no. 4 on the US charts. Four others placed in the US top 20. Jones is associated with the 1980s Second British Invasion of the US. He has been described by AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine as “one of the defining figures of mid-’80s synth-pop.” He performed at the historic Live Aid concert in 1985. Here are all of Howard Jones’ songs ranked.
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10. Tears to Tell (In the Running, 1992)
“I must tell the music loving public that of all Howard Jones material this song is fab!!!! his hair isn,t what it was back in the day of the 80,s . Now it is by 1993 sober & like mine short and silvered hair!!!!. Definitely his best ever effort!!!”
9. Pearl in the Shell (Human’s Lib, 1984)
“Those just might be real drums on this Howard Jones single and I’m sure the horns are too. Either way, they add some pizzazz to this number, which dares to introduce an element of doubt to the usual soft-soap hope he usually peddles. There’s even an authentic desultory sax solo in this fine, almost hard-hitting number, one of his best.”
8. You Know I Love You, Don’t You? (One to One, 1986)
“Reminiscent of the work of Level 42, this Howard Jones single is carried by a brisk beat augmented by parping horns and synth blasts, cooling down for a passable chorus.”
7. Like to Get to Know You Well (The 12″ Album, 1984)
“Very much influenced by the in-vogue calypso-pop sound of Culture Club, here’s another bright sunny tune by the eternal optimist Howard Jones. With a once-heard, not-forgotten chorus and nice vocal arrangement this was an obvious but deserved late summertime hit.”
See more: Howard Jones Albums Ranked
6. Life in One Day (Dream into Action, 1985)
“Sort of “New Song Redux” – another catchy synth melody, and enough positivity to make a grouch crack a smile, at least for a bit. Soulful backing vocals make this one more distinctive, although the “gets to the heredity bone” line still doesn’t sound right to me.”
5. Everlasting Love (Cross That Line, 1989)
“For me this particular song title will always be owned by Love Affair out of Robert Knight, but this is nonetheless a pleasant synth pop tune by Howard Jones. There’s a nice chorus bordering on the singalong and a throwback breakdown reminiscent of his earliest singles although I’d personally summarise it more as a temporary like than an everlasting love.”
4. What is Love? (Human’s Lib, 1984)
“A minor synth-pop classic from Mr Mullett Howard Jones. Sure the lyric is as twee as a Hallmark card, but that piping synth-driven melody, harmonised vocals and swooping chorus all made this stand out against some of the more serious-minded po-faced chart acts of the time.”
3. No One Is to Blame (One to One, 1986)
“Produced as if you didn’t know by hot producer of the day Phil Collins, this is an affecting ballad by Howard Jones. Collins layers limpid keyboards, atmospheric background synth washes, rhythm box and stabbing guitar bursts with his own trademark drums to create a sympathetic setting for Jones’ own gently yearning vocal.”
2. Things Can Only Get Better (Dream into Action, 1985)
“Another chin-up number from HoJo (how many did this guy have?). This one has a more complex arrangement, with a heavy horn chart and plenty of backing vocals. Occasionally, the backing makes the lyrics tough to suss out, but that’s a minor quibble. Fun sing-along portion, too.”
1. New Song (New Song, 1983)
“Let’s make things perfectly clear. New song is a song that rightfully earns it’s ridicule for being just a cheesy novelty. But Conditioning is the fuse that should have ignited Howard Jones career. While sure it’s produced like the a-side it’s put together like a Synth-Pop wall of glory.”
