M (band)

M was an English new wave and synthpop music project from London, England, led by English musician Robin Scott in the late 1970s and early 1980s.[1] M is most known for the 1979 hit "Pop Muzik", which reached number two in the UK Singles Chart in May 1979, and number one in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart on 3 November 1979.[1] Musicians who contributed to M at one time or another included Wally Badarou, Mark King, Phil Gould, Lydia Canaan and Gary Barnacle of Level 42.[1]

Not to be confused with -M-.

M
Origin	London, England
Genres	New wave, synth-pop
Years active	1978–1984
Labels	Stiff MCA Records Sire Records Warner Bros. Records
Past members	Robin Scott

Career

Scott first used the pseudonym M in 1978, when he released the single "Moderne Man".[2] His next single, "Pop Muzik," featured Scott's brother Julian on bass, his wife Brigit Novik on backing vocals, and Wally Badarou on keyboards.[2] The album New York - London - Paris - Munich was released in 1979.[2]

M had three other singles that achieved a chart entry in the UK, "Moonlight and Muzak" (No. 33 in December 1979), "That's the Way the Money Goes" (No. 45 in March 1980) and "Official Secrets" (No. 64 in November 1980).[3] M released three studio albums throughout their career: New York • London • Paris • Munich in 1979, The Official Secrets Act in 1980, and Famous Last Words in 1982,[1] which was never released in the UK. A fourth album, Robin Scott with Shikisha, was recorded in 1984 but was not released until 1998.

M's first single "Moderne Man" was later remixed with "Satisfy Your Lust", the B-side of "That's the Way the Money Goes", and appeared as a medley on their album New York • London • Paris • Munich. The original single releases appeared on the 1997 CD re-release. A remixed version of "Pop Muzik" was played before each concert of U2's PopMart Tour.

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

Year	Album	UK Albums Chart[3]	U.S. Billboard 200 Chart[4]
1979	New York • London • Paris • Munich	—	79
1980	The Official Secrets Act	—	—
1982	Famous Last Words	—	—
1984	Jive Shikisha! †	—	—

† Recorded in 1984 – not released until 1998 and credited to Robin Scott & Shikisha.[5]

Compilation albums

• Pop Muzik – The Very Best of M (1996, Music Collection International)
• Pop Muzik (1997, Collectables Records) Reissue of the US version of New York • London • Paris • Munich.
• 'M' The History – Pop Muzik The 25th Anniversary (2004, Union Square Music)
• Pop Muzik – 30th Anniversary Remixes (2009, Echo Beach) Remix album featuring 13 remixes of "Pop Muzik".

Singles

Year	Title	UK Singles Chart[3]	U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart[6]
1978	"Moderne Man"	—	—
1979	"Pop Muzik"	2	1
1979	"Moonlight and Muzak"	33	—
1980	"That's the Way the Money Goes"	45	—
1980	"Official Secrets"	64	—
1981	"Keep It to Yourself"	—	—
1982	"Danube"	—	—
1983	"Eureka" ‡	—	—
1984	"Crazy Zulu" ‡	—	—
1989	"Pop Muzik" (remix)	15	—

‡ – billed as Robin Scott

See also

• List of new wave artists and bands
• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of artists who reached number one on the Australian singles chart
• List of synthpop artists
• List of 1970s one-hit wonders in the United States

References

1. Colin Larkin, ed. (2003). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. p. 319. ISBN 1-85227-969-9.
2. "Biography by Steve Huey". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 February 2009.
3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 335. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
4. "M Chart History". Billboard.com.
5. "Robin Scott | Album Discography". AllMusic.
6. "M". Billboard.com.