Johnny Hates Jazz's big hit in 88 was Shattered Dreams

I always think of Fort Lauderdale when I hear that song

Sade has been popular here since around 1984. I think she only ever had one or two big hits, but she's been consistently successful, and she has the distinction of being the best selling African artist in the UK. Whoopee

OMG, I'm going to have to listen to Johnny Hates Jazz now.
Never heard of The Beat 
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Fine Young Cannibals
Er, Fine Young Cannibals was one of the successor bands to the Beat. The other was General Public. Now they tour under various combinations: the Beat (US), the Beat (UK), Dave Wakeling and various assorted studio musicians, etc.
I dont know any of those, apart from FYC
I never noticed any similarity between Alison and Annie. Alison has had a much longer and much more successful career than Annie (and a lot more varied), and vocally they dont seem similar to me at all.
Both broke out with heavily blues-influenced vocals over synth-pop backgrounds. I think Alison Moyet dropped out of currency in the US post Yaz(oo). In the US, at least I'd say, Annie Lennox as a soloist is way more widely known than Alison Moyet. Maybe that's a US vs. UK thing.
Yes I think so. Everyone here knows both ladies, but I'd say Alison is generally more popular here. I've always had the impression that people here tend to get bored with music styles very quickly, and Alison has been quite flexible in the things she's done (punk, pop, theatrical, French language, etc) whereas Annie's stuff all seems quite similar to me, so maybe others have picked up on that too.
Alison also didnt do herself any harm by playing Mama Morton in 'Chicago' a few years ago. That really boosted her appeal too, plus she's done quite a few things with Jennifer Saunders (writer and star of Absolutely Fabulous), which has also helped.
I prefer Annie's voice to Alison's although I listen to Alison more than Annie because her styles are more varied.
And as we've mentioned Yazoo, we should also mention Erasure

Not sure if they were big in the US or not though.
And as we've mentioned Yazoo, we should also mention Erasure
Not sure if they were big in the US or not though.
I don't think I went to a party in college (1988-1992) where I didn't dance to Chains of Love.
However, admitting full ignorance, I don't know much more of their stuff, or which things were them vs. Yaz or Depeche Mode.
All their stuff seemed to melt into one for me

How about The Communards and Bronski Beat? Were they popular there?
I never noticed any similarity between Alison and Annie. Alison has had a much longer and much more successful career than Annie (and a lot more varied), and vocally they dont seem similar to me at all.
Both broke out with heavily blues-influenced vocals over synth-pop backgrounds. I think Alison Moyet dropped out of currency in the US post Yaz(oo). In the US, at least I'd say, Annie Lennox as a soloist is way more widely known than Alison Moyet. Maybe that's a US vs. UK thing.
Annie Lennox was big over here..As I type this I can hear "Little Bird" in the background.
I still adore Annie Lennox. I doubt just about anybody but me and a few other remembers Bronski Beat.