Vince Leigh’s Single Review: Jackie by Geoff Sturre
By Vince Leigh (Ex drummer of Pseudo Echo, Tina Arena and John Farnham) of Australian Radio Promotion for Sheldon Ang Media
Australian DJ/producer Geoff Sturre has just released his version of the song Jackie, written by the songwriting team of Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, who have quite a list of writing credits to their name, including such 80s classics as Like A Virgin, True Colours, Eternal Flame, alongside many others. The song was initially written for the 1987 film Summer School and was originally recorded by Elisa Fiorillo. The track was then re-recorded by Blue Zone in 1988, a band with Lisa Stansfield on vocals and about ten years later by Australian artist Joanne.
With every release, the song has charted successfully, which is evidence that a well-crafted pop tune can transcend time and demographics and continue to generate an audience. Geoff Sturre’s reasoning for revamping the track is sound, as he says, ‘Jackie has been a constant dancefloor and retro radio hit for me and others since it was done by Blue Zone. I felt that it needed an up to date version.’ And ten years between versions probably makes for a rational cycle, giving the song another chance to do its work.
Sturre has differentiated his version from all the others in several ways. When put up next to Joanne’s version, the differences are evident. Sturre has modified the bass part, positioned the vocal in a different space and utilised a bold kick drum to make the most of the semi-techno grove component. There are some extra percussive elements, and the featured synth lines are suitably retro and retro-like. A few of the added colouring lines threading through the version are brass based, adding yet another alternate flavour. At 3.08, the radio edit version will undoubtedly garner some fresh attention at radio, and judging by the song’s history, there’s no reason to think Sturre’s version will not reach those same chart heights. And if Sturre’s YouTube mashup of Gimme Gimme, Pump it Up, and Hung Up is anything to go by —1.2 million views —Jackie should work its magic once again.
