Music Metrics Vault

Bronski Beat

Data updated on 2025-04-04 10:38:53 UTC
Few groups in pop history have spoken as directly or as powerfully about the experiences and struggles of being gay in 1980s Britain as Bronski Beat. Their 1984 hit 'Smalltown Boy' remains one of the most hauntingly evocative songs about the constant battle of growing up in a community hostile to homosexuality and the desire to find refuge in a distant, more permissive metropolis.
Keyboardists Steve Bronski, Larry Steinbackek and singer Jimmy Somerville formed the group in 1983 when they were sharing in a flat in Brixton, South London. The musical alchemy between the three was instant and they were signed to London Records after only playing nine gigs, with debut single, 'Smalltown Boy', reaching #3 in the UK chart a matter of months later.
Somerville was an outspokenly political pop star and his remarkable counter-tenor provided the dazzling centrepiece of the band’s debut album, 1984’s The Age Of Consent.
Somerville left the band in 1985 to form The Communards with Richard Coles, who had previously performed with Bronski Beat, and Bronski and Steinbackek recruited singer John Foster as the group’s new frontman, scoring a Top 3 hit in November that year and their second album, 1986’s Truthdare Doubledare, refined their HI-NRG sound.
The band disbanded shortly afterwards and Bronski went on to from a new line up in the mid 90s, while Somerville continued to pursue a successful solo career after the dissolution of The Communards at the end of the 80s.

Genres

: hi-nrg synthpop

Total plays

715.7 million
Updated on 2025-04-04

Country

United Kingdom

Monthly listeners

5,554,957

Followers

645,261

Top Cities

  1. Germany
    80,982 listeners
  2. Chile
    99,833 listeners
  3. Mexico
    72,844 listeners
  4. United Kingdom
    72,480 listeners
  5. Brazil
    66,946 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Smalltown Boy
Smalltown Boy
525,129,035 5:02 1984-10-15
Why ?
Why ?
42,551,886 4:04 1984-10-15
Why? - 2018 Remaster
Why? - 2018 Remaster
42,551,886 4:04 2018-10-26
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me - 2018 Remaster
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me - 2018 Remaster
13,137,184 6:06 2018-10-26
I Feel Love
I Feel Love
13,137,184 6:02 1984-10-15
Hit That Perfect Beat
Hit That Perfect Beat
12,008,387 3:40 1986-01-01
Smalltown Boy - 12" Version
Smalltown Boy - 12" Version
8,435,619 9:02 2018-10-26
It Ain't Necessarily So
It Ain't Necessarily So
7,554,587 4:43 1984-10-15
Smalltown Boy - Reprise 2014
Smalltown Boy - Reprise 2014
5,601,159 2:45 2018-10-26
Smalltown Boy (Arnaud Rebotini Remix)
Smalltown Boy (Arnaud Rebotini Remix)
5,387,734 5:36 2017-08-23
Smalltown Boy
Smalltown Boy
4,680,090 4:05 2008-01-01
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me
4,119,274 5:48 2002-01-01
Ain't Necessarily So
Ain't Necessarily So
3,468,468 4:06 2002-01-01
Heatwave
Heatwave
1,926,914 2:40 1984-10-15
Smalltown Boy (feat. Perfume Genius)
Smalltown Boy (feat. Perfume Genius)
1,834,645 4:35 2024-09-04
Junk
Junk
1,661,351 4:19 1984-10-15
Love & Money - 2018 Remaster
Love & Money - 2018 Remaster
1,415,987 5:10 2018-10-26
Love and Money
Love and Money
1,415,987 5:12 1984-10-15
Smalltown Boy - 12" Version
Smalltown Boy - 12" Version
1,101,477 8:57 2017-12-15
Love to Love You Baby / I Feel Love / Johnnie Remember Me - Remix
Love to Love You Baby / I Feel Love / Johnnie Remember Me - Remix
1,059,881 9:43 1985-01-01
Hit That Perfect Beat - 12" Version
Hit That Perfect Beat - 12" Version
1,048,001 6:27 1986-01-01
Need a Man Blues
Need a Man Blues
1,018,092 4:20 1984-10-15
No More War
No More War
1,007,516 4:01 1984-10-15
I Feel Love - Medley
I Feel Love - Medley
913,338 8:21 1984-10-15
Smalltown Boy - Akustic Mix
Smalltown Boy - Akustic Mix
900,043 6:59 1986-01-01
Why ? - 12'' Version; 2008 Remastered Version
Why ? - 12'' Version; 2008 Remastered Version
898,900 6:19 1985-01-01
Screaming
Screaming
864,484 4:16 1984-10-15
Run From Love - Remix
Run From Love - Remix
623,667 8:21 1984-10-15
Smalltown Boy - Remix ; 2008 Remastered
Smalltown Boy - Remix ; 2008 Remastered
576,103 6:04 1985-01-01
Smalltown Boy - KDA Pink Triangle Remix Edit
Smalltown Boy - KDA Pink Triangle Remix Edit
497,583 4:17 2018-10-26
Puit d'amour
Puit d'amour
456,313 1:43 1984-10-15
Smalltown Boy - Symphonic Version
Smalltown Boy - Symphonic Version
444,714 4:52 2018-11-09
Cha Cha Heels
Cha Cha Heels
413,795 6:41 2003-11-29
C'mon! C'mon!
C'mon! C'mon!
397,550 3:50 1986-01-01
Why? - 12" Version
Why? - 12" Version
393,210 7:48 2017-12-15
Smalltown Boy - ABSOLUTE. Rework
Smalltown Boy - ABSOLUTE. Rework
385,168 4:35 2024-05-29
Smalltown Boy - Boy Factory Team Remix '94
Smalltown Boy - Boy Factory Team Remix '94
383,639 7:16 2014-04-10
Close to the Edge - Remix
Close to the Edge - Remix
372,037 4:45 1985-01-01
Heatwave - Remix
Heatwave - Remix
361,883 5:42 1984-10-15
Memories
Memories
349,924 2:57 1984-10-15
Hard Rain - Remix
Hard Rain - Remix
338,285 8:11 1984-10-15
Working Class Girl
Working Class Girl
332,661 3:32 2022-01-10
Truthdare Doubledare
Truthdare Doubledare
300,665 4:43 1986-01-01
In My Dreams
In My Dreams
274,660 4:21 1986-01-01
Ultra Clone - Instrumental Demo
Ultra Clone - Instrumental Demo
269,050 2:50 2018-10-26
We Know How It Feels
We Know How It Feels
259,235 4:13 1986-01-01
Why? - Live at Stella Polaris
Why? - Live at Stella Polaris
253,386 5:09 2018-10-26
Run From Love (with Bronski Beat)
Run From Love (with Bronski Beat)
234,767 4:37 1989-01-01
Punishment for Love
Punishment for Love
222,475 4:14 1986-01-01
Screaming - 2018 Remaster
Screaming - 2018 Remaster
218,639 4:17 2018-10-26
Infatuation / Memories - 2008 Remastered ; Remix
Infatuation / Memories - 2008 Remastered ; Remix
196,377 7:09 1985-01-01
Smalltown Boy - Slowed Down
Smalltown Boy - Slowed Down
158,642 6:01 1984-10-15
Cadillac Car - Remix
Cadillac Car - Remix
140,143 8:10 1985-01-01
Crazy Maraquitta - Kid Jensen BBC Session
Crazy Maraquitta - Kid Jensen BBC Session
134,237 2:34 2018-10-26
It Ain't Necessarily So - 12" Version
It Ain't Necessarily So - 12" Version
119,207 5:20 2018-10-26
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me - 12" Version
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me - 12" Version
118,847 10:41 2018-10-26
Up and Down - Instrumental Demo
Up and Down - Instrumental Demo
112,007 3:42 2018-10-26
Smalltown Boy - Planningtorock's 'The Love That You Need' Rework
Smalltown Boy - Planningtorock's 'The Love That You Need' Rework
109,790 4:08 2024-07-17
Dr John
Dr John
100,667 4:37 1986-01-01
The Other Side of the Tracks - Demo
The Other Side of the Tracks - Demo
94,557 3:42 2018-10-26
Do It
Do It
90,263 3:50 1986-01-01
This Heart
This Heart
89,971 4:19 1986-01-01
Smalltown Boy - Dave Audé vs Tall Paul Remix
Smalltown Boy - Dave Audé vs Tall Paul Remix
77,695 6:48 2024-10-18
Why? (feat. Neil Tennant) - Superchumbo Edit
Why? (feat. Neil Tennant) - Superchumbo Edit
77,086 3:49 2024-08-07
C'mon! C'mon! - 12" Version
C'mon! C'mon! - 12" Version
75,275 6:17 1986-01-01
It Ain't Necessarily So - Kid Jensen BBC Session
It Ain't Necessarily So - Kid Jensen BBC Session
72,974 2:22 2018-10-26
Smalltown Boy
Smalltown Boy
68,000 4:59 2011-07-10
Junk - Remix
Junk - Remix
67,104 6:08 1985-01-01
Memories - Kid Jensen BBC Session
Memories - Kid Jensen BBC Session
56,507 2:35 2018-10-26
Smalltown Boy - ABSOLUTE. Extended Rework
Smalltown Boy - ABSOLUTE. Extended Rework
54,000 7:10 2024-05-29
Why? - Kid Jensen BBC Session
Why? - Kid Jensen BBC Session
51,851 3:00 2018-10-26
Smalltown Boy - Dave Audé vs Tall Paul Extended Remix
Smalltown Boy - Dave Audé vs Tall Paul Extended Remix
49,808 7:45 2024-12-18
Why? - Wax Wings Remix
Why? - Wax Wings Remix
39,970 5:30 2018-10-26
No More War - Demo
No More War - Demo
38,969 4:11 2018-10-26
Heatwave - Demo
Heatwave - Demo
37,295 2:51 2018-10-26
Junk - Demo
Junk - Demo
36,390 5:13 2018-10-26
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me - Rough Mix
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me - Rough Mix
35,528 5:46 2018-10-26
Hit That Perfect Beat - Boy '95 Club Mix
Hit That Perfect Beat - Boy '95 Club Mix
28,181 6:29 2014-04-10
Why? (feat. Neil Tennant) - Superchumbo Extended Mix
Why? (feat. Neil Tennant) - Superchumbo Extended Mix
24,495 6:20 2024-08-07
Smalltown Boy - Planningtorock's 'The Love That You Need' Extended Rework
Smalltown Boy - Planningtorock's 'The Love That You Need' Extended Rework
20,764 4:57 2024-07-17
Why - Remix
Why - Remix
16,978 5:02 2014-04-10
Smalltown Boy - Sped Up
Smalltown Boy - Sped Up
9,974 4:15 1984-10-15
Infatuation / Memories
Infatuation / Memories
9,813 7:41 2024-10-18
I Feel Love (feat. Marc Almond) - Cake Mix
I Feel Love (feat. Marc Almond) - Cake Mix
8,149 8:24 2024-10-18
Cadillac Car - Extended
Cadillac Car - Extended
7,620 8:07 2024-10-18
I Don't Like - Bronski Beat Remix
I Don't Like - Bronski Beat Remix
5,997 7:38 2020-03-13
We Hadn't Slept For Twenty Years - Bronski Beat Remix
We Hadn't Slept For Twenty Years - Bronski Beat Remix
5,763 6:06 2020-03-13
Close To The Edge
Close To The Edge
5,489 4:47 2024-10-18
Why? (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
Why? (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
5,383 6:19 2024-10-18
Smalltown Boy (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
Smalltown Boy (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
4,935 6:07 2024-10-18
Heatwave (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
Heatwave (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
4,887 5:43 2024-10-18
Run From Love (Dominic Maita Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
Run From Love (Dominic Maita Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
4,723 8:15 2024-10-18
Hard Rain (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
Hard Rain (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
3,942 8:12 2024-10-18
Love & Money - Hundreds & Thousands Remix
Love & Money - Hundreds & Thousands Remix
3,653 6:46 2024-10-18
Junk (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
Junk (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
3,233 6:16 2024-10-18
To The Dancefloor - Bronski Beat Remix
To The Dancefloor - Bronski Beat Remix
3,186 8:09 2018-01-15
Absolute Danger - Bronski Beat Private Remix
Absolute Danger - Bronski Beat Private Remix
2,383 7:36 2017-09-13
Imagination - Bronski Beat Remix
Imagination - Bronski Beat Remix
2,324 6:52 2018-03-12
Every Moment - Bronski Beat Remix
Every Moment - Bronski Beat Remix
1,776 7:36 2020-08-18
Every Moment - Bronski Beat Airplay Mix
Every Moment - Bronski Beat Airplay Mix
1,477 4:17 2020-07-31
Hit That Perfect Beat - Boy '95 Factory Team Remix
Hit That Perfect Beat - Boy '95 Factory Team Remix
< 1000 5:46 2014-04-10
Smalltown Boy - Radio Edit
Smalltown Boy - Radio Edit
< 1000 3:01 2014-04-10
Smalltown Boy - Home Studio Edit
Smalltown Boy - Home Studio Edit
< 1000 4:42 2014-04-10
Smalltown Boy - Instrumental Edit
Smalltown Boy - Instrumental Edit
< 1000 5:22 2014-04-10

New releases

Smalltown Boy (Dave Audé vs Tall Paul Remix)
Smalltown Boy (Dave Audé vs Tall Paul Remix)
2024-12-18
[London Records (Because Ltd)]
The Age of Consent (40 Year Anniversary Edition)
The Age of Consent (40 Year Anniversary Edition)
2024-10-18
[London Records (Because Ltd)]
Smalltown Boy (feat. Perfume Genius)
Smalltown Boy (feat. Perfume Genius)
2024-09-04
[London Records (Because Ltd)]
Why? (feat. Neil Tennant) [Superchumbo Mix]
Why? (feat. Neil Tennant) [Superchumbo Mix]
2024-08-07
[London Records (Because Ltd)]
Smalltown Boy (Planningtorock's 'The Love That You Need' Rework)
Smalltown Boy (Planningtorock's 'The Love That You Need' Rework)
2024-07-17
[London Records (Because Ltd)]
Smalltown Boy (ABSOLUTE. Rework)
Smalltown Boy (ABSOLUTE. Rework)
2024-05-29
[London Records (Because Ltd)]
The Age Of Consent (Remastered & Expanded)
The Age Of Consent (Remastered & Expanded)
2018-10-26
[London Music Stream]
Smalltown Boy (Remastered)
Smalltown Boy (Remastered)
2018-09-12
[London Music Stream]
Smalltown Boy (Arnaud Rebotini Remix)
Smalltown Boy (Arnaud Rebotini Remix)
2018-09-11
[London Music Stream]
The Very Best Of Jimmy Somerville, Bronski Beat & The Communards (Collector's Edition)
The Very Best Of Jimmy Somerville, Bronski Beat & The Communards (Collector's Edition)
2017-12-15
[London Music Stream]
Why (Remix)
Why (Remix)
2014-04-10
[United Music Group]
Smalltown Boy (Remix)
Smalltown Boy (Remix)
2014-04-10
[United Music Group]
Hit That Perfect Beat (Remix)
Hit That Perfect Beat (Remix)
2014-04-10
[United Music Group]
The Very Best Of Jimmy Somerville, Bronski Beat & The Communards
The Very Best Of Jimmy Somerville, Bronski Beat & The Communards
2002-01-01
[London Music Stream]
Truthdare Doubledare
Truthdare Doubledare
1986-01-01
[London Music Stream]
Hundreds and Thousands
Hundreds and Thousands
1985-01-01
[London Music Stream]
The Age of Consent
The Age of Consent
1984-10-15
[London Records (Because Ltd)]
Smalltown Boy (Sped Up / Slowed Down)
Smalltown Boy (Sped Up / Slowed Down)
1984-10-15
[London Records (Because Ltd)]