Music Metrics Vault

Bronski Beat

Data updated on 2025-04-25 07:06:04 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

726.7 million
Updated on 2025-04-25

Country

United Kingdom

Monthly listeners

5,842,086

Followers

647,452

Top Cities

  1. Germany
    86,504 listeners
  2. Chile
    97,714 listeners
  3. Mexico
    70,958 listeners
  4. United Kingdom
    65,992 listeners
  5. Brazil
    71,000 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Smalltown Boy
Smalltown Boy
532,806,045 5:02 1984-10-15
Why ?
Why ?
43,238,827 4:04 1984-10-15
Why? - 2018 Remaster
Why? - 2018 Remaster
43,238,827 4:04 2018-10-26
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me - 2018 Remaster
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me - 2018 Remaster
13,220,319 6:06 2018-10-26
I Feel Love
I Feel Love
13,220,319 6:02 1984-10-15
Hit That Perfect Beat
Hit That Perfect Beat
12,158,218 3:40 1986-01-01
Smalltown Boy - 12" Version
Smalltown Boy - 12" Version
8,777,006 9:02 2018-10-26
It Ain't Necessarily So
It Ain't Necessarily So
7,593,239 4:43 1984-10-15
Smalltown Boy - Reprise 2014
Smalltown Boy - Reprise 2014
5,674,640 2:45 2018-10-26
Smalltown Boy (Arnaud Rebotini Remix)
Smalltown Boy (Arnaud Rebotini Remix)
5,415,891 5:36 2017-08-23
Smalltown Boy
Smalltown Boy
4,711,780 4:05 2008-01-01
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me
4,167,681 5:48 2002-01-01
Ain't Necessarily So
Ain't Necessarily So
3,498,810 4:06 2002-01-01
Smalltown Boy (feat. Perfume Genius)
Smalltown Boy (feat. Perfume Genius)
1,974,807 4:35 2024-09-04
Heatwave
Heatwave
1,942,368 2:40 1984-10-15
Junk
Junk
1,688,727 4:19 1984-10-15
Love & Money - 2018 Remaster
Love & Money - 2018 Remaster
1,427,130 5:10 2018-10-26
Love and Money
Love and Money
1,427,130 5:12 1984-10-15
Smalltown Boy - 12" Version
Smalltown Boy - 12" Version
1,123,907 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
1,070,075 9:43 1985-01-01
Hit That Perfect Beat - 12" Version
Hit That Perfect Beat - 12" Version
1,059,240 6:27 1986-01-01
Need a Man Blues
Need a Man Blues
1,026,873 4:20 1984-10-15
No More War
No More War
1,015,761 4:01 1984-10-15
I Feel Love - Medley
I Feel Love - Medley
922,723 8:21 1984-10-15
Why ? - 12'' Version; 2008 Remastered Version
Why ? - 12'' Version; 2008 Remastered Version
907,002 6:19 1985-01-01
Smalltown Boy - Akustic Mix
Smalltown Boy - Akustic Mix
903,150 6:59 1986-01-01
Screaming
Screaming
870,137 4:16 1984-10-15
Run From Love - Remix
Run From Love - Remix
628,362 8:21 1984-10-15
Smalltown Boy - Remix ; 2008 Remastered
Smalltown Boy - Remix ; 2008 Remastered
582,662 6:04 1985-01-01
Smalltown Boy - KDA Pink Triangle Remix Edit
Smalltown Boy - KDA Pink Triangle Remix Edit
502,644 4:17 2018-10-26
Puit d'amour
Puit d'amour
461,945 1:43 1984-10-15
Puit D'Amour
Puit D'Amour
461,945 1:40 2025-04-08
Smalltown Boy - Symphonic Version
Smalltown Boy - Symphonic Version
452,963 4:52 2018-11-09
Smalltown Boy - ABSOLUTE. Rework
Smalltown Boy - ABSOLUTE. Rework
427,563 4:35 2024-05-29
Cha Cha Heels
Cha Cha Heels
416,939 6:41 2003-11-29
C'mon! C'mon!
C'mon! C'mon!
400,177 3:50 1986-01-01
Why? - 12" Version
Why? - 12" Version
399,422 7:48 2017-12-15
Smalltown Boy - Boy Factory Team Remix '94
Smalltown Boy - Boy Factory Team Remix '94
383,645 7:16 2014-04-10
Close to the Edge - Remix
Close to the Edge - Remix
374,944 4:45 1985-01-01
Heatwave - Remix
Heatwave - Remix
363,735 5:42 1984-10-15
Memories
Memories
351,615 2:57 1984-10-15
Working Class Girl
Working Class Girl
343,315 3:32 2022-01-10
Hard Rain - Remix
Hard Rain - Remix
340,712 8:11 1984-10-15
Truthdare Doubledare
Truthdare Doubledare
302,450 4:43 1986-01-01
In My Dreams
In My Dreams
276,348 4:21 1986-01-01
Ultra Clone - Instrumental Demo
Ultra Clone - Instrumental Demo
272,988 2:50 2018-10-26
We Know How It Feels
We Know How It Feels
260,353 4:13 1986-01-01
Why? - Live at Stella Polaris
Why? - Live at Stella Polaris
254,755 5:09 2018-10-26
Run From Love (with Bronski Beat)
Run From Love (with Bronski Beat)
238,834 4:37 1989-01-01
Punishment for Love
Punishment for Love
223,948 4:14 1986-01-01
Screaming - 2018 Remaster
Screaming - 2018 Remaster
221,762 4:17 2018-10-26
Smalltown Boy - Slowed Down
Smalltown Boy - Slowed Down
214,000 6:01 1984-10-15
Infatuation / Memories - 2008 Remastered ; Remix
Infatuation / Memories - 2008 Remastered ; Remix
197,989 7:09 1985-01-01
Cadillac Car - Remix
Cadillac Car - Remix
140,348 8:10 1985-01-01
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me - 12" Version
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me - 12" Version
137,780 10:41 2018-10-26
Crazy Maraquitta - Kid Jensen BBC Session
Crazy Maraquitta - Kid Jensen BBC Session
135,246 2:34 2018-10-26
It Ain't Necessarily So - 12" Version
It Ain't Necessarily So - 12" Version
120,422 5:20 2018-10-26
Up and Down - Instrumental Demo
Up and Down - Instrumental Demo
112,764 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
112,413 4:08 2024-07-17
Dr John
Dr John
101,137 4:37 1986-01-01
The Other Side of the Tracks - Demo
The Other Side of the Tracks - Demo
95,188 3:42 2018-10-26
Do It
Do It
90,636 3:50 1986-01-01
This Heart
This Heart
90,336 4:19 1986-01-01
Smalltown Boy - Dave Audé vs Tall Paul Remix
Smalltown Boy - Dave Audé vs Tall Paul Remix
81,129 6:48 2024-10-18
Why? (feat. Neil Tennant) - Superchumbo Edit
Why? (feat. Neil Tennant) - Superchumbo Edit
79,602 3:49 2024-08-07
C'mon! C'mon! - 12" Version
C'mon! C'mon! - 12" Version
75,629 6:17 1986-01-01
It Ain't Necessarily So - Kid Jensen BBC Session
It Ain't Necessarily So - Kid Jensen BBC Session
74,653 2:22 2018-10-26
Smalltown Boy
Smalltown Boy
68,120 4:59 2011-07-10
Junk - Remix
Junk - Remix
67,348 6:08 1985-01-01
Memories - Kid Jensen BBC Session
Memories - Kid Jensen BBC Session
57,493 2:35 2018-10-26
Smalltown Boy - ABSOLUTE. Extended Rework
Smalltown Boy - ABSOLUTE. Extended Rework
57,037 7:10 2024-05-29
Smalltown Boy - Dave Audé vs Tall Paul Extended Remix
Smalltown Boy - Dave Audé vs Tall Paul Extended Remix
52,913 7:45 2024-12-18
Why? - Kid Jensen BBC Session
Why? - Kid Jensen BBC Session
52,603 3:00 2018-10-26
Why? - Wax Wings Remix
Why? - Wax Wings Remix
40,198 5:30 2018-10-26
No More War - Demo
No More War - Demo
39,239 4:11 2018-10-26
Heatwave - Demo
Heatwave - Demo
37,478 2:51 2018-10-26
Junk - Demo
Junk - Demo
36,640 5:13 2018-10-26
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me - Rough Mix
I Feel Love / Johnny Remember Me - Rough Mix
35,745 5:46 2018-10-26
I Feel Love - 7" Version
I Feel Love - 7" Version
32,724 5:51 2025-04-08
Hit That Perfect Beat - Boy '95 Club Mix
Hit That Perfect Beat - Boy '95 Club Mix
28,183 6:29 2014-04-10
Why? (feat. Neil Tennant) - Superchumbo Extended Mix
Why? (feat. Neil Tennant) - Superchumbo Extended Mix
25,349 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
21,689 4:57 2024-07-17
Why - Remix
Why - Remix
16,980 5:02 2014-04-10
Smalltown Boy - Sped Up
Smalltown Boy - Sped Up
12,697 4:15 1984-10-15
Infatuation / Memories
Infatuation / Memories
10,015 7:41 2024-10-18
First Church - Feel More Love
First Church - Feel More Love
8,739 5:21 2025-04-08
I Feel Love (feat. Marc Almond) - Cake Mix
I Feel Love (feat. Marc Almond) - Cake Mix
8,576 8:24 2024-10-18
Cadillac Car - Extended
Cadillac Car - Extended
8,260 8:07 2024-10-18
I Feel Love - Early Version, March 1984
I Feel Love - Early Version, March 1984
6,436 6:16 2025-04-08
I Don't Like - Bronski Beat Remix
I Don't Like - Bronski Beat Remix
6,152 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
5,874 6:06 2020-03-13
Close To The Edge
Close To The Edge
5,704 4:47 2024-10-18
Why? (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
Why? (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
5,617 6:19 2024-10-18
Smalltown Boy (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
Smalltown Boy (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
5,180 6:07 2024-10-18
Heatwave (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
Heatwave (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
5,145 5:43 2024-10-18
Run From Love (Dominic Maita Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
Run From Love (Dominic Maita Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
4,950 8:15 2024-10-18
I Feel Love - Promo Dub Mix, 1985
I Feel Love - Promo Dub Mix, 1985
4,694 8:60 2025-04-08
Signs (And Wonders)
Signs (And Wonders)
4,458 4:60 2025-04-08
The Potato Fields
The Potato Fields
4,139 2:58 2025-04-08
Hard Rain (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
Hard Rain (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
4,116 8:12 2024-10-18
Love & Money - Hundreds & Thousands Remix
Love & Money - Hundreds & Thousands Remix
3,814 6:46 2024-10-18
I Feel Love - Fruit Mix
I Feel Love - Fruit Mix
3,466 8:29 2025-04-08
Junk (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
Junk (Harvey Goldberg Remix) - Hundreds & Thousands Version
3,359 6:16 2024-10-18
To The Dancefloor - Bronski Beat Remix
To The Dancefloor - Bronski Beat Remix
3,202 8:09 2018-01-15
Absolute Danger - Bronski Beat Private Remix
Absolute Danger - Bronski Beat Private Remix
2,401 7:36 2017-09-13
Imagination - Bronski Beat Remix
Imagination - Bronski Beat Remix
2,338 6:52 2018-03-12
Every Moment - Bronski Beat Remix
Every Moment - Bronski Beat Remix
1,785 7:36 2020-08-18
Every Moment - Bronski Beat Airplay Mix
Every Moment - Bronski Beat Airplay Mix
1,488 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

I Feel Love
I Feel Love
2025-04-08
[London Records (Because Ltd)]
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)]