1987 was the year that Stock Aitken Waterman began the transition from trendy underground producers to mainstream hitmakers. 

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Dead Or Alive started the year well, scoring a Top 20 hit with SOMETHING IN MY HOUSE, although two other SAW produced singles HOOKED ON LOVE and I'LL SAVE YOU ALL MY KISSES fared less well. All 3 songs were taken from the SAW produced album, MAD, BAD AND DANGEROUS TO KNOW.

 

Morgan McVey's LOOKING GOOD DIVING featured Neneh Cherry on the B-side singing the original SAW-produced version of "Buffalo Stance" that would prove to be a massive hit in 1989.

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Mel & Kim followed up the success of SHOWING OUT with the number one RESPECTABLE, SAW's first written and produced chart topper. However, as third single FLM and debut album of the same name were released, it emerged that Mel Appleby had been diagnosed with cancer, effectively forcing Mel & Kim to put their music career on hold while Mel fought the disease. 

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The Sun newspaper recruited SAW to organise and produce the Ferry Aid single LET IT BE to raise money for the families affected by the Zeebrugge ferry disaster - the single reached #1 and featured artists like Paul McCartney, Kate Bush and Mark Knopfler. When it was released at the beginning of April it entered the chart at Number One and in the process knocked Mel & Kim off the top spot.

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