Best middle eight

[Sandy Shaw]

You’re so extreme
I want to take you home with me
Come on, tell me one more time
I don’t mind
Baby, I don’t mind, I don’t mind

A wonderful melody and sexy lyrics...

It has the same effect on me as Abba's brilliant:

So I'll be there when you arrive
The sight of you will prove to me I'm
still alive, and when you take me in your arms
And hold me tight
I know it's gonna mean so much tonight

from Super Trouper

[Pinhead44]

E-mail and One More Chance are great shouts. I also love..

'Evening comes as a surprise, suddenly someone dies,
Everyone's overreacting, with clichés and bad acting'

From After the Event

[davee]

An empty box
An open space
A single thought
Leaves a trace

[MikeyC]

More than a dream has an amazing middle eight! And if I remember correctly, Neil and Chris called it their “Belinda Carlisle” moment!

[BugBoy]

More than a dream has an amazing middle eight! And if I remember correctly, Neil and Chris called it their “Belinda Carlisle” moment!

Indeed they did, on the Yes Commentary where Neil's pop knowledge lets him down:
Chris: She (Belinda) didn't sing Heaven is a Place on Earth did she?
Neil: No she sang Heavens a Better Place

Tut tut Neil!

[Ramzy]

Another vote for One More Chance, but I also love the middle 8s of To Step Aside and Footsteps - not so much for anything that happens in those bars, but for the way each of them sets up its respective third verse. "...or will spring bring rain and summer burn?" is my favourite moment on Bilingual, and the instrumental melody at the start of the final verse of Footsteps might be the highlight of Nightlife for me too. Both those middle sections do something transformative to what follows.

[Hobosan]

”I know it sounds ridiculous but speaking from experience…”

My favourite, it flows so effortlessly back into the ”sooner or later” part. That was Stephen Hauge’s if I remember correctly.

[OakeyDokey]

The haunting key change modulation in King's Cross isn't technically a middle eighth but it really elevates the last verse and chorus.

[Mr Madness]

“I’m listening to the words I thought I’d never hear again
A litany of saints and other ordinary men
Kneeling on the parquet
Whatever has gone wrong?
The fear and feeling hopelessness
I don’t want to belong”

[ea39]

Brilliant examples. Didn't Neil describe the middle eight in Winner as one of the strongest they've done? I mean, it's fine, but he should really read this thread...

[Pinhead44]

"My father fought in Afghanistan
His widows pension ain't worth a damn
My Mother works, and goes home to cry
I want to live before I die"

[Ramzy]

Brilliant examples. Didn't Neil describe the middle eight in Winner as one of the strongest they've done? I mean, it's fine, but he should really read this thread...

He also said It Doesn't Often Snow Etc was the best pop song they wrote in the 90s so I'm not sure he's a reliable source

[DopeFiend]

Oh I love all of the middle eights!!
Hit Music, "I've been working, hard all day" with the soothing flangey sound in the background.
I Want To Wake Up, "it's mad.. it's mad.." so atmospheric.

When researching this, I notice the middle eight is the most replayed bit on Youtube. Slightly amusing to have it visualised.

The Schlager Hit Parade, "never trust your memories" giving much needing pacing in the song.
Your Early Stuff! The W​EG bassline and reference to Very-era music videos.
Or of course Domino Dancing is the real classic, "When you look around you wonder"
Between Two Islands "I want you, and I want you to want me baby" after the lead up of setting the scene visually, this confession of desire. I really like that bit.
Oh, DJ Culture? "Now, as a matter of pride, indulge yourself" it hits the mark.

Gotta love PSB middle eights, even when it's on tracks written for other artists.
Girls Aloud, The Loving Kind "somewhere on a Monday morning, in the rush hour of another day". It's fun just noticing the middle 8 in any PSB song. Little trademark, along with the keyboard solo from Chris on most songs.

Anyway my fave has to be either Your Early Stuff or Domino Dancing.
It's true IA​S has a really impactful one.

"Or is it only your imagination ?
Driving me crazy, crazy
Baby, baby, please"

Yes! This is a powerful one.

By the way do we count Was It Worth It? "I don't know why I don't know why, I never thought I'd fall in love" I always really love that bit, just gush over it.

[Hobosan]

@DopeFiend
Love that bit in Was it worth it? too! Soooo good!

[daveid]

The DJ culture middle-8 is one of their best and is the best part of the song. It's pure Bowie.

One of their most haunting moments is the middle 8 of Memory of the future. It's my personal highlight of Elysium and a truly numinous moment.