Kim Wilde is an English singer and songwriter best known for her rendition of "You Keep Me Hangin' On," a song that she took to #1 in 1987 just as The Supremes did in 1966. Wilde is the daughter of another chart artist, Marty Wilde, who also recorded under the moniker Shannon. Marty Wilde was a co-writer on a number of his daughter's songs. Kim Wilde first hit the US charts in 1981 with her classic "Kids In America," which reached #25, her second biggest song. Her chart career in the US ended abruptly in 1988 after "You Came" stalled at #41. "Never Trust A Stranger" arguably would have made a better follow-up to "You Keep Me Hangin' On." The song is more energetic and filled with the 80s synths blasts that made its predecessor famous. Plus, the song has a superb vocal in the chorus that is worth the wait. It appears on her 1988 album, "Close."
Vanilla Fudge was a psychedelic jam band largely known as a one-hit wonder thanks to their version of "You Keep Me Hangin' On," which peaked at #6 in 1968. The year before, it stalled at #67. "You Keep Me Hangin' On" has gotten a lot of chart mileage. Originally taken to the top spot by The Supremes in 1966, the song also cracked the Top 100 when covered by Wilson Pickett in 1969 and Jackie DeShannon in 1970 (as a medley). But it would be Kim Wilde who delivered it back to #1 in 1987. Some members of Vanilla Fudge were also in the backing bands of artists like Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart. The only other Top 40 entry the band scored was "Take Me For A Little While," which underperformed at #38 in 1968. The band's final chart appearance would come the next year when "Shotgun" reached #68.
