Carol Decker of T'Pau on ‘Heart and Soul,’ ‘China in Your Hand’ and the MTV Era

During the late 1980s, few bands blended soaring vocals, dramatic songwriting and polished pop-rock production quite like T'Pau. Fronted by the instantly recognizable voice of Carol Decker, the band became a massive success in the United Kingdom with hits like China in Your Hand and Valentine while breaking through in America with the MTV favorite Heart and Soul. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Carol joins Steve and Brad for a deep dive into the band’s history, the explosion of MTV-era fame and the lasting appeal of T’Pau’s music decades later.

During the interview, Carol reflects on the whirlwind success of T'Pau during the late 1980s and the experience of suddenly hearing the band’s songs all over radio and television. She discusses the creation of their biggest hits, the challenges of touring during the peak years of pop-rock excess and the strange reality of becoming an instantly recognizable face during the early days of music video culture.

The conversation also explores the differences between the British and American music scenes during the MTV era and why songs like Heart and Soul connected so strongly with U.S. audiences. Along the way, Carol shares stories from the road, memories of the music industry during the late ’80s and reflections on how fans continue rediscovering the band through streaming, nostalgia playlists and retro pop culture fandom.

Steve and Brad also talk with Carol about her upcoming appearance aboard The 80s Cruise, where fans will once again get the chance to experience the music of T’Pau live alongside other legendary artists from the decade. If you love new wave, pop-rock, MTV nostalgia, female-fronted ’80s bands and behind-the-scenes stories from the golden age of music videos, this episode belongs in your playlist.

The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent more than 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.

And don’t forget: Steve and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade’s biggest artists. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.