"Whatever Possessed You" is a haunting mid-80s masterpiece by the Liverpool duo , comprised of vocalist Paul Simpson and producer/guitarist Ian Broudie. Released in early 1984, the track serves as a poignant epitaph for the band itself; Simpson famously walked out on the group just as the single hit the shops, leading to the shelving of their nearly completed debut album. The song’s lyrics and composition are a masterclass in neo-psychedelic gloom and romantic despair. The Winter of Discontent: Lyrical Themes

The lyrics of "Whatever Possessed You" are steeped in the imagery of coldness, decay, and the visceral end of a relationship. Simpson’s "dreamy, depressed croon" delivers lines that read like the work of Romantic poets.

Despite its brilliance, "Whatever Possessed You" failed to reach the commercial heights of their Top 50 hit "Flaming Sword". It has since become a cult classic, particularly in Japan and the Philippines. For Simpson, the song's themes of corrosion and coldness were mirrored in his own life—he was reportedly involved in a "self-destructive relationship" during the recording, which contributed to his sudden departure from the band.

: The narrator warns, "My lies they fall like an acid rain" and describes a "tongue [that] is a dying flame," indicating a collapse of communication and the toxic residue of a failed bond.

: The setting is established with "November cold frost bites" and a bed described as "colder than chloroform". This medical/chemical metaphor suggests a numbing, artificial state of grief.

: References to a "beloved angel" becoming "skin and bones" and love "silently corroding" emphasize that this is not just a mental breakup but a physical wasting away. Musical Composition and Impact

: The creative friction between Broudie’s "gleeful commercial pop" sensibilities and Simpson’s "darker, more serious" inclinations is palpable in the song's structure, which balances catchy hooks with haunting undertones. Legacy and Aftermath

The tracks intended for their lost album, Love Crowns and Crucifies , were eventually collated and released in 1997 on the compilation Diamonds & Emeralds , preserving this frozen moment of 80s melancholia for future listeners. Care: Whatever Possessed You - Spiralphoria - WordPress.com