Kicking off what I aim to make a regular feature, the “Forgotten gems of the 80s” post, is Matthew Wilder’s “Break My Stride”. Right at the start of the song it seems like you’ve joined in halfway and the whole thing has an almost eerie feel to it. Perhaps it’s the faux-reggae pop feel to the song or perhaps it’s the moustache, but either way there’s something about this song that I really like.

See the video here apologies for the interruption halfway through. This appears to be the only video for the song.

I don’t recall another big hit for Wilder, and I don’t know many other people who remember this one particularly, making it perfect fodder for a forgotten gem.

Break My Stride hit the #5 position in the US in 1983 and was the pinacle of Wilder’s success as a solo artist, though he did get an Academy Award nomination for his vocalisation of Ling from Disney’s Mulan. He also wrote songs for acts such as No Doubt, 702 and Christina Aguilera and has worked with Miley Cyrus. He produced No Doubt’s classic album “Tragic Kingdom” and if you listen carefully, I’m sure the influence of Break My Stride’s reggae rhythms is there…