Invisible Hands (song)

"Invisible Hands" is a song by American singer-songwriter Kim Carnes and the lead single from her eighth studio album, Café Racers (1983). It was written by Martin Page and Brian Fairweather, and produced by Keith Olsen.

"Invisible Hands"
Single by Kim Carnes
from the album Café Racers
ReleasedOctober 1983
Recorded1983
Genre
Length3:10 5:08 (dance version)
LabelEMI America
Songwriter(s)
  • Martin Page
  • Brian Fairweather
Producer(s)Keith Olsen
Music video
"Invisible Hands" on YouTube

It peaked at no. 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and was nominated for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the 27th Grammy Awards in 1985.

Background and writing

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"Invisible Hands" was written by Martin Page and Brian Fairweather of the British synthpop band Q-Feel. Carnes told ROCK magazine that she was inspired to record the song after reading about a historical case where an English man was wrongly convicted for murder. The real killer confessed his crime only after the innocent man had already been executed. "The title refers to what the murderer was feeling when the innocent man was in prison," Carnes stated. "If I had invisible hands, I would reach out and take you out of jail".[1]

Release and promotion

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"Invisible Hands" was released as the lead single from Café Racers in October 1983. Its release was supported by a music video directed by James Yukich. Carnes performed the song live on American Bandstand.

The track was remixed by John "Jellybean" Benitez and released as a single in North America.

Personnel

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Format and track listings

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7" Single
  • A "Invisible Hands" (FM Mix) (3:09)
  • B "I'll Be Here Where the heart Is" (4:42)
12" Single
  • A "Invisible Hands" (Dance Mix) (5:04)
  • B "Invisible Hands" (FM Mix) (3.09)

Chart performance

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Chart (1983) Peak
position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[2] 44
US Billboard Hot 100[3] 40
US Cash Box Top 100[4] 34

References

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  1. ^ Ptacek, Greg (1983). "A Kim Carnes Ghost Story". ROCK.
  2. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4439." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  3. ^ "Kim Carnes Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  4. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending DECEMBER 17, 1983". Cash Box. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved January 1, 2023.