7 of Belinda Carlisle's best ever songs

17 August 2018, 12:25

Belinda Carlisle celebrates her 60th birthday today (August 17)!

To mark the special occasion, here are just a handful of the American singer's finest songs to kickstart your ideal Belinda playlist.

1. 'Heaven is a Place on Earth'

   Easily her most successful and famous hit, this track was a number one song in both the US and UK in 1987/88.

   It was the lead single from Belinda's second solo album, and also featured backing vocals from Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas and songwriter Diane Warren. Plus, Thomas Dolby played keyboards!

2. 'I Get Weak'

   This track was originally written by Diane Warren with Stevie Nicks in mind, but it was later given to Belinda.

   It became a number two hit in the US, behind Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up'. It also reached number 10 in the UK.

3. 'Circle in the Sand'

   Like the first two songs in this list, this track was also taken from Belinda's hugely successful Heaven on Earth album.

   The melody borrows from Mike + The Mechanics' track 'Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)', specifically the "can you hear me calling" line.

4. 'Our Lips Are Sealed' (with The Go-Go's)

   Before her solo career, Belinda was the lead singer in the legendary girl group The Go-Go's.

   The Specials frontman Terry Hall had written this song with Jane Wiedlin for her band The Go-Go’s, but it was not a hit in the UK. However, it was a big hit in the States. Hall's next band Fun Boy Three then released their own version in 1983, scoring a top 10 hit in the UK.

5. 'Mad About You'

   This was Belinda's debut solo single, released in 1986, after leaving The Go-Go's.

   Paula Jean Brown (who took Jane Wiedlin's spot in The Go-Go's just before they broke up) co-wrote the song with Jim Whelan, while Wiedlin and Charlotte Caffey sang back-up vocals. It was one of a few songs considered for a cancelled fourth Go-Go's album.

6. 'Leave a Light On'

   This was the lead single from Belinda's third album Runaway Horses, and it peaked a number four in the UK in 1989.

   Amazing fact: George Harrison played guitar on the song.

   Belinda said: "Rick [Nowels] said we should get someone cool and with a distinctive style to play the lead guitar part. I thought for a moment and said 'What about George Harrison?' I had met George briefly a few years earlier in San Remo Italy and Morgan [Mason, Carlisle's husband] through his work on Sex Lies and Videotape. He knew someone who was close to [Harrison] and able to get word to him. George responded right away, saying he'd love to help out."

7. 'We Got the Beat' (with The Go-Go's)

   This song became The Go-Go's signature song, reaching number two in the US in 1982.

   Only ​2 1⁄2 minutes long, the song evolved out of the group covering the song that helped become the group's name, 'Going to a Go Go' by the Miracles.