This is another group who turned out to have only a brief moment of fame on the chart in the late-90s. Olive is not an individual person, but a British production group, who made songs in various dance genres including trip-hop, before all of these sounds ended up being rather rusty by the end of the decade. Among the members was Ruth-Ann, who was the singer.
In June 1996, “Miracle” was released, but this reached only an unofficial no. 118. It was hoped that this could do better though. Next in September 1996 “You’re Not Alone” reached no. 42. Well at least they made the chart this time. In March 1997 “Miracle” was given another go, and this time reached no. 41. But none of them probably expected what was coming next.
In May 1997 “You’re Not Alone” was given another go as well. In an era when lots of singles entered the chart at Number One, this ended up being one of them. Suddenly a lot of people were being moved by this song and considered this to be an anthem. It’s remarkable what a half-decent remix and a little radio airplay can do. There were also three videos made for this curiously. This was a chart-topper for two weeks in the UK.
This was also their only hit in other countries, reaching no. 56 in America, and no. 40 in Australia. They were suddenly a big name on the dance scene, and also in May 1997 their debut album made the Top 20. They even went on to win an Ivor Novello award for their songwriting work. And well, it was imagined that this suddenly rather big fanbase would hang around for the next single, would this happen?
Well, not really. In August 1997, “Outlaw” reached no. 14. This would be the final time they made the Top 40. In November 1997, “Miracle” was given a third release in barely 18 months… and reached no. 41 again, how odd. Olive haven’t troubled the chart since, although they did continue to work together until the early-2000s, but they had long since reached the point where their career was in a dumper-shaped device.
ADAM'S NOSTALGIC MEMORIES 