Stock Aitken and Waterman attained mainstream success in the UK with a mixture of Hi-NRG sound, Eurobeat and Italo Disco, as well as Pop. Along with Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Bananarama, Rick Astley, the SAW/PWL coalition became the British equivalent of the Motown assembly line. Rick Astley and Kylie in particular went on to enjoy international success. Kylie Minogue is the most successful post-PWL artist; after she left SAW, she recorded hits such as the anthemic 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' of the 2000s.
Like Max Martin and Cheiron with Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Britney Spears in the 1990s, they were criticized and ridiculed a lot by the music press, as well as by many general music fans for their upbeat, cheesy pop music and infectious hand claps & cowbells; but Mike, Pete and Matt had a formula, and it worked. Much to the delight of fans of upbeat, fun pop. Their talent and ability to carve out a catchy hit song was unquestionable and with the songs, some of them have become trademark PWL classics and fan favourites in clubs, in karaoke bars and with fans in general around the world. The trio matched the songs with the singers they felt would suit each melody best. SAW even branched out to R&B with Princess's 'Say I'm Your Number One' and Kylie Minogue's 'Let's Get To It' album.
Whatever your views are in regards to Stock Aitken and Waterman, whether you love em' or loathe them, they became a success in their own right and you can't take away their achievements and their record of securing 100+ British top 40 singles. It's a pretty amazing feat; no other pop producing team has managed to exceed this record, not even Max Martin and Cheiron Studios, who with American acts Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys and NSYNC, were the 90s Scandinavian equivalent to SAW.
I chose and compiled 30 of my all-time favourite Stock, Aitken and Waterman songs; there are so much more, but these were the songs that resonated with me the most, as well as they were the soundtrack to my childhood with a few surprises thrown in. It wasn't easy selecting 30 of them, but if you are a SAW fan, then one of your favourite songs will probably be on this list.
*last updated: 10 October 2017
Got To Be Certain - Kylie Minogue; my favourite Kylie song of all-time
Take Me To Your Heart - Rick Astley; my favourite Rick Astley song and overlooked by many, who favour the famous rickrolling tune, 'Never Gonna Give You Up'
You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) - Dead or Alive
That's What Love Can Do - Boy Krazy - I know people have said that SAW weren't as successful in the 1990s as they were in the 1980s, but this song had 'smash hit' written all over it
RSVP - Jason Donovan
This Time I Know It's For Real - Donna Summer; everyone knows Hot Stuff, On The Radio and I Feel Love from the disco era of the 70s, but Donna with PWL had success with this song in the 80s. This is my personal favourite song of hers.
Happenin' All Over Again - Lonnie Gordon; this song was initially offered to Donna Summer, however she turned it down.
Love In The First Degree - Bananarama; 'GUILTY!!'. That is all
Say I'm Your Number One - Princess
Let's Get To It - Kylie Minogue
She Wants To Dance With Me - Rick Astley
That's The Way It Is - Mel and Kim
Let's All Chant - Pat & Mick; cover of the Michael Zeiger Band's 70's disco tune with a PWL flavour
Cross My Broken Heart - Sinitta
I Just Can't Wait - Mandy Smith
Did I Say Ti Amo? - Fresh
Turn it Up - Michael Davidson
Handful of Promises - Big Fun
Cross My Heart - Eighth Wonder
Breakaway - Donna Summer, (PWL remix)
Boys (Summertime Love) - Sabrina
Climb To The Top Of The Mountain - Sonia
One Thing Leads To Another - Yell
After You're Gone - Suzette Charles
Turn it into Love - Hazel Dean; song made famous by Kylie Minogue, PWL chose to release Kylie's version over Hazel's. I like the production values of this rendition more than the single version by Kylie.
Whenever You Need Somebody - O'Chi Brown; 2nd version of the song, which was first recorded by Rick Astley. Again another SAW track where I prefer the production values of the unreleased single version.
Requiem - London Boys
The Time Warp - Damian; made famous on the Rocky Horror Picture Show movie
(Ain't Nobody Loves You) Like I Do - Latoya Jackson