26 February 1983
How you feel about ‘Too Shy’ is a good indication of how you feel about ’80s chart music in general. Fab pop? Meaningless fluff?
In a way, it’s both. As a song, ‘Too Shy’ wouldn’t stand up in a light breeze, but as a record it sounds great, carefully recreating the sophisticated ache and heart-stopping drama of seeing your fancy or crush across a crowded dancefloor. That in reality it’s your local sweatbox on youth-club night and your dad is waiting in the car outside doesn’t matter; ‘Too Shy’ is about how that moment feels. The co-production magic dust of Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran is the crucial element—every part of this track audibly shimmers.
I love ’80s chart pop anyway, but I also remember how every teenage disco felt like death or glory. In that sense, ‘Too Shy’ exists in the same universe as another epic ’80s tale from the local hop, ‘How Soon Is Now?’ by The Smiths—’80s pop music encompasses both, because life encompasses both, and you’re allowed to like both. In fact, I’d say you ought to.
Irish Number Ones 