Stimulation: Wa Wa Nee’s 1986 Funk-Pop Sensation
In 1985, Wa Wa Nee dropped Stimulation, a funk-pop gem that soared to No. 2 on the ARIA Charts. Released on CBS (BA 3373), it charted for 27 weeks, went gold, and became their breakout hit. Written by Paul Gray and produced by Jim Taig, it was the lead single from their debut album, Wa Wa Nee. Kept from No. 1 by Samantha Fox’s Touch Me (I Want Your Body), its neon-fueled video lit up Countdown. Let’s dive into its Sydney roots, chart success, and why it’s still a groove-machine.
Sydney’s Funk-Pop Pioneers
Wa Wa Nee, formed in Sydney in 1982, were led by Paul Gray (vocals, keys) and Steve Williams (guitar), with Geoff Lundgren (bass), Elizabeth Lord (keyboards, vocals), and Chris Sweeney (drums). By Stimulation’s release, Mark Gray (bass) and Phil Witchett (keyboards) had joined. Their name, a nod to their funky vibe, echoed influences like Prince and Cameo. Stimulation, a thrill-chasing anthem, was recorded at Sydney studios with Jim Taig. Paul Gray’s soulful vocals, synths, and funky bassline made it a club hit, with a video screaming ’80s glam—neon suits and big hair. I mixed sound for them in ’89; their live groove was unreal, pulling huge, mostly female crowds. Guarding their dressing room happened more than once!
Chart Success
Charting on May 12th, ’86, as catalogue number BA 3373, Stimulation hit No. 2, blocked by Samantha Fox’s Touch Me. It ran for 27 weeks, going gold. Wa Wa Nee’s debut smash, it reached New Zealand’s top 40 and grazed the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart—a big deal for an Aussie act. Countdown and Rage airplay, plus CBS’s push, drove its club and radio dominance.
The ’86 Scene
In 1986, Australia’s music buzzed with INXS’s global climb, Pseudo Echo’s synth-pop, and The Divinyls’ pub rock. Wa Wa Nee’s funk-pop stood out, perfect for neon-lit clubs. Their Stimulation video, with its flashy style, ruled Countdown, and Paul Gray’s charisma made them pop idols. Their grooves got city clubbers and suburban teens dancing, distinct from Midnight Oil’s grit or Models’ art-rock.
Why It Endures
Stimulation launched Wa Wa Nee as funk-pop stars. Their debut album hit the ARIA top 10, spawning hits like Sugar Free and I Could Make You Love Me. A retro favorite on classic stations and ’80s revival nights, its video is pure ’80s glam. The band split in ’89, but Paul Gray, a talent and nice bloke, wrote and produced until his 2018 passing. Stimulation is an ’86 time capsule—neon, big hair, and groove. Play it, and you’re back in a club, busting moves. Got a Wa Wa Nee memory? I’ve got my ’89 gig story—share yours below!