The Friends of Mr Cairo is the second album by Jon and Vangelis, released in 1981. There are two editions of the album, with different sleeves. Both were released in 1981 within a few weeks of each other. The title track, "The Friends of Mr Cairo", peaked at No. 1 on the Canadian singles chart in late 1981, though the track was not a hit elsewhere. The second edition of the album includes the single "I'll Find My Way Home", which according to Anderson was added in response to poor initial sales of the album, and which stayed in the Swiss charts for 14 weeks and peaked at No. 1 on 7 March 1982. It also peaked at No. 6 in the UK.[2] The album was #2 in Canada for 3 weeks, and was #15 in the Best of 1981.[3] "State of Independence" was later a hit single for Donna Summer, and a decade later for Moodswings with Chrissie Hynde on vocal. Anderson also later re-recorded that song on his solo album Change We Must, released in 1994.
The Friends of Mr Cairo | ||||
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![]() Cover of second release | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | July 1981 | |||
Studio | Davout Studios, Paris, and Nemo Studios, London | |||
Genre | Electronic, progressive rock | |||
Length | 45:42 | |||
Label | Polydor | |||
Producer | Vangelis | |||
Jon and Vangelis chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
Artwork on 1981 Polydor LP release | ||||
Singles from The Friends of Mr Cairo | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The title track and its accompanying music video serve as an ode to classic Hollywood films of the 1930s and 1940s, including references to the classic film noir The Maltese Falcon. Joel Cairo (Mr Cairo) is the character played by Peter Lorre in The Maltese Falcon. The track incorporates sound effects and voice impressions of the stars of the era, most notably Lorre, Humphrey Bogart, Sydney Greenstreet, and Jimmy Stewart.
Side A
Side B
Side A
Side B
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Album
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[13] | Platinum | 50,000^ |
Canada (Music Canada)[14] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[15] | Gold | 100,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Singles
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Canada (Music Canada)[14] | Gold | 50,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
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Studio albums | |
Compilation albums | |
Songs | |
Vangelis albums featuring Jon Anderson | |
Related |
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