On its release, Paul Simper of Number One noted the "pleasant production and leisurely chorus" and Moyet's voice "blossoming in a discreetly unexpected way". [19] Pete Clarke of Smash Hits praised Moyet's "superb voice" but added that "somebody's forgotten to give her a decent song this time around and there's nothing quite as sad as a voice in search of a tune." [20] Barney Hoskyns of New Musical Express considered the song to be a "veritable hit" from the "Jimmy Iovine conveyor-belt". He felt it was "almost as bland and obvious" as "Is This Love?" [21] Following the release of her successful debut album Alf, Moyet decided to move to Los Angeles where she remained for almost a year. Once settled, Moyet's manager hired Jimmy Iovine to produce her second studio album. Aware of Floy Joy's "Weak in the Presence of Beauty", Moyet chose to record the song for the album. [12] It was released as the second single from Raindancing in February 1987, [13] and was also the second and final single from the album in the States, where it was released in August that year. [14] Alison Moyet - Weak In The Presence Of Beauty / To Work On You - Columbia - USA - 38 07365". 45cat. 30 November 2013 . Retrieved 3 November 2017.

European Charts of the Year 1987 > Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol.4, no.51/52. 26 December 1987. p.34 . Retrieved 7 October 2021. Video Music: New Videoclips" (PDF). Billboard. Vol.99, no.17. 25 April 1987. p.64 . Retrieved 26 January 2022– via World Radio History. Smith, Robin (11 January 1986). "Index: Beauty and the Beasts". Record Mirror. p.4. ISSN 0144-5804.Floy Joy, The Face Interview | Desi Campbell Singer, Songwriter". Desi Campbell . Retrieved 8 May 2014. Alison Moyet - Weak In The Presence Of Beauty / To Work On You - CBS - UK - MOYET 2". 45cat . Retrieved 3 November 2017.

Album review | Alison Moyet: 'Alf', 'Raindancing', 'Hoodoo' & 'Essex' Deluxe Editions | Attitude Magazine". Attitude.co.uk. 25 November 2016 . Retrieved 12 November 2017. Speaking to The Face in 1986, Michael Ward revealed the song's title was inspired by a conversation he had with a girl. He said, "This girl was saying that she didn't trust me and I said, just off the cuff, 'What can I do, I'm weak in the presence of beauty'. I still don't know where it came from." [7] In a later interview with The Times, Campbell was asked if he felt cheated that the song was a hit for Moyet, but not for Floy Joy. He said, "On the contrary, my association with that song has and continues to open many doors for me and I'm very proud to have been part of a little piece of pop history." [8] Critical reception [ edit ] a b c Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 978-0-646-11917-5. Weak in the Presence of Beauty" is a song written by Michael Ward and Rob Clarke, and originally recorded by their band, Floy Joy. It was released in 1986 as the lead single from their album of the same name. In 1987, English singer Alison Moyet released a version of the song which was a hit across Europe and Australasia.

Reviews

Weak in the Presence of Beauty" was released in January 1986 as the lead single from their upcoming album of the same name. The song reached No. 85 in the UK Singles Chart, [3] but was a bigger success in Australia, reaching No. 29 on the Kent Music Report chart. [4] In Canada, it reached No. 68 on the RPM 100 Singles chart and No. 14 on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart. [5] [6]