Expert: Bong Santos - 9/6/2007

Question
who sang the song "what are words for" in the 80's?  female singer in a band that had a couple of hits.

Answer
Dear Jaci,

The female singer you were referring to was none other than DALE BOZZIO and the band, MISSING PERSONS. They were an 80's New Wave band formed in Los Angeles in 1980. Their members include DALE's husband, drummer TERRY BOZZIO, guitarist WARREN CUCCURULLO, bassist PATRICK O'HEARN and keyboardist CHUCK WILD. In 1982, they released their major debut album SPRING SESSION M which includes their debut single WORDS. It barely missed the Top 40 peaking at No. 42 on Billboard Hot 100 Chart on August 28, 1982. Later that year, their follow-up song, DESTINATION UNKNOWN also reached No. 42. Two more singles released from the album, WINDOWS and WALKING IN L.A. stalled at Nos. 63 & 70, respectively. They disbanded in 1987. WARREN CUCCURULLO became a member of DURAN DURAN. Here's WORDS:

WORDS / MISSING PERSONS

Do you hear me
Do you care
Do you hear me
Do you care

My lips are moving and the sound's coming out
The words are audible but I have my doubts
That you realize what has been said
You look at me as if you're in a daze
It's like the feeling at the end of the page
When you realize you don't know what you just read

What are words for when no one listens anymore
What are words for when no one listens
What are words for when no one listens it's no use talkin' at all

I might as well go up and talk to a wall
'Cause all the words are having no effect at all
It's a funny thing am I all alone

Something has to happen to change the direction
What little filters through is giving you the wrong impression
It's a sorry state I say to myself

What are words for when no one listens anymore
What are words for when no one listens
What are words for when no one listens it's no use talkin' at all

Do you hear me
Do you care
Do you hear me
Do you care

Let me get by
Over your dead body
Hope to see you soon
When will I know
Doors three feet wide with no locks open
Walking always backwards in the faces of strangers
Time could be my friend
But it's less than nowhere now
Less than nowhere now
Less than nowhere now
Now
Ow ow ow

Pursue it further and another thing you'll find
Not only are they deaf and dumb they could be going blind and no one notices
I think I'll dye my hair blue

Media overload bombarding you with action
It's getting near impossible to cause distraction
Someone answer me before I pull out the plug

What are words for when no one listens anymore
What are words for when no one listens
What are words for when no one listens it's no use talkin' at all

What are words for when no one listens anymore
What are words for when no one listens
What are words for when no one listens it's no use talkin' at all

Do you hear me
Do you care
Do you hear me
Do you care
Tell me what are words for
Do you hear me
Tell me what are words for
Do you care
Tell me what are words for
Do you hear me
So tell me what are words for
Do you care
So tell me what are words for
Do you hear me
Tell me what are words for
So tell me what are words for
Do you care
So tell me what are words for
Do you hear me
Tell me what are words for
So tell me what are words for
Do you care
So tell me what are words for

Maraming salamat po!!

BONG M. SANTOS
Manila, Philippines