‘Always Something There to Remind Me’ Singer Peter Byrne Dies at 74

Naked Eyes co-founder Peter Byrne, known for hits like “Always Something There to Remind Me” and “Promises, Promises,” has died in Los Angeles on Sept 14. after a “brief illness,” the band’s website said. He was 74.

North London-born Byrne co-founded the band Naked Eyes with Rob Fisher and signed with EMI Records in 1982.

Their debut album “Burning Bridges” (released as “Naked Eyes” in the United States) was recorded at Abbey Road Studios, where The Beatles recorded nearly 200 songs, and released in 1983.

The album featured a synth-pop rearrangement of “Always Something There to Remind Me,” which was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David in 1963.

The band wasn’t the first to cover the song—The Four Seasons and Dionne Warwick had already released versions in the 1960s—but unlike those earlier takes, the British band’s new wave arrangement became a hit that stayed on the airwaves for decades.

Its version was the band’s only song to make the top 10 of Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 8.

The duo’s early success came at a time other British bands like Duran Duran and Wham! were finding success among United States listeners, solidifying their contribution to the so-called second British invasion.

The duo split after their second album, and Byrne went on to play in studio sessions, including singing backing vocals on Stevie Wonder’s 1985 hit “Part-Time Lover.”

He didn’t write another well-known pop single that rose to the popularity of his originals like “Promises, Promises,” which was co-written by Fisher, but he did have a stint writing and producing a 1993 song called “I Am the Cute One” for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen at the height of their “Full House” fame. 

Fans were invited to share their memories of the musician in comments on the band’s website.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Pete at a Naked Eyes gig in Rochester New York back in October of 2006,” a fan named Kirk wrote. “He was so nice and put on a great show. His work with Rob Fisher as Naked Eyes is among my all-time favourite music. Rest in Peace Pete, you will be greatly missed.”

Another wrote, “Naked Eyes will always have a special place in my heart and will forever be played in my household.” 

Japanese radio DJ Sayoko Kamei honored Byrne in a social media post sharing her condolences on Saturday.

“I couldn’t pay tribute to Pete Byrne on Radio Disco today, so I’m sharing this song here tonight,” Kamei wrote. 

“Back in junior high, I borrowed a Naked Eyes record from You & I and played it until I knew every song by heart. Thank you for the music and for a little piece of my teenage years that will always stay with me. Rest in peace.”

The charting songwriter is survived by his siblings Eileen, Sandy, Carol, and Steve; his three children, Merlin, Dylan, and Chloe; and his ex-wife, Elena.