Twice Shy - Take Me Dancing b/w Heart and Soul

Tracks

Side 1

		Track Name	Length
	1	Take Me Dancing	04:43

Side 2

		Track Name	Length
	1	Heart and Soul	04:08

Photos

Videos

No Video

Information/Write-up

Twice Shy were a pop-rock duo from London, Ontario, formed by brothers Steve Revington (vocals, keyboards) and Scott Revington (vocals, guitars). Writing, arranging, and recording their own material from 1981 onward, the Revingtons spent several years refining a distinctive sound that allowed them to explore a variety of song styles while maintaining a focused, fresh, and identifiable musical identity.

Their songwriting reflected strong roots in progressive music, carefully balanced with commercial accessibility. Musically, Twice Shy emphasized a blend of cool synthesizer textures with emotional guitar work and vocals, while placing particular importance on lyrics. They viewed lyric writing as a responsibility, striving to remain positive without resorting to pop clichés, and developing material that supported both artistic expression and broad appeal. Their influences spanned a wide range of pop and rock artists, including The Beatles, Tears for Fears, Split Enz, The Cars, Simple Minds, Dire Straits, and Toto.

Rather than pursuing the bar circuit, Twice Shy relied on radio as their primary avenue for exposure at a time when independent artists faced limited access to studios and airplay. Both brothers held full-time jobs outside of music — one as a teacher and the other as a landscaper — which made station-run competitions a practical and essential path forward. By the mid-1980s, they were actively participating in local radio initiatives such as CKSL’s Battle Of The Bands and CFPL-FM’s On Track, programs designed to showcase and develop Canadian talent.

Their efforts paid off when Twice Shy won CFPL-FM’s On Track competition with the single ‘Here Comes the Rain’, earning $1,000 worth of recording time at London’s E.M.A.C. Recording Studios. That studio time was used to record demo material in hopes of securing a recording deal, and it further cemented their relationship with one of the city’s most important independent recording facilities.

In 1987, Twice Shy released the single ‘Take Me Dancing’ b/w ‘Heart and Soul’, recorded and mixed at E.M.A.C. Studios. The record was produced by Peter Brennan, with engineering by Joe Vaughan, and featured contributions from local musicians including Ian Stewart (bass), Jeff Stevens (drums), Derek Black (emulator), Duncan Grant (keyboards), with Brennan also providing backing vocals. The single represented the duo’s most fully realized studio work, capturing their polished synthesis of pop structure and progressive influence.

Brennan’s involvement placed Twice Shy within a broader London, Ontario recording circle he helped shape during the 1980s. A guitarist, producer, and music director, Brennan worked extensively with local artists such as Equus, Gilded Cage, Monkey See, Aces Wild, and others, often through sessions at EMAC and releases on his Auto Records imprint. His hands-on approach as a producer — frequently contributing musically as well as technically — made him a pivotal figure in nurturing regional talent during this period. Brennan went on to achieve international recognition as the founder of Jeans ’n Classics, blending rock and orchestral performance for audiences across North America and beyond. He passed away on September 29, 2025, leaving behind a legacy defined not only by musical achievement, but by generosity, mentorship, and a deep commitment to the London music community.

Promo material from the period included lyrics for four complete songs — ‘Take Me Dancing,’ ‘Heart and Soul,’ ‘Here Comes the Rain,’ and ‘Stand Close the Fire’ — indicating that Twice Shy recorded enough finished material to support two singles during this phase. While only ‘Take Me Dancing’ b/w ‘Heart and Soul’ is confirmed as a commercial 7-inch release, the presence of ‘Here Comes the Rain’ and ‘Stand Close the Fire’ in the same professionally prepared promo pack suggests additional recordings were completed and actively promoted through radio and competitions.

Following the release of Take Me Dancing, the group achieved sustained radio exposure across Southwestern Ontario. The single received light to heavy rotation for ten consecutive weeks on CFPL-FM, CKSL, and CIQM, with CJBK adding the record for an additional month. The resulting airplay helped the duo sell records locally and generate enough momentum to finance further releases, marking a rare example of independent success driven almost entirely by regional radio support.

By the late 1980s, Twice Shy stood as a strong example of London’s homegrown recording artists — musicians who navigated the realities of independent production, radio exposure, and career sustainability with persistence and careful self-direction. Their recorded output documents a period when Canadian radio contests and locally rooted producers played a meaningful role in bridging the gap between emerging talent and wider opportunity.
-Robert Williston

Musicians
Steve Revington: vocals, keyboards
Scott Revington: vocals, guitars
Peter Brennan: backing vocals
Ian Stewart: bass
Jeff Stevens: drums
Derek Black: emulator
Duncan Grant: keyboards

Songwriting
‘Take Me Dancing’ – written by Steve Revington and Scott Revington
‘Heart and Soul’ – written by Steve Revington and Scott Revington

Production
Produced by Peter Brennan
Engineered by Joe Vaughan
Recorded and mixed at E.M.A.C. Studios, London, Ontario, Canada

Artwork
Graphics by K. Toner Graphic Design

Notes
Twice Shy consisted of brothers Steve Revington and Scott Revington
Special thanks to all at E.M.A.C. Recording Studios

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