Burning The Ground Exclusive
Formed in London in the mid-1980s, Voice Of The Beehive brought together American-born vocalists Tracey Bryn and Melissa Brooke Belland, who created a bright, infectious pop sound that blended jangly guitars with a distinctly alternative edge. The band quickly became part of the late ’80s indie/pop crossover scene, delivering catchy hooks with just enough attitude to set them apart.
“I Say Nothing” was originally released in 1987 as the second single from their debut album Let It Bee. The track perfectly captures the band’s signature style—upbeat and melodic on the surface, but with lyrics that hint at frustration and emotional restraint.
Produced by Hugh Jones, known for his work with artists like Echo & the Bunnymen and The Sound, the song features crisp guitars, driving rhythm, and layered harmonies that give it that unmistakable late-’80s alternative pop sheen.
While “I Say Nothing” didn’t make a major impact on the U.S. charts, it became one of the band’s most recognizable tracks and remains a fan favorite among those who followed the UK indie scene at the time reaching #45 on the UK singles chart. Its blend of pop sensibility and indie credibility helped Voice Of The Beehive carve out a unique space during a period when guitar-driven pop was evolving into something brighter and more accessible.
There’s a certain charm to “I Say Nothing” that still resonates today—it’s one of those tracks that feels effortlessly catchy while carrying just enough emotional weight beneath the surface.
The single was reissued in 1988, peaking at #11 on the US Billboard Alternative chart. The re-issue also charted again in the UK at #46.
SIDE A:
I Say Nothing 3:27
Lyrics By [Words] – T. Bryn
Music By – M. Jones, T. Bryn
Producer – Pete Collins
SIDE B:
The Things You See When You Don’t Have Your Gun (Live At ULU) 2:29
Producer – Peter Collins
Written-By – Brooke-Belland, Bryn
In The Flesh 2:30
Producer – M. Jones
Written-By – C. Stein, D. Harry*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Alternative Tracks | #11 | 1988 |
| UK Singles | #46 | 1988 |
| Australia | #73 | 1987 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: London Records – 886 370-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Alternative Rock, Pop Rock
CREDITS:
- Design – Vivid I.D.
- Photography – Simon Fowler
NOTES:
“I Say Nothing” From the London album “Let It Bee”
Printed in U.S.A.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.
As mentioned prior, “Monsters & Angels” was their big hit, but their cover of The Partridge Family’s “I Think I Love You” got a lot of traction in the states too. Both would be welcome rips to BTG!
Like Richard mentioned, “Monsters & Angels” was their big US alternative hit on KROQ, WNNX/Atlanta when I lived there during the ’96 Olympics. However, I can’t place where I’ve heard “I Say Nothing” before, but not on radio. Maybe a TV spot or placement in a film?
I’m late to this party! I actually didn’t know you had posted any new vinyl transfers since last Friday until I happened to scroll down and voila! This is really catchy, jangly retro pop! This sound was definitely in vogue at the time with, as others have pointed out, the B-52’s and Bangles ruling the charts. Big thank you Paul for bringing this back in the spotlight!!
Like Austin Powers might say: “Oh, Beehive”! I think this is a fun record and is destined to become more addictive the more I hear it! I wasn’t all too familiar with the band, but it was their name that always brought a smile! I do hear a B-52s and Go-Go’s influenced sound, but they have their own charisma. I’m going to further investigate their discography.
Thanks, Paul!!!
Jeff
Thanks so much, Jeff!
Your “Oh, Beehive!” cracked me up — absolutely perfect for this one. They really are such a fun band, and this track has that sneaky way of getting more addictive every time it spins. I can totally hear the B‑52s and Go‑Go’s vibe too, but like you said, they’ve got their own sparkle woven through it.
Love that you’re diving deeper into their catalog. Some real gems are waiting for you in there. Thanks again for the enthusiasm and for sharing the joy — it means a lot.
This is one of those bands that really didn’t make much of an impact in the US but really nails a quirky plus retro-for-the-time vibe. I always get a hint of The B-52s when I hear The Voice of the Beehive! I Say Nothing is one of their best – and maybe one of the best examples of Indie crossover into Pop before that really became a thing. Definitely blazed a trail that many others followed more successfully. Thanks for the playful selection Paul, really fun single. Wasn’t sure if there would be posts this week, so it was a… Read more »
You’re welcome, JP. I agree with everything you said—I hear elements of The B-52’s and The Go-Go’s, but the band definitely adds their own twist. I usually don’t post during fundraiser time, but I decided it was better to keep things moving so it didn’t feel like it was all about the fundraiser.
The drummer, Daniel “Woody” Woodgate, the one on the far right on the cover, is also the drummer for Madness.
Great catch, SynthPapa!
Woody’s one of those musicians who seems to pop up in all the coolest corners of late‑’80s UK pop. Seeing him on the far right of the sleeve always makes me smile — a little Madness energy sneaking into the Beehive universe. Love when these crossover moments show up on the artwork.
Thanks for pointing it out and adding to the fun trivia in the comments.
Thanks for this one Paul! I have heard this song before but didn’t realise it was them! Such a catchy chorus. A bit like a precursor to what would become the brit pop scene in the early 90s – thinking Echobelly and the likes.
Thanks, Nubben!
Funny how that happens — you hear a song floating around for years, then suddenly it snaps into place once you see the sleeve or hear the 12″ mix. This one really does have that bright, melodic swagger that Britpop would run with a few years later. I can totally hear the line from this to Echobelly, Sleeper, even a bit of early Blur in the guitar jangle.
Glad it clicked for you, and happy you enjoyed revisiting it.
I really enjoy them … now! I missed them entirely at the time, but living in Atlanta in the ’90s, “Monsters & Angels” was played almost daily by 99X (alternative new & old). It’s been quite interesting to learn that “Don’t Call Me Baby” was a much bigger hit globally and is the track that tends to get played the most on retro shows (at least in the UK).
Thanks, Richard!
It’s always fascinating how different songs break through in different places. “Monsters & Angels” getting heavy rotation on 99X makes total sense — that station really championed that melodic alt‑pop sound in the ’90s. And then you look at the UK, where “Don’t Call Me Baby” is the go‑to track on retro shows, and it’s almost like you’re talking about two different histories of the same band.
I love hearing how people discovered them, especially when it’s years after the fact. Glad this one brought back some memories for you.
The thing the label doesn’t tell you is that this is the radio friendly version of the song. The lyric “I get it every night” was changed to “I see him every night”.
Also, In The Flesh is a cover of a Blondie song.
Here’s the scoop on this group that featured Californian lead vocalist sisters Tracey Bryn and Melissa Brooke Belland (daughters of The Four Preps singer Bruce Belland). They teamed with British musicians Mike Jones, Martin Brett, and Daniel Woodgate – a former member of Madness. The band took their name from the Greek meaning of the name Melissa, meaning honey bee..Interestingly, when labels single out an emphasis track and cut a video, they usually use the “radio & retail-friendly” version for both. I caught “I get it every night” before I saw your post and thought “hmm wonder if that kept… Read more »
What a fun band they were! I was fortunate to see them in a small venue when this album was released and their energy was just electric. And so many non-album b-sides from the singles, like these 2, and all of them really good.
I agree, Dean. I don’t understand why they never caught on in the US. They had it all—great lyrics, music, the total package. And the b-sides are fantastic; I especially love their cover of Blondie’s “In the Flesh.”