Lloyd Cole (born 31 January 1961) is an English singer and songwriter. He was lead vocalist of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions from 1984 to 1989 and subsequently worked solo. Early life Cole was born in Buxton, Derbyshire, England. He grew up in nearby Chapel-en-le-Frith and went to New Mills Grammar School and later attended Runshaw College in Leyland, Lancashire. He studied a year of law at University College London but switched to the University of Glasgow, where he studied philosophy and English, and also met the future members of the Commotions. Career 1984–1989: Lloyd Cole and the Commotions The Commotions' 1984 debut studio album, Rattlesnakes, contained literary and pop culture references to such figures as Arthur Lee, Norman Mailer, Grace Kelly, Eva Marie Saint, Simone de Beauvoir, Truman Capote and Joan Didion. The group produced two more albums, Easy Pieces and Mainstream, before disbanding in 1989. Songs by the band include "Perfect Skin", "Rattlesnakes", "Forest Fire", "Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken?", "Lost Weekend" and "Jennifer She Said". Cole subsequently relocated to New York City and recorded with various musicians, including Fred Maher, Robert Quine and Matthew Sweet. 1990–1992: Lloyd Cole and Don't Get Weird on Me Babe This solo setting produced two studio albums, Lloyd Cole in 1990 – preceded by the single "No Blue Skies" – and Don't Get Weird on Me Babe in 1991. The latter was recorded in two parts: one side continued the New York rock of his debut solo studio album, while the other side featured a session orchestra, much in the style of Burt Bacharach or Scott Walker. While he remained with Polydor as his record label, the US distribution contract with Capitol Records ended. (US rights were picked up by Rykodisc.) "She's a Girl and I'm a Man" was released as a single. "Downtown" (from Lloyd Cole, 1990) was featured in the film Bad Influence (1990) – starring Rob Lowe and James Spader – while "Pay for It" (from Don't Get Weird on Me Babe, 1991) was on the soundtrack of When the Party's Over, starring Sandra Bullock. 1993–1999: Bad Vibes, Love Story and The Collection Cole recorded Bad Vibes in 1993, a collaboration with producer/remixer Adam Peters, using a harder sound. "So You'd Like to Save the World" and "Morning Is Broken" were released as singles. Love Story (1995) was recorded with the help of Stephen Street (who has worked