Double: The Swiss Pop and Dance Music Innovator

Double is the stage name of Swiss singer and songwriter Bettina Schoenbach, a defining voice in European pop and dance music. Hailing from Zurich, she achieved international fame in the 1980s with her distinctive, breathy vocals and the global smash hit "The Captain of Her Heart," which became a radio staple across continents.

Early career

Bettina Schoenbach formed Double with Swiss musician Felix Haug in 1981, marking the beginning of a sophisticated pop duo. Their early work was characterized by a polished, jazz-inflected sound, leading to their debut album "Naningo" in 1983 on the independent Swiss label Polydor.

Breakthrough

The duo's major breakthrough arrived in 1985 with their sophomore album, "Blue". The album's lead single, "The Captain of Her Heart," became a slow-burning international sensation, climbing charts throughout 1986. Its success propelled the album to sell over two million copies worldwide, earning platinum certifications in multiple countries.

Key tracks

The Captain of Her Heart — This timeless ballad defined Double's career, reaching the Top 10 in numerous countries including the United States and United Kingdom.

Woman of the World — A driving pop track from the "Blue" album that showcased a more upbeat side of the duo's songwriting.

Devils Ball — An earlier single that established their signature blend of smooth pop with subtle jazz influences.

Rangoon Moon — A later single that continued their exploration of atmospheric, melancholic pop melodies.

Tomorrow — A track highlighting the sophisticated production and vocal delivery that became their trademark.

Following the massive success of "Blue," Double released the album "Dou3le" in 1987, which included the single "Gloria." While maintaining their core audience, the duo eventually parted ways in the late 1980s, with Bettina Schoenbach retaining the Double moniker for subsequent solo work. She continued to perform and record, releasing new material that honored the elegant sound she helped pioneer.

Fans of Double's smooth, melodic pop should also explore the work of similar artists. Sade shares a commitment to sophisticated, jazz-touched adult contemporary pop. Everything But The Girl explores similar territories of intimate vocals and refined electronic pop. Annie Lennox delivers the same powerful blend of soulful pop and artistic depth. Basia offers a comparable style of breezy, jazz-inflected pop music from the same era.

The music of Double remains a fixture on adult contemporary, soft rock, and classic hits FM stations, as well as specialized online radio streams dedicated to 80s pop and sophisticated dance music. Her tracks are regularly featured in curated playlists that celebrate the era's most elegant and enduring sounds.

Listeners can discover the sophisticated pop and dance music of Double on radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to stations available on onairium.com to hear "The Captain of Her Heart" and other key tracks from her influential catalog.