Janet Kay is an English singer and actress best known for her iconic 1979 lovers rock hit 'Silly Games', a song that helped define an entire era of British reggae-influenced soul. With her distinctive vocal tone and emotive delivery, she became one of the most recognisable voices in lovers rock and a pioneering figure in UK music history.
Janet’s musical journey began when she was discovered singing impromptu at a rehearsal studio by Tony “Gad” Robinson, keyboardist with the renowned reggae band Aswad. In 1978 she recorded early tracks including 'I Do Love You' and 'That’s What Friends Are For' before releasing 'Silly Games', written and produced by Dennis Bovell. The song became a major European hit, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart and earning her appearances on Top of the Pops.
Across her career, Janet released an extensive catalogue of albums including 'Capricorn Woman', 'So Amazing', 'Sweet Surrender' and numerous releases for Sony Music Japan. She enjoyed further club success with 'Eternally Grateful' in 1984 and contributed behind the scenes as a producer, including work on 'Missing You' by Aswad. Beyond music, she also appeared as Angel in the UK sitcom 'No Problem!' and became a founding member of the influential Black British theatre collective BiBi Crew.
Recognised for her cultural impact, Janet Kay was included in the 2003 list of 100 Great Black Britons and in 2022 'Silly Games' was named runner-up in a major list of the greatest UK number-two singles. In 2023 she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). With a legacy spanning decades, Janet Kay remains a cherished live performer whose timeless music continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
