Editing Level 42 (section)

===1985–1987: Worldwide fame (''World Machine'' and ''Running in the Family'') and split of original line-up===

By this time, the band were well established in their mainstream pop/rock sound, as evidenced on their next studio album, ''[[World Machine]]'', released later in 1985. King's dextrous bass playing and Lindup and Badarou's chugging keyboards acted as templates for pop songs such as "[[Something About You (Level 42 song)|Something About You]]" and "[[Leaving Me Now]]", which were both UK Top 20 hits (Top 40 hits in the [[Netherlands]]).

"Something About You" was also their first (and only) US Top 10 the following year; also reaching the Top 5 in Canada and the Top 20 in Italy and New Zealand. "[[Leaving Me Now]]" was the second hit from this album, peaking at No.&nbsp;15 in the United Kingdom but proving less successful in Europe. Elements of Level 42's roots could still be found in the funky "Coup d'État" and "Dream Crazy" on the UK version of the album.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

''World Machine'' gained positive reviews from critics, with [[AllMusic]] journalist William Cooper, in a retrospective review, describing it as "one of the finest pop albums of the mid-'80s."<ref>{{cite web|last=Cooper |first=William |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/world-machine-mw0000190657 |title=World Machine – Level 42 : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=14 September 2012}}</ref> During the recording of the album, the first major tensions between Phil Gould and Mark King began to surface over musical direction, production and their personal relationship. This clashing led to Gould leaving the band for a week. [[Allan Holdsworth]]'s drummer [[Gary Husband]] was lined up as a potential replacement, but Gould and King's dispute was subsequently patched up and the group went on to enjoy their most successful year to date.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

[[File:Level42-phil gould.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Phil Gould in 1986]]Released in early 1986 (and initially recorded to keep up the band's European chart momentum while the band was busy touring the United States), "[[Lessons in Love (Level 42 song)|Lessons in Love]]" was an international hit and became Level 42's biggest selling single.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}} It gave the band their first number one in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and South Africa, increasing the band's popularity considerably. It also placed at No.&nbsp;2 in Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden, No.&nbsp;3 in the UK and in Ireland, No.&nbsp;4 in Austria, No.&nbsp;10 in Norway, No.&nbsp;12 in the US in 1987, No.&nbsp;18 in New Zealand and No.&nbsp;22 in France).<ref>{{cite web|first=Steffen|last=Hung |url=http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Level+42&titel=Lessons+In+Love&cat=s |title=Level 42 – Lessons In Love |publisher=lescharts.com |access-date=30 December 2011}}</ref> 

"Lessons in Love" became the lead single on 1987's ''[[Running in the Family]]'' album, recorded to capitalise on the impact. With the band now at the peak of their success, the album added further gloss to Level 42's polished pop sound (despite adding to Phil Gould's disquiet). Further singles from the album continued and built on the band's existing profile: "To Be With You Again" (No.&nbsp;6 in the Netherlands and in Ireland), the ballad "It's Over" (No.&nbsp;3 in Ireland and No.&nbsp;7 in the Netherlands) and ''Running In The Family''{{'}}s title track (No.&nbsp;1 in Denmark, No.&nbsp;3 in the Netherlands, No.&nbsp;4 in Ireland, No.&nbsp;5 in Switzerland, No.&nbsp;7 in Norway and No.&nbsp;9 in New Zealand).<ref>{{cite web|first=Steffen|last=Hung |url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Level+42&titel=Running+In+The+Family&cat=s |title=Level 42 – Running In The Family |publisher=charts.nz |access-date=30 December 2011}}</ref> The album itself was a major international success, reaching the Top 10 in numerous countries.<ref>{{cite web|first=Steffen|last=Hung |url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Level+42&titel=Running+In+The+Family&cat=a |title=Level 42 – Running In The Family |publisher=charts.nz |access-date=30 December 2011}}</ref>

By now a leading British pop band, Level 42 played at the [[Prince's Trust]] concert in June 1987, with [[Eric Clapton]] standing in on lead guitar for a performance of "[[Running in the Family (song)|Running in the Family]]". King and Lindup also performed with artists including [[Ben E. King]] on "[[Stand by Me (Ben E. King song)|Stand By Me]]" and [[George Harrison]] and [[Ringo Starr]] on "[[While My Guitar Gently Weeps]]".<ref name="The Princes Trust Concert">{{cite web | url = http://www.level42webdigest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12025&highlight=tours | title = Level 42 in Princess Trust's concert 1987 | work = Level 42 Web Digest | access-date = 2 May 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110713202442/http://www.level42webdigest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12025&highlight=tours | archive-date = 13 July 2011 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Despite the success, Level 42 were on the brink of splitting up. Although Phil Gould was the most visibly dissatisfied member, it was Boon Gould who was the first to leave, departing in late 1987, following a support slot on a [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] tour. The quietest member of the band,{{according to whom|date=March 2023}} Boon surprised both King and Lindup with his sudden departure. However, he had been suffering from nervous exhaustion and also wanted to leave the lifestyle of a constantly touring musician in order to settle down and spend more time with his wife and children. Boon's relationship with the band remained amicable and, although he would not return to Level 42 as a performing or recording member, he continued to write lyrics for the band following his departure. He was temporarily replaced by Paul Gendler (an experienced session player who had previously been the guitarist for [[Modern Romance (band)|Modern Romance]]) for a six-week headlining tour and for further support slots with [[Tina Turner]].

[[File:Level-42-mark-batman.jpg|thumb|upright|Mark King in 1987]]In December 1987, midway through the tour, Phil Gould left Level 42 permanently. Like his brother, he was suffering from exhaustion, but his relationship with King had broken down once again and they now found it difficult to work together. Phil was also reportedly dissatisfied with the band's direction in terms of their newer "pop" sound, and King and Lindup failed to convince him to stay. To complete the tour dates, the band hired [[Prefab Sprout]] drummer [[Neil Conti]] to fill in.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forevernow.com/band.shtml |title=Level 42 Band Members @ |publisher=Forevernow.com |access-date=15 October 2013}}</ref>