You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar when I met you...

Quick HIt

“Don’t You Want Me” by the Human League (1982)

The human sea of people at the malls this time of year drives me crazy. I have been checked out of the way a couple of times already this year - once by an old lady, who did to her credit say “Sorry, dear” after she hip checked me into the metal tubular poles at the check-out line.

The United Nations now estimates the population of the earth at over 8 billion people. I believe it with the day I had at the grocery store!

So the story goes two very lucky girls were dancing at the Crazy Daisy Nightclub in Sheffield on a Wednesday night when a desperate Phil Oakey, in search of a backup singer found them.

We'll be fighting in the streets with our children at our feet and the morals that they worship will be gone

Songs Everyone Should Know

“Won’t Get Fooled Again” by the Who (1971)

It started as being an extension of the statement made by the hippies. “We Won’t Get Fooled Again”. By What? By Who? Let the entrenchment of the boomers begin. Are the new leaders any better than the old leaders?

It was the loudest band in the world. The thunderous drums of Keith Moon, the driving bass of John Entwhistle, the crashing guitar of Pete Townshend and the instantly recognizable vocals of Rodger Daltrey blended at the time of male-dominated rock and roll. With fellow Brit bands Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones, they were all over the airwaves in the early ‘70’s. The so-called ‘holy trinity’ of British bands (with the Beatles and the Stones) is filled out by the Who.

You want to stay out with your fancy friends I'm telling you it's gotta be the end Don’t Bring me down....grrooss!

70’s Pick of the Week

“Don’t Bring Me Down” by Electric Light Orchestra (1979)

When Electric Light Orchestra, aka ELO released the album “Discovery”, my friends and I called it ‘Disco –Very’. Not that we didn’t like the album, but it was that all groups around that time seemed to go through a disco phase, even the Rolling Stones, and this was ELO’s disco album. The strange thing about ELO is that they never had a number one hit in the U.K. or in the U.S., yet they have had the most top 40 songs in the U.S. than any band in history.  Weird huh?

Birmingham, England’s Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne set out to make pop songs that had a bit of classical music interwoven. Wood left after the debut album and its lukewarm reviews. Lynne of course went on to write, arrange and produce every album after that – all 11 of them.

Do I have to tell the story of a thousand rainy days since we first met. It's a big enough umbrella but it's always me that ends up getting wet.

Songs Everybody Should Know

“Every Little Thing She Does is Magic”, by the Police (1981)

The first time I heard the Police was at the student union offices at university. One of the guys had a turntable set up in his office in Mac Hall. He said “You have to hear this amazing new album by the Police”. I said “By what? Who? The Police, what the hell are you talking about”. “The ‘Police’ man this kind of reggae sounding punkish band”.

It seems like punk, with its irreverence and value in substance over form, eventually left one looking for musicianship again – I mean really, most of the punk band couldn’t play and many prided themselves on this. It had its place and time but there was a void in the fabric of pop music tearing wide open.

A Goddess on a mountain top was burning like a silver flame The summit of beauty and love and Venus was her name

Songs Everybody Should Know

“Venus” by Bananarama (1986)

Girl groups lost popularity for a while after the 50’s where they proliferated the music scene. In the sixties Diana Ross and the Supremes stood their ground as did staples like the Marvellettes and the Vandellas. In the seventies girl groups waned – but they were missed in the time of male-dominated rock.

Finally in the eighties the Go-Go’s, Bangles and the U.K.’s Bananarama took flight.

Wild thing, I think I love you But I wanna know for sure Come on and hold me tight I love you

Quick Hit

“Wild Thing” by the Troggs (1966)

There is just some sort of primitive appeal to this song's beat. It sounded pretty strange when it first came out. This song had such an influence on garage bands and probably eventually punk rock and harder rock.  It is hard to believe it came out in 1966. Orginally written by Chip Taylor in the U.S. and put out by “The Wild Ones”, the version most people are familiar with is the U.K. Trogg’s version of it.

 It must admit it that the guitar riff does sound a bit like Kingsmen’s 1963 "Louie Louie”, but it may have been more unconscious of the artists to replicate that sound – that sound had to have been drllled into the collective unconscious of the world by then.

Before this river becomes an ocean Before you throw my heart back on the floor

Quick Hit

“Faith” by George Michael (1987)

You can say whatever you want about George Michael, but he probably won’t care. He is one of the top male vocalists of all time having sold over 100 million albums now. The pioneering album ‘Faith’ has now sold over 25 million copies world-wide, won the Grammy for ‘album of the year’, and spun off 5 top-5 singles. The other notable thing about this album is that he was the first caucasian artist to hit number one on the R&B chart – which I think is what George is most proud of. This really was a monumental album representing the best of the 80’s from a writing and technical perspective and a social commentary. It has stood the test of time and is still a very listenable album. I am not saying it is the best ‘80’s album, but it is pretty damn good.

Give me all your money cause I know you think I’m funny. Can’t you hear me laughing. Can’t you see me smile.

70’s Pick of the Week

“I’m The Man”, by Joe Jackson (1979)

Right around the time when Nike were becoming popular, people danced sort of pogo-style and we were transitioning from punk to new wave, there came a guy from England that had something different. I had the good fortune to see Joe Jackson live that year and it was a superb show. Not the roughness of the punk band 999 that had just played a few months before, we knew there was something refreshingly original about the guy. It was almost a sensitive punk; a commentary on real life.

On the album cover of what was his second album, Jackson appears as what they call in the U.K. a ‘spiv’, and as Jackson himself said they, “always wears a gross polka-dot tie and a pencil-thin mustache, and he's always trying to sell you a watch or something like that real cheap. I think people always want to put a label on what you do, so I thought I'd be one step ahead of them and invent one myself - spiv rock.”

You don't want to hurt me, but see how deep the bullet lies. Unaware, I'm tearing you asunder. Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts.

Quick Hit

“Running Up That Hill”, Kate Bush (1985)

Very much an original, you tend to either love or hate Kate Bush. Theatrical and bold, she has always gone her own way.  From her excellent ‘Hounds of Love’ LP this song peaked at number 3 in the U.K. and was her first to chart in the U.S. since 1978.

Originally Kate a piano player by training titled this song “A Deal With God”, but EMI thought it would not get radio play in ‘religious’ countries so it was changed. According to Kate she said there would be a greater understanding if men and woman could swap places for a while to really understand the others point of view. Her first thought was the devil, but then she thought, why not God because then it would be much more powerful.

Bein' good isn't always easy no matter how hard I try. When he started sweet-talkin' to me he'd come'n tell me "everything is all right"

Hip to be Square

“Son of a Preacher Man”, Dusty Springfield (1968) 

From the very cool album “Dusty in Memphis”, this classic song Dusty definitely made her own. 

Originally offered to Aretha Franklin, who turned it down, Dusty made “Son of a Preacher Man” a huge hit - and then Aretha decided to record it on her 1970 “The Girl’s In Love With You”. With incredible control, tone and finesse with difficult material, Dusty was arguably one of the best female singers of the sixties. Obviously with considerable innate talent, Dust was also a student of music with an analytical approach to listening to other performer’s song – dissecting songs like butterflies. She adored Motown and the gospel sound, and was one of the few white singers to be able to properly pull-off some of the complex Motown material.

Whoso fly up in th' sky Faster than any boy could ever describe Whos got that love so deep And everything alive

The origins of “Alternative Music” and the rise of Punk  Part I

“Jet Boy”, New York Dolls (1973)  

Often cited as a major influence on the punk, (as I stated in my previous blog) and later new wave movement in the U.K., the New York Dolls are not all that well know in the mainstream of music. As I embark on one of my longest blogs ever, bear with me as this build-up is important in understanding the influence and impact this strange band had. 

As I said, there were a lot of things going on in the U.K. to stem the backlash of Punk and then new wave against the establishment. The American influence was there, but I am not convinced it was the ‘cause’ per se of Punk. What was happening was that you had a complacent record industry cranking out mega-bands; you had Vietnam War vets returning to a poor economy, often disliked by the hippies who now also lacked a cause. The U.S. government was having its own problems, wallowing in the corruption of Watergate, broke from the long war, and floundering in the face of an economy falling apart.

We're only making plans for Nigel We only want what's best for him We're only making plans for Nigel Nigel just needs this helping hand

70's Pick of the Week

Making Plans for Nigel, XTC (1979)

This is one of my all-time favourite new wave songs for sure! It was also XTC’s most successful single, written by bassist Collin Moulding. With its driving, almost industrial sound, I played this song to death. XTC is British of course; if the name Nigel didn’t tip you off. There is something dark about the satirical lyrics offset by the repetitive backbeat and the little “Wheeew” background singer. The upbeat tempo is completely opposite to the concern for the predetermined destiny of the poor Nigel’s of the world. Be happy dammit! His future was as good as sealed with “the company” in this case, British Steel – a bit controversial in the U.K. “Nigel is not outspoken”, but “he must be happy in his work”.

Bright lights the music gets faster. Look boy, don't check on your watch, not another glance. I'm not leaving now, honey not a chance.

Pick of the Week

“Kids in America”, Kim Wilde, 1981

After Sheena Easton’s “9-to-5” and her baby taking the morning train, and not long before Cyndi Lauper was having fun as a girl, and long before Kylie Minogue, there was this blond sensation out of the U.K. known as Kim Wilde.  

Kim Wilde had a good start in her musical career having been born right. Her father was U.K. ‘50’s rock n’ roller Marty Wilde. In 1958/59, Marty was right in there as one of the first to successfully emulate the American sound, right alongside the likes of Cliff Richard and Tommy Steele. He was the singer/songwriter and producer behind his first born, Kim. 

Her brother Ricky had formed a band and played a song him and their dad had written called “Kids in America”. Micky Most of RAK records in the U.K. heard Ricky’s demo and asked who the background singer was. He took the tape and remixed it to bring out Kim’s voice as the lead. The rest of the album quickly followed. Ricky must have been pissed! Well until they got the first pay check anyway...

The album “Kim Wilde” kind of grew on me. I liked the single, but after a few listens, starting to really get into “Water on Glass”, and “Checkered Love”. Even the reggae-influenced “Everything We Know” was pretty good. There was innocence about Kim Wilde that just seemed to be true. Her voice was different from many of the female vocalists at the time that tended to sound well, more mature. She just sounded like some chick you could know. The ‘new wave’ sound of the band was a bit more ‘garage band’ sounding in sharp contrast to the likes of Duran Duran or Flock of Seagulls.  Again, this could be done by guys you might know; accessible. 

Her next album with “Cambodia” and “View From a Bridge” were chart-toppers in France, Germany and Austria. I don’t recall hearing them. I did not see the album “Select”, or her last RAK record “Catch as Catch Can”.When she moved to MCA records and released “Teases and Dares” it was largely overlooked.  

Then in 1987 she had a huge world-wide hit on her hands with a remake of the Supremes “You Keep Me Hanging On”. Of this, she said that she really didn’t know the song much before going into the studio to record it for her 1986 album “Another Step”. She said she just kind of changed the words here and there. It went to number one in the U.S., Canada and Australia, number 2 in her home U.K.

Her biggest selling album was 1988’s “Close” spawning the European hits “You Came”, “Never Trust a Stranger”, and “Four Letter Word”.  It did not fare nearly as well in North America; in fact again, I don’t remember seeing it. The release of this album coincided with Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad’ world tour and she opened for him. Later she opened for fellow Brit David Bowie. Not bad. 

A mother of 2, and an award-winning gardener, Kim appeared on two U.K. shows, “Better Gardens” and “Garden Invaders”. She is also in the Guinness Book of World Records, with fellow-gardener David Fountain, for moving the largest tree ever, from Belgium to England in 2001. The tree unfortunately was toppled in a storm in 2007.

If you feel the sudden urge to garden you could read Kim’s 2006 book “The First-Time Gardener”, while listening to her new 2010 album “Come Out and Play”.

Hey babe, your hair's alright Hey babe, let's stay out tonight

Songs Everyone Should Know

David Bowie, Rebel, Rebel (1974)

So is David Bowie an alien as his long-ago ex-wife Angela, might have us believe? Is he the Thin White Duke or Ziggy Stardust?

David Bowie was the male blue-print for Madonna, and now to a certain extent Lady Gaga – but the verdict is out. He reinvented himself so many times he didn’t know who he was at times I’m sure.  He was an innovator in how he looked, how he sounded, how he presented his material, and what it meant.

And when she said she'd be a movie queen nobody laughed A face like an angel she could be anything

Quick Hit

“Emma”, Hot Chocolate, 1974

Most people know this band for its disco hits “Everyone’s a Winner” and “You Sexy Thing”, but there was more to this British band than meets the eye.

“Emma” has always been my favourite Hot Chocolate song.  Originally I loved the first few funky bars of the song, it was infectious. When I listened a bit closer I started to understand what it was really about.

The reason this brilliant song only got modest radio play was it dealt with a taboo subject – suicide. People did not really want to hear about it. In the‘70’s it seemed to me it was very real.  I knew kids in school that committed suicide. Why did people not talk about this more? 

Pat Boone had done “Moody River” in 1961 about it but it really was not a topic covered in music. Later in the seventies ‘Queen’ did “Don’t Try Suicide”, and the ‘Police’ did “Can’t Stand Losing You”, about a teenager who commits suicide after losing his girlfriend. Neither of these versions had the same intimate treatment of the subject that “Emma” did - “Emma” was “a star in everyone’s eyes” and yet was found “still and cold upon the bed”. Very real. Very painful, yet somehow beautifully done. There was a message there too – The most beautiful people in the world do not always succeed all the time.

I used to think maybe you loved me now baby I'm sure and I just can't wait till the day when you knock on my door

Pick of the Week

 “Walking on Sunshine”, Katrina and the Waves (1983/85)

One of the feel-good songs of all time, Katrina and the Waves were one of the forerunners of the new wave movement, but as a band, the rain came out and washed them away.  

Katrina Leskanich and her boy friend at the time, Vince de la Cruz (seriously, real name? Perfect for a novel, or hey, a band!), were air force brats that cut their teeth playing ‘60s R&B, Motown and other such stuff on the military base circuit in the U.S.  Their band they called “Mama’s Cookin’” toured England in 1979. There was a great love for this type of music in England still, although punk was seriously under way.

They tell you not to hang around and learn what life’s about And grow up just like them, won’t let you work it out – And you’re full of doubt

70's Pick of the Week

“School”, Supertramp (1974)

In its quirky way, this was a band that cheered up the down-trodden, the weary, and the struggling. The average person loved Supertramp, but the critics, not so much, at least not initially.

In 1969 Stanley 'Sam' August Miesegaes, a Dutch millionaire, gave his friend Rick Davies money to form a band. Davies did what all musicians did at the time when looking for a band, and placed an ad in ‘Melody Maker’ magazine. The initial band produced two albums that really didn’t go anywhere, and in 1972 Miesegaes withdrew his financial support – he has probably been kicking himself for a long time since.

I'm not in love So don't forget it It's just a silly phase I'm going through And just because I call you up Don't get me wrong, don't think you've got it made

Hip to be Square

“I’m Not in Love”, 10cc (1975)

Not sure if you have heard of ‘Godley and Creme’. They were kind of an experimental art rock song writing team who did some great work after the breakup of 10cc. The song “Cry” is an engineered piece of genius. Well worth a listen. 

Kevin Godley and Lol  Crème were the ‘Art’, while Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart were the “Pop” in the seventies band ‘10cc’ started in the late ‘60s but thus named in 1972. 

Although everyone in the band wrote songs, it was Gouldman and Stewart numbers that gave 10cc its commercial approach. That is not to say that Godley and Crème did not have a huge impact on the experimentation and ultimate sound of 10cc, with such funky inventions as the ‘gyzmotron’, which made some seriously unique guitar sounds, such as unlimited sustain.

Well, you're dirty and sweet clad in black, don't look back, and I love you

Songs Everyone Should Know

“Get It On (Bang-a-Gong)”, T-Rex, (1972) 

There are certain artists that died early that leave us wondering what they might have done and evolved into, had they only lived. Marc Bolan is one of them.

Bolan was killed in a car accident in 1977 after taking his glam-rock band ‘T-Rex’ to commercial success.  Although his fame was waning at the point he died, he is considered the father of glam rock by many.

Well no one told me about her the way she lied...

Quick Hit for Psychedelic Sunday

“She’s Not There”, The Zombies (1964)

The band “Argent” put out a hit in 1972 with a song called “Hold Your Head Up” - You know the one!  Rod Argent was a founding member of the English Rock band “the Zombies” who had a number of hits in the sixties, including, “Time of the Season”, and “Tell Her No”.