There’s another music meme up at Alien Versus Predator, and this one is right up my street. You know when a song comes on the wireless that’s vaguely familiar but you just can’t place it, and you think “Hmm, I quite like this one”, and you start tapping your toes and maybe humming along… then you realise it is in fact Sir Cliff’s “Wired For Sound”. What could be more mortifying, if you value your street cred?
The title is a slight misnomer, given that this blog is well known for being completely shameless in such matters. Besides, I long ago forswore the whole concept of the “guilty pleasure”. Who am I supposed to feel guilty to, John Earls? I think not. Either you enjoy it or you don’t.
Going decade by decade, let’s start with the 60s and Mr Spock as you’ve never seen him before:
Now, the 70s. You had forgotten the Runaways, hadn’t you? Or perhaps blocked them from your conscious memory…
Now here’s one for all you Ferris Bueller fans. If you weren’t around in 1985, it’s hard to convey just the impact that Sigue Sigue Sputnik had. For about fifteen minutes. I mean, this is the 21st century already and it doesn’t look anything like a Sputnik video.
This next track is maybe not quite as cheesy, but… Bill Drummond has always been at least twenty years ahead of his time. So by the time he’s contemporary, whatever he’s done that’s contemporary will have aged horribly. If that sounds a bit Doctor Who, that may not be inappropriate.
Finally from the 00s, a bona fide great track, which should by rights have won Russia the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest. Of course, the word “Eurovision” instantly invokes cheese, which isn’t always fair. Anyway, here’s Serebro:
And once again, I hope some faces have been buried in hands. We endeavour to give satisfaction.
BenSix said,
February 22, 2010 at 12:58 am
Klaus Nomi’s Lightnin’ Strikes, Soft Cell’s Tainted Love, Bikini Kill’s Anti-Pleasure Dissertation, PenKnifeLoveLife’s Touch Me Again And I Will Stab A Screwdriver Into Your Face and Mayhem’s Freezing Moon. These aren’t shameful; I’m just throwing out a few recommendations.
Moreno Truth Kit said,
February 22, 2010 at 1:45 am
Why would anyone want to forget The Runaways? Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You’ve Been Gone.” I am, after all, American.
Mark P said,
February 22, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Yeah, I’m baffled about the Runaway’s inclusion too. And the KLF for that matter. I’d have thought that splinty had a lot more to be ashamed of then that, given most of his previous musical posts.
Doloras LaPicho said,
February 22, 2010 at 2:10 am
Don’t you be dissin’ the Sputnik. SSS are the band of the future and always will be.
Phil said,
February 22, 2010 at 8:08 am
…mmmm, Yana…
entdinglichung said,
February 22, 2010 at 11:41 am
the Leonard Nimoy stuff comes close to a crime against humanity
andy newman said,
February 22, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Glad to see you used the Tammy Winnette version of Justified and Ancient.
Apparently, this is a digitally edited version of Tammy singing, becase she is incapable of singing in time, and her country band are used to seeding up and slowing down to follow her. For this track they had to go through the recording phrase by phrase and compress or stretch it to match the backing.
Darren said,
February 22, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Nice of you to admit that you’re ashamed for liking the KLF. Overrated wank.
Chris Williams said,
February 22, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Going alright until Serebo. That’s a song with carpet on its walls.
Billie Davies “Want you to be my baby”. Rap is 41 years old.
Moreno Truth Kit said,
February 22, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Mark: we’ll have to form an alliance for The Runaways at a meeting in Belgium. Otherwise, CWI social events will be forever cursed with trash pop. Bryan Adams’s “Summer of ’69″ is popular nowhere in the world but a small corner of Gent during a certain summer week.
Mark P said,
February 22, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I wonder if we could get factional rights.
splinteredsunrise said,
February 22, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Count yourselves lucky. There could very easily have been some Cardew in here. Or maybe Rupert Holmes. Or, just possibly, Alice Cooper singing show tunes.
Shameful shocking music meme… (enter at your own peril!) « Harpymarx said,
February 22, 2010 at 8:08 pm
[...] in the words of Splinty, You know when a song comes on the wireless that’s vaguely familiar but you just can’t place [...]
A Very Public Sociologist said,
February 22, 2010 at 8:51 pm
What’s up with you Darren, The KLF were utterly awesome. I would take issue with Splinty here – Last Train to Transcentral was cheesier.
And yeah, Predators would prevail in a one on one fight. Aliens may have sulphuric acid for blood, but nothing says goodnight quite like a shoulder-mounted cannon.
Chris Williams said,
February 22, 2010 at 10:10 pm
I take nothing for granted. Not since last week, when I learned the outcome of an actual Killer Whale vs Great White Shark fight.
frunobulax said,
February 22, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Yeurggh. Tried two then had to detox:
Andy Wilson said,
February 23, 2010 at 12:30 pm
works for me..
Asteri said,
February 23, 2010 at 3:20 pm
I’m supprised Starship, the former Jefferson Airplane isnt here.
neprimerimye said,
February 23, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Starship plus Sun Ra equals MC5.
Hey! Hey! « The gaping silence said,
February 24, 2010 at 10:15 pm
[...] also been on the memes again, as indeed has Splinty. I quite like this one: Since leaving my teeny bopper past behind me my musical tastes have evolved [...]
Vermischtes « Entdinglichung said,
February 25, 2010 at 10:46 am
[...] 6.) Furchtbare Musik, gefunden dank Splintered Sunrise: [...]
Gonzo said,
February 28, 2010 at 11:02 am
Bill Drummond of KLF presents “Belfast – re imagining the City” on BBC Radio 4 9th March at 1130am.
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/artsextra/2010/02/bill-drummonds-belfast.shtml