Tag Archives: wendy

Elvis Costello and the Attractions – “Good Year for the Roses”

Posted on October 6, 2013 by

From Costello’s album of country covers came this single, which seemed to me at the time almost a novelty record, with a video pre-dating Awkward Family Photos. I couldn’t imagine who bought it, but someone must have as it got … Continue reading →

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Half Man Half Biscuit – “Trumpton Riots”

Posted on June 16, 2013 by

As one of only two girls at school who admitted listening to John Peel (we never actually discussed it, but I knew her by sight) I suppose that’s where I must have heard this. A group of geeky lads in … Continue reading →

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Faith No More – “We Care A Lot”

Posted on February 24, 2013 by

He’d played this often when I first got to know him, a few months earlier. Sprung from a sheltered upbringing impossibly innocent, and with a yearning for excitement, I suppose I was something of a mark. I was so beguiled … Continue reading →

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New Order – “Blue Monday”

Posted on January 21, 2013 by

Unusually topical for 80s45s; today is supposedly Blue Monday, the bleakest day of the year. It was invented to give newspapers something to report at this time (as opposed to actual news) either by identifying non-existent trends (The Nation’s Favourite … Continue reading →

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The Lotus Eaters – “The First Picture of You”

Posted on August 30, 2012 by

This post is a bit out of synch, and should have appeared no later than July. I’m blaming the season; high summer is the lowest point of the year for me, and if I could hibernate through sweaty August and … Continue reading →

Posted in 1983 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Billy Bragg – “Life’s A Riot with Spy vs Spy”

Posted on January 13, 2012 by

Apparently we are (politically and culturally) in the new 1980s so it seems appropriate to mention an overtly political artist from the time. I am mightily pleased to have found a getaround that enabled me to include this 1983 mini-album. … Continue reading →

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Band Aid – “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”

Posted on December 25, 2011 by

Wendy: In the spirit of the season, I was keen to do a joint post. Obviously Another Rock n Roll Christmas is off limits, I’m not sure we could adequately honour Shaky’s contribution to our collective Christmas tradition and nothing … Continue reading →

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This Mortal Coil – “Song to the Siren”

Posted on September 29, 2011 by

I often find it takes me years to ‘get’ music, but I loved this when it was released, and it has been a favourite ever since, surviving its inevitable inclusion on soundtracks and adverts. But then the whole concept of the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1983 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Abba – “The Day Before You Came”

Posted on September 7, 2011 by

Although Abba will be forever associated with Eurovision cheesiness and sequined kitsch, their output is actually a strange mixture of naff and eerily beautiful.  Away from the hen-night end of the spectrum, they are responsible for some surprisingly bleak lyrics … Continue reading →

Posted in 1982 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Robert Wyatt – “Shipbuilding”

Posted on August 6, 2011 by

One of the ways that 80s45s came into being was through recurring conversations about the diversity of music that was made and played at the time, despite the stereotype that has prevailed of a decade-long school disco. However, in the … Continue reading →

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Joe Jackson – “Steppin’ Out”

Posted on July 16, 2011 by

I would have chosen Is She Really Going Out With Him purely for the excellent first line “Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street”. However, it was released in 1979, and therefore outside the scope of 80s45s. (Although … Continue reading →

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Kate Bush – “Running Up That Hill”

Posted on June 18, 2011 by

These days Kate Bush is cited as an influence by the unlikeliest of people from Lee Perry to John Lydon, as well as numerous younger artists but, following her initial success and run of hits, she seemed to disappear for … Continue reading →

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The Associates – “Party Fears Two”

Posted on May 31, 2011 by

Some years ago, I watched an episode of the multi-award-winning Blue Planet documentary, about the Arctic Ocean. It was fascinating: beautiful scenery, magnificent cinematography, David Attenborough and team at their best. Nevertheless, I was somewhat depressed by the lot of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1982 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment