25 September 1970 Here's our first number one single from Canada. This being the dawn of a decade featuring real-life Osmonds and fictional Partridges, you'd assume The Poppy Family were indeed a household as advertised. In fact, they were mostly singer Susan Jacks and her husband Terry, the latter soon of 'Seasons In The Sun' … Continue reading The Poppy Family – ‘Which Way You Goin’, Billy?’
Author: Aidan Curran
The Kinks – ‘Lola’
7 August 1970 As with my few lines on 'All About That Bass', I don't have personal experience or insight that would give me any sort of informed view on the themes raised by 'Lola'. Similarly, some people with that personal experience and insight could have found it helpful and some could have found it … Continue reading The Kinks – ‘Lola’
Ed Sheeran – ‘Thinking Out Loud’
30 October 2014 Married people: is Ed Sheeran part of your story? Perhaps one of his songs accompanied your proposal; Sheeran himself talks about how seven people proposed to their partners during one of his concerts, and how popping the question is now a regular occurrence during live performances of 'Thinking Out Loud'. Or maybe … Continue reading Ed Sheeran – ‘Thinking Out Loud’
Elvis Presley – ‘The Wonder Of You’
31 July 1970 Let's be honest: our favourite Elvis is late-career Vegas Elvis sweatily gurning and shuddering through the cheesy cabaret hits, with oversized flares and collars flapping on his white rhinestone-studded onesie. This is our popular image of Elvis now and for posterity. Hear his name and this is what you see in your … Continue reading Elvis Presley – ‘The Wonder Of You’
Meghan Trainor – ‘All About That Bass’
2 October 2014 Body image is a complex and sensitive subject, and I don't have any expertise or insight to share on the matter. I have the impression that many people with personal experience regarding body image issues have found 'All About That Bass' helpful and many other people haven't. I'll confine my remarks to … Continue reading Meghan Trainor – ‘All About That Bass’
Cliff Richard – ‘Goodbye Sam, Hello Samantha’
10 July 1970 I admit: I'm a wee bit disappointed that 'Goodbye Sam, Hello Samantha' is not Cliff's take on trans "issues", if only because it denies the world what could have been the most spectacularly offensive and disastrous pop song ever. Turns out that going from Sam to Samantha, Joe to Joanne and Lou … Continue reading Cliff Richard – ‘Goodbye Sam, Hello Samantha’
The Script – ‘Superheroes’
4 September 2014 I've just listened to 'Superheroes' by The Script. Which of you is going to write an uplifting anthem about how strong and courageous I am for putting myself through this? 'Superheroes' is essentially another spin at the formula of their previous chart-topper, 'Hall Of Fame'. Like that track, it's U2-aping anthemic arena-pop … Continue reading The Script – ‘Superheroes’
Mungo Jerry – ‘In The Summertime’
3 July 1970 If you were heading out-out for a feed of pints in '80s Ireland and planned on taking the car, you had to heed the official drink-driving campaign slogan: Just Two Will Do! In that light, the line from 'In The Summertime' that sticks out most to modern sensibilities—"have a drink, have a … Continue reading Mungo Jerry – ‘In The Summertime’
Lilly Wood & The Prick and Robin Schulz – ‘Prayer In C’
28 August 2014 "So, which one is The Prick?" is a question that can be asked of more bands than you'd think. In this case, Lilly Wood & The Prick is the collective name of a French folk-pop duo, neither of whom is called Lilly Wood, and Robin Schulz is a German DJ who remixed … Continue reading Lilly Wood & The Prick and Robin Schulz – ‘Prayer In C’
Dermot Hegarty and The Plainsmen – ‘Twenty One Years’
19 June 1970 This single on vinyl is one of the few records that were in my house when I was young. It wasn't on heavy rotation as the soundtrack of my childhood or anything; we simply found it and a record player at the back of a closet when we were in the process … Continue reading Dermot Hegarty and The Plainsmen – ‘Twenty One Years’
