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’
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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’
Milky Chance – ‘Stolen Dance’
14 August 2014 Viral hit? Top of the charts in Ireland and across Europe? Really? Okay, on re-listening to 'Stolen Dance' it's slightly familiar to me. Still, though: there's no killer hook or memorable lyric or catchy chorus here at all. Lead Milky Chancer Clemens Rehbein picks some basic jazzy shapes on the ol' Tanglewood … Continue reading Milky Chance – ‘Stolen Dance’
Christie – ‘Yellow River’
5 June 1970 When did pop music, traditionally for the kids, start pitching to adults too? Perhaps in the mid-'60s with The Beatles taking Dylan's influence on board, along with Paul going music-hall, and around the same time as the advent of Bacharach & David's sophisticated masterpieces. Later on, bubblegum pop was always made by … Continue reading Christie – ‘Yellow River’
Cheryl ft. Tinie Tempah – ‘Crazy Stupid Love’
24 July 2014 Here's the last of Cheryl's four solo Irish chart-toppers. And Girls Aloud only had one! You people. Suffice it to say, 'Crazy Stupid Love' hasn't matured into a Xenomania-level banger like fine wine ageing in the cellar. The percussion and saxophone come across as a lazy mash-up of generic 'Latino' R&B-pop with … Continue reading Cheryl ft. Tinie Tempah – ‘Crazy Stupid Love’
The Moody Blues – ‘Question’
29 May 1970 Remember 'Spaceman' by Babylon Zoo, that '90s chart-topper from a jeans ad that used its catchy electronica opening, only for the track itself to be a stodgy rocker? I wonder if 'Question' by The Moody Blues' gave the music punters of 1970 a similar bout of buyer's remorse. Its opening verses of … Continue reading The Moody Blues – ‘Question’
