Three-minutes-six-seconds of pop perfection
(Cover of The Sun from the BBC site)What elevates a pop song to greatness? A classic that survives the indignity of a succession of indifferent cover versions and which remains a masterpiece a quarter of a century later might be one indicator of quality. It was an as-yet untarnished song that reached number 35 in the UK singles chart in 1982, performed by a man in a wheelchair, co-written by one man who had already had a string of hits in his own name and another who later co-produced one of New Zealand’s best albums — one half of the team that made Madness sound so fresh. Its composition was based on at least two brilliant ideas; an unforgettable melody, an extraordinary lyric and, to top it all, it has become a historical document that marks a succession of political failings; the one time in our lives that Britain’s ‘baby boomers’ seriously feared we might be conscripted, all wrapped up in a breathtaking song that oozes dignity. Name that tune.
posted by Chris Bell at 3:51 PM
5 Comments:
Yes. It's an indisputably great song.
Speaking of wheelchairs, I am very fond of Frank Zappa's 1972 album 'Waka Jawaka', recorded when he was immobilised after a female fan's boyfriend threw him off the stage of London's Rainbow theatre. One of its many highlights is a pedal-steel solo by the recently departed and much-lamented Sneaky Pete Kleinow.
And then there's 'Save the Last Dance for Me', the semi-autobiographical classic song by Doc Pomus.
Any other great cripple rock records?
"Up on Cripple Creek" - the Band
'Ruby don't take your love to town' - Kenny Rogers.
OK maybe it's not a great cripple rock record, but it is about a man in a wheelchair.
Wasn't it Tom Peggy & The Legbreakers who sang "You don't have to live like an amputee?"
Or was it limp...?
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