David Vance SubstackRead More
I know I do lots of political posts but just by way of a total change I thought I would do something completely different and talk to you about my favourite year in music – 1979!
Now I was still in my late teens back then and music tended to be a big part of a young persons social life as much revolved around it. You got to talk to girls about what was in the charts and it was a core part of life!
There are three seminal songs from that year which I think are outstanding and one which has stayed my favourite song of all time!
The first of these was the awesome “Heart of Glass” by Blondie which got to number in February of 1979. Debbie Harry won the hearts (and lusts) of many young men in this epic video, note that it opens with a Twin Towers fly over. It was also peak disco and I can remember how it filled the dance floor. Just a feel good dance track that sold millions around the world and made Blondie a global sensation. I still think it sounds good, polished and cheerful!
Another memorable song from 1979 was “Message in a Bottle” by the Police. It was one of their best, catchy and the pinnacle of their cod pop-reggae sound. Yes Sting did adopt a fake Jamaican accent (whoops, cultural appropriation anyone) but the song sounded great and it even has a little morality tale in it!
And then we get to not just my favourite song of 1979 but of all time.
Oliver’s Army by my absolute all time music hero Elvis Costello. Acerbic lyrics and an insanely catchy tune which borrows from Abba’s Dancing Queen. I must have heard this sound tens of thousand of times and it still moves me. I just love clever word play and when it is combined with a great tune then it’s just the best. I have seen Elvis live around many times and when he sings this it still bring a lump to my throat. It must be something to do with time passing and that instant musical connection. You may know that this song has attracted a LOT of heat for one part of the lyrics and for a while Elvis stopped playing it. He has no rewritten THAT verse but the original is way better and sharper. You can’t write “White N*gger” let alone sing it! When they bury me, they better play this.
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