When an artist starts repeating themselves.
Because they think that’s what people want.
It’s all over.
That’s what Thom says about art.
And it’s what I say about business.
Thom.
Here’s Thom Yorke on Desert Island Discs.
Extended version.
It is early morning.
Or lunchtime.
Coffee.
Pottering.
Background listening.
https://www.50odd.co.uk/thom/.
The first 20 seconds of this song are silent.
It’s the kind of thing Mark did.
And since Mark died in February 2019.
No music quite like this will ever be made again.
I imagine his two sons listening to this.
Feeling proud.
Forget our fate
The pedlar sings
Set up to sell my soul
I’ve lived a life for wealth to bringAnd yet I’ll gaze
The colour of spring
Immerse in that one moment
Left in love with everythingSoar the bridgesThat I burnt beforeOne song among us allSoar the bridgesThat I burnt beforeOne song among us all
Here: https://www.50odd.co.uk/silent
I spoke to a lady called Renee today.
And it reminded me of this song.
A song I last listened to 35 years ago.
I was reminded how the most brilliant singing voices.
Are the most unique singing voices.
And I was reminded what a great song this is, of course.
So here we go.
Renee.
By Talk Talk:
When I made music in my 20’s and 30’s.
It was fun.
Pete and I wrote songs with great care.
Influenced by The Gin Blossoms.
Oasis.
And Iggy Pop.
Careless.
Sometimes, however.
We cared less than that.
Sometimes.
We relaxed.
And that’s when we wrote songs for Buff Carradine.
And lead guitarist Tommy ‘Salt & Vinegar’ Timpson.
(We never addressed or explained the ‘Salt & Vinegar’ part).
Buff Carradine.
Buff Carradine is.
(In his own mind).
Errol Flynn.
Buff wears smart shirts.
Cuban heels.
Lots of aftershave.
Cufflinks.
And he winks at people.
Sleazy.
Buff sings about magicians.
Pink and yellow balloons.
Black bow ties.
Chandeliers.
And his sleaziness creeps unapologetically into the lyrics of every song.
It’s just the way Buff is.
Up In A Balloon.
Anyhow.
Have a listen.
(Pete (Tommy) sings the first two verses.
I (Buff) sing from the first chorus to the end).
For a year of my life.
Up here in Newcastle upon Tyne.
I travelled The Green Line.
About 5 times a week.
Every week.
The Green Line.
I lived in Kingston Park.
I worked in South Shields.
That meant I travelled the entirety of the Z-Shaped green line on The Metro.
One end.
To the other.
Kid A.
As I travelled.
I snoozed.
As I snoozed.
I listened to Kid A.
One end.
To the other.
Radiohead.
I listened to this Radiohead album as my sheepdog, Colin, now listens to me talk.
His head twisting slowly.
Clockwise.
Then anticlockwise.
As I converse with Colin.
His eyes on mine throughout.
As he tries.
Hard.
To fathom the noises I make.
That.
That’s how I listened to Kid A.
2021.
I listened to it again.
Just now.
And yes.
I listened just the same as I did 20 years ago.
Here it is:
OK here are the lyrics.
For the whole song.
See if you can remember them all.
Ready?
Remember me?
I’m the one who had your baby’s eyes
Remember me?
I’m the one who had your baby’s eyes
Remember me?
I’m the one who had your baby’s eyes
Remember me?
I’m the one who had your baby’s eyesRemember me?
I’m the one who had your baby’s eyes
Remember me?
I’m the one who had your baby’s eyes
Remember me?
I’m the one who had your baby’s eyes
Remember me?
I’m the one who had your baby’s eyesRemember me?I’m the one who had your baby’s eyesRemember me?I’m the one who had your baby’s eyesRemember me?I’m the one who had your baby’s eyesRemember me?I’m the one who had your baby’s eyesRemember me?I’m the one who had your baby’s eyesRemember me?I’m the one who had your baby’s eyesRemember me?I’m the one who had your baby’s eyesRemember me?I’m the one who had your baby’s eyes
You know the video.
Where Richard Ashcroft sings a great tune.
(Bitter Sweet Symphony).
And simultaneously behaves like a very rude bastard.
By bumping into people as he walks down the road.
A Simple Concept.
The video is a simple concept.
Exploring what happens when a man walks in a straight line.
Down a busy high-street.
Regardless of who else is there.
Alternative Ending.
Anyhow.
If you’ve ever wondered what might happen if Mr. Ashcroft did actually walk down a street just bumping into people.
In real life.
Here’s the answer.
https://www.50odd.co.uk/bitter-sweet/.
I really don’t know if this has stood the test of time.
Actually.
I do.
It has.
Discovery.
Discovery is the ELO album I listened to most as a young man.
I bought all of their albums.
Well.
Most of them.
But this is the one that I played most often.
Colourful video.
Colourful tune.
Love it.
(And check who’s in the audience right at the end).