This one is about Squeeze and about a copy of Cool for Cats that made it into my hands in early 1980. The record had actually been released in '79, but New York radio was slow to pick up on it. The station I was working at, WLIR, went by the slogan "Dare to be Different," and they held true to that motto by daring to play the title song of Cool for Cats.
It was love at first listen. It was different, so far apart from anything I was hearing at the time. I grabbed a copy of the album and spent that night listening to it for hours, flipping the disc at least ten times. The lyrics to Up the Junction were simple, the rythmn almost monotonous. But somehow those two parts together formed a riveting song. Even Cool for Cats, with its machine-gun presentation of the lyrics (I give a little muscle, and I spend a little cash, but all I get is bitter and a nasty little rash) was just so out there that I couldn't help but love it. If I Didn't Love You (I'd Hate You). was the ultimate in relationship songs:
Singles remind me of kisses, albums remind me of plans .
Well, I thought that was pretty damn deep back then. In fact, I still do. And I still quote it.
I found a copy of U.K. Squeeze. - their first album and the original name of the band- in some dirty record story in the city. While it seemed to be made by almost a different band, it was still some good shit, as we used to say in the 'hood. Take Me, I'm Yours inspired many a late songwriting session on my part, trying to recreate that staccato delivery of passionate-in-an-odd-way lyrics.
Then along came East Side Story and Squeeze became a sensation. Tempted pushed them onto the charts and out of the dark, dingy clubs I had seen them in into Madison Square Garden. Elvis Costello worked wonders with the band, polishing their genius and creating a bigger, more diverse sound. Unfortunately, it was one I didn't love. I liked it, but I didn't love it the way I did Argy Bargy. I gave Sweets from a Stranger, their next album, a chance but was turned off when I found my mother singing Black Coffee in Bed.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
Excellent recap of the sights, smells adn sounds of that time, Michele. I loved Squeeze and fell off at about the same time you did, too. I liked their '90s comeback, though, also, and go back into them. "Pulling Mussles From the Shell" is one of my all-time favorite songs. It's hard to beat that Singles collection.
I hear Jools has been a big celebrity in the UK for years: figures, I always thought he was a dip.
2 - ski
"Singles" is truly one of the best examples of what a greatest hits compilation should be. I brought a lot of music to Baghdad, but this one has stayed in my Discman for a long time. A great thing about Squeeze, outside of their pop instincts and catchy tunes, was that they had fun. I have a cassette tape of a live broadcast (WBCN, 1985, Orpheum(?)Boston) that shows them reunited and having a great time, and a show closing "Goodbye Girl" that shows their musicianship off at its best. Don't forget the way Difford and Tilbrook traded off vocals, a great way to change the song up.
As for the '80's, a lot of great music was made, it got lost in all the crap that was put out, and to look at the "Hits" compilations, you'd think only 15 bands were out in that time.
So get up and go buy that Aztec Camera album, while you're at it, get some Smithereens, Del Fuegos, and English Beat while you are at it.
3 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Ski, excellent points, and take care of yourself in Baghdad, dude.