The final MMB post for October is upon us already! Find a group or solo artist that starts with the letter O
“Electricity” is the 1979 debut single by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD), which featured on their self-titled debut album, released the following year. Andy McCluskey (bass guitar) and Paul Humphreys (keyboards) sing the lead vocals on the track together in unison. Recognised as one of the most influential singles of its era, “Electricity” was integral to the rise of the UK’s synth-pop movement. It had gained a lot of praise from music journalists and other recording artists.
Our one source of energy The ultimate discovery Electric blue for me Never more to be free
Electricity Nuclear and HEB Come fuels from the sea Wasted electricity
Our one source energy Electricity All we need is to learn to save And if a man would throw away
It doesn’t change the city cost The alternative is only one The final source of energy Solar electricity
The theme of SLS this week is to find a solo artist or band with a colour in their name. Prompted by Jim Adams.
I’ve always liked the Black Crowes and Jimmy page – Live at The Greek album. It features several Led Zeppelin songs as well as Black Crowes own songs and a few other blues covers. ‘Oh Well’ is an early Fleetwood Mac song released as a single in 1969 (part 1 on the a-side and a longer, slower part 2 on the b-side) and did very well in the UK charts
Can’t help about the shape I’m in Can’t sing, I ain’t pretty and my legs are thin Don’t ask me what I think of you Might not give the answer that you want me to
Now when I talk to God I knew he’d understands He said stick by me and I’ll be your guidin’ hand Don’t ask me what I think of you I might not give the answer that you want me to
Ocean Colour Scene (often abbreviated to OCS) are an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1989. Simon Fowler (lead vocals/acoustic guitar), Steve Cradock (guitar, piano, vocals), Oscar Harrison (drums, piano, vocals), Damon Minchella (bass guitar).
They have had five top 10 albums including a number one in 1997. They have also achieved seventeen top 40 singles and six top 10 singles to date.
The band’s 1992 self-titled debut album didn’t sell very well but their second album; Moseley Shoals fared much better in 1996. The Riverboat Song was the first single taken from that album. It reached the UK top ten.
I see double up ahead Where the riverboat swayed beneath the sun Is where the river runs red Like a King who stalks the wings and shoots a dove And frees an eagle instead It’s more or less the same as the things that you said
I see trouble up the road Like the things you found in love are by the way And like to cheat on your soul Like the best and worst of thoughts that lose control Before you lie on your bed
It’s more or less the same as the things that you said Anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
Anyway for all the things you said tell me why does the river run red Anyway for all the things you’ve seen tell me when will the river run green And anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow It’s more or less the things you fail to say in your way that’s your trouble Like a King who stalks the wings and shoots the moon and the stars And his double
It’s more or less the same as the things that you said Anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow Anyway for all the things you said tell me why does the river run red Anyway for all the things you’ve seen tell me when will the river run green And anyway for all the things you know tell me why does the river not flow
I see trouble up ahead Where the river boat swayed beneath the sun Is where the river runs red I see double, that’s my trouble
This week the SLS theme (courtesy of Jim Adams) is about change
This is an early track by the band; Yes. Here at their progressive best.
Bill Bruford: Drums, Percussion. Chris Squire: Bass Guitar/backing vocals. Jon Anderson: Lead Vocals/acoustic guitar. Steve Howe: Electric Guitar/Hammond organ/backing vocals. Tony Kaye: Piano, Synthesizer. Eddie Offord: Percussion
Writers: Chris Squire, Jon Anderson
I see the cold mist in the night And watch the hills roll out of sight I watch in every single way Inside out, outside in Every day The sun can warm the coldest dawn And move the movement on the lawn I learn in every single day Inside out, outside in Every way
And there you are Making it up that you’re sure that it is a star When all you see Is an illusion shining down in front of me And then you say Even in time we shall control day When what you see Deep inside the day’s controlling you and me And one peculiar point I see As one with many ones of me As truth is gathered, I rearrange Inside out, outside in Inside out, outside in Perpetual change
And there you are Saying we have the moon, so now the stars When all you see Is near disaster gazing down on you and me And there you’re standing Saying we have the whole world in our hands When all you see Deep inside the world’s controlling you and me Who’ll see perpetual change You’ll see perpetual change
And there you are Making it up that you’re sure that it is a star When all you see Is an illusion shining down in front of me And then you say Even in time we shall control day When all you see Deep inside the day’s controlling you and me As mist and sun are both the same We look on as pawns of their game They move to testify the day Inside out, outside in Inside out, outside in All of the way.
Here we are in mid-October already. Another week where the group/solo singer has an ‘O‘ at the start.
Orange Juice were a Scottish jangle pop band founded in the Glasgow suburb of Bearsden as the Nu-Sonics in 1976. They became Orange Juice in 1979, and became perhaps the most important band in the Scottish independent music scene that emerged in the post-punk era, inspired by contemporary punk bands including Subway Sect, Television, and Buzzcocks but also 1960s acts, most notably the Byrds and the Velvet Underground. Musically, the band brought together styles and genres such as country, disco and punk.
The band released their first singles during 1980 and 1981 on the independent Postcard Records label founded by Alan Horne. Despite their association with the independent scene, the band signed to the major label Polydor Records in 1981 and recorded their first album, You Can’t Hide Your Love Forever for them. The band’s only top 40 hit, “Rip It Up” reached number 8 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1983. Their second album of the same name Rip It Up was released in 1982. Subsequent singles failed to chart as highly, their third and final album The Orange Juice was released in 1984. The band continued to be critically acclaimed, finally splitting up in January 1985.
When I first saw you Something stirred within me You were standing sultry in the rain If I could’ve held you I would’ve held you Rip it up and start again
Rip it up and start again Rip it up and start again I hope to God you’re not as dumb as you make out I hope to God I hope to God And I hope to God I’m not as numb as you make out I hope to God I hope to God
And when I next saw you My heart reached out for you But my arms stuck like glue to my sides If I could’ve held you I would’ve held you But I’d choke rather than swallow my pride Rip it up and start again
Rip it up and start again Rip it up and start again I hope to God you’re not as dumb as you make out I hope to God I hope to God And I hope to God I’m not as numb as you make out I hope to God I hope to God
And there was times I’d take my pen And feel obliged to start again I do profess That there are things in life That one can’t quite express You know me I’m acting dumb-dumb You know this scene is very humdrum And my favourite song’s entitled ‘boredom’
Rip it up and start again I said rip it up and start again I said rip it up and rip it up and rip it up and rip it up and rip it up and start again
The theme of SLS this week is the Chicago Sound era.
The “Chicago Sound” or “Style” has meaning only in the context of a particular musical genre. It does not refer to any specific band that is known for it’s music made in Chicago. Yet while many important musicians, ensembles, and musical movements in popular music, art music, and ethnic music have roots in the city’s fertile cultural landscape, in three genres – jazz, blues and art music – the intersection of imported musical tradition with the energy and vitality of the surrounding urban culture has been so dynamic as to create a sound or style that is recognized as distinctive to Chicago. The markers of what constitutes “Chicago Style” in one genre, however, are unrelated to those of another.
You damn right, I’ve got the blues From my head down to my shoes You damn right, I’ve got the blues From my head down to my shoes
I can’t win, ’cause I don’t have a thing to lose
I stopped by my daughter’s house You know I just want to use the phone I stopped by my daughter’s house You know I just want to use the phone
You know my new grandbaby came to the door And said, granddaddy, you know ain’t no one at home
I said now look out
You damn right, I’ve got the blues From my head down to my shoes You damn right, I’ve got the blues From my head down to my shoes
You know I can’t win, now people, ’cause I don’t have a thing to lose
Alright
You damn right, I’ve got the blues You damn right, I’ve got the blues You damn right, I’ve got the blues You damn right, I’ve got the blues Yeah
Continuing the October month for my MMB post. This week I’ve chosen one of my favourite tracks from the new wave/punk era.
The Only Ones are an English rock band formed in London in 1976, whose original band members are Peter Perrett (vocals), Alan Mair (bass), John Perry (guitar) and Mike Kellie (drums), they first disbanded in 1982. They were associated with punk rock, yet straddled the musical territory in between punk, power pop and hard rock, with noticeable influences from psychedelia.
The Only Ones reformed in 2007 after their biggest hit “Another Girl, Another Planet” (first released in 1978) experienced a resurgence of public interest. The band completed a comeback UK tour in June 2007, and continued touring throughout 2008 and 2009. New material was recorded in 2009 and played live, but was never released. In 2023, they reformed for the first time in nine years to play concerts in London and Bristol etc.
I always flirt with death I could kill, but I don’t care about it I can face your threats Stand up tall and scream and shout about it
I think I’m on another world with you I’m on another planet with you
You always get under my skin I don’t find it irritating You always play to win I don’t need rehabilitating
Another girl, another planet Another girl, another planet
Space travels in my blood And there ain’t nothing I can do about it Long journeys wear me out Oh God we won’t live without it
Another girl is loving you now Another planet, forever holding you down Another planet
The theme of SLS this week is a song in the Philly Sound style. There were many hit singles released on the Philadelphia International label here in the U.K. and there were the funky bands as well as the slower smooth soul releases. One of my favourites was this single by The Philadelphia All Stars. They all had hits on the label as solo artists.
You know, I was in New York City a few months ago. And the garbage and the trashmen were on strike I’m tellin’, the maintenance people of the city? What they were tryin’ to do was, they were tryin’ to get a little more money, you know, get a little raise in pay? But that particular time the city was broke. They were about ready to declare default. I tell you, the garbage in some places was stacked up two, three stories high. At night – haha… boy, at night it weren’t even safe to walk the street ’cause, you see, the rats the roaches and the waterbugs? I mean they was hustlin’, baby, tryin’ to get somethin’ to eat. And let me tell you somethin’; it was stinkin’ woman, it was all kind of diseases in there, you know? But it only brought to mind the fact that you can no longer depend on the man downtown to take care of business like he’s supposed to when he’s supposed to. If all of us would get it like it’s supposed to be as far as cleanliness, you know, and safety..? Yeah, we gotta get together and do it for ourselves, that’s the only way it’s gonna be done. And you know what I’m talkin’ about? Let me tell you what I mean.
Clean it up, clean it up (Well, y’all) Clean it up, clean it up (You gotta get it) Clean it up, clean it up (Yes, gonna get it) Clean it up, clean it up Ghetto! Talkin’ ’bout the ghetto! Ghetto is our home.
That’s where we live, where we live Get some paint, fetch your hammer, your nails If you broomed, you mop and you pails We’re gonna wash it, polish And make it all clean Let’s wash away all of the sins. Time for a new life to begin In the ghetto I said (Clean it up, clean it up) I said we’re gonna (Clean it up, clean it up) Because the (Ghetto) I said the (Ghetto) (Ghetto is our home)
That’s where we live, where we live Let’s paint the signs everybody can read Let’s get rid of everything we don’t need Pushers, the dealers The pot, crook, s*****ers and thieves, aha Let’s make the streets safe for women to walk Let’s get rid of all the faul talk We gonna do it And all of us shall survive. I said we’re gonna (Clean it up, clean it up) Do it We got to (Clean it up, clean it up) Hey! (Ghetto) Said the ghetto (Ghetto is our home)
That’s where we live from day to day (Where we live, where we live) All of your brothers that live on the mainline You lived in the ghetto once upon a time We need everybody to lend a hand No you’ve helped everybody else Now’s the time for you to help yourself We can’t depend, depend on the people, no, no Well, well, get it up, get it up Clean it up, clean it up (Well, well, ya) Clean it up, clean it up (Hey, hey, hey) Ghetto, ghetto Ghetto is our home Yeah, that’s where we live, where we live I said (Clean it up, clean it up) (Come on, y’all, let’s clean it up, clean it up) (Come on, y’all, let’s clean it up, clean it up)…
Here we are in October already. So, the theme this month will be any band or solo singer that starts with the letter O
I thought I’d pick a more obscure band this week. Opeth are a Swedish progressive metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. In addition to progressive metal, the band incorporates folk, blues, classical, and jazz elements into its usually lengthy compositions, as well as strong influences from death metal, especially in their early works. Songs may include acoustic guitar passages, Mellotrons, death growls!, and strong dynamic shifts. The band rarely made live appearances supporting their first four albums, but since their first world tour in support of the 2001 album Blackwater Park (where the Harvest track is from), they have had several other major world tours. The group have been through several personnel changes since early in their history, including the replacement of every original member. Lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter Mikael Akerfeldt has been Opeth’s driving force since the departure of founder and lead vocalist David Isberg in 1992.
Stay with me awhile Rise above the vile Name my final rest Poured into my chest
Into the orchard, I walk peering way past the gate Wilted scenes for us who couldn’t wait Drained by the coldest caress Stalking shadows ahead Halo of death All I see is departure Mourner’s lament, but it’s me who’s the martyr
Pledge yourself to me Never leave me be Sweat breaks on my brow Given time ends now
Into the orchard, I walk peering way past the gate Wilted scenes for us who couldn’t wait Drained by the coldest caress Stalking shadows ahead Halo of death All I see is departure Mourner’s lament, but it’s me who’s the martyr
Spirit painted sin Embers ‘neath my skin Veiled in pale embrace Reached and touched my face
Into the orchard, I walk peering way past the gate Wilted scenes for us who couldn’t wait Drained by the coldest caress Stalking shadows ahead Halo of death All I see is departure Mourner’s lament, but it’s me who’s the martyr
The theme of SLS this week is to name any song with a mention of food in its title. Suggested by Christine.
Pineapple is a track from Sparks fourth album; ‘Indiscreet’ and also on the b-side of the 1975 hit single; ‘Looks, Looks, Looks’. I chose this one because it mentions several items of food and it’s a typical quirky Sparks song. The band are still going strong, fronted by the brother’s; Ron and Russell Mael.
Tropical air helps us harvest all year And serves to promote the vitamin see content In turn yielding greater demand
Pineapple, Got to send a case to the city jail The warden likes it because it won’t conceal Any sort of handmade weapons That are baked right into their buns And the taste is delectable But won’t the prisoners hit the table and shout Pineapple, pineapple, pineapple fulfills every need Pineapple, shares are gonna divide Pineapple, if in us you confide
Got a contract for all of the schools They will use it for all of their meals Sure, the kids will throw it real far ‘Cause it ain’t a milk chocolate bar But you know it don’t stain so bad But won’t the fling it at a friend and then shout Pineapple, tastes too healthy to me Pineapple, it’s filled with vitamin see Pineapple, fulfills every need Pineapple, to all the ships at sea Pineapple, for the English at tea Pineapple, to the Siamese twins Pineapple, to heal those who have sinned Ship some to the Alpine skiing team The coach won’t have to worry ’bout the calories Sure it ain’t strudel (they’re nice) But it helps your balance on ice Puts you back on the winning trail
But don’t the players moan and groan and then shout: Pineapple, we get it every old night Pineapple, but we’re winning all right Pineapple fulfills every need Pineapple, shares are gonna divide Pineapple, if in us you confide Pineapple fulfills every need Pineapple, upward trends are foreseen Pineapple, so invest in Big P Pineapple fulfills every need Pineapple, and the tins can be used Pineapple, for anything that you choose Pineapple, pineapple
We’ll jet you there, breathe the Hawaiian air Where hula is life, and luaus are for the wife So visit our factory soon
glyn40wilton 