I'm Really Up the Junction - A Quick Word on Squeeze.

I never thought it would happen,
With me and the girl from Clapham.
Out on a windy common,
That night I ain't forgotten.

I lived in London for seven months last year and thoroughly enjoyed myself there. However, in retrospect, I did seem to follow the pied piper of good times around a bit too much during most of the time I spent there.

Anyway, why am I talking about this? Well, I just wanted to mention a particular song that I really like which always reminds me of London, and I felt like talking about it. The song is 'Up the Junction' by UK New Wavers SQUEEZE who are widely known (at least in Australia) for their seminal song about cats, 'Cool for Cats' (I refuse to believe this song is about anything other than cats).

While the song is about unplanned pregnancies with an emphasis on the relationship pressures such an event endears, but it is the obvious references to Clapham Junction and Clapham Common throughout the song, rather than unplanned pregnancies, that get me reminiscing of my time in London.

It is a popular song and bands like The Decemberists and Travis having covering the tune on a number of occasions. If you haven’t heard it, I suggest you give it a spin.

Here, have a look at the band performing the song on Top of the Pops (strange, why is that bearded man is pouring that white stuff on the presenters head? Looks slightly disturbing).



And even now I feel rather tempted to purchase the vinyl single on eBay, despite not having a record player to play it upon. Dilemma!

Do you have any songs that remind you of particular places, times or events? Do share.

Guilty Pleasures

C'mon. I know y'all like to boast about your incredible musicology and how much you adore the latest release by Radiohead or how you have every single Belle and Sebastian single on vinyl, kept in an air tight container under your house to be preserved for all time, but every single person has an artist or a particular tune that could be considered a guilty pleasure. Y'know those songs that make you sound like a complete phoney, something you may (though possibly not) be ashamed to put on the ol' record player unless you've drank three litres of vodka.

I know I have mine. I've grown to accept that. But have you?

My flatmates in particular know about my slightly disturbing Phil Collins obsession (both solo and Genesis). Many a night after a drunken session at a local pub, many nocturnal Londoners are surprised to hear and my pal Ang doing a capella versions of Collins's "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven". We get mostly bemused reception.

The character of Patrick Bateman of American Pyscho fame has a killer quote regarding Mr. Collins and his work.

"Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums."

Truer words have never been uttered.

Lately, I have been indulging with Electric Light Orchestra's greatest hits collection, with 'Sweet Talkin Woman" on a medium to high rotation. 'Lovefool' by the Cardingans is my karaoke faux pas, along with some mandatory Spin Doctors 'Two Princes'. Actually, come to think about it, the Cardigans and Spin Doctors are not really 'uncool' bands, I just wanted to mention my two favourite karaoke songs! But I guess there is a point there somewhere, you wouldn't rip out Radiohead at a karaoke bar would you? Imagine doing 'Everything in Its Right Place', you'd be booed off the stage.

More guilty pleasures? Well, Icehouse ("Electric Blue"), Philip Oakley and Giorgio Moroder ("Together in Electric Dreams"), and Squeeze ("Up the Junction"). What are some of yours?