I think about this song a lot like "Teenage Kicks" by The Undertones and John Peel playing that song twice in a row on his radio show. It's one that when it's over, I want to press repeat and hear it again.
Yeah, about that... remember how you might hear a song on the radio and drive a little bit further (or wait in the car) ‘til it was over? I did that the other day with this one. Only to remember I was listening on my phone w/AirPods. Oof.
Some entries on my 'ten best pop songs ever' list may be movable feasts, but this is always a permanent fixture (towards the top end).
I saw 'The Only Ones' supporting 'The Stranglers' at Cambridge Corn Exchange at the height of punk (September 1977), and while I remember the main act being good, they were blown away by the openers. The Only Ones were never punk (too many guitar solos), but that night they (and particularly Peter Perrett) were mesmerising.
And yes, the main song I remember from that night was a still (at that stage) unrecorded/unreleased little song about space travel being in Peter's blood (wonder what he could have been talking about!)
Great song. Heard it first by The Replacements and then found The Only Ones' original as a result. Love them both. Westerberg liked the song so much that he performed it live as a solo act and then it found its way onto The Replacements' set list throughout the reunion tour. Great version on the Dead Man's Pop box set.
I think about this song a lot like "Teenage Kicks" by The Undertones and John Peel playing that song twice in a row on his radio show. It's one that when it's over, I want to press repeat and hear it again.
Yeah, about that... remember how you might hear a song on the radio and drive a little bit further (or wait in the car) ‘til it was over? I did that the other day with this one. Only to remember I was listening on my phone w/AirPods. Oof.
Now you're talking Kevin!!
Some entries on my 'ten best pop songs ever' list may be movable feasts, but this is always a permanent fixture (towards the top end).
I saw 'The Only Ones' supporting 'The Stranglers' at Cambridge Corn Exchange at the height of punk (September 1977), and while I remember the main act being good, they were blown away by the openers. The Only Ones were never punk (too many guitar solos), but that night they (and particularly Peter Perrett) were mesmerising.
And yes, the main song I remember from that night was a still (at that stage) unrecorded/unreleased little song about space travel being in Peter's blood (wonder what he could have been talking about!)
As always, if your readers would like more like this they should try - challenge69.substack.com
Tim
Man, you’ve seen some great shows on your time!!
Great song. Heard it first by The Replacements and then found The Only Ones' original as a result. Love them both. Westerberg liked the song so much that he performed it live as a solo act and then it found its way onto The Replacements' set list throughout the reunion tour. Great version on the Dead Man's Pop box set.
I went back to see if they played it on the night I saw them, but no dice.
That’s too bad. I’m sorry.
Yes! Nice to discover I wasn’t the “only one” to write about them this week... Interesting that they did try to reunite if only for the off live gig.