Number Three of An Occasional Series
Long before Julian Cope was perplexing crowds at Latitude, he was in a band called The Teardrop Explodes. And they made exquisite pop music. One of the best songs they ever did, and therefore number three, on my virtual album is Passionate Friend. It's from their second and (I think) superior album Wilder - a copy of which should be in every discerning music fan's collection.
I can remember seeing them performing this on Top of the Pops when I was about 10, and being mesmerized by it. There's no preamble - the vocal is launched into straightaway and then you get approximately 3 and a half minutes of sheer awesomeness. I like the way the tempo changes and how it soars and soars until it get to the climax of "ba ba bas". Julian Cope is the king of a great "ba ba ba" - I am not sure that anyone else does them better and for me, one of the hallmarks of a great pop song is a well-placed "ba ba ba". If this sounds incomprehensible, then listen to the song and you will see exactly what I mean. But there is also great emotion in his voice and it suits the lyrics wonderfully.
In short, it's pop genius.
Long before Julian Cope was perplexing crowds at Latitude, he was in a band called The Teardrop Explodes. And they made exquisite pop music. One of the best songs they ever did, and therefore number three, on my virtual album is Passionate Friend. It's from their second and (I think) superior album Wilder - a copy of which should be in every discerning music fan's collection.
I can remember seeing them performing this on Top of the Pops when I was about 10, and being mesmerized by it. There's no preamble - the vocal is launched into straightaway and then you get approximately 3 and a half minutes of sheer awesomeness. I like the way the tempo changes and how it soars and soars until it get to the climax of "ba ba bas". Julian Cope is the king of a great "ba ba ba" - I am not sure that anyone else does them better and for me, one of the hallmarks of a great pop song is a well-placed "ba ba ba". If this sounds incomprehensible, then listen to the song and you will see exactly what I mean. But there is also great emotion in his voice and it suits the lyrics wonderfully.
In short, it's pop genius.
1 comment:
ah, the list is building...!! :D
you should keep a tally of the songs in a sidebar.
i don't know this one, so am looking forward to giving this compilation a listen when it comes together...
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