The Playlist of Life --- Trollheart's resurrected Journal

Trollheart · 09-26-2013, 03:47 PM

Now, be warned: I usually just throw in a few comments about the entry, how it did and what the song was like, but this time I have a lot more to say. A lot more. And apologies to any fans of Bucks Fizz, mostly for being fans of Bucks Fizz.

The thing that annoys me most about this song is that not only was it a terrible song, with lyrics a two-year-old would blush to write, it bloody won the competition that year! And it was all, I repeat all, about the skirts. The English ABBA? I don't think so: none of these four could play a musical instrument and they certainly couldn't write. They just looked good, and on the back of this success they carved out a really successful career, to my eternal chagrin. They even had one or two decent songs. But this wasn't one of them.

Like Joe Dolce in my recent feature "The Hook", this song relied entirely on the stage show. The girls started off wearing long skirts, and then at a given signal in the lyric the two guys pulled those skirts off to reveal shorter miniskirts underneath, and the crowd went wild. There's no doubt at all in my mind that had that gimmick not been employed, Bucks Fizz would not have won the contest and more than likely would not have gone on to record more songs. It was a shameless attempt at style over substance, and it worked. Everything from the annoying fifties rock and roll tempo to the stupid dance routine and the fact that all four of them were blonde, all speaks to trying to reduce the actual song's importance in the overall performance. Mind you, it was a song that would never have won on its own merits, without the gimmicks.

I mean, listen to some of the lyric: "If you believe a love can hit the top/ You gotta play around" --- what? What is that supposed to mean? And "Don't let your inhibitions take you from behind" was just another chance for a cheap sexual innuendo, though not direct enough to offend the millions of families who had no doubt tuned in. As for the pivotal lines: "Try to look as if you don't care less/ But if you want to see some [Cue skirts being pulled off] more/ Then the rules of the game will let you find/ The one you're looking for." They will? What the **** is that supposed to mean? What's the message here? Play the field but when you're ready to settle down you can find your true love? And just to reinforce that "playing around" idea, the girls constantly moved from one guy to the other, how fickle oh dear.

Yeah, a real low point in Eurovision history, and that's saying something. I suppose at least we can absolve them of the blame for writing the song: step forward, Andy Hill and John Danter, and hang your heads in shame! Still, I suppose winning is everything: certainly was in this case. Jesus, set alongside this our Dana's "All kinds of everything" is even almost forgivable!

Almost.

1981 --- United Kingdom --- "Making your mind up" by Bucks Fizz

Trollheart · 09-26-2013, 03:48 PM

DAYS TO GO UNTIL

BEGINS!

Trollheart · 09-27-2013, 08:41 AM

DAYS TO GO UNTIL

BEGINS!

Trollheart · 09-29-2013, 08:28 AM

DAYS TO GO UNTIL

BEGINS!

Anteater · 09-29-2013, 09:38 AM

\m/

Oh, and an excellent in-depth analysis of The Tall Ships there. I had no idea when I first brought it up that you'd take to it so strongly, but I'm glad it did! It really is a diamond in the rough and I'm happy it continues to make such a great impression. Keep up the great writing my friend!

Trollheart · 10-02-2013, 09:03 AM

Who says Metal bands don't bother about writing good lyrics? Yeah? Well, chew on this studded fist, buddy! You only have to look at the lyric in the opening song of the debut album of the darkest and most loved Metal band of all time to see how important the words are, or were. Sure, when those first deadly guitar notes rang out you got a chill down your spine because you knew something really "bad" was beginning, and you loved it, but would it have been the same had Ozzy sang about love and peace instead of doom and destruction? Apart from that, it's not just a song of doom that characterises "Black Sabbath", but the deadly, innate fear inside all of us of the Unknown, the recognition of the presence of Evil, and perhaps, just perhaps, the fear of being chosen for something we do not want to be chosen for.

Black Sabbath" (Black Sabbath) 1970, from the album "Black Sabbath"
Music and Lyrics by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne

When Ozzy sings "What is this that stands before me?" you know he's not looking at anything pleasant, and the dread and fear in his voice, mingled with a dark fascination for the macabre just loads the song with extra purpose. Of course it has survived over forty years now on the basis of its dark, cloying, creeping mysterious horror, the credit for most of which must be given to Tony Iommi and his groundbreaking new way of playing guitar. But when the guitar echoes in the background and Ozzy's voice shivers into the song, that's when it really takes on the mantle of shadowy terror that has resulted in its being one of the classic Metal songs of all time, a marker for future generations that has yet to be passed.

His cry "Find out I'm the chosen one/ Oh no!" evokes the image of someone finding out the depth of the evil that lies in their soul, that they have been selected for a deep, dark purpose and there is nothing they can do to avoid it. To me, it's always been about the Antichrist finding out his destiny, though of course that is probably all allegorical and it's to do with the Vietnam war or something, as Sabbath always maintained they were not connected with, or interested particularly in the occult. But then, the Big Guy is mentioned by name --- "Satan's sitting there/ He's smiling" --- so draw your own conclusions. After four decades I'm sure everyone has their own ideas as to how to interpret the song, and it means different things to different people.

But it's a real classic, of that there can be no doubt.

What is this that stands before me?
Figure in black which points at me.
Turn around quick, and start to run:
Find out I'm the chosen one:
Oh no!

Big black shape with eyes of fire
Telling people their desire.
Satan's sitting there, he's smiling:
Watches those flames get higher and higher.
Oh no, no, please God help me!

Is it the end, my friend?
Satan's coming 'round the bend.
People running 'cause they're scared:
The people better go and beware!
No, no, please, no!

Big Ears · 02-19-2013, 11:43 AM

It is not a popular view these days, but I think the Thin Lizzy albums with Eric Bell are their best. It is a strange paradox that he did not want to be a rock star, while Phil Lynott wanted nothing else.

Unknown Soldier · 02-24-2013, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Ears

It is not a popular view these days, but I think the Thin Lizzy albums with Eric Bell are their best. It is a strange paradox that he did not want to be a rock star, while Phil Lynott wanted nothing else.

Really, I thought these albums were somewhat disjointed and focused a bit too much on the gentler side of things. But I do think that Vagabonds of the Western World is a good album though and the first where the trademark Thin Lizzy sound can really be noted.

PoorOldPo · 03-08-2013, 02:44 PM

I love this journal

Big Ears · 03-22-2013, 03:49 PM

Don't forget Sail Away by Deep Purple from Burn (1974). It's the best track on a strong album, consisting of a duet between David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes, which makes me wish that the latter took all the lead vocals during the post-Gillan/Glover period. I say this despite Coverdale being a reasonable singer. There is a remastered CD of Burn, which has not one, but two versions of this great song. Play it loud!

Deep Purple - Sail Away - YouTube

09-26-2013, 03:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Now, be warned: I usually just throw in a few comments about the entry, how it did and what the song was like, but this time I have a lot more to say. A lot more. And apologies to any fans of Bucks Fizz, mostly for being fans of Bucks Fizz. The thing that annoys me most about this song is that not only was it a terrible song, with lyrics a two-year-old would blush to write, it bloody won the competition that year! And it was all, I repeat all, about the skirts. The English ABBA? I don't think so: none of these four could play a musical instrument and they certainly couldn't write. They just looked good, and on the back of this success they carved out a really successful career, to my eternal chagrin. They even had one or two decent songs. But this wasn't one of them. Like Joe Dolce in my recent feature "The Hook", this song relied entirely on the stage show. The girls started off wearing long skirts, and then at a given signal in the lyric the two guys pulled those skirts off to reveal shorter miniskirts underneath, and the crowd went wild. There's no doubt at all in my mind that had that gimmick not been employed, Bucks Fizz would not have won the contest and more than likely would not have gone on to record more songs. It was a shameless attempt at style over substance, and it worked. Everything from the annoying fifties rock and roll tempo to the stupid dance routine and the fact that all four of them were blonde, all speaks to trying to reduce the actual song's importance in the overall performance. Mind you, it was a song that would never have won on its own merits, without the gimmicks. I mean, listen to some of the lyric: "If you believe a love can hit the top/ You gotta play around" --- what? What is that supposed to mean? And "Don't let your inhibitions take you from behind" was just another chance for a cheap sexual innuendo, though not direct enough to offend the millions of families who had no doubt tuned in. As for the pivotal lines: "Try to look as if you don't care less/ But if you want to see some [Cue skirts being pulled off] more/ Then the rules of the game will let you find/ The one you're looking for." They will? What the **** is that supposed to mean? What's the message here? Play the field but when you're ready to settle down you can find your true love? And just to reinforce that "playing around" idea, the girls constantly moved from one guy to the other, how fickle oh dear. Yeah, a real low point in Eurovision history, and that's saying something. I suppose at least we can absolve them of the blame for writing the song: step forward, Andy Hill and John Danter, and hang your heads in shame! Still, I suppose winning is everything: certainly was in this case. Jesus, set alongside this our Dana's "All kinds of everything" is even almost forgivable! Almost. 1981 --- United Kingdom --- "Making your mind up" by Bucks Fizz __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

09-26-2013, 03:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	DAYS TO GO UNTIL BEGINS! __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018 Last edited by Trollheart; 12-24-2013 at 01:49 PM.

09-27-2013, 08:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	DAYS TO GO UNTIL BEGINS! __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018 Last edited by Trollheart; 12-24-2013 at 01:50 PM.

09-29-2013, 08:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	DAYS TO GO UNTIL BEGINS! __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018 Last edited by Trollheart; 12-24-2013 at 01:51 PM.

10-02-2013, 09:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Who says Metal bands don't bother about writing good lyrics? Yeah? Well, chew on this studded fist, buddy! You only have to look at the lyric in the opening song of the debut album of the darkest and most loved Metal band of all time to see how important the words are, or were. Sure, when those first deadly guitar notes rang out you got a chill down your spine because you knew something really "bad" was beginning, and you loved it, but would it have been the same had Ozzy sang about love and peace instead of doom and destruction? Apart from that, it's not just a song of doom that characterises "Black Sabbath", but the deadly, innate fear inside all of us of the Unknown, the recognition of the presence of Evil, and perhaps, just perhaps, the fear of being chosen for something we do not want to be chosen for. Black Sabbath" (Black Sabbath) 1970, from the album "Black Sabbath" Music and Lyrics by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne When Ozzy sings "What is this that stands before me?" you know he's not looking at anything pleasant, and the dread and fear in his voice, mingled with a dark fascination for the macabre just loads the song with extra purpose. Of course it has survived over forty years now on the basis of its dark, cloying, creeping mysterious horror, the credit for most of which must be given to Tony Iommi and his groundbreaking new way of playing guitar. But when the guitar echoes in the background and Ozzy's voice shivers into the song, that's when it really takes on the mantle of shadowy terror that has resulted in its being one of the classic Metal songs of all time, a marker for future generations that has yet to be passed. His cry "Find out I'm the chosen one/ Oh no!" evokes the image of someone finding out the depth of the evil that lies in their soul, that they have been selected for a deep, dark purpose and there is nothing they can do to avoid it. To me, it's always been about the Antichrist finding out his destiny, though of course that is probably all allegorical and it's to do with the Vietnam war or something, as Sabbath always maintained they were not connected with, or interested particularly in the occult. But then, the Big Guy is mentioned by name --- "Satan's sitting there/ He's smiling" --- so draw your own conclusions. After four decades I'm sure everyone has their own ideas as to how to interpret the song, and it means different things to different people. But it's a real classic, of that there can be no doubt. What is this that stands before me? Figure in black which points at me. Turn around quick, and start to run: Find out I'm the chosen one: Oh no! Big black shape with eyes of fire Telling people their desire. Satan's sitting there, he's smiling: Watches those flames get higher and higher. Oh no, no, please God help me! Is it the end, my friend? Satan's coming 'round the bend. People running 'cause they're scared: The people better go and beware! No, no, please, no! __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018 Last edited by Trollheart; 09-29-2014 at 01:53 PM.

02-19-2013, 11:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
Big Ears Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 434	It is not a popular view these days, but I think the Thin Lizzy albums with Eric Bell are their best. It is a strange paradox that he did not want to be a rock star, while Phil Lynott wanted nothing else. __________________ My Journal: Rabbiting On

03-08-2013, 02:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
PoorOldPo Blue Pill Oww Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Luimneach, Eire Posts: 1,107	I love this journal __________________ https://www.instagram.com/hennas.lullaby/

03-22-2013, 03:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
Big Ears Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 434	Don't forget Sail Away by Deep Purple from Burn (1974). It's the best track on a strong album, consisting of a duet between David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes, which makes me wish that the latter took all the lead vocals during the post-Gillan/Glover period. I say this despite Coverdale being a reasonable singer. There is a remastered CD of Burn, which has not one, but two versions of this great song. Play it loud! Deep Purple - Sail Away - YouTube __________________ My Journal: Rabbiting On