Not sure many people noticed that Ian McCulloch had a bit of a solo career back in the day. And I’m sure even fewer remember it now. But I’ve always loved this.
If people remember Pentangle, it’s usually ‘Light Flight’ (an adaptation of the ‘Take Three Girls’ TV theme, which got them on TOTP). But their previous single, ‘Once I Had a Sweetheart’ – marketed as a new-fangled stereo single in prominent press ads – is a masterpiece. It got to No.46 or something like that in the UK. I don’t believe it was ever performed live at the time – though Jacqui McShee performs it now (in her 80s – and still in amazing voice) in the occasional outings of Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle.
Pain and Paradise/Albion Band.
Not on the Rise Up Like The Sun album, despite the vid, but did appear on a later re-issue.
I bought the 7″ single in a Soho street market: a “review copy/not for resale”.
A fan here. Really liked the album, Urban Beaches. Nothing innovative on it but chiming guitars and anthems, a bit like another Irish band @fentonsteve might have already mentioned.
Years later (ithangyew) I brought the previously unreleased 2nd album. It’s up there with “1, 2, 3, 4” by Propaganda
Pretty innovative single, with the synth bass and electronic percussion on top of strings. Lots of space in the production.
Rock purists hated the sound of those synth drums at the time.
A fab bit of early 80s psychedelia – Nick Nicely performing Hilly Fields (1892)
By way of total contrast, from a few years later – Working Week with Venceremos (We Will Win).
Some may argue that the 12″ version of a single is outside the spirit of this thread, but I can’t find the 7″ version that features the vocal triumvirate of Claudia Figueroa, Tracey Thorn and Robert Wyatt. Just the re-recorded 7″ version with Juliet Roberts alone. And with all respect to her, it just isn’t in the same class.
While we’re down a political cul-de-sac, let’s not forget The Redskins and Kick Over The Statues.
Thanks also for that @fentonsteve. I have great memories of this band as my sixth form mates and I followed them around for a couple of gigs in London pubs in 1988 and they were nice enough to say hello.
My pick (album track) would be the rueful “A Different Bob”
I always liked this song but never investigated further. Surprised to find they are still a going concern. With a song this good they must have other tunes…
This is a pretty good example, I think – a UK no.1 from 1994 that was on a huge number of V/A compilations in the 90s. Its last outing on a comp was 2017. The band itself was created to record this song, managed one album then stopped. Basically, a fabulous riff – and a nothing song to justify it.
Apologies, Tiggs: I forgot the premise of the thread.
(That’s the second time today I’ve had to apologise for not paying sufficient attention – I should go back to bed, really…)
I have never forgotten this single (a staple of university disco nights) but because they didn’t manage another hit (and pop circa 1990 has left little trace) does anyone under 50 remember this? (If it has become a meme somewhere then what do I know)
This may not be great single to be honest, but I certainly remember it from when I was still a wee lad, despite (so wiki tells me) it only getting to 45 in the charts. Heavy radio play I guess.
Last from me. Never a hit, but on the chill-out/ post-rock wavelength of the mid 1990s that shadowed Britpop but is written out of history (see also Disco Inferno or Seefeel): Flowchart, “Flutter By Butterfly” on Wurlitzer Jukebox Records, 1997.
Mekons – Where Were You?
The Slits – Typical Girls
Silicon Teens, Just Like Eddie
Not sure many people noticed that Ian McCulloch had a bit of a solo career back in the day. And I’m sure even fewer remember it now. But I’ve always loved this.
I have the LP of that, and Liz Fraser sings a bit on the title track.
It’s a very good album and I probably actually revisit it more than I do the Bunnymen. That Liz Fraser duet is particularly fine.
If people remember Pentangle, it’s usually ‘Light Flight’ (an adaptation of the ‘Take Three Girls’ TV theme, which got them on TOTP). But their previous single, ‘Once I Had a Sweetheart’ – marketed as a new-fangled stereo single in prominent press ads – is a masterpiece. It got to No.46 or something like that in the UK. I don’t believe it was ever performed live at the time – though Jacqui McShee performs it now (in her 80s – and still in amazing voice) in the occasional outings of Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle.
The 1969 original:
Jacqui last year:
A twofer from Derry’s finest.
Note to radio stations: they are much more than Teenage Kicks.
Reading the mighty McCartney Legacy Vol 2 reminded me what a banger this one is, performed by the best one man tea room orchestra in pop.
Forgotten? Hardly.
This is famously the song that inspired Lennon to get back (ha!) to being a musician.
Or was it this version? (The other side, made no. 1 in America). The last Wings record.
John Lennon said he preferred the studio version. So do I.
Me too, nice to have a choice though. It’s no Temporary Secretary though which is a real lost single. Failed to make the top 75!
I agree. Superb.
many of these so far (possibly Silicon Teens excepted) are way too known. Here’s my latest reach back to the golden age of CD singles:
No 49 with a bullet. Later covered by Sir Rodney of Stewart as it’s a gold-plated chord progression.
Oh that’s very good. No idea how this passed me by at the time as it is/was right up my street. Must investigate further.
Pain and Paradise/Albion Band.
Not on the Rise Up Like The Sun album, despite the vid, but did appear on a later re-issue.
I bought the 7″ single in a Soho street market: a “review copy/not for resale”.
Classical Muddly/Portsmouth Sinfonia
Bought the same day, as was Dambusters March by the Rawtenstall Concertina Band, oddly not on the YouTube.
From the Big Music era @fentonsteve here’s some Me2 U2-ers from Ireland
Number 74 with a bullet. They were initially on The U2’s label, Mother Records, and produced by Bonio.
Years Later is the one of theirs I remember most – a lunchtime Radio 1 hit, and number 59 in the hit parade.
A fan here. Really liked the album, Urban Beaches. Nothing innovative on it but chiming guitars and anthems, a bit like another Irish band @fentonsteve might have already mentioned.
Years later (ithangyew) I brought the previously unreleased 2nd album. It’s up there with “1, 2, 3, 4” by Propaganda
Ooof!
A general let down though 1234 was, this I thought rocked the ‘alternative power ballad’ vibe pretty well and is definitely a forgotten single.
back to the golden age of CD singles. This was re-released at least a thousand times and given a ritzy Oakenfold remix (as here). Number 52.
Blue Note’s only (USA) big hit single, I think.
Lee Morgan – The Sidewinder
A couple for the first-gen Mods, wherever they are.
.
You rang?
Golden age of CD singles…no 67. Another marker for forgotten singles, only copy of the video is a 32-line fuzzy video rip. No vevo for the Sultans.
Ahem…the wonderful Sultans , courtesy of Vevo…
Renaissance – Northern Lights
Annie Haslam.
Excellent, Mike!
I really like that song. Always have – but I wouldn’t have said so to my friend group at the time.
Same here.
Not hip enough at the time, but really excellent nonetheless.
One of those songs I must have heard as a small boy that I forgot all about then heard again. Gorgeous record.
Have been having a bit of Power Pop thing lately and this song is great. Was it a single ? No idea.
It was, I have the 12″ single.
Not sure if this is forgotten – soon find out! From 1978:
ALSO from 1978:
Big, big thumbs up for Rose Royce!
I admit I hated Love Don’t Live Here Anymore when it was released. Total change of mind since then. Terrific song.
Pretty innovative single, with the synth bass and electronic percussion on top of strings. Lots of space in the production.
Rock purists hated the sound of those synth drums at the time.
This is another good one from them. Fantastic arrangement and great vocal from Gwen Dickey.
Cardiacs – Is This The Life
Good choice!
I think 3,766 plays on Spotify counts as forgotten.
A fab bit of early 80s psychedelia – Nick Nicely performing Hilly Fields (1892)
By way of total contrast, from a few years later – Working Week with Venceremos (We Will Win).
Some may argue that the 12″ version of a single is outside the spirit of this thread, but I can’t find the 7″ version that features the vocal triumvirate of Claudia Figueroa, Tracey Thorn and Robert Wyatt. Just the re-recorded 7″ version with Juliet Roberts alone. And with all respect to her, it just isn’t in the same class.
While we’re down a political cul-de-sac, let’s not forget The Redskins and Kick Over The Statues.
May not be truly “forgotten”, but you don’t hear much talk about or airplay from Husker Du
Sorry Somehow
And Bob Mould picked up his guitar and landed in Sugar
If I Can’t Change Your Mind
Tigger is going to have enough Corsair Chicken to last all summer.
I have no intention to stop!
I saw Rosie Thomas supporting Bryan Ferry and was bowled over by this song. I suspect it never charted.
Lloyd Cole recorded one superb album with this fine band which included Jill Sobule. I was lucky enough to catch them live.
You’d like a song from Jill Sobule? My pleasure!
I have a great soft spot for her. She has a very nice sense of humour.
Prompted by Rij posting Take the Skinheads Bowling on the other thread, I always considered this to be a sort of kindred spirit.
Colorblind James Experience – Considering a Move to Memphis
Thanks a lot @fentonsteve.
Colorblind James were magnificently quirky!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorblind_James_Experience
They were indeed quite a band!
Well I never! They did a Peel Session.
And one for Andy Kershaw..
Thanks also for that @fentonsteve. I have great memories of this band as my sixth form mates and I followed them around for a couple of gigs in London pubs in 1988 and they were nice enough to say hello.
My pick (album track) would be the rueful “A Different Bob”
I always liked this song but never investigated further. Surprised to find they are still a going concern. With a song this good they must have other tunes…
Damn right, Max. That song is a remarkable earworm.
Forgotten? Really? Not in these parts. This might qualify though…
So goofy. I love it.
Jem – They
This is a pretty good example, I think – a UK no.1 from 1994 that was on a huge number of V/A compilations in the 90s. Its last outing on a comp was 2017. The band itself was created to record this song, managed one album then stopped. Basically, a fabulous riff – and a nothing song to justify it.
Here’s an entertaining critique of that song
Brilliant!
Is this one forgotten? Even here?
Or this one? Still in everyone’s playlists?
It’s as though Pere Ubu ceased to exist after their first couple of albums
Well, not really – they produced another 17 albums after the first two.
But I take it you’re not a fan of anything they recorded after 1978?
Personally, I love ’em. I think their last studio album was in my top twenty year end poll & the recent live album in Poland is tremendous.
Apologies, Tiggs: I forgot the premise of the thread.
(That’s the second time today I’ve had to apologise for not paying sufficient attention – I should go back to bed, really…)
Is Omar still played on the radio? I’ve got this on 12″.
Early 80s synth pop, of which I wouldn’t usually classify myself as much of a fan, but this was and remains an ear worm for me.
I have that album, such a great second tier entry to the post-punk going a bit electronica canon of 1979/80.
The era of CD classic singles has so much gold to give.
I have never forgotten this single (a staple of university disco nights) but because they didn’t manage another hit (and pop circa 1990 has left little trace) does anyone under 50 remember this? (If it has become a meme somewhere then what do I know)
That Deee-Lite song was a ginormous hit here in Sweden @Pessoa and was played everywhere. A major earworm and a fantastic track
I did a check. According to Wiki it was “a top-ten hit in multiple countries.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deee-Lite
And I am certainly not “under 50”. “Under 100″ more like it”
This may not be great single to be honest, but I certainly remember it from when I was still a wee lad, despite (so wiki tells me) it only getting to 45 in the charts. Heavy radio play I guess.
Last from me. Never a hit, but on the chill-out/ post-rock wavelength of the mid 1990s that shadowed Britpop but is written out of history (see also Disco Inferno or Seefeel): Flowchart, “Flutter By Butterfly” on Wurlitzer Jukebox Records, 1997.
This turned up on my Kid Creole thread, but it belongs here too. Magnificent!
The first record I ever reviewed
And The Native Hipsters – There Goes Concorde Again
One of my favourite noughties singles. Guillemots were briefly *very* cool but no-one mentions them now: