CLASSIC SONG & LYRICS - Free Nelson Mandela (Special AKA, 1984)

December 5th of this year 2013, Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95. For those of us that grew up in unjust era of South African Apartheid rule, Mandela represented the unwavering fight for freedom despite personal sacrifice and hardship.

I must admit that in the early 80s, even though the South African situation was gaining notoriety throughout North America,  it wasn't until I heard the song by Specials AKA in spring 1984 that I began to really appreciate Nelson Mandela's plight.

The original Specials ska 2-tone band had splintered by 1982, but under Jerry Dammers vision and Elvis Costello's incomparable production, a disturbing single was released two years later that captured the frustrations of many who were calling for an end to Apartheid rule, the release of ANC leader Nelson Mandela and a democratically run government that recognized the equal rights of black South African population.  

The lyrics affected me in a powerful manner when I first heard the song, every time I subsequently listened to it and especially after Mandela had passed away.  The plaintive cries to "FREE" Nelson Mandela, the 21 years of captivity and abuse, the shoes to small to fit his feet and ignoring the evil that persisted for far too long.

Despite world-wide condemnation and economic sanctions against Apartheid government, it would take another painful SIX YEARS before Nelson Mandela would be released, for a total 28 difficult years in captivity!!!!!   He was 71 years old when he became a free man once again, and he made up for lost time in a BIG way.  The rest was history in the making.  End of Apartheid, democratic elections for all South Africans and Mandela as President 1994-1999.

For many of us, this song was the powder keg that raised our collective consciousness of this great man's struggle for equality.   R.I.P. Nelson!

Free Nelson Mandela 

Free, Free, Free, Nelson Mandela 

Free Nelson Mandela 

Twenty-one years in captivity 

His shoes too small to fit his feet 

His body abused but his mind is still free 

Are you so blind that you cannot see 

I say Free Nelson Mandela 

I'm begging you 

Free Nelson Mandela 

He pleaded the causes of the ANC 

Only one man in a large army 

Are you so blind that you cannot see 

Are you so deaf that you cannot hear his plea 

Free Nelson Mandela 

I'm begging you Free Nelson Mandela 

Twenty-one years in captivity 

Are you so blind that you cannot see 

Are you so deaf that you cannot hear 

Are you so dumb that you cannot speak 

I say Free Nelson Mandela 

I'm begging you 

Oh free Nelson Mandela, free 

Nelson Mandela I'm begging you 

begging you Please free Nelson Mandela 

free Nelson Mandela 

I'm telling you, you've got to free Nelson Mandela

CLASSIC SONG & LYRICS - Bela Lugosi's Dead (Bauhaus, 1979)

In celebration of Halloween, I thought it appropriate to showcase one of the early Gothic rock classics. When it was originally released in 1979, it was lengthy (9:36) and abrasive song like nothing before it. Screeching guitars, looping feedback, droning drum passages and echo'y, distant vocals that sounded like it came from inside a coffin.

And the subject matter, Dracula of course!!!  Bela Lugosi being the most recognizable film star depiction of our inexhaustible intrigue with Vampires.  Did you know that the Dracula fictional character was based on real life Vlad the Impaler historical figure? And of course there is Bram Stoker's novel, not to mention the countless TV shows and movies of this genre that refuses to die, just like the refrain in this song "undead, undead, undead."   During its day, the song featured prominently in the 1983 vampire movie, "The Hunger" with David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve.

The song is still challenging to listen to, more commercial-friendly radio listeners find this song repulsive. Just what Bauhaus intended, I am certain! The band initially started as Bowie and T-Rex glam rock imitators but quickly established their own distinctive gothic sound.  Although Bauhaus was an underground sensation in the UK, the band dissolved in 1983, achieving greater success in the US as solo artist (Peter Murphy) and early alternative/college rock band (Love and Rockets).

This first single is what started it all.  Enjoy the original and atmospheric Video. Awwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhh!

White on white translucent black capes 

Back on the rack 
Bela lugosi's dead 

The bats have left the bell tower 

The victims have been bled 

Red velvet lines the black box 

Bela lugosi's dead 

Undead undead undead 

The virginal brides file past his tomb 

Strewn with time's dead flowers 

Bereft in deathly bloom 

Alone in a darkened room 

The count 

Bela logosi's dead 

Undead undead undead

 

CLASSIC SONG & LYRICS - How Soon is Now? (The Smiths, 1984)

Perhaps one of the most identifiable new wave songs of the 80s, the Smith's "How soon Is Now?" opens with Johnny Marr's electrifying guitar screech, signaling the emotional desperation to come from Morrissey's naked words.  This is a plain cry for human connection and love in the Yuppie power and money obsessed 'Wall Street' decade.  The song is evocative in the same way that Munch's modern art's masterpiece 'the Scream' leaves an unsettled impression on the interloper.  This is exactly how one feels listening to this Smiths signature song - that one is eavesdropping into the fractured soul of the singer. Morrissey was always an enigmatic figure with cryptic glimpses into his unconventional life, but the feelings he expresses so convincingly are universal - the pursuit for love and the ideal life-partner/soul-mate!

On a personal level, this song was released a short while after a very painful split from a four year relationship.  I easily identified with the pain and seemingly impossible ordeal of finding lasting love ever again.  The song represented my wake-up call. I shifted from one relationship to the next, club to club, somewhat lost and disillusioned. I felt as if the song was written about ME.  That is the power of great art.

I eventually met the love of my life, Guylaine, my wife now of 22 years (and still going strong).  I took a long while after the Smiths song to find the right person, but by then I knew the exact qualities I was searching.  

As an aside, I recently heard the song played once again in a charity event.  It made my spine crawl to hear the Morrissey's howl of longing as if it were 1984/1985 once again. Not surprising my list of 100 Essential New Wave Songs ends with this timeless Smiths masterpiece.  It was a time capsule that perfectly captured my emotional state and impacted me like no other!

I am the son and the heirOf a shyness that is criminally vulgarI am the son and heirOf the nothing in particular

You shut your mouth, how can you sayI go about things the wrong wayI am human and I need to be lovedJust like everybody else does

I am the son and the heirOf a shyness that is criminally vulgarI am the son and the heirOf nothing in particular

You shut your mouth, how can you sayI go about things the wrong wayI am human and I need to be lovedJust like everybody else does

There's a clubIf you'd like to goYou could meet somebodyWho really loves you

So you go and you stand on your ownAnd you leave on your ownAnd you go homeAnd you cry and you want to die

When you say it's gonna happen nowWell, when exactly do you mean?See, I've already waited too longAnd all my hope is gone

You shut your mouth, how can you sayI go about things the wrong wayI am human and I need to be lovedJust like everybody else does

The embedded video conveys the mid-80s fashion style and increasing social isolation very accurately. (Sorry for the opening advertisement!!)

the smiths - how soon is now.. by robertjgunn

CLASSIC SONG & LYRICS - Smalltown Boy (Bronski Beat, 1984)

The first time I heard the  build up to the song that would be later recognized as 'Smalltown Boy,' I was instantly drawn into the music and plaintive lyrics of pain and bullying.  Then the video was released on MTV at a time when videos were as important, if not more important, than the actual music.  And what a captivating video!  I still get goosebumps at the scene where Joey Sommerville extends a hand to his father to say goodbye for the last time, and his father refuses to shake it.  Why? Because his father has learned, or strongly suspects, that his son is homosexual.  Remember this was 1984, at the height of the AIDS epidemic, misinformation and backlash against the homosexual lifestyle at large. 

What the video did was to present a sensitive and poignant side to the individual rather than the broader stereotype.  It was an important achievement and in my opinion, helped to raise the awareness of the ignorant bullying and homophobia that was prevalent in the UK and US at that time.

The music is soaring and lyrics piercing.   Take a listen!

You leave in the morning with everything you own
In a little black case
Alone on a platform, the wind and the rain
On a sad and lonely face

Mother will never understand
Why you had to leave
For the answers you seek will never be found at home
The love that you need will never be found at home

Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away

Pushed around and kicked around, always a lonely boy
You were the one that they'd talk about around town
As they put you down

And as hard as they would try, they'd hurt to make you cry
But you'd never cry to them, just to your soul
No, you'd never cry to them, just to your soul

Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away

Cry boy, cry, cry boy, cry, cry boy
Cry boy, cry, cry boy, cry boy, cry, cry boy
Cry boy, cry, cry boy, cry boy, cry, cry boy
Cry boy, cry, cry boy, cry boy, cry

You leave in the morning with everything you own
In a little black case
Alone on a platform, the wind and the rain
On a sad and lonely face

Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away

ANSWERS - ULTIMATE QUIZ: 100 Essential New Wave Song Lyrics

Well, how did you do in the Ultimate New Wave Name That Song Quiz?

As promised, below are the answers to the 100 Essential New Wave Song Lyrics Quiz.

The first number corresponds to the alphabetically listed song lyric from last month, while the second numbers represents the songs listed in my Top 100 New Wave Songs list (SEE BELOW post).

For example, lyric #1 corresponds to Song 97 (Free Nelson Mandela by the Specials AKA), lyric #2 to Song 27 (Warm Leatherette by the Normal) etc....

RATING:
This was not an easy Quiz, so if you scored 30 correct answers, that is GOOD, you are aware of several New Wave gems.  If you scored 50 correct answers, that is VERY GOOD, you grew up during this era.  If you scored 70 or more, congratulations, that is EXCELLENT and you are a dedicated follower and fan of New Wave music (and could challenge my knowledge of this fascinating genre).

Please send me a comment with you scores.  It will be helpful in developing future blogs!!!

1        97      21 years in captivity, shoes too small to fit his feet        

2        27      a tear of petrol is in your eye       

3        29      always get it up from the touch of the younger kind       

4        36      better think of the future, or else you’ll wind up in jail      

5        34      Bobby OD’d on Drano on the night that he was wed     

6        68      boy meets girl, and love, love is on its way        

7        22      but all I get is bitter and a nasty little rash           

8        32      but I want nothing this society’s got        

9        90      but shoot it in the right direction, making it your intention           

10      87      chance is buried just below the blinding snow   

11      69      don’t make a sound, just move out         

12      80      dreams stay with you, like a lover’s voice across the mountainside     

13      44      feel the rain like an English summer      

14      83      flying through hyper-space in a computer interface       

15      91      Gloria, the last taboo was shattered by her tongue one night    

16      19      he has his future in a British steel          

17      45      here we are stranded, somehow it seems the same    

18      76      hielten sich far Captain Kirk, das gabein grosses Feuerwerk    

19      51      I believe in truth though I lie a lot 

20      4        I can’t control my fingers, I can’t control my brain          

21      40      I don’t know why sometimes I get frightened      

22      43      I feel safest of all, I can lock all my doors           

23      55      I know I’m only fifteen, I like to kick, I like to scream       

24      56      I might like you better if we slept together           

25      11      I need excitement, oh I need it bad         

26      41      I want a doctor to take your picture, so I can look at you from inside as well    

27      65      I wish I was in Tijuana, eating barbecued iguana           

28      10      I won’t share you with another boy         

29      46      I’d drive a million miles, I wanna test them with you       

30      12      I’d like to take her home that’s understood         

31      15      I’m damned pretty angry young man, and it’s no good to shout 

32      63      I’m floating in a beam of light with you    

33      96      I’ve asked myself, how much do you commit yourself? 

34      78      ich lieb’ dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht  

35      95      if a girl walks in and carves her name in my heart, I’ll turn and run away          

36      35      It makes me cream my jeans when she comes my way          

37      88      it’s so hard to get old without a cause, I don’t want to perish like a fading horse           

38      74      it’s tearing apart my blue, blue heart       

39      37      just a thousand reflections of my own sweet self, self, self       

40      49      look now, look all around, there’s no sign of life 

41      58      me I go from one extreme to another     

42      9        me, myself and I is all I’ve ever know     

43      79      move out of my way, it’s time to make it happen           

44      38      my job is very boring, I’m an office clerk 

45      20      Na Na Na Na, NaNaNaNa           

46      93      O, why can’t I live a life for me?  

47      33      oh maybe, maybe, I’m gonna have a baby         

48      52      Once I ran to you, now I run from you    

49      7        one day maybe next week, I’m gonna meet you

50      23      phone whispering in my ear, tell me all the things that I wanna hear         

51      13      phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust  

52      89      pushed around  and kicked around, always a lonely boy           

53      48      questions questions, give me no answer           

54      42      right now I can’t afford the gas, a brand new convertible is out of my class      

55      71      rolling and falling, I’m choking and calling, name after name after name           

56      99      see I’ve already waited too long, and all my hope is gone          

57      2        see my tailor, he’s called Simon, I know it’s going to fit 

58      25      she drove a Plymouth Satellite, faster than the speed of light   

59      67      she is the one in front of me, the siren and the ecstasy

60      92      she moves among men, they would seek to have her as a prize          

61      6        she’s been a bad girl, she’s like a chemical       

62      3        she’s got me going up and down

63      59      slip and slide in your wet delight, feel the blood flow      

64      72      so sweet you make my mouth water     

65      70      so the FBI they rewarded him, because they like a guy who will stab a friend  

66      85      some boys take a beautiful girl, and hide her away from the rest of the world  

67      73      some of them want to abuse you, some of them want to be abused    

68      39      step on a crack, break your momma’s back      

69      81      straight off the boat, where to go?          

70      66      take away my right to speak, take away my dignity        

71      77      tell me how does it feel, when your heart grows cold    

72      17      tell me what they’re wearing this year    

73      75      the dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had           

74      94      the grass is always greener over there  

75      61      the more you live, the faster you will die 

76      54      the one who insists he was first in line, is the last to remember her name       

77      14      the record shows, I fucked a bloke         

78      18      the silicon chip inside her head gets switched to overload        

79      100    there’s a world outside your window, and it’s a world of dread and fear

80      28      they think I’m crazy, so I tell them “oh ya”          

81      24      they took the credit for your second symphony  

82      16      this ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco       

83      21      this is the heavy heavy monster sound, the nuttiest sound around       

84      47      this kiss you give, it’s never ever going to fade away     

85      82      we bite and scratch and scream all night           

86      64      We can act like we come from out of this world, leave the real one far behind 

87      50      we slip and slide as we fall in love          

88      1        we’re the flowers in the dustbin  

89      84      well Cleopatra died for Egypt, what a waste of time      

90      53      well I wait so long for my love vibration   

91      30      when routine bites hard, and ambitions are low 

92      57      why can’t I get just one screw, baby I know what to do  

93      62      why don’t they do what they say, say what they mean  

94      98      words are so cheap, but they can turn expensive          

95      60      you in that dress, my thoughts I confess, verge on dirty

96      5        you only seen me for the clothes that I wear      

97      86      you pull back the curtains, and the sun burns into your eyes    

98      8        you’ve got your nuclear boots and your drip drop glove 

99      31      your eyes make a circle, I see you when I go in there    

100    26      your love gives me such a thrill, but your love won’t pay my bills           

ULTIMATE QUIZ - NAME THAT SONG: 100 Essential New Wave Song Lyrics

For my New Wave aficionados, take the following Quiz matching the Lyric snippets listed alphabetically below to the song title and artist.  HINT - the lyrics correspond to my listing of 100 Essential New Wave songs (1977-1984) in the previous post.  To make it simple, indicate the Top 100 Song # against each lyric (ie 'God Save the Queen' is song #1, 'How Soon is Now' is song #99 etc.)  Good Luck and Have Fun!  

P.S.  The answers will be revealed in a new post on Sunday, March 18th, 2012.

Song   Lyric sample

1          21 years in captivity, shoes too small to fit his feet

2          a tear of petrol is in your eye

3          always get it up from the touch of the younger kind

4          better think of the future, or else you’ll wind up in jail

5          Bobby OD’d on Drano on the night that he was wed

6          boy meets girl, and love, love is on its way

7          but all I get is bitter and a nasty little rash

8          but I want nothing this society’s got

9          but shoot it in the right direction, making it your intention

10        chance is buried just below the blinding snow

11        don’t make a sound, just move out

12        dreams stay with you, like a lover’s voice across the mountainside

13        feel the rain like an English summer

14        flying through hyper-space in a computer interface

15        Gloria, the last taboo was shattered by her tongue one night

16        he has his future in a British steel

17        here we are stranded, somehow it seems the same

18        hielten sich far Captain Kirk, das gabein grosses Feuerwerk

19        I believe in truth though I lie a lot

20        I can’t control my fingers, I can’t control my brain

21        I don’t know why sometimes I get frightened

22        I feel safest of all, I can lock all my doors

23        I know I’m only fifteen, I like to kick, I like to scream

24        I might like you better if we slept together

25        I need excitement, oh I need it bad

26        I want a doctor to take your picture, so I can look at you from inside as well

27        I wish I was in Tijuana, eating barbecued iguana

28        I won’t share you with another boy

29        I’d drive a million miles, I wanna test them with you

30        I’d like to take her home that’s understood

31        I’m damned pretty angry young man, and it’s no good to shout

32        I’m floating in a beam of light with you

33        I’ve asked myself, how much do you commit yourself?

34        ich lieb’ dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht

35        if a girl walks in and carves her name in my heart, I’ll turn and run away

36        It makes me cream my jeans when she comes my way

37        it’s so hard to get old without a cause, I don’t want to perish like a fading horse

38        it’s tearing apart my blue, blue heart

39        just a thousand reflections of my own sweet self, self, self

40        look now, look all around, there’s no sign of life

41        me I go from one extreme to another

42        me, myself and I is all I’ve ever know

43        move out of my way, it’s time to make it happen

44        my job is very boring, I’m an office clerk

45        Na Na Na Na, NaNaNaNa

46        O, why can’t I live a life for me?

47        oh maybe, maybe, I’m gonna have a baby

48        once I ran to you, now I run from you

49        one day maybe next week, I’m gonna meet you

50        phone whispering in my ear, tell me all the things that I wanna hear

51        phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust

52        pushed around and kicked around, always a lonely boy

53        questions questions, give me no answer

54        right now I can’t afford the gas, a brand new convertible is out of my class

55        rolling and falling, I’m choking and calling, name after name after name

56        see I’ve already waited too long, and all my hope is gone

57        see my tailor, he’s called Simon, I know it’s going to fit

58        she drove a Plymouth Satellite, faster than the speed of light

59        she is the one in front of me, the siren and the ecstasy

60        she moves among men, they would seek to have her as a prize

61        she’s been a bad girl, she’s like a chemical

62        she’s got me going up and down

63        slip and slide in your wet delight, feel the blood flow

64        so sweet you make my mouth water

65        so the FBI they rewarded him, because they like a guy who will stab a friend

66        some boys take a beautiful girl, and hide her away from the rest of the world

67        some of them want to abuse you, some of them want to be abused

68        step on a crack, break your momma’s back

69        straight off the boat, where to go?

70        take away my right to speak, take away my dignity

71        tell me how does it feel, when your heart grows cold

72        tell me what they’re wearing this year

73        the dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had

74        the grass is always greener over there

75        the more you live, the faster you will die

76        the one who insists he was first in line, is the last to remember her name

77        the record shows, I fucked a bloke

78        the silicon chip inside her head gets switched to overload

79        there’s a world outside your window, and it’s a world of dread and fear

80        they think I’m crazy, so I tell them “oh ya”

81        they took the credit for your second symphony

82        this ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco

83        this is the heavy heavy monster sound, the nuttiest sound around

84        this kiss you give, it’s never ever going to fade away

85        we bite and scratch and scream all night

86        we can act like we come from out of this world, leave the real one far behind

87        we slip and slide as we fall in love

88        we’re the flowers in the dustbin

89        well Cleopatra died for Egypt, what a waste of time

90        well I wait so long for my love vibration

91        when routine bites hard, and ambitions are low

92        why can’t I get just one screw, baby I know what to do

93        why don’t they do what they say, say what they mean

94        words are so cheap, but they can turn expensive

95        you in that dress, my thoughts I confess, verge on dirty

96        you only seen me for the clothes that I wear

97        you pull back the curtains, and the sun burns into your eyes

98        you’ve got your nuclear boots and your drip drop glove

99        your eyes make a circle, I see you when I go in there

100      your love gives me such a thrill, but your love won’t pay my bills