Richie's singles club
16th February
Every day, I take a trip down memory lane and revisit singles released roughly between 1979 and 1999 and publish my findings here. If you enjoy pop, indie, dance and hip hop records then you may enjoy reading what I have to say. Also, if you're even nerdier than me and you reckon I've got a release date for a single wrong, you can let me know through the Bluesky account for this website (and I'll be eternally grateful to you, as some of these are admittedly guesses)
'(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)'
(Def Jam)
It's amazing to think how far they came, isn't it? I mean, I was aware of the Beastie Boys when I was 10. I knew some of the 'bad boys' in the neighbourhood had fashioned necklaces out of bicycle padlocks and old Mrs Petrie's Lada car badge. But even back then this sounded a little naff, didn't it? The Beastie Boys at this time were obnoxious and tedious and ripe for parody (hello Tony Hawks) which just makes it all the more nice that by a decade later they were as right on as old Mrs Petrie herself (and her questionable community vegan stew).
'Brighter'
(Factory)
Those of us only familiar with The Railyway Children's major label attempts to sound like Then Jerico on eccles cake may forget that they had their indie roots too. 'Brighter' was a smart pop number sounding like The Smiths with a manicure and featured some pretty nifty percussion. They were quite rightly tipped for big things, just not those big things...like being special guests on the Little and Large show.
'Running Away'
(Chrysalis)
Or Terry Hall - the wilderness years. With all the good will gained from the Specials, the Fun Boy Three and even early Colourfield, Terry and co gave us a funk-pop cover of one of Sly Stone's best known tunes. Or it's believed they did as I'm not convinced anyone has ever heard this - not even Terry, God bless his soul.
'I Am the Law'
(Epic)
I've never really got metal. But I allow a few exceptions, which amount basically to Faith No More and Anthrax. This one is specifically about British comic star Judge Dredd and his exploits up until 1987, which is made it probably the nerdiest rock single until Pop Will Eat Itself topped them in the coming years.
Other songs released today
- The Cult - 'Love Removal Machine' (Beggars Banquet)
- Erasure - 'It Doesn't Have to Be' (Mute)