I've been wanting to do this series for a long time. Once a month, I blog about 10 songs I like. I decided this would be a lot easier to do if I stuck with a theme for each one. This episode (if you will) is about a genre that doesn't seem to get the shine it used to: New Wave.
I remember my earlier days of discovering music on the internet, and I was led to believe new wave was this super important cultural movement from the late 70s. Do people still talk about it like that? I mean, my dad does. The narrative has changed from "all your favorite bands were influenced by The Cars" to "lol David Byrne has the same brand of autism that I do." Nah man. The joke with new wave is that these artists were never meant to be taken too seriously. And perhaps nobody on the radio ought to be. Music is cool. Music is stupid.
Here's 10 SONGZ!
Blondie Hanging on the Telephone
I don't think I fully appreciated this song until I watched the music video. Debbie Harry is just making faces in front of the camera the whole time. Is it so wrong to be expressive? In pop music, having a personality somehow became overridden by maintaining a persona.
XTC When You're Near Me I Have Difficulty
I believe XTC was the exemplary new wave band. They had the technicality and the pop appeal. As though a comic strip transformed into a rock band. They also mastered the most common song topic in new wave: Guys talking about girls like nerds trying to communicate with an alien lifeform.
The B-52s Rock Lobster
There used to be a video on Facebook of me dancing like a maniac to this song in the parking lot of an LDS church at age 17. Can't find it though. Sorry :(
Talking Heads Pulled Up
I believe Talking Heads deserve all the publicity flowers they've received in recent years. Today, I'd like to turn the spotlight to their earlier work. The Name of the Band Is Talking Heads is probably the only live compilation I return to regularly. Love the way this song sounds on there.
Pretenders Brass in Pocket
This is one of my favorite songs of all time. Chrissie Hynde is one of my favorite voices of all time. There's just so much genuine confidence in this song. It's not even about some #selfempowerment façade. It's pure character and conviction.
DEVO Midget
I stumbled into a DEVO YouTube rabbit hole when I was in college. I just remember grainy footage of the band walking like robots while this song played in the background. Just an all-time internet moment for me, like... "Is this song real? Are they really saying these words?" God bless DEVO.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions No Action
Elvis Costello's solo debut established new wave as we know it. He had the look, the voice, the wit, the checkerboard art. When he added The Attractions, he kicked off the new album with "I don't wanna kiss you, I don't wanna touch," followed by that electric keyboard sound... The "Godfather of New Wave" debate was over before it even began.
Tom Verlaine Kingdom Come
One problem with new wave is I'm not totally sure what classifies under that genre's umbrella. I only discovered this song recently, as I knew the David Bowie cover and knew this was the dude from Television. Albeit dark and self-reflective, this is my blog and I'm calling this song new wave.
The Cars Just What I Needed
It took me over 30 years to realize The Cars had 2 different lead singers who sound exactly alike. Ric Ocasek wrote all their songs, although the blond-haired Benjamin Orr does the occasional lead vocal. Orr sang this song, as well as "Drive." Sheesh. I feel like I've been had.
The Police Darkness
This is the only song on here not from in the 70s, as I'm much more enamored with The Police albums from the 80s. These synthesizer effects sound so freaking good. And "life was easy when it was boring" is a straight BAR.
