Fascinating, such insightful analyses of these songs. Is that really true about the 56% of all men choosing Don't You Want Me Baby for karaoke? Do they actually measure that? (my go-to karaoke choice on the very rare occasions I do it is Forever Young.
I'm scared to ask whether you like Last Christmas or not!
I think a lot of Divine Comedy songs would fit the mould here, and Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side came to mind too.
Lovely audio, such a soothing and melodic voice, though next time you really will have to break into song - why not record your own karaoke? 😁😂
I love Last Christmas! One day I will spend Yuletide in Saas-Fee Switzerland where they filmed the video and reenact the whole thing. I just need to learn to ski first. Trust me, you do not want me to sing. Thank you Daniel!
I think I have now - you've just told me, right? From Dylan? I must confess - shame on me? - that I've never been into him. Brilliant lyricist and musician, just never did it for me. Sorry 😟😢😞
🤣 Thank you Lewis. Aww that's such a cute fact - those things are burned into my brain too. I think Adam Ant was mine - and now I'm going to have to go onto YouTube just to check...
Doing a recording is such a brilliant idea; it was like you’re in the same room as me! 🥰🥰
You picked some great tunes and the storylines are classics. I just love George especially his track Jesus to a Child-such a clear tone and very sad 😢.
Have you seen the Last Christmas video re-mastered in 4K. It was shot on film so they whapped it in a Telecine suite and recaptured it in 4k. It is...deeply unnerving to see the '80's replayed in current era fidelity. You can pratically see the mousse holding all that hair aloft.
Cracked me up ; ‘impossible not to sympathise with these poor lads - even Anthony Costa’ 🤣🤣🤣. Choice songs ! Love them and the analysis, great to hear your voice also ! Was thinking I may do the same soon.
I still have my Wham albums. I just watched the video. Was that Wembley Arena? I might've been in the audience.
The thing that struck me watching the video is how shallow and poppy they made it. The disco beat. Girls dancing on stage. Audience cheering and waving. Andrew with a big cheesy grin on his face. But the singer is in real pain.
Aw, why do I do the things I do?
Tell you if I knew
My god, I don't even think that I love you
I was always moved by that line and I got the shivers all over again now.
I think it might have been the Marquee club - but I wouldn't be surprised if you told me you were there too!!
I agree - there's a real contrast between the group and the song - almost as if he was trying desperately to make clear that he was no longer a pop puppet.
I also get shivers when he sings that! It's so heartfelt - the 'my god' bit - and he composed these all when he was so young! Genius.
I'd add Say Hello, Wave Goodbye by Soft Cell for a story song. It's more than a little nasty and the chorus always has the hair on the back of my neck standing up.
Thank you Dean! Yes - that's a great one actually. Must revisit that. I wanted to balance the decades by adding a 90s one, but actually it was mostly 80s tunes that seemed to have both stories and great tunes.
We downloaded a karaoke app last Christmas and I can confirm that Don't You Want Me was a top choice in my own household! (But not Last Christmas, weirdly enough.)
Interesting data Wendy! May be it's because it's more spoken than sung and easier?! Or that others can get involved with the two different parts. This is making me want to do kareoke now!
Yes, the duet factor! It encourages shy people who don’t want to do a solo to have a go. (Mind you, Ian and I cleared the room when we did a duet of Everything’s Alright from Jesus Christ Superstar.)
Fascinating, such insightful analyses of these songs. Is that really true about the 56% of all men choosing Don't You Want Me Baby for karaoke? Do they actually measure that? (my go-to karaoke choice on the very rare occasions I do it is Forever Young.
I'm scared to ask whether you like Last Christmas or not!
I think a lot of Divine Comedy songs would fit the mould here, and Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side came to mind too.
Lovely audio, such a soothing and melodic voice, though next time you really will have to break into song - why not record your own karaoke? 😁😂
I love Last Christmas! One day I will spend Yuletide in Saas-Fee Switzerland where they filmed the video and reenact the whole thing. I just need to learn to ski first. Trust me, you do not want me to sing. Thank you Daniel!
Sass-Fee is beautiful but - even for the Suisse - is really expensive. It's where real Bond villains live.
Bob Dylan is always a good choice. Like a Rolling Stone for me.
(Did you figure out where my pseudonym comes from?)
I think I have now - you've just told me, right? From Dylan? I must confess - shame on me? - that I've never been into him. Brilliant lyricist and musician, just never did it for me. Sorry 😟😢😞
The secret to loving Dylan is to start at the very beginning. Listen to Freewheelin’. Then, if you enjoy that, go on to the next album etc.
Lovely stuff Faith, now please never make me sympathise with Anthony Costa ever again.
Little known fact: Don't You Want Me is the first music video I can remember watching. It was number one on my 4th birthday.
🤣 Thank you Lewis. Aww that's such a cute fact - those things are burned into my brain too. I think Adam Ant was mine - and now I'm going to have to go onto YouTube just to check...
Doing a recording is such a brilliant idea; it was like you’re in the same room as me! 🥰🥰
You picked some great tunes and the storylines are classics. I just love George especially his track Jesus to a Child-such a clear tone and very sad 😢.
Can’t wait for your next reading!! Xx 😘
Thank you Ma!! I’ll keep doing them as it was fun last time xx
I read this then went back and listened to it. you have a lovely voice! and you read it so well! you sound like you could be on the tv
Bless you that’s so kind! I would secretly love to have been a newscaster 😁Thank you so much for the restack also. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
newscaster was the job I had in mind!
One day!!
Who knew Wham! could do social commentary?
Have you seen the Last Christmas video re-mastered in 4K. It was shot on film so they whapped it in a Telecine suite and recaptured it in 4k. It is...deeply unnerving to see the '80's replayed in current era fidelity. You can pratically see the mousse holding all that hair aloft.
I have not seen this, I must take a look thank you! Is this only possible with some video shot on film? I’m fascinated by this process
Yes, because the process is chemical whereas digital is limited by pixels. Wonder if any other old videos will be remastered?
I was just thinking this 🧐
Wonderful piece, my friend!
Thank you Cara!
Cracked me up ; ‘impossible not to sympathise with these poor lads - even Anthony Costa’ 🤣🤣🤣. Choice songs ! Love them and the analysis, great to hear your voice also ! Was thinking I may do the same soon.
Thank you Francis! So glad you enjoyed it. And the audio. It was quite fun to do and didn’t take as long as I thought it might. Look forward to yours!
It’s on hold for a bit with my stuffed nose and coughing splattering cold 😂
Aww get well soon!
I still have my Wham albums. I just watched the video. Was that Wembley Arena? I might've been in the audience.
The thing that struck me watching the video is how shallow and poppy they made it. The disco beat. Girls dancing on stage. Audience cheering and waving. Andrew with a big cheesy grin on his face. But the singer is in real pain.
Aw, why do I do the things I do?
Tell you if I knew
My god, I don't even think that I love you
I was always moved by that line and I got the shivers all over again now.
I think it might have been the Marquee club - but I wouldn't be surprised if you told me you were there too!!
I agree - there's a real contrast between the group and the song - almost as if he was trying desperately to make clear that he was no longer a pop puppet.
I also get shivers when he sings that! It's so heartfelt - the 'my god' bit - and he composed these all when he was so young! Genius.
Ah yes, George and his "Princess Di hair" 😂
Love this 👍
Ha ha excellent. Fingers crossed for us both 😆
Thank you Stephanie! I've just found the most amazing t-shirt: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1133275665/princess-diana-shirt-funny-george
I'm soooooo tempted to purchase 😂
🤣🤣🤣Christmas list
You read my mind, just sent the link to my mum! She knows what to do 😅
oh my goodness, that shirt!
Isn't it nice?! 😅
It's nice to hear your voice!
I'd add Say Hello, Wave Goodbye by Soft Cell for a story song. It's more than a little nasty and the chorus always has the hair on the back of my neck standing up.
Thank you Dean! Yes - that's a great one actually. Must revisit that. I wanted to balance the decades by adding a 90s one, but actually it was mostly 80s tunes that seemed to have both stories and great tunes.
My musical knowledge subsides sharply by the late 90's, although I'm sure I've missed some classics.
There seemed to be more space for pop music to truly explore in the 80's, even more than was the case previously.
Absolutely. Plus the fact that so much change, invention and creativity took place in a short space of time.
We downloaded a karaoke app last Christmas and I can confirm that Don't You Want Me was a top choice in my own household! (But not Last Christmas, weirdly enough.)
Interesting data Wendy! May be it's because it's more spoken than sung and easier?! Or that others can get involved with the two different parts. This is making me want to do kareoke now!
Yes, the duet factor! It encourages shy people who don’t want to do a solo to have a go. (Mind you, Ian and I cleared the room when we did a duet of Everything’s Alright from Jesus Christ Superstar.)
A cracking choice though!!