September 2001, Edited February 2024
Whether it’s over twenty years or forty years, my opinions of popular music have never really changed. My musical snobbery is as alive and kicking in my fifties, as it was in my thirties and teens. This is an article I wrote over two decades ago and updated to reflect the current times we live in.
At the turn of the last century (that sounds scary!), I heard a friend say “the eighties are responsible for some of the worst popular music ever produced”. I do not dispute his credentials to hold these opinions, especially as he is a very talented harp (harmonica) player. However, I wonder what criteria he used in coming up with this judgement, and whether he still holds this opinion today (2024)? I’m not quite sure why I didn’t probe him at the time, I was probably feeling apprehensive of holding my musical own at the time. I haven’t seen him for a good few years, but I’ll have to remember to ask next time I bump into him.
I first started to take a serious interest in music in 1984, upon hearing the Dire Straits double live album ‘Alchemy’ (remastered in 2023, with other concert recordings, into an 8 CD boxset, which my better half recently gave me as a Christmas present). In my opinion, these are finely crafted pieces of music, which combines thoughtful lyrics with quality musicianship. I have just read bass player, John Illsley’s, autobiography ‘My Life in Dire Straits’, first published 2021. In this book, John references the afore-mentioned album, as being the best the band had ever played live. At the height of ‘The Straits’ success, during the 1985 ‘Brothers in Arms’ album/tour, they were dubbed ‘The Best Band in the World’, due to the sheer quantity of album sales and gigs played. However, unlike many other rock and pop outfits, they did not court fame. It was all about the highest possible musicianship and engineering the best possible sound, in the studio and on stage. It has always been my philosophy, when buying an album, (with the odd exception, to be mentioned later on), that there has to be some kind of musical merit.
Thanks to programmes such as ‘The Voice’, ‘Britian’s Got Talent’ and ‘The X-Factor’, together with platforms such as YouTube, it could be argued that it is easier to gain mainstream fame now, than ever before. Susan Boyle is a fine example of this. Not my cup of tea, but I admire her voice and back story. Bands such as ‘Take That’ and other record industry ‘manufactured’ outfits, I find something not quite sincere about that whole approach. That’s probably my issue, as the afore mentioned, and many others, have gone on to sell millions of singles and albums that have stood the test of time. However, I must admit to possessing two Spandau Ballet albums and a Duran Duran ‘Greatest Hits’ CD. Both highly stylised bands from the eighties, but at the time, neither really floated my boat. However, having said that, I loved ‘True’, by the former, I loved it especially as a ‘slowy’ at the school disco. Now I appreciate both bands as having highly gifted songwriters and musicians.
I think, casting a critical eye over the history of popular music, from blues, jazz, and other influences, there are always going to be good and bad examples throughout time. Everyone will have their own opinions, and that’s part of who we are as individuals. Music plays an important role in our identities and life back stories. I remember first arriving at Liverpool Polytechnic (September 1989), one of the first questions we all asked each other was “What kind of music are you into?”. There were some I felt more comfortable admitting to liking, and other types of music not quite so. Nowadays, I own my ‘guilty pleasures’. No other examples, but the 12-inch single of the 1985 Jennifer Rush one hit wonder, ‘Power of Love’, sits proudly in my media library. Call the musical taste police now!
Below are five albums and key tracks which, in my opinion, demonstrate that the eighties are one of the best decades of music in popular culture.
‘Love Over Gold’, Dire Straits, 1982, Polydor Records, Key Track: ‘Telegraph Road’
‘So’ Peter Gabriel, 1986, Virgin Records, Key Track: ‘Don’t Give Up’
‘Colour of Spring’ Talk Talk, 1986, EMI, Key Track: ‘Living in Another World’
‘Sign Of the Times’, Prince, 1987, Paisley Park Records, Key Track: ‘Beautiful Night’.
‘Tracy Chapman’, Tracy Chapman, 1988, Elektra Records, Key Track: ‘Why’
In conclusion, I will leave you with this unwieldly piece of prose. Make of it what you will…
‘IT’S ONLY CHEESE ’N’ ROLL, BUT I LIKE IT!’
September 2001, Edited and Abridged February 2024
Some May Say
I’m a Musical Snob
That’s Your Opinion
But I’m Entitled to Mine
Fine Wine or Soft “Cheese”
Makes Me Difficult to Define
That’s How I Like It
Even if Others Don’t!
In my next blog, I will be revealing my dark side…
Jarmin Apple, February 2024.
"Drop-in and Chill Out" 