As a dedicated lifelong fan, I have to say "Rose I Said" is a big one. It's not one they perform in their current line-up, but Glenn's opening riff with Gilson Lavis just snap pounding it in... a real punch to the gut song not often heard (enough). Oh, and one from the Difford & Tilbrook era: "Wagon Train," a piece of silliness that chugs along with Difford's voice going real low.
I wholeheartedly agree with you with regards to 'Rose I Said'! I adore that song. I think one of the highlights from the Difford & Tilbrook album, for me, is 'Man For All Seasons' but, yes, 'Wagon Train' is a fun little tune.
Looking forward to reading this later. Squeeze are a band I should love but somehow I've never really engaged with them. I'll let you know if this changes that
Really surprised to see Pulling Mussels only reached 44 - my memory of the time has it much higher placed than that.
They really were a terribly underrated and, in hindsight, under appreciated band. But the ignition flames of punk burnt with different results for different bands, eg the Police, who managed to make very little go very far, and all mainly carried on a strong image, which Squeeze, for better or for worse, never possessed.
But I will, to my dying day, insist Chris Difford is a far better songwriter than Gordon the Moron…ha-ha!
Thanks, Gayle, for this lovely reminder of a great band and some singles that deserved far more recognition than they ever received.
Cheers, Mark. It's an absolute shocker to see some of the chart placings for these songs. Definitely assumed most of them were Top 20 if not Top 10 or higher. Definitely agree with you regarding Chris Difford's writing prowess.
As a dedicated lifelong fan, I have to say "Rose I Said" is a big one. It's not one they perform in their current line-up, but Glenn's opening riff with Gilson Lavis just snap pounding it in... a real punch to the gut song not often heard (enough). Oh, and one from the Difford & Tilbrook era: "Wagon Train," a piece of silliness that chugs along with Difford's voice going real low.
I wholeheartedly agree with you with regards to 'Rose I Said'! I adore that song. I think one of the highlights from the Difford & Tilbrook album, for me, is 'Man For All Seasons' but, yes, 'Wagon Train' is a fun little tune.
Some Fantastic Place should have been a hit, a beautiful song
100% agree!
Looking forward to reading this later. Squeeze are a band I should love but somehow I've never really engaged with them. I'll let you know if this changes that
Thanks, David!
Really surprised to see Pulling Mussels only reached 44 - my memory of the time has it much higher placed than that.
They really were a terribly underrated and, in hindsight, under appreciated band. But the ignition flames of punk burnt with different results for different bands, eg the Police, who managed to make very little go very far, and all mainly carried on a strong image, which Squeeze, for better or for worse, never possessed.
But I will, to my dying day, insist Chris Difford is a far better songwriter than Gordon the Moron…ha-ha!
Thanks, Gayle, for this lovely reminder of a great band and some singles that deserved far more recognition than they ever received.
Cheers, Mark. It's an absolute shocker to see some of the chart placings for these songs. Definitely assumed most of them were Top 20 if not Top 10 or higher. Definitely agree with you regarding Chris Difford's writing prowess.
Several of those are huge radio hits, thankfully.
Oh definitely - that's why I was so surprised that they didn't reach higher in the charts!
Wonderful read! Well done!!
Thanks, Joe!
It’s my pleasure. And thank you for posting such fun reads! I’ve really enjoyed your writing and look forward to your next post!
Take Me I’m Yours is a 10/10
First single ever bought. At the age of 11. Shocked to see that it was their debut.
My musical taste peaked then and has probably gone downhill since....
Oh, absolutely!