1979! A favourite year for music for many of us - much discussed and much celebrated for its various genres all of which seemed to rub shoulders quite harmoniously, at least that's how it felt. For me, 1979 was all local gigs and hormones and 'O' Levels and experimental make-up and, well of course, the one and only John Peel show - which is where I first heard this underrated slice of well-crafted, melodic, post-punky, jangly power pop. Blimey, what a lot of adjectives. Although it's resurfaced on a few comps, I don't think I've heard it in all the years since, but the other day it actually came up in conversation and on being reminded I was once more sweetly smitten. I was also 15 again, knees tucked up on the black corduroy sofa wearing huge hard plastic headphones which made my ears too hot, listening to late night Radio 1 on a school night, distracted from the dread of tomorrow's Maths lesson by the excitement of new bands, new records, new possibilities. I could be your girl in action!
So here I am fully appreciating this 40-year old single in a whole new light, so much so I can forgive them that misplaced apostrophe on the cover. Hope you do too.
The Invaders: Girls In Action
Funny how just a couple of years difference can really shape what you remember from your youth - I have never knowingly heard this before! I did have huge hard plastic headphones which made my ears too hot though...
ReplyDeleteRecently picked up a Look-In Television Annual from about 1976, was thinking of scanning in pages for a(nother) nostalgia blog series. Just as soon as the mojo returns...
I stand corrected, it's from 1977 - this one, in fact.
DeleteThere are so many records I perhaps only heard once or twice, but wouldn't have done so at all had it not been for JP. Hard to imagine now how we couldn't just look things up in an instant! To my ears bits of this song sound a bit Jammy, others a bit Costello-ish - very much of its time.
DeleteOh yes, please do scan and post some pages from that annual - brilliant. I recognised those faces on the cover and would love to be reminded of more.
Don't remember that one
ReplyDeleteI quite enjoyed it
I think it must be quite obscure - it just has that '79 sound written all over it!
DeleteIs there more than one girl in action? It's a very route one record, and none the worse for that; though they do look as if they spent more time doing their hair than can possibly have been good for them.
ReplyDeleteI think they should've just titled the song after one girl then there'd be none of that apostrophe confusion! Or maybe they meant girl's as in girl is in action...? Oh well! It all adds to the rather naive charm really.
DeleteI think that's what it is for me - charm - and all tied up in the rosy glow of late night listening to Mr Peel. As for the hair - didn't we all?!
Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it, Rol.
DeleteIsn't it strange how certain old songs can, without warning, bring into crisp focus a series of half forgotten memories? It's like the music itself acts as a key to a locked cupboard that you haven't looked into for years.
ReplyDeleteI recognise the sleeve of The Invaders single, but can't remember hearing it before....well at least in the last 40 years! Good use of the cowbell towards the end!
Yes, so true - music is incredibly powerful at evoking memories and feelings, isn't it?
DeleteI guess the song has got a bit of everything in it really - the jangly bits, the crashing chords, the guitar solo, the keyboard sound, why not cowbells too?!
Not remembering this one either but very much of its era. That said, although from 40 years ago doesn't sound dated at all, at least not in the way something from 40 years prior to 1979 would sound!
ReplyDeleteCan I just say that although we ostensibly write about music and songs in this corner of the blogosphere, and leave comments about the featured song, the writing itself is sometimes just wonderful - This is a beautiful piece which really evokes the era and contains some wonderful turns of phrase. Well done.
Oh yes, so true about the difference in how things date depending on the era! I've been hearing a lot of new music lately too which really sounds like it could have been made back then too and would have been played on John Peel, so that adds to the blurring of time. I don't know if it's because newer artists are listening to and either intentionally or inadvertently being inspired by those old post-punk singles - or if they are simply coming up with the same ideas and preferences for the same reasons that the originals did (because they simply sound good!)
DeleteThanks so much for your kind words indeed about the writing! I've not been very inspired blog-wise lately so feel very encouraged by your lovely comment.
Never heard this in '79 (my year of 'A' Levels and post-punk angst) but if i had I would have liked it very much. Thanks for the time machine!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the trip RR!
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