One of my favourite songs (I'm old enough to remember hearing it on the radio when it first came out). I think there's always been an element of nostalgia and melancholy to Mott's own songs: Do You Remember the Saturday Gigs, The Golden Age of Rock and Roll, etc.
Very true. The power of nostalgia in ‘60s and ‘70s rock music is underrated (under-discussed?). For example, I think that’s what made ‘60s Kinks albums so great (Last of the Steam-Powered Trains, Waterloo Sunset, Picture Book, etc.). Also, though we didn’t get into it in this piece, Bowie claimed that this song was dystopian (like “Five Years”) which adds an additional interesting dimension to the nostalgia.
And don’t forget “Days” by the Kinks, in the 60s, or “No More Looking Back,” from them in the 70s, in the latter of which Ray tries to come to terms with his nostalgic obsessions.
My love for this song goes all the way back to the beginning. For me, it is the personal anthem of my generation, not the Boomers of free love, peace, and hippies, but the younger Boomers who grew up in the 70s with Watergate, gas lines, and closing factories. We were the original punk rock generation, for a reason. I agree with your identification of the melancholic theme, but I also find hope in it, a call to brotherhood of rock and roll.
It's always interesting to consider that there was no punk before punk to inspire the first-wave punks...they got that stripped-down attitude from 50s rock and roll, garage rock, glam, pub rock, girl groups, etc.
This is wonderful…the Lisa Loeb version is, I think, perfect since its distance from the original makes—augments—the original’s vitality. Richard and I talked about the pick up street shots…it was a football match with kids hanging outside smoking and drinking…the fact he shot the video is golden.
I really like the concept of this series, would love to have something going like it with my own son, especially as his exploration right now is heading into areas I don't identify with as much as I once did. (From Placebo to Ugly (UK).) But, to All The Young Dudes.
This is a seminal song in my own musical education, I was 8 at the time and all over pop music. I write about it my memoir.... for me, it wasn't just the music but trying to make sense of the lyrics. I was 8. "Mum, what's a dude?" "A cowboy." Confusion reigns. (I grew up in London, my mum in the Shetland Islands. Can't blame her for not understanding the reference!) The song has never aged, it still has the same power to affect people as evidenced by Lucy's reaction.
But on the subject of lyrics... For over 50 years now, I have heard a line you quote as "HE never got it off on that revolution stuff," which to me always made sense and sat fine. It is indeed referenced on lyric sites as "WE never got it off..." and that verse has taken on new meaning to me. I quite like the idea that I have songs I have misheard all these years - believe it or not, there are still lyrics by The Who that I am learning.
Anyways, I love the exchange. And thanks for the additional links because great songs always leads us to other great songs - or just evrsions of the great song in question.
One of my favourite songs (I'm old enough to remember hearing it on the radio when it first came out). I think there's always been an element of nostalgia and melancholy to Mott's own songs: Do You Remember the Saturday Gigs, The Golden Age of Rock and Roll, etc.
Very true. The power of nostalgia in ‘60s and ‘70s rock music is underrated (under-discussed?). For example, I think that’s what made ‘60s Kinks albums so great (Last of the Steam-Powered Trains, Waterloo Sunset, Picture Book, etc.). Also, though we didn’t get into it in this piece, Bowie claimed that this song was dystopian (like “Five Years”) which adds an additional interesting dimension to the nostalgia.
Yes, this!
And don’t forget “Days” by the Kinks, in the 60s, or “No More Looking Back,” from them in the 70s, in the latter of which Ray tries to come to terms with his nostalgic obsessions.
Good points!
“All the Way to Memphis”!
"You look like a star, but you're still on the dole."
Exactly
So cool. I’ll read and circle back. I know Mott!
My love for this song goes all the way back to the beginning. For me, it is the personal anthem of my generation, not the Boomers of free love, peace, and hippies, but the younger Boomers who grew up in the 70s with Watergate, gas lines, and closing factories. We were the original punk rock generation, for a reason. I agree with your identification of the melancholic theme, but I also find hope in it, a call to brotherhood of rock and roll.
100%. It is a generational anthem right up there with "My Generation."
Consider also Strummer’s devotion to MTH, inspiring him to write All the Young Punks.
It's always interesting to consider that there was no punk before punk to inspire the first-wave punks...they got that stripped-down attitude from 50s rock and roll, garage rock, glam, pub rock, girl groups, etc.
This is wonderful…the Lisa Loeb version is, I think, perfect since its distance from the original makes—augments—the original’s vitality. Richard and I talked about the pick up street shots…it was a football match with kids hanging outside smoking and drinking…the fact he shot the video is golden.
I was really surprised by that Lisa Loeb version.
I wanna use it for the theme song (Lisa Loeb) to my pilot of “Guy”…we should talk. Too much for comments.
I really like the concept of this series, would love to have something going like it with my own son, especially as his exploration right now is heading into areas I don't identify with as much as I once did. (From Placebo to Ugly (UK).) But, to All The Young Dudes.
This is a seminal song in my own musical education, I was 8 at the time and all over pop music. I write about it my memoir.... for me, it wasn't just the music but trying to make sense of the lyrics. I was 8. "Mum, what's a dude?" "A cowboy." Confusion reigns. (I grew up in London, my mum in the Shetland Islands. Can't blame her for not understanding the reference!) The song has never aged, it still has the same power to affect people as evidenced by Lucy's reaction.
But on the subject of lyrics... For over 50 years now, I have heard a line you quote as "HE never got it off on that revolution stuff," which to me always made sense and sat fine. It is indeed referenced on lyric sites as "WE never got it off..." and that verse has taken on new meaning to me. I quite like the idea that I have songs I have misheard all these years - believe it or not, there are still lyrics by The Who that I am learning.
Anyways, I love the exchange. And thanks for the additional links because great songs always leads us to other great songs - or just evrsions of the great song in question.
Thank you! I was a little surprised by some of the lyrics too, but I came to the conclusion that the music is powerfully evocative regardless.