(Another classic post from my Livejournal)
In honour of Rock Band 2 (and hopefully getting to sing this song next time I play), I'm selecting an nice new wave nugget from Squeeze. Squeeze are probably the most overlooked band of the new wave era. The songwriters for the band, Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, were as comfortable with the quirkyness of new wave as they were with the simple pop song. In fact, they excelled at straight ahead pop. Unfortunately, interest in pop was waning as Squeeze were making their best music from 1980-1985. If it weren't for the rise of hair metal, Difford/Tilbrook might have been mentioned in the same tones as Lennon/McCartney are today. I ask you to listen to "Tempted", "Labelled with Love", "Domino" or "Another Nail for My Heart" and tell me I'm wrong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JAk_UZ7xF8&feature=related
"Cool for Cats" is an odd song from 1979's album of the same name, penned at the time when the band was stradling their early years in pub rock and finding their way into new wave and pop. It's notable for the broad use of British slang and the lower class accent from Difford, who takes a rare try at lead vocals. The wordplay is quite remarkable as well, deftly moving from nonsense lyrics about cowboys and indians into the language of the British pub. "Cool for Cats" was a big hit in the UK, but almost unheard in North America. Interestingly, Squeeze's only Top 40 hit in the US, was "Hourglass" from 1987, long past the best days of the band.
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