Brilliant debut singles part 2

Hello

Welcome to part 2 of my new series where I look at brilliant debut singles by artists and bands. Songs that left a mark, established identities and inspired people to become fans or start creating music themselves.

Sometimes, bands/artists seem to appear perfectly formed.

I've started a Spotify playlist HERE

Part 1 featured; The Doors, The Undertones, Pet Shop Boys, Stardust and Tracy Chapman

Part 2 (below) features; Booker T & The MG's, The Jackson 5, Kate Bush, Radiohead and The Sex Pistols.

6. Green Onions by Booker T & The MG's

Talk about capturing your signature sound on a debut! Green Onions is a song that seemed to always be on in cool places like McChuills or the Friday Street soul night that I used to attend in Blackfriars basement. Bands like The Charlatans would reference the song and it appeared on several soul compilations I bought. I eventually tracked down the record on 7-inch vinyl in a long gone record shop in St Andrews.

An instrumental, Green Onions has a dirty groove with bass, guitar, beats and Hammond all riding it. The Hammond is at the centre of everything though. What a delightful sound! 

Released on Stax Records, way back in 1962, Green Onions still sounds remarkably fresh. An energy leaps out of the grooves. Perhaps this is because the song developed from a jam while the band were in the recording studio and it was captured live. There are audible yelps of excitement at times from the band.

Live in 1967

7. I Want You Back by The Jackson 5

Exhilarating soulful pop music that will always sound super fresh, fun and exciting. Timeless! The bass line, the backing vocals and a young Michael Jackson singing his heart out with pure joy. The energy leaping out of this record is breathtaking. 

Michael Jackson was just 11 years old when he sang this song, released by Motown in 1969. Yet his youthful voice contains so much emotion as he sings of a lost love that he wants back.

The bass riff is absolutely sensational, it must be one of the best of all time. And Michael's brothers backing vocals are an integral part of the song, almost like a second lead. 

Pure Pop perfection. An absolute 10/10 record.

Live - Ed Sullivan Show

8. Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush

Kate Bush was still a teenager when she introduced herself to the world with the impeccable Wuthering Heights . Remarkably, Bush was the first female artist to reach the top of the UK charts with a self-written song! I find this quite staggering.

Inspired by the film and book, Wuthering Heights begins with a short, beautiful piano intro, but it's when Bush starts singing at 9-seconds in that you sit up, listen more closely and think, what is this?! Who is this?!

Out on the wily, windy moors, we'd roll and fall in green

You had a temper like my jealousy, too hot, too greedy

How could you leave me when I needed to possess you?

I hated you, I loved you, too

Wow! This still sounds fresh, urgent and vital almost 50-years later. What must it have sounded and felt like in 1978?! No wonder Bush captivated so many.

Bush' lyrics are, on the most part, relatively simple. Words like; jealousy, leave, hated, loved, bad dreams, fight, home, cold, dark, lonely and the hook on the chorus let me in your window.

Combined with her voice and the way she stretches her melodies, it is incredibly moving, exceptionally powerful, utterly captivating. Bush recorded the vocals in one take!

Official video

9. Creep by Radiohead

Thom Yorke boldly and openly declared I wish I was special, so f**king special on Radiohead's debut single and teenagers across the world found a song, singer and band they could relate to.

Creep sold only 6,000 copies when it was originally released in September 1992, but upon re-release a year later, the song took Radiohead into the top 10 and gave them national exposure that they built on with their stunning second album The Bends. It's safe to say, Radiohead have never looked back and they have always looked to push boundaries, explore sounds and textures to keep stretching themselves as musicians and artists.

Greenwood's crunches into gear after the aforementioned I wish I was special, so f**king special line, as Yorke goes on to sing but I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo.

Perhaps it's the second verse that was most (and remains) most relatable.

I don't care if it hurts, I wanna have control

I wanna perfect body, I wanna perfect soul

I want you to notice, when I'm not around

So f**king special, I wish I was special

After the second chorus Yorke goes full on falsetto, building to a huge raaaaaiiiiinnnnn, raiiiiiiiiinnnnn where he holds the notes in a way no-one else was doing, or could even dream of doing.

Official video

10. Anarchy In The UK by Sex Pistols

A band that conquered against all the odds. They somehow managed to unite and divide. They inspired love and hate. That's precisely why they are still talked about today, The Sex Pistols stood out a mile. Jonny Rotten was like no-one before him and God knows how many people have tried to imitate him since.

Steve Jones, Glen Matlock and Paul Cook backed Rotten with a punk update on Spector's Wall of Sound, creating a glorious racket that energized teenagers across the country and appalled parents. Just read and listen to the opening lines, spat out with total commitment and glee by Rotten. 

I am an antichrist

And I am an anarchist 

Don't know what I want

But I know how to get it

I wanna destroy

Raw, pure, defiant and original, the song was banned by several radio stations. No-one knew how to take The Sex Pistols, no-one (not even their celebrated manager Malcolm McLaren) really knew what to do with them. But they demanded attention. And they got it!

Watch the official video to see why. 

Brilliant debut singles part 1

Back in April, Oasis marked the 30th anniversary of Supersonic by declaring, in a typically brash and confident manner, that it was 'arguably the greatest debut single of all time.' 

There is no doubt that Supersonic got its hooks into me and I fell for the band big time, but even as an Oasis fan,  I don't think it is anywhere near the greatest debut single of all time.

Of course, that is entirely personal and debatable. 

With a view to writing a blog, I started thinking about incredible debut singles, where bands/artists seemed to appear fully formed with a perfect song. 

I then started some research and quickly formed a list of 50 brilliant debut singles! So this blog is part 1! Parts 2, 3, 4, 5 ... and so on will follow! And more if I keep researching! 

I've also started a Spotify playlist HERE

Get in touch with suggestions of brilliant debut singles.

1. Break On Through (to the Other Side) by The Doors

Right from the off, The Doors got their image and messaging absolutely perfect. All in just 2 minutes 25 seconds! The first verse and chorus are delivered in less than 30-seconds! Jim Morrison sounds like a man on a mission, his band sound like loyal lieutenants determined to help him deliver his goal- there is a spark, an urgency, an energy ....

Try to run, try to hide

Break on through to the other side

Morrison is poetic, he is mesmerising, as are the beats, melodies and riffs underneath him. Outstanding.

2. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

Power punk pop perfection. Slamming into a ferocious guitar riff, The Undertones roar through verse-chorus-verse-chorus in under a minute, beginning with the incredible line a teenage dream's so hard to beat.

Teenage lust, desire and innocence pour out of the song. Fergal Sharkey delivers an exceptional vocal performance, audibly shaking with intensity at times and I still love the way he yells alright after the second chorus, into a short 15-second instrumental - just the same driving power chords.

Then the band just rip through the song again leading into another short instrumental followed by one more chorus. It's all over in under 2 and a half minutes. It's electrifying pop, the energy is infectious, the way the band just rip through the song is sensational, even on first listen you'll be singing a-long.

Teenage Kicks is simply sensational and must surely be one of the best debut singles of all time.

Full blog from 22/08/21

3. West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys

Originally released in 1984, West End Girls made a mark in in clubs across the globe, but it didn't trouble the charts, only reaching the heady heights of number 133. 

Pet Shop Boys had something though and EMI signed them up, Neil Tenant and Chris Lowe went into the studio with Stephen Hague and re-recorded the song. Re-released in October 1985, the song eventually hit number 1 in early 1986 and paved the way for a string of classic pop singles and albums.

Everything about West End Girls is distinctive; Tenant's spoken word/rap through the verses, the moody synth chords that underpin everything, the exceptionally catchy synth bass riff and the chorus contrasting East and West.

In a West End town in a dead end world

The East End boys and West End Girls

West End Girls

West End Girls is exceptional pop music. It still sounds fresh, it's not euphoric by nature, but the chorus is so super catchy that it lifts everything. An absolute classic.

4. Music Sounds Better With You by Stardust

Not just a debut single, Music Sounds Better With You was the ONLY song released by Stardust! This was despite Virgin offering Stardust $3 million to produce an album! Allegedly, there were a few other songs kicking around as demos, but Stardust resisted the temptation to record and release anything else.

Stardust was; Thomas Bangalter (one half of Daft Punk), Alan Braxe and Benjamin Diamond. The trio created Music Sounds Better With You around a guitar riff sampled from Chaka Khan's Fate, the song is remarkably simple and totally catchy.

Is the song about listening to music with someone you love, or listening to music on ecstasy? This was a popular debate at the time. It could be either.

Music Sounds Better is one verse that cleverly (thanks to the I feel so good last line) leads back into itself over and over again. Diamond said that the lyrics were "like a mantra ... something everyone could understand." 

He was absolutely right and it's the same with the groove, the repetition is infectious with instruments fading in and out. 

I love the fact that Stardust released something so perfect and so successful and then just left it at that! 

Ooh baby

I feel like

The music sounds better with you

Love might, bring us back together

I feel so good

5. Fast Car by Tracy Chapman

Released when Chapman was 24, Fast Car has a remarkable mature feel to it. Riding on a slow and melodic acoustic riff, Chapman sings of escaping a challenging life to anywhere else - any place is better, starting from zero, got nothing to lose

Chapman's voice is deep and souful and she continues to tell her tale, of saving a little from her job in a convenience store, wanting to head across the border to the city to see what living is really like. 'Cause it doesn't sound like she has had much of a life; her Dad hit the bottle, her Mum left, she had to quit school and essentially care for her Dad.

It doesn't take much for Chapman to dream, she just wants to escape;

You got a fast car

Is it fast enough so we can fly away?

Still gotta make a decision

Leave tonight, or live and die this way

That last line is equally beautiful and heartbreaking, she really lays it on the line.

Then the chorus explodes into life;

So I remember when we were driving, driving in your car

Speed so fast, I felt like I was drunk

City lights lay out before us

And your arm felt nice wrapped around my shoulder

And I, I , I had a feeling that I belonged

I, I, I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

Official video - Fast Car

Turnin' My Heartbeat Up

 

Trust me #74

Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The M.V.P.'s

Originally released back in 1971, The M.V.P.'s Turnin' My Heartbeat Up is still thrilling and filling talc dusted dancefloors on the northern soul scene in 2024. 

No wonder! The song is essentially a love letter to music and dancing, to those moments where music lifts you higher and higher and you feel like you could explode with happiness.

Written by Bobby Flax and Lanny Lambert, Turnin' My Heartbeat Up packs a lot into a mere 2 minutes and 14 seconds. The short intro leads quickly to a whispering, breathless vocal that sounds like the singer is letting you into an urgent secret.

Listen to the sound of the drummer, thumpin' to the beat of my heart

Feel that bass, can't keep the pace, it's tearin' my brain apart

Things then lift quite dramatically for the bridge, as if the singer can't keep it in, he has to tell someone about the way he is feeling, the effect the music is having on him.

Whoa, I never ever felt like this before

But all I can say is mama give me some more (some more, some more!)

Then, 30-seconds in, we are into the outrageous chorus, that replicates the quiet/loud trick but in an even more dynamic fashion;

Turnin' my heartbeat up, turnin' my heartbeat up (it's gettin' louder)

Turnin' my heartbeat up, turnin' my heartbeat up

Then just listen to the drum roll, the horns kick in and the euphoric backing vocals kick in;

I keep on tellin' you, your're turnin' my heartbeat up, baby

You're turnin' my heartbeat up (yeah, yeah, yeah)

 You're turnin' my heartbeat up (yeah, yeah, yeah)

 You're turnin' my heartbeat up

The second verse follows the same pattern as the first, taking about the crash of the cymbols, comparing the sound of horns to fire that's burning. 

The bridge kicks into life

I got a little volcano about to erupt ('bout to erupt)

With more than enough to fill your lovin' cup

Then we're into the chorus again, it's a little longer, allowing the song to build and build, to get faster and faster as the singer eventually breaks down as he can't keep up.

Wow. Turnin' My Heartbeat Up is fast, furious, pacey and passionate soul music. 

Trust me. It's an absolute belter!

Turnin' My Heartbeat Up is added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE 

Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton

1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells

2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond

3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell

4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot

5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon

6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras

7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans

8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland

9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave

10. Sometimes by James

11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time

12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre

13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields

14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals

15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser

16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes

17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth

18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter

19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground

20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub

21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub

22. Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From by Teenage Fanclub

23. Belfast by Orbital

24. Clouds by The Jayhawks

25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral

26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair

27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke

28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze

29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells

30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor

31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton

32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich

33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem

34. Mondo 77 by Looper

35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton

36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats

37. How High by The Charlatans

38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands

39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.

40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective

41. There She Goes by The Las

42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes

43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo

44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell

45. Revolution by The Beatles

46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys

47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays

48. American Trilogy by The Delgados

49. Loser by Beck 

50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy

51. Comedy by Shack

52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven

53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr

54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels

55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized

56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds

57. Cannonball by The Breeders

58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan

59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane

60. Lucky by Radiohead

61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.

61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell

62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir

63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations

64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses

65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry

66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker

67. I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones

68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters

69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide

70. Stove by The Lemonheads

71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell

72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb

73. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart by Taylor Swift

The Charlatans at Queens Park Glasgow

I wasn't intending to write a blog on last nights Charlatans show in a Big Tent at Queens Park. After so many years, what is there left to say? April was the 30th anniversary of me seeing the band for the first time. I don't know how many times I must have seen them over the years. Maybe 40 times? At least once a year probably, sometimes more. 

There would be years where I'd probably catch them 4 times. Glasgow (twice), Edinburgh and at good old T in the Park where they appeared more years than they didn't.

The Charlatans lifted me last night and so I find myself suitably inspired to write a review over breakfast.

What inspired me?

Well the setting was pretty cool. A big old tent (possibly the old King Tuts T in the Park tent dusted down from being stored somewhere) on the far side of Queens Park. The Waterboys had used it on Friday night and Mogwai on Saturday. Could this be a new weekend fixture in the Scottish music calendar? 

However, it was the band that lifted and inspired me. Coming on stage at 8.45pm sharp to a huge ovation, Tim, Mark, Martin, Tony and Pete played a superb set that really took the crowd on a trip.

They really mixed it up, opening with the beautiful and shimmering Then, before a blast of power pop in the shape of Can't Get Out Of Bed, then the dreamy So Oh, followed by a euphoric Crashin' In. Four very different songs stretching from 1990 to 2014.

Photo by Tim Burgess

Toothache was a real dirty groove while North Country Boy really got the crowd going, everyone was singing with their hands in the air, punching the sky for the hook. Tim kept it going with Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over, which was one of my songs of the night.

Introducing My Beautiful Friend, Tim said sometimes we play it, sometime we don't, sometimes we play it, sometimes we don't. It was a little comedown after the high of the previous two songs, but again, it showed a different side to the band.

We were back on a high as the intro to One To Another kicked in and the tent erupted. Then we were into the blissed out psychedelic groove of Opportunity from debut album Some Friendly. Martin Blunt on bass was outstanding.

Tim's view for One To Another

Images and old video footage flashed up on the big screen behind the band. I hope they are uploaded to YouTube. There was particularly cool footage of a young Charlatans going for it in an old loft/warehouse with Tim in stripey T-shirt with that incredible haircut he had at the time.

Weirdo was another huge song that got people dancing, Soul Saver was a very welcome surprise, Blackened Blue Eyes was powerful and pure - we all need a shoulder to cry on once in a while. 

Come Home Baby has such an uplifting chorus and then it was The Only One I Know with an extended intro to allow Tim to take it all in. My friend and I put on an indie night in May and I played this, the dancefloor went crazy and the tent went nuts last night. The chorus is euphoric yet also beautifully melancholic and I appreciate it more with every passing year.

Everyone has been burned before

Everybody knows the pain

Very mature words for a young Tim Burgess to be writing back then. Timeless. A song that keeps on giving.

Tim's view for The Only One I Know

I had been expecting/hoping for How High in the encore, so my only slight disappointment in the night/setlist was that we had You're So Pretty to kick it off. Perhaps Love Is They Key from the Wonderland album would been better for the occasion.

But hey, we all knew where this was going ... we were all going to Sproston Green and we were all aboard. The long intro that builds and builds into a glorious groove and then BOOM

This one knows, she comes and goes

And when she goes, she goes

We were near the front, but now we were right in the mix, bouncing around in delight. What a song, what a band. I hope they come back to Glasgow again before too long.

And I'm still hoping for a Kelvingrove Bandstand date (or two). Maybe next year?

Tim's view for Sproston Green

80 minute Marvin Gaye mix

Marvin Gaye's I Don't Have To Get High To Do It is a relatively recent discovery of mine. If you dig into his back catalogue on Spotify (or a streaming/download platform of your choice) you'll find all kinds of deluxe edition albums that have demos, instrumentals and alternative takes.

It really is an absolute treasure trove of riches and I have found myself regularly coming back to Marvin's discography which has resulted in me compiling this 80-minute mix of blissed out instrumentals, alternative mixes, deep cuts, demos and ending with a pure classic and the sublime rhythm 'n' strings mix of What's Going On.

Check out some sensational soul jams with the Funk Brothers and the many incredible musicians Gaye was fortunate to work with. I previously blogged on Song #3  HERE back in 2019. The instrumental songs on the deluxe edition of Lets Get It On are absolutely out of this world, Perfection is aptly named!  

Search for 80-minute Marvin Gaye mix on Spotify or CLICK HERE

Tracklist

I Don't Have To Get High To Do It (instrumental)

I Want You - Jam - Alternate Mix

Song #1 - Instrumental

Song #3 - Instrumental

Song #4- Instrumental /partial vocal) 

Perfection (instrumental)

"T" Plays It Cool (soundtrack version)

Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - Detroit Mix

Right On - Detroit Mix

Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) Detroit Mix

Falling In Love Again

Checking Out (Double Clutch)

What's Going On (instrumental)

Ego Tripping Out (instrumental)

I Love The Ground You Walk On - Instrumental

Symphony - Demo

I Want You - Intro Jam 2

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

What's Going On - Rhythm 'N' Strings Mix

Do Your Thing

Cover version of the month #98
BMX Bandits (with The Wellgreen) and Lighships cover Moondog

I had never heard of Moondog until 2022 when I caught Gerard Love playing a string of Autumn shows in and around Glasgow. Gerry introduced a cover of Do Your Thing which had had a slow, dreamy, flowing and gorgeous melody that melted hearts. It seemed to have been written for him!

I found out that Gerry released a version on the b-side to Lightships Sweetness In Her Spark single in 2012. I later learned (quite recently) that BMX Bandits had recorded a version back in 2009 with friends Marco Rea and Stu Kidd (The Wellgreen) that came out on YouTube in 2012.

Moondog's original sets his beautiful melody over some stunning piano and he delivers solid advice for just over 3-minutes over 2 verses, including;

Do your best

And opportunity will do the rest

Don't give in

Capitulation is the greatest sin

And in the second verse;

Learn to wait

And while you're waiting, learn to concentrate

Moondog's voice, melody and words feel and sound effortless. Almost like a hushed and dreamy nursery rhyme. The piano is delightfully playful and I'm guessing that (like me) you'll play this song a few times in a row. 

BMX Bandits with The Wellgreen recorded a loving cover back in 2009 (see below for an interview with Duglas T Stewart) when they had a couple of spare hours in the studio. Duglas, backed by the talent of Marco Rea and Stu Kidd, remain pretty true to the original. The fact that the trio had limited time helps create a very organic feeling, the little keyboard solo sounds beautifully lofi and pure. Stewart's voice works so well with Rea and Kidd doing backing vocals and harmonies. Kidd's military style drumming is a delight and the fact that both Stuart and Marco are exceptionally talented multi-instrumentalists means that a couple of studio hours can be extremely productive. You can hear the love for the song in this recording. I'd been planning a blog on Do Your Thing for some time, but only discovered the BMX Bandits version very recently.

Photo by Mark Gilles

Do Your Thing is already pretty dreamy, but on the Lightships cover, Love and co add a psychedelic sleeping pill to slow it down and stretch it to 5 minutes 35 seconds, replacing the piano with gentle xylophone, guitar, brush strokes on the drums. The melody really suits Gerry's voice and style. This is pure gorgeousness, beautifully hypnotic, you can get lost in the music. If the original is a dreamy nursery rhyme, Lightships version is a psychedelic lullaby. Close your eyes and drift away. The last two minutes are exquisite.

Moondog original 1978 version

BMX Bandits (featuring The Wellgreen) version 

Lightships version

The Moondog original and Lightships cover version are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below an interview with Duglas T Stewart. Search for the title or CLICK HERE

You can download the BMX Bandits version from Bandcamp

Thanks to Duglas for answering a few questions about Moondog and creating a playlist.

1. How did you discover Moondog? Did someone introduce you to his music, or did you stumble across it yourself? 

I discovered Moondog's in Japan in the early 1990s while in Tokyo with BMX Bandits. My girlfriend at the time, later my wife, Midori introduced me to lots of incredible music and she recommended that I should buy a CD that featured two of his albums, Moondog (1969) and Moondog 2 (1979). 

John Hogarty, who was playing guitar with us at that time also bought a copy. I had never heard anything like his music before. The rhythmic patterns with so quirky and brilliant. Some of it was like jazz, some of it was more like orchestral soundtrack music and then there were almost nursery rhyme like vocal rounds and songs with simple truths at the heart of them sung by Moondog and his daughter. Although I am making some comparisons there it still felt totally unique. It sounded as though it was created by an original thinker. 

2. What attracted you to cover 'Do Your Thing'? How important were The Wellgreen to the recording?

We recorded our version of Do Your Thing in just a couple of hours on June 1st 2009. I had thought for a long time that I could imagine it as a BMX Bandits track. The melody sounded like it would suit BMX bandits and I had an idea of how I wanted to approach it, a bit like a School House Rock song meets BMX Bandits (School House Rock was an American educational animated series that featured cool songs with an educational twist. Two of the most famous examples are 3 is the Magic Number and Unpack Your Adjectives). 

Marco & Stu from back in the day.

I was at Marco Rea from the Wellgreen's studio with Stuart Kidd, who was the other half of The Wellgreen at that time, and Brian McEwan, who was one of BMX Bandits then. We were recording another song for a tribute album that was never released. I suggested since we had recorded the other track so quickly that we should have a go at Do Your Thing. I explained my concept for it and I really wanted to utilise the magical vocal blend Marco and Stuart have together. 

The original Wellgreen vocal blend and Stuart and Marco's incredible ability to work really quickly and instinctively was key to how the track turned out.

3. Are there any other songs by Moondog that you are fond of?

Moondog is a major musical figure for me and for a number of my musician friends. Bill Wells is a major Moondog fan and was meant to be collaborating with Moondog and then sadly Moondog died before it could happen. Norman from Teenage Fanclub is a fan and recorded a version of another Moondog Song (My Tiny Butterfly) with Bill Wells. The first V-Twin single, a collaboration with Bill Wells, used a sample of a Moondog rhythm as its backbone. David Scott of The Pearlfishers is also a major fan. 

David and I organised a tribute concert to Moondog featuring a set of versions of some of our favourite pieces written by him. I think The Trashcan Sinatras have covered a Moondog song in the past and Gerry Love's band Lightships also recorded a version of Do Your Thing. Gerry took the song in quite a different direction from us and it is really effective, testament to the strength of the original song. The Pastels are also Moondog fans. 

I helped put together a reissue of an album that Moondog made in 1957 with Julie Andrews. He is a unique musical figure. He was blind and lived and performed on the streets of New York dressed like a Viking playing music on his own home made instruments but found an audience for his unique music and in later life he moved to Europe. I am going to make a playlist of some of my favourite Moondog music to go along with this piece.

A taster of Moondog for your ears - by Duglas T Stewart

4. BMX Bandits have covered a number of songs over the years. Do any (apart from this one) stand out for you?

There's too many to mention but one of my personal favourites is a cover version of a song by a Hong Kong duo My Little Airport called You Don't Wanna Be My Girlfriend, Phoebe. It is such an incredible song, our version's arrangement/ instrumentation is very different from the original. It was recorded by Stuart Kidd, James McEwan and me, again  very quickly and it was also recorded in 2009. I'd like to play it live sometime. 

5. My own favourite cover version is probably Richie Havens cover of Lamont Doziers Going Back To My Roots. Could you choose a favourite (or a few if you can't narrow it down)? 

The obvious choice for me is one that you have featured on here, Harpers Bizarre's version of Jim Pepper's song Witchi Tai To (Duglas kindly answered some questions on this incredible song HERE) but I will give you another one, which is an album of cover versions by Laura Nyro and LaBelle called Gonna Take a Miracle. I know that your sister also loves that album. I think I recommended it to her. When I first saw the tracklisting of the album I thought it was crazy. It features all of these versions of classic songs that I thought had untouchable original versions . I couldn't understand anyone having the audacity to cover these classics but I decided to buy it because I was curious as well as outraged. When I listened I couldn't believe what I was hearing, it is so incredible, so life affirming from start to finish and it remains one of my ultimate favourite albums to this day.

6. Lastly, if you could choose someone to cover one of your songs, who would it be, why and what song would you like them to sing and play?

My favourite new artist to emerge this Century is a singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist and arranging talent called Sofie Royer. Please check out her incredible album Harlequin if you don't already know it. Well, of course I would love for her to cover one of my songs and I would be delighted for her to make her own choice of any of my songs that I have written or co-written. That would be such a thrill but she has enough great songs of her own so that's just an idle dream. 

I love recording and playing live cover versions of songs that I love by other artists because I am a fan and also it's a great way to learn new ways of doing things that you can bring to your own music in the future.

UPDATE - on Friday 21st June Duglas watched The Cords and said; "The Cords were fantastic at the Glasgow launch for Grant McPhee's Postcards from Scotland book. I loved their whole set, which they finished with a beautiful cover of BMX Bandits I Wanna Fall In Love. I had tears in my eyes."

Previous covers of the month blogs

1. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' 

2. Going Back To My Roots

3. Nirvana play The Vaselines

4. Slip Inside This House

5. Top 10 covers by Teenage Fanclub

6. Only Love Can Break Your Heart

7. Time For Livin' 

8. Sound and Vision 

9. All Along The Watchtower

10. I Am The Walrus 

11. Guiding Star

12. You’ll Never Walk Alone

13. Hurt

14. This Guy's In Love With You

15. I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine

16. California Soul

18. Wonder wall 

19. Dancing In The Dark

20. Always On My Mind

21. Ceremony

22. Heroes

23. Different Drum

24. Wild Horses

25. Respect

26. Mr Tambourine Man

27. I Heard It Through The Grapevine

28. Superstar

29. Twist and Shout

30. Purple Rain

31. Baker Street

32. Not Fade Away

33. Stop Your Sobbing

34. I Don't Want To Grow Up

35. Serious Drugs

36. Dancing With Myself

37. How Does It Feel To Feel?

38. Love Buzz

39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash

41. Discoland

42. Varshons 2 by The Lemonheads

43. The Langley Schools Music Project
44. Witchi Tai To
45. Our Lips Are Sealed
46. Sunshine Of Your Love
47. Here Comes The Sun
48. I Think We're Alone Now
49. Don't Let Me Down 
50. It's Oh So Quiet
51. Alcoholiday 
52. Summer Holiday
53. Who Do You Think You Are?
54. Head On
55. Nothing Compares 2 U

56. Hey Jude

57. Seven Days Too Long

58. L.O.V.E Love

59. Into Your Arms

60. Heart Of Glass

61. Take Me To The River

62. We Can Work It Out 

63. Talking In My Sleep

64. Lola

65. Lost In Music

66. My Little Red Book

67. Isn't It A Pity

68. Walk On By

69. Walk Away Renee

70. Tainted Love

71. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

72. Listen The Snow Is Falling

73. Mrs Robinson

74. He's Gonna Step On You Again

75. In My Life

76. Caravan Of Love

77. The Only Way Is Up

78. Dancin' Round & Round

79. With A Little Help From My Friends

80. Killing Me Softly

81. Ain't No Mountain High Enough

82. Drop

83. Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay

84. Sympathy For The Devil

85. I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor

86. Love Will Tear Us Apart

87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire

88. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

89. Love The One You're With

90. Cum On Feel The Noize

91. Addicted To Love

92. Valerie

93. Ride On Time

94. Let's Dance

95. It Must Be Love

96. I Fought The Law

97. For What It's Worth

Liam Gallagher DM30 in Glasgow

30-years ago this month I caught Oasis for the second time in the old Cathouse in Glasgow when it was based on Brown Street. The band were beginning to break as they released second single Shaker Maker, working their way towards the release of debut album Definitely Maybe in August.

Even though Noel, Liam, Bonehead, Guigsy and Tony were aware that they had songs like Live Forever, Cigarettes & Alcohol and Slide Away ready to go, I doubt anyone on the Cathouse stage or in the crowd that night could have predicted how life changing the band, those songs and that album would become.

Or maybe Noel knew. In the legendary Wibbling Rivalry interview (recorded in a Glasgow hotel after their April show at The Tramway in April 94), Noel hammers home;

Rock n roll is about music. Music, music, music. It's not about you, it's not about me, it's not about Oasis. It's about the songs. Noel Gallagher

Noel was always confident his songs would live on. Before long, buskers were on Buchanan Street playing D'yer Wanna Be A Spaceman, Live Forever and Take Me Away. Gallagher seemed to generate a spike in both acoustic and electric guitar sales. Along with his brother, they no doubt pushed the sales of anoraks and cagoules as well!

Tonight I'm a rock n roll star

It's just rock n roll

It's just rock n roll

Liam Gallagher's mantra at the end of his blistering take on Oasis' Rock n Roll Star really hit home last night. His brothers words are almost casually tossed away in the outro. But .... as 13,000 fans will testify, it's not just rock n roll.

30-years on, it is about; the songs, the attitude, the swagger, the hair, the hope, the dreams and the sense of optimism that Oasis heralded in 1994 with the release of 5 singles and Definitely Maybe. It's more than all that, it's the sense of community Oasis created. It's jubilation, it's punching the sky, hugging and singing with strangers and having the time of your life.

5 lads from a Manchester council estate were mad for it, they were having it, and they blew absolutely everyone and everything away. The ripple effects are still there, they are still growing.

13,000 Oasis fans were in the Hydro last night, but the biggest fan of Noel Gallagher's songs was on stage singing them, with every fibre of his body, every bit of his heart and soul.

Liam was in his element. This is what he was born to do. Sing his brothers songs about dreaming, escapism and love. And of course, Liam Gallagher was born to be a total star.

Look at you now, you're all in my hands tonight

We were gladly in his hands. We were mad for it, like it was 1994 all over again. The stage set up was loosely based on the Definitely Maybe cover, but everyone's eyes were on Liam.

Rock n Roll Star set a high bar, the menacing groove of Columbia followed. Shaker Maker didn't reach those highs, the guitars seemed to go lower and Liam's voice was pushed even higher in the mix. But Up In The Sky sounded super fresh with everyone feeling it.

I can feel you

Can you feel me?

Bring It On Down was searing punk soul and old b-sides Cloudburst and I Will Believe were greeted like long lost friends on stage and in the crowd.

One of many highlights was Liam singing Half A World Away along with every single person inside the Hydro. A beautiful and moving moment, his voice was outstanding.

My favourite Oasis song is probably Fade Away and it was incredible last night, delivered with power, pace and passion. The band ripped through it and it felt electrifying. Another b-side!

But before long, Liam and his band were bringing out the real big guns. Whatever felt like a real anthem, the Hydro felt like a church and everyone was singing this huge Oasis hymn. The melodies of Whatever are really strong, the lyrics are universal - everyone was singing from the bottom of their hearts. 

Then it was Cigarettes & Alcohol and the place was absolutely bouncing, seeming to give Liam an extra shot of energy as he stretched out sssssuuuuunnnnnssssshhhiiiiiinnnnnneeee.

After Married With Children, the band regrouped quickly for a BOOM, BOOM, BOOM encore. Supersonic sounded very aptly named and threatened to take the roof off the Hydro. Slide Away was euphoric and Live Forever was spine tinglingly gorgeous. Liam was in fine voice.

I Am The Walrus sent the crowd home deliriously happy. What a show. What a night.

Morning Glory 30th anniversary shows next year please!