What Difference Does It Make?

Trust me #115 
What Difference Does It Make by The Smiths

Nick Grimshaw played What Difference Does It Make? by The Smiths on his 6Music show last month. Hearing the song blasting out of my car speakers while driving through the rain caused me to appreciate it even more. I often get that feeling whenever I hear something on the radio, especially in the car. I immediately made a mental note to write a blog on the song.

The Smith had formed less than 2-years previously, when Marr showed up at Morrissey's door in May 1982 to invite him to start a band. Marr was only 18 and aware of Morrissey (5-years older) through his book on the New York Dolls. The two got on and quickly set about recording some rough demos. They quickly created a spark and were on fire by January 1984 when What Difference Does It Make? was released the song as their 3rd single.

Morrissey and Marr

What Difference Does It Make? was first demo'd in December 1982. Marr and bass player Andy Rourke visited Rough Trade in London to physically hand The Smiths demo tape over to Geoff Travis. The tape had previously been rejected by EMI and Factory.  I'm currently reading Document & Eyewitness: An Intimate History of Rough Trade, by Neil Taylor (order here). It's fascinating how quickly the label could turn things around if they believed in a band.

By May 1983, Rough Trade had released Hand In Glove as the debut single by The Smiths. I find this quite remarkable, it was only one year since Marr had knocked on Morrissey's door! 

The follow up, This Charming Man, didn't come out until October 83, but after that The Smiths got into the habit of releasing a single every few months until they split. They were prolific, Marr writing the music to accompany Morrissey's lyrics. Or vice versa.

Back to What Difference Does It Make? Marr's guitar playing is instantly more powerful than the previous two singles, with an extra edge and bite to the jangle. His riff is repeated almost from start to finish. Drums crash in behind, the bass holds things down and Morrissey comes in.

All men have secrets and here is mine, so let it be known

What an opening line! Morrissey goes on to sing still I'd leap in front of a flying bullet for you, just before he sings the song title hook in the chorus for the first time. It's not just Marr's guitar that sounds more powerful, Morrissey sounds completely in the zone.

The Smiths sound utterly glorious, riding through another verse and chorus. The burst and shimmer in Marr's guitar to go into another chorus after Morrissey sings well I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh is sublime. It becomes another hook, with Morrissey returning to it a couple of times before the instrumental section.

Marr's distinctive guitar sound came from his black Rickenbacker 330. In a 2022 interview with Reverb on the most important guitars of his career, he said;

"Like most musicians of a certain age in Manchester, I got it from a shop called A1 Repairs and I bought it with my first Smiths publishing advance ... And I guess sonically, the best example of that Ricky is What Difference Does It Make? When you hear the intro to that, that's my 330, tracked up."

Stephen Street is the producer I tend to associate with The Smiths, however John Porter should get more credit, working with them from early on and latterly producing the mesmerising How Soon Is Now? He certainly seemed to get and enhance The Smiths sound. 

Porter seems to have been pretty selective (and open - if that makes sense!) with who he has worked with over the years. Usually just 2-3 projects per year, but there are plenty of Grammy nominee/winning albums in his portfolio. Artists range from Ozzy and Ryan Adams, to B.B. King and Carlos Santana.

The Smiths played (and debuted?) the song on a May 83 Peel Session and the version was released on their 84 compilation album Hatful of Hollow.  

Looking back at The Smith discography, they released a remarkable 17 singles from debut Hand in Glove (May 1983) through to Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (December 1987). It is little wonder that they inspired so many fans; their look, quality, quantity and consistency was incredible.

What Difference Does It Make?  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

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

75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura

76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service

77. The Rat by The Walkmen

78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer

79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack

80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys

81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros

82. 69 Police by David Holmes

83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes

84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel

85. Kung Fu by Ash

86. Kids by MGMT

87. Slight Return by The Bluetones

88. Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band

89. Cut Your Hair by Pavement

90. Race for the Prize by The Flaming Lips

91. Waitin' for a Superman by The Flaming Lips

92. Acquiesce by Oasis

93. This Is Music by The Verve

94. Lone Swordsman by Daniel Avery

95. Sparky's Dream by Teenage Fanclub

96. Common People by Pulp

97. Let Our Love Grow Higher by Eula Cooper

98. Regret by New Order

99. Keep On Keepin' On by Nolan Porter

100. Sit Down by James (Live at G-Mex) by James

101. Never Lose Your Sense Of Wonder by Yeti

102. Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over by The Charlatans

103. Life Is Sweet by The Chemical Brothers 

104. How Can I Tell You (To Love Me More) by Brooke Coombe

105-107. Wigan Casino - Three Before Eight - Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend, Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe, I'm On My Way by Dean Parrish

108. Cobra by Geese

109. All I Have To Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers

110. Vapour Trail by Ride

111. Teardrop by Massive Attack

112. Since I Left You by The Avalanches

113. Good Dancers by The Sleepy Jackson

114. Kiss My Love Goodbye by Bettye Swann

I Think That I Might Love You

 

I Think That I Might Love You is my sister Carla's fifth solo album. When you add in the TeenCanteen and Poster Paints albums, she has built up quite a discography since the summer and fall of 2016 when she released debut album Homemade Lemonade (originally under the guise of Ette) and Say It All With A Kiss (TeenCanteen) in quick succession.

This, at least for me, is Carla's best album. It's warm, melodic, there is lots of space, it's beautifully produced, sounds lovingly organic, great people play on it and it's Carla's first album since she started playing guitar. 

Carla and her amazing band play The Rum Shack in Glasgow on Friday 29th May - Tickets For further dates in London, Leeds and Manchester visit carlajennifereaston.com/

Read on for a feature length review and some words from Carla.

Carla - It started with a 'f*ck it' flight to Nashville. 

I'd been told about 'fuck it' flights. When everything is broken, and you have nothing left to give, you do something entirely for yourself. A selfish act, if you will. 

You point to a place on the world map that you've always wanted to go but held yourself back from, and you go. You worry about the cost later. The immediate place that came to my mind was Nashville.

Trips to the Stax Museum, Third Man Records, borrowing equipment, playing the Bluebird Cafe, recording demos, riding electric scooters round town, hanging with old friends from Banff Arts Centre ... the 'f*ck it' trip was productive! 

Carla - I left Nashville whole again, with voice notes and notebooks that held the beginnings of new songs. Those songs became an album.

Working on ideas with friends in Glasgow and online with friends from further field, Carla created an album. Meeting so many amazing women through Since Yesterday, her award winning documentary led to Carla picking up (and learning) the guitar.  There was only one person Carla wanted to produce the album - Howard Bilerman; friend, mentor and producer of her Impossible Stuff album. Amazingly, Howard was up for flying over to produce the album in CHEM19! What a guy!

I was fortunate to enjoy an early morning game of tennis at the Gorbals with Howard and visit the studio a couple of times during his time in Scotland. His relaxed attitude and ability to create the right atmosphere to capture performances was remarkable. Howard has a fantastic ear for sound.

It's not often you play tennis with a Grammy nominated producer ... in The Gorbals Leisure Centre!

CHEM19 was booked for a week and the band literally ran through each song a couple of times before Howard hit record. A couple of times, he hit record on second play.

As a result, there is a beautiful freshness throughout the whole album, whether it's the zip of Oh Yeah, or the melancholic glow of You Might Be The Sun. 

Carla - This album is friendship. And community. It's celebrating, remembering, and letting go all at once. It's all those connections that surround us all the time if we just open ourselves up to seeing them.

Oh Yeah bursts immediately into life, it's bittersweet power-pop ache in under 2-minutes. Carla and band lost in the music.

Carla - Oh Yeah is the sound of loving someone who doesn’t quite love you back, of giving anyway. Knowing the cost and paying the price with a defiant smile. Beauty with a bruise underneath. Reaching outward, leaning forward, heart wide open, and hoping to be caught.

It’s not bitter, it’s brave, letting yourself glow for someone even if they are half a step away. Big Teenage Fanclub guitars, huge strings, harmonies stacked like confessions you never quite say out loud. It’s standing in your bedroom, heart pounding, replaying voice notes that don’t say what you hope they will, and still pressing play again. 

If Oh Yeah bursts into life, Red Kites In The Sun pulses beautifully, building to the chorus that gave Carla the album title. Stevie Jackson from Belle & Sebastian add harmonica, and all of a sudden things are driven by a pounding Motown beat.

There is more urgency with Never Really Wanted To Say which transcends towards the heavens, with sublime string effects lifting the chorus.

Older

Doesn't mean I'm wiser

I keep falling

In and out of love

Pillars Crash Down is gorgeously melancholic, but with real fire. A warm melody, one of Carla's finest vocal performances. I love the line; 

We walk together, the radio playing

But it was never our song

Pounding drums kick in for the chorus that ends with optimism;

There'll be another summer that calls, me around

Then there is a breakdown (below) that leads back to the spine tingling chorus with that glorious tinge of hope in the final line.

A tonne of feathers is still a tonne

So I'll fly

Alone

Away, from you

Away, from you

Although this is a guitar led album, there is room for deliciously sugary and gooey synth pop in the shape of Let's Make Plans For The Weekend. What a delight! I first heard this when Carla played a show for Tiny Changes at the Old Hairdressers and it was a blast. Brilliant pop music. Loads of hooks, I mean listen a few times and count them! Humour, cheek and the honest reflection on how good it is to go out dancing with friends on the weekend.

The double chorus is sensational pop;

So lets make plans for the weekend, weekend

Take my hand tell me what you're scheming

Everybody drinking, no sleeping

Friday nights were made for feeling

Up all night and my heart is racing

Reach that high that we're always chasing

Chemical reaction, so amazing

Me and you are trouble making

And I love this section;

We don't care, we don't care anymore

If we're out there, we're out there on the floor

Carla - I love this song so much. I knew the album was leaning more toward guitar indie-pop, but I couldn’t NOT include this. My friend Pedro Cameron (Man of the Minch) and I wrote and demoed it in two hours; we’re both massive fans of Kylie Minogue and Girls Aloud. We wanted to write something that celebrates friendship, dancing, and that feeling you chase every weekend after a hard week. 

It’s the token synth-pop banger on the album, the guilty pleasure, the one that gets you dragging your friend onto the dancefloor.

You Might Be The Sun is all stripped back, gooey, romantic, reflective ... One of Carla's most beautiful songs? At the time of writing, I very much think so. 

I know you didn't mean it when you took all of your light away

I guess I'll never see it but I feel the glimmer anyway 

Really, Really, Really, Really Sad is a co-write with Darren Hayman and Carla's love of 60's girls groups shines brightly. Vivid imagery topped with a catchy and sugary chorus. 

Lift Your Head Up Kid has all kinds of Juliana Hatfield with The Lemonheads moments of wonder, warmth and wistfulness. 

Start It Again also oozes warmth, reflection and advice. The sound is absolutely spot on - band, producer and studio all working in complete harmony. Blissful.

Don't wait until the right time

It can take a lifetime

Moth To A Flame is one of my favourite songs from the album. I love the melody, the imagery, the way the backing vocals come in for the no they don't, no they don't, no they don't section. The strings are beautiful

Like moths to a flame

I'm sometimes seeking out the pain

If You Found A Thread is a gorgeous closing song, the guitars chime at times and there are echoes of George Harrison as the song closes as Carla sings I'll wind my way back to you.

Carla - The song my friend and I wrote together in Nashville, the song that began this journey, holds that feeling more than anything.

A personal memory from just before Carla recorded the album;

Back in October 2024 Carla played a show at Cottiers Theatre in the West End of Glasgow, supporting Norman Blake. It was just Carla and her great friend Paul Kelly on guitars. They ran through the songs that they were going into CHEM19 with and I was blown away. After Norman's show we went through to the bar and drank whisky - something I very rarely do. But I was in the mood for a catch up and happy on the high of live music, so Carla chose a nice whisky - mainly because she was choked with the cold - and we had a couple, or was it three?! Anyway, it was lovely to just chat about music. The excitement of Howard coming over, going into CHEM19 for the first time, her friends coming to play on the album and the forthcoming Since Yesterday Glasgow premiere. It was all going on! So I love this happy (whisky fuelled) picture of the two of us from that night in Cottiers.

Never Ending Mixtape part 109

Welcome to part 109 of my Never Ending Mixtape where the latest additions take us from 4,852 songs to 4,934 with the addition of  The Dardanelles by Glass Cheques - a glorious burst of sunshine indie guitar pop. Look out for a blog on them soon. Check their video at the foot of the blog.

I've been listening to loads of music! You'll find a few of the additions listed below. I've recently discovered way too many new soul tunes to list!

Thanks if you are one of the 383 who follow the playlist, or if you check in on it (and my blog) from time to time. And welcome if you have just discovered both. 

As always, I hope you find something wonderful that you've never heard before, or that you rediscover an old favourite song. I personally play my Never Ending Mixtape on shuffle, but play from the start, the middle, or scroll down (could take a while!) to the latest additions. 

Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or CLICK

Recent discoveries

Sunflower by The Springfields

Ain't It Time by Queen Yahna

Got To Get Your Love by Clyde Alexander & Sanction

Walk on into My Heart by The Classmen

Natch by Cornershop

What I Done Wrong by Big Lee Dowell

New releases

Tears Won't Lie by Brooke Coombe

The Dardonelles by Glass Cheques

Old favourites

Darling Be Home Soon by The Lovin' Spoonful

I See the Rain by Marmalade

69 Police by David Holmes

Whitey on the Moon by Gil Scott-Heron

Fire & Rain by James Taylor

Your Love Gets Sweeter by Finley Quaye

Calico Skies by Paul McCartney

Two Of Us by The Beatles

Be There by UNKLE w/ Ian Brown

You've Got A Friend

Cover version of the month #118
James Taylor covers Carole King

This exceptional song was written by the legendary Carole King after hearing James Taylor's Fire and Rain in which he sings I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend .

King recorded it for her Tapestry album with Taylor simultaneously recording (with the same musicians) for his Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon album. Both were released in 1971, with King's original coming out first. Taylor also released his version as a single and the song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Carole King's Tapestry album is, in my humble opinion, one of the best of all-time. It's heart on the sleeve stuff, full of empathy and emotion. And You've Got A Friend is bursting with a pure and heartfelt message of unwavering support and friendship. Simple, soulful, sincere and a sense of solidarity.

When you're down and troubled, and you need some lovin' care, and nothing is going right

Close your eyes and think of me, and soon I will be there, to brighten up even your darkest night

Ooft - isn't that gorgeous? Sometimes I appreciate lyrics more when I write them down/type them up. Same goes for the structure. The way the lyrics flow is incredible. King's use of and to begin the second, third and fifth lines works so well.

Tapesty is a beautifully warm and inviting album, listening back during cold and dark winter nights, it's like a warm blanket with a hot water bottle thrown in for good measure.

You've Got A Friend is as good as songwriting gets - heartfelt lyrics, glorious melodies, uplifting chorus, stunning arrangement, warm production and outstanding performance - goosebumps and spine tingling stuff! Life-affirming ... as I like to say about the best songs.

Listen to that chorus;

You just call out my name, and you know wherever I am, I'll coming running, to see you again

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, all you have to do is call, and I'll be there, you got a friend

King's personal message has a timeless quality that. The universal themes of loyalty, friendship, and support in times of need will always be relatable, they will always tug on heart strings.

You've Got A Friend won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Carole King and the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for its writer. Critically applauded, the song was also a commercial smash, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

If King's original has an urgency to the message (title) like she is trying to gee someone up - hey, you've got a friend, don't forget that, James Taylor's version is more gentle. His voice is soothing and the whole feel of the song is calming. Taylor's voice, acoustic guitars, considered percussion and backing vocals - his version is an arm round the shoulder, the same message as King, but in a different way.

King's original and Taylor's cover of You've Got A Friend are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE

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

98. Do Your Thing

99. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

100. Don't Leave Me This Way

101. Shout!

102. God Only Knows

103. The Last Time

104. Bridge Over Troubled Water

105. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart

106. Louie Louie

107. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

108-110. I'm A Loser, Yesterday and Beware of Darkness 

111. So You Say You Lost Your Baby

112. Kelly Watch The Stars

113. Association

114. Some Velvet Morning

115. If I Had A Boat

116. Vapour Trail

117. Femme Fatale

Brooke Combe at Saint Luke's

Brooke Combe was outstanding at Saint Luke's on Friday night, the first of 2 sold out shows in the gorgeous venue. Brooke's smile radiated warmth, her banter was good fun and her voice was exceptional. She is a super cool n soulful lass! 

Combe's star is rising on the back of her outstanding single How Can I Tell You? (blog) that she released last year. It's lifted her and the follow up Tears Don't Lie is of similar quality.

In her mid-20's, Combe started to release her music independently via Modern Sky, following a spell with Island. It was Island's loss and Brooke's gain. She worked with James Skelley from The Coral to produce her 2025 album Dancing On The Edge Of The World and isn't letting up.  Brooke has just signed to Fontana Records and is ready to go to the next level.

There is no doubt that How Can I Tell You? has won her more fans. It went kinda viral on Instagram when Brooke posted rehearsal clips of her singing it, then the northern soul inspired video took it even further.

Backed by a tight band encompassing guitar, bass, backing vocals and percussion, keyboard and drums, Combe and co wowed the packed Saint Luke's with a stunning upbeat set that lifted everyone in the room.

Combe looks and acts like a star. Super lithe, shades on her head, cool Levi's, dancing about the stage, shadow boxing, playing guitar, banging her tambourine, playing air drums and she has a smile that radiates warmth. 

The set was split in 3, with the opening segment including; This Town as an early banger, A-Game was sublime and Black Is The New Gold was sultry. 

Combe then had the confidence to send her band off stage, leaving just her and guitarist Danny Murphy to performing two new songs; Piece of Me and It's Not Over, both bode very well for her next album and the latter in particular will sound good when fleshed out with a full band (and strings?).

Tears Won't Lie sounds like it has been lifted from the Motown vaults, a lost Supremes/Diana Ross single. Persistent piano, Combe's strong voice and cool Motown beats for the bridge to the chorus. Three minute of soul pop brilliance.

A powerful Dancing At The Edge of the World led to an encore that began with someone from the audience beginning to sing Yes Sir I Can Boogie. World Cup fever is starting and Combe and Murphy played a short stripped back version that was greatly appreciated.

Grabbing a Scotland flag from a fan in the front row, Combe knotted it round her to sing a fantastic rendition of her song The Last Time, followed by a crowd singing lesson for the backing parts of How Can I Tell You? Then the band and Brooke ripped into it, ending with Combe up on the barrier to the delight of the crowd.

Combe has the songs, the look, the voice, soul and she now has the right record label. Strap in for the ride.

The Very Unofficial Scotland World Cup Song

I recently stumbled across an incredible video on Instagram. It was of JJ Bull in front of a synth/keyboard, shades on, wearing an old Scotland training/travel top and singing in the style of LCD Soundsystem. I became completely transfixed and must have watched it a dozen times in an hour and sent it round family and friends. 

Watch below, read my musings and then read on for an interview with JJ Bull.

Every time I watch this, I need to watch it another 2-3 times! Bull is on fire, living out James Murphy fantasies while singing about his dislike of Hampden Park (I agree - loads of history but it does kinda suck), but how he'll go there, even though he thinks Scotland will lose. He still loves his team and country.

Quickly, we're into what has already become Scottish football folklore.

Because I wanna see Kenny McLean from 50-yards

I think that he might score

Kieran Tierney from 30-yards

Well I know he's gonna score

We then go deeper into LCD Soundsystem territory/influences with a delicious (and beautifully ridiculous) effect as Bull sings the first McTominaaaaaaayyyyy. Ending with the brilliant Scott McTominay, ballon d'or.

Scott McTominaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy

With a bicycle kick

I know he's gonna score

He's Scott McTominay

Scott McTominay

Ballon d'or

Are you watching? Are you as hooked as I was ... and still am! Bull then goes on to highlight the three host countries;

The USA kinda sucks, we've got to go there anyway

Mexico is on fire, ole

Canada is under snow, but I will go

Then it's back to the hooks about McLean and Tierney, with more bass, beats, extra emphasis and excitement and the addition of two other legendary goals.

And James McFadden, from 40-yards against France

Archie Gemmill, running through the Netherlands

Things break down and then the hook comes back in and we are treated to an even better McTominaaaaaaayyyyy, with a BICYCLE KICK! 

Genius! And great fun. I absolutely love this. Check out JJ Bull's FitbaThatba Instagram page for loads more football songs about iconic teams, moments and players. For those that no me, you'll not be surprised to learn I'm now transfixed with his Solskjaer song!

 

Thanks to JJ for answering these questions.

You clearly love football and music. Can you share any early memories of how you fell in love with each?

My dad is big into all bands and always listened to records quite loud on a Saturday morning so I'd hear the bass bouncing into my room. He also always had stuff on in the car. We had a beaten up second-hand piano and were made to do lessons and I used to mess around and make up instrumental nonsense songs on it. Did violin at school too but I didn't enjoy that, mostly cos we had to do exams and I disliked those strongly. But then one day I discovered Radiohead and then Oasis, and then Stereophonics appeared, and after teaching myself to play on a battered old classical string guitar, eventually I was given an Epiphone SG as a big present. I practised that thing for hours every single day, was absolutely hyperfocus obsessed. Basically repeat all of this except instead of dad listening to music he had the football on. I didn't fall in love with that until Euro 96 and then everything clicked. A new obsession! Video games definitely got me deeper into it, kicking a ball was fun, collecting stickers, but mostly video games. There wasn't much fitba on the TV if you didn't have Sky back in the 90s.

Did/do you play much football? Have you been in a band before?

I can just about get by to a very low standard at middle-age 5-a-side but used to be much much much worse. I played for a local team but would always be a sub, and I'd be subbed off after coming on as a sub. You've gotta get that technique locked in early, and I started way too late. I used to play in a band called 10 Easy Wishes, we played gigs around the UK and had some very small radio play on Radio 1 and some other film soundtracks stuff. It was like a power pop version of The Hives and I loved it. Did a couple of other things after that which did OK too and were also really fun. The Welles was one. I had a tiny bit of success as a solo artist doing Frightened Rabbit rip off FEEEELINGS type songs in my mid 20s. Then recently I had a band called Husband Duty but the other lads live in different cities. I think playing in a wedding band called The Sellouts alongside all of this helped me get much better at it.

When did you start writing songs inspired by players / games / moments? What was the inspiration (musical and football)?

Me and some university friends got absolutely hammered (a not uncommon event) one night and started making up a song in the living room about Michael Ballack having a skull on his head and farming salmon. This was around 2011 and I know that cos I made a stupid video which is still up on YouTube and from there things have escalated ever so slightly.

The more recent version of this came about cos I needed a creative outlet, and wanted to write songs again. But the problem is that I just like things being silly or funny or nonsense, anything serious just comes across so try-hard and lame and twee. And I love football. So if I write at my most honest, the things that come out are naturally going to be related to football cos that's what I'm surrounded by all the time, and it'll be funny cos I can't be serious. And cos the best creative stuff you can ever write is in flowstate and I find these parameters help me get in that zone, that's what comes out. Then I can sneak emotions, thoughts, questions, etc in the songs. There's stuff in some of them that I recognise is what I was thinking subconsciously when I listen back later and I've been using a football analogy to hide it. That is less true for songs about John McGinn saving the world from dinosaurs.

I discovered you via your Very Unofficial Scotland World Cup Song. How quickly did that happen? Did you create the music first? Or write the lyrics?

Genuinely wrote a version of the whole thing in my head in late November/early December, tried to play it live on a livestream and didn't sound how I thought it would, so I just waited until I had the right energy to make it and then spent some time redoing it to make it sound more like what it did in my head. And then some stuff happened in the world later that made me write the second verse and find the actual 'what is this actually about' that I needed to (hopefully) make it work! Whole thing probably took a combined... 4 hours. Maybe less.

What did you make of our performances to qualify and that night against Denmark?

Thought we were mostly dreadful and incredibly lucky - especially in games against Greece - but are overdue that same good luck and positive thinking by about 30 years. We were brilliant against Denmark. Or were we? I can't remember, I just remember the goals.

What are your hopes and fears for the World Cup?

We win the whole thing in a very funny, completely lucky way. Vs. We lose 1-0, 3-0, 5-0 in the group games.

Who are your top 3 favourite bands/artists and your top 3 players?

Radiohead, Phoenix, The Hives/LCD Soundsystem

Lionel Messi, Ronaldo (Nazario), Alan Shearer

 

Kiss My Love Goodbye

Trust me #114
Kiss My Love Goodbye by Bettye Swann

Bettye Swann's Kiss My Love Goodbye recently came on while I was playing my Never Ending Mixtape. I must admit to being taken by surprise, it sounded familiar, but I'd forgotten it! I must have played the song at least a dozen times over the next few days. And I have been playing it regularly ever since.

As I tend to say when I fall for a song - this is an absolute gem! Kiss My Love Goodbye is on Swann's Complete Atlantic Recordings album, one that I have just vowed to order on vinyl after blasting it out regularly and dancing around our kitchen.

In fact, I've been playing this song so much that my youngest daughter Rosie now recognises it and sings along to the hook!

Swann released her debut single at the age of 20 in 1964, having already performed in a trio. Swann was one of 14 children - so if she wanted any attention she had to stand out. Her voice might have helped!

The 60's saw Swann have some success with singles like Make Me Yours, which topped the Billboard R&B chart in 1967, the Summer of Love. There was also a trilogy of albums.

Swann signed to Atlantic Records in 1972 but only seemed to release 7 singles due to label politics. The Complete Atlantic Recordings brings together 23-tracks, everything she recorded for Atlantic, including 7 previously unreleased songs.

So check the full album out, but start with Kiss My Love Goodbye! Incredibly, this was a b-side! It was on the flip of 1974's The Boy Next Door.

Kiss My Love Goodbye shimmers into life with a drum roll, lush strings and then Swann begins singing as the beat kicks in over CHIC style rhythm guitar. 

What a groove! I can imagine this packing floors at a northern soul night thanks to the sweeping, cinematic strings. The production and feel in the recording is sublime, it hits the sweet spot. 

Swann's vocals are super cool, delivering a lyric about finishing a broken relationship and moving on with a coolness that feels empowering rather than heartbreaking. Her voice rises at all the right times. Swann doesn't wanna hear any sweet talkin' from the guy who has done her wrong. She is leaving, outta there - just ease on out of my way.

The next verse is great, Swann telling him she saw him with her own eyes, also admitting that if she hadn't, she might have fallen for his lies - again! 

I admit you were slick

You sure played it cool

I may be a little slow learning

But Mama didn't raise no fool

 The little flourish and lift in the strings into the next section/verse is seamless. Swann is in the zone, telling him like it is. I love the flow and emphasis on the last line.

The taxi is waiting, I've heard your sad song

About the time you realise I'm leaving

That's the time I'll be long gone

The Supremes-y guitar break here over the strings is glorious. And then there is the kiss off chorus.

So you can kiss my love goodbye

You can kiss my love goodbye

It's a cool, cold day to you know where

You can kiss my love goodbye

Ooft what a tune. There is another run through the verses above and into a final couple of choruses, the backing vocals are sublime and Swann really sounds like she is super happy singing this song.

Kiss My Love Goodbye 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

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

75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura

76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service

77. The Rat by The Walkmen

78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer

79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack

80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys

81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros

82. 69 Police by David Holmes

83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes

84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel

85. Kung Fu by Ash

86. Kids by MGMT

87. Slight Return by The Bluetones

88. Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band

89. Cut Your Hair by Pavement

90. Race for the Prize by The Flaming Lips

91. Waitin' for a Superman by The Flaming Lips

92. Acquiesce by Oasis

93. This Is Music by The Verve

94. Lone Swordsman by Daniel Avery

95. Sparky's Dream by Teenage Fanclub

96. Common People by Pulp

97. Let Our Love Grow Higher by Eula Cooper

98. Regret by New Order

99. Keep On Keepin' On by Nolan Porter

100. Sit Down by James (Live at G-Mex) by James

101. Never Lose Your Sense Of Wonder by Yeti

102. Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over by The Charlatans

103. Life Is Sweet by The Chemical Brothers 

104. How Can I Tell You (To Love Me More) by Brooke Coombe

105-107. Wigan Casino - Three Before Eight - Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend, Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe, I'm On My Way by Dean Parrish

108. Cobra by Geese

109. All I Have To Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers

110. Vapour Trail by Ride

111. Teardrop by Massive Attack

112. Since I Left You by The Avalanches

113. Good Dancers by The Sleepy Jackson