Stone Groove used to say that the best rock song ever recorded was "Runaway" by Del Shannon. In high school, I was hanging out with this ubercool, chainsmoking, vinyl listening, black coffee drinking elitist who often made fun of my music tastes. I think he was in the midst of his "Black Angel Death Song" is the best song ever recorded mode. He was still in his VU mode before moving onto his free jazz mode before moving onto his bluegrass mode. I mentioned to him about my dad's theory on "Runaway." He thought about it for a moment and then responded that he might agree with my dad. What? Hipster Boy admits that Del Shannon is the best rock song ever?
Now I'm not here to say that "Blank Generation" is a better song than "Runaway." That is an argument for another time. But I have often thought that "Blank Generation" is the epitome of a rock and roll song. If a person had no idea what rock was, I believe that this song is the one to play to explain it.
It has that 50's Jerry Lee Lewis "I don't give a fuck about you or society" feel to it. It has that 70's "I don't give a fuck about you or society and I'm going to wear ripped clothing and fuck with your mind" feel to it. It really is the perfect hybrid of 50's energy and rebellion mixed with the 70's version of it. Of course, I'm a big fan of 60's rock, but there is nothing to my ear that would so easily encapsulate all of rock and roll's history and energy in the way that "Blank Generation" does.
The snooty lyrics (I belong to the blank generation/ I can take it or leave it each time) are equal parts quite meaningful and yet quite oblique. What the fuck is the blank generation? The "Ooooweeeoooos" are ripped straight from the 50's playbook of rock. The short and sweet guitar solo might preceded by Hell exhorting, "Take it" maybe my favorite guitar solo of all time. Or perhaps your favorite part is when he snorts, "I belong to the ____ generation." Really, simply perfect.
I defy you to come up with a better example of what rock and roll sounds like.
Richard says, "Fuck you Del Shannon!"
If you aren't sure, listen to the MP3. You might need to hit refresh to get it to play.
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11 comments:
dan, you make a great case for a great song and you touch on a project i want to embark on about people's personal reactions to music and what they consider a "perfect song." anyone who reads this, please throw a dog a bone and if you have a spare moment, write up a list of 10 or 20 or 50 songs you consider perfect and send them my way:
crispinhglover@yahoo.com
i'm interested to see how the perception of what makes a perfect song varies from person to person. anyhow, anything you can send is greatly appreciated. thanks for letting me eat up blog comment space mr listmaker.
Doesn't hold a candle to Anarchy in the UK for sheer visceral impact, not with that riff nicked from The Passenger by Iggy Pop. Still good, though.
I just heard "Blank Generation" on Sirius. It is a good song if you like 70's punk. But please do not mention it in the same breath with the greatest song of all time, "Runaway". If Del could read your blog he would roll over in his grave.
Leave it to the British guy to choose the British ripoff of what the Americans invented.
But to Weasel and my dad, I would say that "Blank Generation" is worlds better than just a good punk song. The Sex Pistols are just a good punk band - Richard Hell is more than just punk - he transcends that label.
Thanks for the mp3 link. I rely on you to educate me and broaden my musical horizon. I can't say that I understand what he's saying in Blank Generation except that it is a general symbol of the sympathies of the punk rock days.
I am, as you know, closer in age to Stone Groove. Runaway is a most memorable song for me.
considering i didn't hear blank generation until i was already 22 years old and the song was twenty years old and that i grew up hearing runaway, the argument about when you first heard something doesn't wash with me. it is all a matter of taste. it isn't like i'm saying smells like teen spirit is the best rock song.
Always appreciate your takes on music. BTW, have really enjoyed the L'Maker Presents, Vol. One.
Didn't know much about The New Pornographers until hearing the track on your compilation. They're blowing up and all over the hipster stations, such as KEXP and others.
You mention your friend's interest in Bluegrass; I don't understand it, as so many 20-somethings seem fixated by what I consider old folks music, but then again, I'm 43 and still in love with all things rock, including much of the newer wave.
Give me a crankin' guitar and a sense of melody and some decent songwriting and most of the time, I'll like it.
thanks jim.
yeah, i have no idea what my friend is into right now. i haven't seen him in about ten years but i'm sure he's moved past bluegrass.
I want to reiterate that "Blank Generation" isa great song, but again the song was much better as the British original "My Generation" before the American Mr. Hell ripped it off. I'm impressed with your new musical-political invention: nationalist punk. I have to concur with Jim: I have a great deal of trust in your music writing, if not your baseball betting tips.
weasel,
if it wasn't for us americans, you'd still be grooving to skiffle.
and playing conkers.
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