Having previously looked at three of the best punk rock songs, it's fun to consider three more top songs from just beyond that punk period. These weren't from punk rock bands, but that movement made space for them to emerge around 1977-1978 as punk peaked. Once again, people will have their own personal views, but these songs bring back some great memories of the time.
It’s hard to label the bands and songs that were coming through. They weren't raw punk. Nor had what became new wave music through the likes of The Cure or Joy Division fully kicked in at that time. Was this power pop or early new wave maybe?
Definitions and categories were blurred, partly from memory and partly because it wasn’t really clear at the time. It was just brilliant new music being released. There were so many variations around and they don’t all fit neatly together as a timeline of eras.
Punk rock evolved allowing new bands to emerge
Perhaps bands at this time were trying to shake off the punk tag. Some punk bands redefined and evolved. They weren't as in your face or aggressive as the original punks. Many other bands brought much wider musicality to their songs to help them stand out.
With radio airplay still a huge factor in getting a hit, a shift to a slightly more mainstream sound, while retaining an edginess could make a significant difference. Looking back at the period now many of the bands found and used a pathway from punk which had wider public receptiveness. That in turn led towards another new wave and then on to indie.
Three top songs emerging after punk rock
Let's not worry about the definitions too much though. Here’s my top three tracks from an amazingly long list of potential contenders. There was so much great new music around at that time to choose from.
“Roxanne” - The Police - 1978/79
Unusually set up as a trio, Stewart Copeland on drums, Sting on vocals and bass, with guitarist Andy Summers, made up The Police. Described at times as new wave, post punk or reggae pop they were another band crossing over the labels and categories. They of course went on to be huge across the world, but were just starting out back in April 1978 when “Roxanne” was released as a single. It preceded their debut album Outlandos d’Amour which came out later that same year.
As an opening single for the album and a debut release “Roxanne” was quite astonishing to listen to. Sting's vocals were superb and the song had that very distinctive rhythm and chopped guitar sound. In a clue to why The Police were different from the punk scene, there was an acceptance by Sting that his initial writing of the song in a bossa nova beat was bettered by Copeland adjusting it to be tango based instead. Added musicality indeed!
The single flopped initially in the UK though and was rescued by airplay for it on US radio stations, which led to a record deal there. When re-released in 1979 it reached number 12 in the UK and number 32 in the Billboard Hot 100 charts. “Roxanne” is still a regular play these days and was reissued as a Puff Daddy remix again in 1997.
“Take Me I'm Yours” - Squeeze - 1978
Squeeze were formed by Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, the two main songwriters and mainstays in the band over the years. The band took their name somewhat flippantly after the disowned 1973 Velvet Underground album which didn't feature any original band members.
Difford and Tilbrook recruited Paul Gunn on drums and Jools Holland on keyboards to form Squeeze. Holland has since branched out very successfully with his own Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and a hit BBC TV live music show ‘Later With Jools Holland’.
“Take Me I'm Yours” was their debut single released in February 1978. It had what was to become a Squeeze trademark - unusual lyrics and distinctive vocals. Along with its catchy rhythm and synthesizer based arrangement, “Take Me I’m Yours” certainly stood out from the other songs around then. The song reached number 19 in the UK charts and paved the way for many more Squeeze hits over the years.
In an interesting connection to The Police above, the opening verse lyrics for “Take Me I’m Yours” had a desert theme. Difford attributed this to a visit to his manager Miles Copeland’s house at the time he was writing the song. Copeland had been schooled in Egypt while his mother worked there and the house had many reminders of their time there on display. The success of this Squeeze hit is said to have helped Copeland secure a record deal for The Police, who also had Copeland as their manager.
“Lookin’ After No. 1” - The Boomtown Rats - 1977
Were the Boomtown Rats a punk band? Their early appearances and sounds sure gave that impression. But they weren't, they were a Dublin based rock band with lots to offer as this single and the coming years would show. Released as a single in August 1977 “Lookin’ After No.1” was the first in a run of ten consecutive UK top 40 hits for Bob Geldof and his bandmates. It peaked at number 11 in the UK charts.
In much the same way that punk music grabbed the attention, it was hard to ignore “Looking After No.1” when it first appeared. It was hard to dislike too, fast and loud drums lead the way, powerful guitars and Geldof’s aggressive protesting vocals made it three minutes of fast paced punk like rock.
The band made a big impression on the UK charts over the years, it wasn’t until they released “I Don’t Like Mondays” that they made an impact in the US. Although frontman Bob Geldof became known worldwide for Live Aid and his other charitable work.
These examples were all from the early days of the three bands. They came from very good albums too. If you haven't heard any of them before then do give them a listen, and look up more great music or those early albums from the three bands.
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