A return for punk?

Just in case you hadn’t noticed there are a few anniversaries and big events this year – we have all just about survived the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic (although it was perhaps slightly overdone in the media). Next we have the London Olympics to look forward to (I say London Olympics as I am not sure it has much to do with us North of the Watford Gap).

Set for a return?

And of course there is the little matter of our Queens Diamond Jubilee – quite an achievement to be fair, and second only to Victoria in terms of reign. I am not sure if the country will get behind the jubilee in the same way as they did in 1977 when there were lots of street parties and similar. It was a very different place in the 70′s, it was ‘before Thatcher’ and life was far more simple. It was also the age of Punk – the last truly original period for British Popular music in my opinion (Brit pop was OK but not as good!).

So I see it as a good thing that the Sex Pistols song ‘God Save the Queen’ is to be re-released to celebrate the jubilee! The song was banned from the BBC when it was released last time and the album cover from the album it came from had to be covered up in shop windows as it was deemed to be too rude – the title you will recall was ‘Never mind the bollocks’ – rather tame by today’s standards!

I have thought for a long time that the current X Factor style music needs to be got rid of somehow – it is all rubbish and totally un-original.

Time for the return of Punk? Yes please!

 

What is happening to popular music?

I have for a long time hated the effect that programs like the X factor have been having on ‘popular’ music – the dumbing down and totally un-original performances are frankly boring and rubbish. What ever happened to the characterful 70′s and 80′s – the era of Punk, Super Groups and the small record labels?

Sadly the recent release of the most played songs of the ‘noughties’ only confirms my view. In total, the top five songs were played more than 875 million times during the period;

Most played songs of the Noughties:

1. Kylie Minogue – Can’t Get You Out Of My Head (2001)

2. Britney Spears – Toxic (2004)

3. Robbie Williams – Angels (1997)

4. Jamelia – Superstar (2003)

5. Liberty X – Just A Little (2002)

Nothing in there has any particular merit in my opinion – (although I do like Angels by Robbie Williams).

With the current economy and social problems isn’t it time for a ‘new punk’ to break through?