Are You Ready to be Heartbroken? - 2 Part Blog

Part 1, The Question.

"Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken?"
This is our first answer song blog. There are a few answer songs out there and we play some of the good ones on Bitter FM.... although, not always back to back with the song they are answering. Today we have a classic 80's song, a somewhat forgotten gem, from Lloyd Cole and the Commotions' debut album "Rattlesnakes". The album came out in 1984 and it was a great alternative to the synth pop music of the time. "Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken" is full of great lines (like most of Lloyd Cole's songs), name checks (Arthur Lee and Norman Mailer on this song), jangley guitar and white soul vocals. A fantastic track off a five star album. Good enough to get a response over 20 years later by Camera Obscura.



Part 2, The Response

"Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken"
'Camera Obscura' are a Glasgow band, led by Tracyanne Campbell. They have developed quite a cult following since they formed in 1996. They have the same folky/indie pop intelligence as fellow Scottish band 'Belle & Sebastian' and their female led side project 'God Help the Girl'. Tracyanne Cambell was obviously a fan of Lloyd Cole and "Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken" is a response to his song "Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken?" and although she doesn't match the original lyrically, she has still written a near-perfect pop song.

The Buzzcocks - "Ever Fallen in Love"

This song from The Buzzcocks is another punk classic. We've been a bit more retro than usual on this blog lately, but it was only a matter of time before this song made its way on here. "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)" has melody, hooks, energy and the punk attitude that completed the masterpiece. In the 80's it was covered by 'Fine Young Cannibals' and was a worldwide hit.... which is fine, but if that led to a few people checking out the original, well that's even better.

Grinderman - "Heathen Child"

For me, Nick Cave never fails to impress, whether it is his piano led and lyrically strong material that he has perfected, the dark 'Birthday Party' stuff or the more guitar based project which is 'Grinderman'. Nick Cave has always had subject material and lyrics from the darker side and Grinderman just adds a bit more grunt to it all, however, it is still Nick Cave all the same. So the lyrics are still about God, Death, Love (usually the dark side of Love), Murder and more God and more Death or all of the above. It is often with his tongue in his cheek... but a great story is regularly told as well. Usually a story about God, Death or Murder. "Heathen Child" is no exception.

saint privat - "Somebody To Love"

Saint Privat are an electronica/bossa nova duo featuring Valerie Sajdik and Klaus Waldeck, both originally from Austria but now based in France... well, Valerie is anyway. They have perfected that retro downbeat electronica sound over the years and Valerie has carried it through with solo releases as well. You may recognise "Somebody To Love" as a 'Jefferson Airplane' original... but Grace Slick was never this laid back.

Children's Hour - "Caroline's Dream"

Children's Hour were an Auckland Flying Nun band from about 1983 through to 1985. After their demise, they then basically reformed as 'Headless Chickens' and became a huge success in NZ and Australia. Early 'Headless Chickens' material was quite dark, but nothing like 'Children's Hour'.... this is goth,industrial, a bit of punk and some of the 'Joy Division' bleakness all blended together to perfection. They released an EP "Flesh" which I actually had on vinyl but can't find the thing anywhere... I hope I didn't lend it to someone that didn't return it. Anyway, that's history, luckily the digital version has been available for Bitter FM listeners to enjoy. The unbelievable news is that they are reforming for the Laneway Festival early next year.... I won't be missing that one.

Amadou & Mariam - "Sabali (Paul Epworth Remix)"

Amadou & Mariam are a blind duo or affectionately known as the blind couple from Mali. They have been playing together since 1980, the year they were also married. They are one of the headlining acts at the Womad festival next year in New Plymouth. "Sabali" came out in 2008 and was regularly on best of lists for the year. They actually sing in the three African languages as well as French, which is the main language of this song. This version (which we play on Bitter) is the Paul Epworth Remix, which has probably helped them get the wider audience they deserve.

Lethal Bizzle - "Babylon's Burning The Ghetto" (Babylon's Burning Part 2)

Lethal Bizzle is a London rapper of Ghanian descent. He released this song "Babylon Burning the Ghetto" as one half of a double A-side single along side "Bizzle Bizzle" in 2007. It obviously samples The Ruts' song "Babylon's Burning" but unlike a lot of rap artists, he seems to have blended the Ruts original with his rapping and scratching, rather than just sampling part of the song for the chorus. In fact, he gives the original the respect it deserves and that is all we ask for, when an iconic song like this is sampled.