A somewhat predictable second offering for this series. Two songs which you will have guessed right away followed another two that you might not have got.
Obvious ones first then. Let's start with Altered Images. Their song Happy Birthday was their second single and the one that shot them to prominence reaching number 2 in the UK singles chart in 1981.
Stevie Wonder also reached number 2 in 1981 with a different Happy Birthday a song from his Hotter Than July album. One that is pleasant enough the first few times you hear it but which becomes rapidly annoying. Apologies for the click at the beginning.It's not down to over playing
Another Glasgow band for you in the shape of the Bluebells. I think that Bobby Bluebell has collaborated and played with Altered Images recently but this Happy Birthday is taken from the compilation Exile on Twee Street -Songs From Glasgow 1980-1982. I think that they would agree that this early song is not their finest couple of minutes.
Finally we have the antithesis of Twee courtesy of The Birthday Party with their own Happy Birthday take.
It's Altered Images for me as it is a great pop song. Others may chose to differ.
Oh, and if it your birthday today these are for you.
Altered Images -Happy Birthday
I really have to voice my disapproval of your sentiments regarding the Stevie Wonder song. It's a great pop song, and of course the best of the tunes you have given us.
ReplyDeleteRemove your tongue from that cheek!
DeleteFor once I am being very serious
DeleteI feel pretty much the same about both Stevie and Altered Images on this occasion. Nice occasionally, but after a while they grate. Nick Cave for me today then!
ReplyDeleteIt's a bike. What a surprise!
(Clem Snide and Concrete Blonde also provide worthy contenders.)
Altered Images and the BP for me.
ReplyDeleteAltered Images for me too.
ReplyDeleteBluebells! Altered Images! In that order. - Brian
ReplyDeleteAltered Images for me. Stevie's is execrable and having previously been a big BP fan I'm increasingly resenting Nick Cave these days for some reason and nope it's not just the hiatus hernia on the last queen
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, if it was, hope you had a good one. And if it wasn't, just scrub that!
ReplyDelete