_Title_Card.png)
Twofer: two for the price of one. Never let it be said you don't get value for money at Are We There Yet; here are a couple of musings threaded together by the music of Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat.
Cruel Summer
They're predicting eye watering temperatures in the next few days in England; I say England, and not the UK, as Scotland and Northern Ireland will probably escape the predicted high of 40 degrees. As a result of this barmy weather the country is about to go into crisis mode with schools closing down, railway tracks about to buckle and a plague of locusts due to descend on London sometime around Tuesday lunchtime; I may have been messing with you there but, hey, you get the picture: forty eight hours of 'above seasonal average temperatures' and we're fucked. Call in the army. 1976 (and '75 before that, come to think of it) was also filed under 'Phew, what a scorcher!') though back then we just took our school ties off and continued to cycle round the estate on our Raleigh Choppers whilst sucking on an ice pole. We lived in another world back then. Yes, the grass turned brown - but it grew back again. Yes, the hosepipes were turned off but they were soon turned back on again. And we all put our ties back on again in readiness for the new school year. I hope you survive the next week. Don't forget to drink plenty of beer; it doesn't have to be a cruel summer.
'It's too close for comfort, this heat has got right out of hand'
Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat - Cruel Summer (2011)
...
The Copper Top
When I sent the next song to James earlier in the week I said 'Life and death in a little over five minutes. Perfect.' To which he replied 'Another cheery one then!' Wait till he gets to my age, I thought; I've worn that suit. I've drunk that pint in that bar, conjuring up memories of the deceased away from the fake reverence happening round the corner at the wake - the fake wake, if you will. Yes, it is sad, but it's also quite uplifting too: he didn't stay all afternoon in the pub (for what it's worth, I probably would have done) but I too would have made a mental note about its roof. (Well you do, don't you?')
'I look up and see the pub's once brilliant copper roof has oxidised over the years and now it's a dull pastel green. Everything's getting older.'
Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat - The Copper Top (2011)
Bill Wells blesses almost every piece of music he graces with his own peculiarly attractive sense of melancholy, I'm a huge fan and The Copper Top is one of my favourites. Aiden's words are suffused with, what Robyn Hitchcock would call, dismalia, albeit delivered with a wry half-smile. '...Birth, love and death: the only reasons to get dressed up...' is a great phrase, but the line I'm apt to quote most is the last one (is there a better closing line to a song?) '...Everything's getting older...'
ReplyDeleteI knew you'd like him! I've come to the party late, but look forward to devouring his back catalogue; tho' I'll have to limit my Copper Top listens - way too many triggers in there (see posts passim).
Delete"I went for an all purpose black, or 'charcoal grey' as he called it. Looks black to me."
DeleteYes, 1976 was a scorcher (even in Scotland) but as you say, it soon got back to normal, albeit the Minister for Drought had to morph into the Minister for Floods for a time.
ReplyDeleteHope you survive this week's predicted scorcher.
Cool sounds, cool drinks: I'll survive. I'm surprised we didn't talk about 1976 in Edinburgh. Next time...
DeleteOoh, I could listen to his voice for hours (delicious accent!) and of course, the beautifully crafted lyrics.
ReplyDelete1976, yes one to add to topics for discussion at Blog Con '23; I'll throw Dalek Choc & Mint Ice Lollies into the ring.
Hope you're surviving ok thus far... it's not feeling too great here at the moment at 36 degrees and I worry about the wildlife... hoping not to have baked worms!
Of course, your wormery! How are the little fellas?
DeleteI could wax lyrical about 1975 *and* 1976. Not sure about Dalek Choc & Mint ice lollies though; white Magnums on the other hand...
Don't think I've ever had a white Magnum!
Delete- Oh, thanks, I'm fretting about my wormery. Going out there every few hours to drape wet towels over it... when it's cooler I'll inspect more closely, fingers crossed.