By Chris Harris There’s a reason The Clash feel different to almost every band that gets filed under punk, new wave, rock etc. Yes, they had politics by the bucketful. Yes, they had swagger, they had the noise, the speed, the fashion, the look, the coolness, the slogans, the whole look and theatre of it. … Continue reading The Clash’s Unwritten Rule: Every Great Song Has a Villain
Category: Music and Culture
Popular Idioms and Phrases and Why We Say “You Wait Ages for a Bus, and Then Two Come at Once”
by Chris Harris The Historical Roots of a Familiar Expression The phrase “You wait ages for a bus, and then two come at once” goes back to the lived realities of twentieth century British cities. Public transport in places like London, Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham was notoriously irregular during the post-war decades. You may remember … Continue reading Popular Idioms and Phrases and Why We Say “You Wait Ages for a Bus, and Then Two Come at Once”
Why “House of the Rising Sun” Endures as One of Cinema’s Most Powerful Songs.
by Chris Harris Few songs in popular culture ignite atmosphere as instantly as The Animals’ 1964 recording of “House of the Rising Sun.” From the very first slow, circular arpeggio of Hilton Valentine’s guitar, the listener is dropped into a world of regret, temptation and inevitable downfall. Eric Burdon’s vocal, rough, soulful and full of … Continue reading Why “House of the Rising Sun” Endures as One of Cinema’s Most Powerful Songs.
The Rights of Fans. 