Blue Jeans

31 August 1985

Jill Bryson – Yeahs and Yeuks

My Top 5

1. Anything by The Velvet Underground

“I’m actually going to cheat a bit on this and mention a few albums, because I’ve got quite a few favourites, and it’s difficult to select any one track. ‘The Velvet Underground’ album is my first choice. I bought it ages ago and I still play it a lot because every track is marvellous. I really can’t single out any one in particular – it’s just great!”

2. ‘Soul Mining’ by The The

“Next I’d go for a more up-to-date sound by The The. My favourite track is ‘Soul Mining’. Matt Johnson is such a talented guy, I really admire him. His voice just captivates me and his lyrics really appeal to me. The music side of things is pretty impressive, too.”

3. ‘Another Green World’ by Eno

“Brian Eno’s not everyone’s favourite because he’s made some really weird records in his time, but I like him because he’s never been afraid to experiment with all different types of sounds. I’ve liked him right from the early days when he was in Roxy Music, and ‘Another Green World’ has to be my favourite record that he’s made.”

4. ‘Full Measure’ by The Lovin’ Spoonful

“The Lovin’ Spoonful are one of those groups from the 1960s who turned out some great records, and my top five couldn’t be complete without including one of theirs. Of course, most of the readers won’t ever have heard of them, but I’d advise them to find out more about the band from their parents. My favourite record is ‘Full Measure’ because both the lyrics and the tune are great. The band were such great songwriters and it really shows in this. A good song lasts forever!”

5. ‘Spiral Scratch’ by The Buzzcocks

“My ultimate choice has to be this one. The Buzzcocks aren’t around as such now. I really liked their songs because they had an eerie quality to them and didn’t fall into the usual patter of pop songs. I like unusual stuff!”

My Bottom 5

1. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen

“The one that jumps straight to mind must be this one. I really detest it because it’s so pompous. So many people raved about it, and it seemed to be at the top of the charts for an eternity – someone must’ve liked it. Freddie Mercury’s bare, hairy chest doesn’t help, either – yugh! Whenever it comes on the radio it gets switched off – immediately.”

2. Anything by Chas and Dave

“Next would be any, and I mean any, song by Chas and Dave. The most awful of their records had to be that ‘Rabbit’ creation. I mean how can any sane, normal person listen to this tuneless drivel? They sound like the kind of band singing unsavoury songs in some awful sawdust pit of a pub.

3. ‘Save Your Love’ by Renee and Renato

“I think this must be one of the WORST records ever recorded. I’m sure the woman was actually a man in disguise. And the video that accompanied it used to give me bad dreams at night it was so awful! It’s one of those songs oyu hate but always seems to stick in your mind.”

4. ‘Modern Girl’ by Sheena Easton

“Sheena Easton has to be one of the most insipid female singers around. She always seems to delight in turning out horrible bland songs, and ‘Modern Girl’ is really the worst, it’s so wet.”

5. Anything by Black Lace

“Whenever you go abroad, it’s always a Black Lace record on the juke-box. Goodness knows what foreigners must think if this is the only type of British music they get over there. Everything they do is so awful and in such bad taste!”