Brothers Electric

In this section, rather than start a totally separate Blog which I’d more than likely never update, I’m going to post stuff from other bands I like.

4th May: My favourite Pakistani disco song from the 80’s (although a hit in many countries including an English version in the UK, the original is best) Very Abba. Her brother’s playing the electronic drums.

Disco Deewani by Nazia Hassan (pronounced Divani)

Original version with lyrics: watch here

English version (Dreamer Deewani) watch here

Live version: watch here

On youtube people remember hearing the song growing up and someone says: There is no doubt that we could not understand the lyrics but we could still admire her talent as someone has already said MUSIC IS FOR EVERYBODY. Youtube comments on this song are in different languages, which has suprised some posters, it wasn’t just a hit in Pakistan. From the comments…

Nazia Hassan (April 3, 1965 - August 13, 2000)

Nazia Hassan did not keep even a single penny of her royalty for herself and donated all her money to charity. At that reply of Nazia Hassan there was a pin drop silence in the hall and then half of the journalists there sat up and left the hall. Nazia Hassan’s passion was charity work helping the poor and the needy and singing was really just a small time hobby for her. One big issue that Nazia Hassan always fought with in her life was that she was in a field which was previously considered out of bounds for girls from good respectable families and Nazia Hassan was always fighting for the acceptance of her field.

Nazia Hassan contracted cancer before her marriage so their options were limited for Nazia Hassan’s marriage. Her brother thought that the guy was 50-50 while their father didn’t like the guy at all. Their mother however was in favour for their union. Her brother says that Fatima Suraiya Bajiya the famed Pakistani writer and their close family friend was against this union right from the start. As protest she did not even come to Nazia Hassan’s enagagement.

Her brother says that it was so painful for him to watch his dear sister deteriorate as a person right in front of his eyes. He says that Nazia Hassan even in that state was very brave and the doctors at the hospital all agreed that they never saw a braver person. They say that they had never seen this type of courage in a man let alone in a woman.

2nd May: Much respect to Tom White for posting recent Blogs about the anti racist cause though I think it has gone right over everybody’s heads… well what am I supposed to think when nobody posted a passionate message in reply with their own experiences and thoughts. There is a band who wrote a song about this subject. They don’t live in a nice middle class area, they’re surrounded by people who have those beliefs. And this song is their protest against it. Of course I’d love to hear Tom write a song that expresses his thoughts… do the fans even want to hear it?!

APOCALYPSE BABYS: I Don’t Wanna Be A Nazi: listen here

In they come two by two
The ugly and unintelligent
The muscle-bound and tattooed
It’s absolutely irrelevant
They say people have the right to ‘air their views’
We recruit them from the poor
It takes em an hour to lace their boots
and their idea of patriotism is dropping dog shit through a neighbour’s door!

I DON’T WANNA
WANNA
WANNA
WANNA
WANNA BE A NAZI!

FUCK THE BNP!

When times are tough
We look for someone to blame
It’s always been the same
Like Berlin 1933
And Hitler’s rise in Germany
Yeah people have the right to ‘air their views’
Yeah ‘Free Speech’ for sure
But just remember all you new recruits
Do you know what your forefathers fought for?

Yeah people have the right to air their views
Even glorify in war
And I believe in the red white & blue
Peace and love, the 3 little pigs…and liberty for all!

FUCK THE BNP!
FUCK THE BNP!
FUCK THE BNP!
FUCK THE BNP!

25th March: Flicking through the channels a Marc Bolan TOTP Special came on TV including one song I’d forgotten about - Soul Of My Suit. So I’m looking on youtube to see what they have. There may be no sunshine today but there’s Marc Bolan. He was the most perfect pop star and I’ve always thought ESP are up there with the likes of him, even if that makes me sound like a sad fan (I’m a very happy one) I know it may have appeared as if he loved himself, with all his posing and pouting, but maybe that was just an illusion. Then again maybe not…

MARC BOLAN: Soul of My Suit Live, 1977: watch here

17th March: Starting off with a band I loved back in the 80’s… Squeeze - ESP’s ex keyboardist has played with them live in more recent times. They’re just as underrated as ESP and just as talented. It’s classic British pop though they were much rockier live, like ESP. I should maybe start a whole section for this band, but for now just a few videos… That’s Glenn Tilbrook on vocals.

A wonderful song that never dates, sounds as good now as ever.

SQUEEZE: Is That Love, June 1981 Top Of The Pops: watch here

SQUEEZE: Is That Love video: watch here (I think it’s supposed to purposefully look like that)

21 March: I realised I may have once thought Glenn Tilbrook was singing just to me but he was actually singing lyrics Chris Difford wrote about his relationship. I read the sleevenotes. Squeeze are pure indulgence. To me it’s like going back home and they welcome you like you’ve never been away. It’s back to nights in your bedroom with the music turned up loud, graphic equalizer flickering on the stereo. You just want to drown in the music: Squeeze MP3’s in the Blogs.

Play Another Nail In My Heart at audiblevitamins.wordpress.com - “I want to be good is that not enough?”

kevinjess.squarespace.com has Is That Love MP3 - you need this song! Well I did/do…

You’ve left my ring by the soap
Now is that love?
You cleaned me out you could say broke
Now is that love?
The better better better it gets
The more these girls forget
That that is love
You won’t get dressed you walk about
Now is that, is that
A teasing glance has pushed me out
Now is that, is that
The tougher tougher tougher it gets
The more my lips frequent
Now that is love

Beat me up with your letters, your walk out notes
Funny how you still find me right here at home
Legs up with a book and a drink
Now is that love that’s making you think

You’ve called my bluff I’m not so hot
Now is that love
My assets froze while yours have dropped
Now is that, is that
It’s the cupid cupid cupid disguise
That more or less survived
Now that is love

You’ve made my bed the finger points
Now is that, is that love
The more you more you more you cool down
The easier love is found
Now that is love