Friday, December 26, 2008

A Note About 80's Rock: Wham and the Pet Shop Boys

The only commercial Christmas song I used to tolerate and now like is "Last Christmas" by Wham.
Why?
I don't really know why. I never know why I like music. I just do. And those who know me, know better than to keep me away from it. I always bring up Nietzsche's music-loving, dying Socrates. (Incidentally, to read my previous, numerous references to Socrates and Nietzsche, do a blog search of either keyword.) And to fully get the reference, look at Nietzsche's Birth of Tragedy a chance. But I digress.
I suppose I like this because it's the kind of music my brother and I liked growing up. And when it comes to 80's rock, don't resist, give in. Those of you who are indie and punk rock-inclined will have already been exposed to the many, many interpretations of solid 80's sounds. Think the Killers, Bravery, Keane, even Oasis and Modest Mouse. And so many, many more.
Ah, yes, and George Michael is blonde-ish, has a couple of girlfriends, and is Christmas-ing in snowboarding-heaven. Just a few signs to spice up his cocoa.


Another great song from that time frame is "Domino Dancing" by the Pet Shop Boys. My brother and I both like this band as well. Still. They're just good. A bit kitsch, yes, but this is an example of kitsch used right. And we especially love "Domino Dancing," albeit in hindsight, it seems to be for different reasons.






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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Last Christmas. Oh yeah! I rock to it. Solid 80's stuff. And the video, ha. Gendered and a goodie!

Anonymous said...

Domino Dancing, too? Really?!
But, Last Christmas, yeah, good bit. And so many new performers have done covers of it too.

Anonymous said...

And this is another solid line. I might just start using it to define kitsch... :)
"A bit kitsch, yes, but this is an example of kitsch used right."
And kitsch is always 'in' in good measure, of course.

Sra said...

I was going to say that Last Christmas was the only Christmas song I really hate... but then I remembered that I hate a lot of Christmas songs. I'm a regular old grinch!

Anonymous said...

Last Christmas surely beats Santa Baby. EEEEK. Every time I hear it, I hyperventilate. I see your point. Last Christmas is kitsch, but it's pretty darn good 80's pop, too.

Anonymous said...

de gustibus non est disputandum
another vote for Wham! here.
:)
George Michael will continue to be en vogue with me.

Anonymous said...

and Bri, what's with the Pet Shop Boys?
You mention them often?
It can't just be the synth-pop thing, right?

Anonymous said...

kitsch-y song but it sure beats many much kitschier ones out there.

Anonymous said...

Domino Dancing was filmed in Puerto Rico. What do you think of the remixes?