Wednesday Wadio: Nouvelle Vague's "Friday Night..."

"But two o'clock has come again, It's time to leave this paradise. Hope the chip shop isn't closed, Cos' their pies are really nice. I'll eat in the taxi queue, Standing in someone else's spew. Wish I had lipstick on my shirt, Instead of piss stains on my shoes." - FNSM, The Specials.

Friday Night, Saturday Morning was a hit for The Specials way, way back in 1981 - And it's a ska-based, horn-heavy, seizure inducing masterpiece. It was one of the B-Sides to their hit "Ghost Town" (heard most recently in the movie "Snatch"), but it took on a life of it's own and eventually grew almost as popular as the song it was supplementing. It's a great snapshot of the life of a young English pisshead, and I'd bet several pints on it being a favorite of Mike Skinner's.

The irony in this song is that while the lyricist lives a highly social weekend, he spends quite a bit of time on the edge of the dance floor and still feels lonely when the night is over.

My sister played Nouvelle Vague's version of the song the last time we drove up to Canada and I fell in love immediately. NV is a French band who's claim to fame is not their own material - but rather covers of famous alt/indie rock favorites from the 80s. You can listen to more examples of their interpretations of hits by The Cure, The Clash and Joy Division here.

Their idea was to forget the initial punk or new wave background of each song, keep simple fundamental chords, work with young singers who never heard the orginal versions and make the quality of original songwriting happen in a completely different way. (bossa nova, jazz style and sixties pop).

I wouldn't count on this band being around 2 years from now, but it's a very cool idea and the project was well-executed. I love this record, and it's a definite must for any eightiesaphile. Providing you then make a point of tracking down all the originals, Duckie.