For those outside the UK, there is a BBC radio show called Desert Island Discs, in which celebrity guests are asked to select various items they would have with them on their fictional, unreachable desert island, including books, articles sentimental or pieces of music. It was spearheaded for many years by its creator, the late Roy Plomley, but the current incarnation is hosted by former newscaster Kirsty Young.
I’m a huge fan of the south London pop band Squeeze, who rose to fame in the late ’70s and early ’80s, providing a timeless take on guitar-laden English pop loved by The Beatles, The Kinks and many more. others.
A close friend, knowing my love of Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook songs, suggested I make a list of five ideal Squeeze tunes that would take me to my deserted island, and it was a choice I spent some time considering. .
After much deliberation, I came up with the following list of great Squeeze songs:
• Some Fantastic Place: A slight touch of McCartney on the vocals, a meandering chord progression that leads the listener down unsuspecting melodic avenues, and lyrics of some Difford pathos, fashioned from a real-life tragedy involving the death of a close friend – all combined to make something lasting from the pop beauty and a welcome return to early ’90s form
• Tempted: Produced by Elvis Costello and sung by the wonderful Paul Carrack. It’s a winding slice of English soul, with Tilbrook and Costello doing brief vocal interjections in the second verse, all topped off by Carrack’s luscious keyboards.
• Pulling Mussels From A Shell: One of Difford’s inspired, Ray Davies-esque lyrics about the experiences of being on a low-budget British package holiday (lyrics: but behind the chalet, my holiday is complete and I feel like William Tell, Maid Marian on her tiptoes)
• Up The Junction: A title taken from a 1963 Nell Dunn book and a 1965 television drama starring Carol White, it expressed similar issues regarding accidental pregnancy and the effects such an event can have on young and vulnerable protagonists.
• Annie Get Your Gun – Released on October 8, 1982, it was to be the band’s last single before they first broke up. A keen rocker, it featured some tasty Tilbrook guitar in the middle, another pristine vocal, and some more Difford lyrical darkness. A song of unrelenting joy.
