The New Wave Primer

[scramjet]

Here's a semi-hypothetical question for you. Suppose you've got a friend who didn't pay any attention to music during the new wave era. Maybe he/she was in Antarctica, in a coma, not born yet or just not paying attention. You want to introduce him/her to the greatness of new wave. Your friend's attention span is about one CDR (say 18-20 songs).

What songs do you put on?

Here are some of my thoughts:

1. Obscure vs. overplayed is irrelevant. Your friend is very unlikely to have heard anything you put on the disc. There's no penalty if he/she has heard some songs a time or two.

2. Best to tend toward the light and poppy side of things rather dark and challenging. We're trying to make a new convert here.

3. You'll want a range of styles and time periods.

4. You'll want a mix of big names and one or no-hit wonders.

Here's my first crack at it (in no particular order):

1. B-52's - Rock Lobster
2. Talking Heads - Burning Down the House
3. Blancmange - Living on the Ceiling
4. Psychedelic Furs - Love My Way
5. Thomas Dolby - Europa and the Pirate Twins
6. Haysi Fantayzee - Shiny Shiny
7. The Cure - Close to Me
9. Blondie - One Way or Another
10. Duran Duran - Please Please Tell Me Now
11. The Clash - Should I Stay or Should I Go
12. The Vapors - Turning Japanese
13. Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
14. Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough
15. The English Beat - Best Friend
16. Gary Numan - Cars
17. New Order - Blue Monday
18. Camouflage - The Great Commandment
19. The Producers - She Sheila
20. Tears for Fears - Pale Shelter

Obviously there are many others that might do the job at least as well. Feel free to chip in just a song or two rather than a whole list.

[ru480s2]

I don't care of they're overplayed, you still have some mighty fine choices!

The Spoons - Arias & Symphonies (I'd say it stands up pretty good)

Just the other day I heard it (hadn't heard it in ages), but for a second or two I thought it was somethi

[manekineko]

Good list.

I'd throw in some DEVO (Girl U Want, but not Whip It) and Elvis Costello (Pump It Up).

[mygreen]

Speaking of Elvis C. ~ I would have in the mix -(What's so funny 'bout) Peace, love and understanding.

[scramjet]

I know. My first cut left out AFOS, the Go-Go's Elvis Costello, Echo & the Bunnymen & Devo. OK, gotta go back and rethink.

[red x red]

Great topic, and I think your list is excellent. Here are some other choices:

1. Gary Numan - Cars (good choice there!)
2. Duran Duran - Rio
3. Flock of Seagulls - Wishing
4. OMD - Electricity
5. Devo - Going Under
6. Buggles - Video Killed

[ben_at_work]

I'de add

The Police - Rehumanize yourself
Oingo Boingo - Just Another Day
Joe Jackson - Look Sharp

Your list is great.
[:D]

[KYYX4ever]

scramjet,
that list is EXCELLENT, and I can't really zap any of 'em, as many of my own personal faves are on there.[8D] But you gotta add the Human League! quintessential New Wave, absolutely. And replace "Living on the Ceiling" with "Don't Tell Me" by B

[WolverineSyr]

I'd add
Because the Night - Patti Smith Group
I Wanna Be Sedated or Sheena is a Punk Rocker - Ramones
Telecommunication or I Ran - Flock of Seagulls

and, probably an unpopular choice, but Mickey from Toni Basil - although we've heard it 600,000 tim

[manekineko]

[quote][i]Originally posted by WolverineSyr[/i]
<br>I'd add
Because the Night - Patti Smith Group
I Wanna Be Sedated or Sheena is a Punk

[i_like_lectric_motors]

Great list! I don't know if I'd start the cd off with Rock Lobster though. It might be better to lead up to that one. And #10 is called "Is There Something I Should Know?"

It's hard to subtract anything from that list but it would be hard for me not to

[edisonoside]

1. Psychedelic Furs - Love my way
2. Depechemode - People are People
3. Gary Numan - Cars
4. Go Go's - We got the beat
5. The Police - Spirits in the material world
6. Madonna - Borderline
7. Human League - Don't you want me?
8. Heaven 17 - Let me

[WolverineSyr]

oh ok manekineko, I'll retract my Mickey suggestion & throw in English Beat's Save it For Later - because I really love that song, and love the video with that girl doing that swishing wrists dance....

[egg-roger]

[quote][i]Originally posted by WolverineSyr[/i]
<br>oh ok manekineko, I'll retract my Mickey suggestion & throw in English Beat's Save it F

[manekineko]

[quote][i]Originally posted by WolverineSyr[/i]
<br>oh ok manekineko, I'll retract my Mickey suggestion & throw in English Beat's Save it F