U is for The Undertones

"Teenage dreams, so hard to beat." That's from the Undertones Teenage Kicks which came out in my late teens and is just one of those perfect singles.

The late John Peel played the single twice in a row on his radio show because he liked it so much. After his death the line from the song was inscribed on his headstone. That's the sort of song it is, it has meaning and significance, but is still pure punky pop.

No specific memories to do with this great song other than it seemed to be the perfect soundtrack to my latter teenage years. I think I was just beginning to realise that going round with a face like a smacked arse and being all angst-ridden was only acceptable (but only just) from a spotty teen. The big wide world beckoned.

"Teenage dreams, so hard to beat." Oh, they are, they really are.

Enjoy the video, in fact, why not play it twice?

Also-rans: U-Roy Dread In A Babylon. A lot of punks (I wasn't really a punk, I just liked the music) were in to reggae. I sort of slavishly followed suit, but then found bits of reggae that I really liked, such as U-Roy. "We're going to light up a chalice in the palace," hmm, and then again, maybe we're not.