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The thing about Rocking All Over the World is its dumb enthusiasm.
And I like it , and I like it and I like it and like – here we go -rocking all over the world.
Dumb enthusiasm isn’t easy. Most people can’t do it but it’s the insolent dumbness of bands like Quo, Dr Feelgood , the Ramones and the Damned that made my growing up years memorable.
I went into a shop in Brentford on Friday afternoon and my friend who runs the business was playing a selection of 70s songs by bands like the Ruts, the Skids and the Motors. There were songs there by Stiff Little Fingers and Blondie (Denise).
My friend who is African and in her thirties looked an unlikely fan of such stuff. She told me that as soon as she started listening to it she loved it, she called it “dumb fun”.
Ever since Christmas I’ve been obsessing about what this dumbass enthusiasm is about. It’s my idea for Popcorn Pensions, it’s what drives my blog and it’s the reason the Pension Play Pen works.
Last week someone who I like and respected was openly critical of me for bringing what I do into disrepute. I don’t think he meant to be rude – his comments got back to me via some work mates and they made me think. Is my dumbass enthusiasm bringing pensions, my blog and me into disrepute?
I’ll let you be the judge of that but I reckon it’s just what’s needed (though I say it myself).
We are in the middle of a bad economic time, it is February, we are paying off our Christmas debts. Many people have lost their jobs, many more are worried about losing theirs.
In this bad month of a difficult year I am writing this blog with the word of the Quo echoing in my head.
Here are links to ten songs that should cheer you up. Have a happy Sunday morning and thanks for reading this!
The Damned – Smash it Up – Old Grey Whistle Test version
Patti Smith- Free Money – Stockholm 1976
Bob Marley – Three Little Birds
Rocking all over the world -Status Quo
Beethoven -Ode to Joy (Leonard Bernstein)
Wreckless Eric – Whole Wide World
Lou Reed (Velvet Underground) – Sweet Jane live
Buzzcocks – Ever Fallen in Love?
Stiff Little Fingers -Alternative Ulster
Put that lot on your I-pod and next week might be a whole lot more fun!
