Best Remote Control
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Silent Majority
- Singer-Songwriter Nancy
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Re: Best Remote Control
I was working up an acoustic version of this the other day, it's such a great piece of songwriting.
- Heston
- God of Thunder...and Rock 'n Roll
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Re: Best Remote Control
Superb songwriting. I think the rest of the band took the piss when Mick presented it to them, calling it a mini-rock opera or something. That was the kind of the stuff that set the Clash apart for me. It only seems to get bad press because of the single release debacle, it should have been a staple of their gigs for a lot longer.Silent Majority wrote: ↑01 Nov 2017, 7:21pmI was working up an acoustic version of this the other day, it's such a great piece of songwriting.
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board
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Silent Majority
- Singer-Songwriter Nancy
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Re: Best Remote Control
Really, the structure of the worst of their post-'79 stuff could have used some more gear changes like the ones that drive Remote Control.Heston wrote: ↑01 Nov 2017, 7:29pmSuperb songwriting. I think the rest of the band took the piss when Mick presented it to them, calling it a mini-rock opera or something. That was the kind of the stuff that set the Clash apart for me. It only seems to get bad press because of the single release debacle, it should have been a staple of their gigs for a lot longer.Silent Majority wrote: ↑01 Nov 2017, 7:21pmI was working up an acoustic version of this the other day, it's such a great piece of songwriting.
- Wolter
- Half Foghorn Leghorn, Half Albert Brooks
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Re: Best Remote Control
It is definitely unfairly maligned because of the single release. It's literally the only song from the S/T that isn't on their first box set in any form.Silent Majority wrote: ↑01 Nov 2017, 7:37pmReally, the structure of the worst of their post-'79 stuff could have used some more gear changes like the ones that drive Remote Control.Heston wrote: ↑01 Nov 2017, 7:29pmSuperb songwriting. I think the rest of the band took the piss when Mick presented it to them, calling it a mini-rock opera or something. That was the kind of the stuff that set the Clash apart for me. It only seems to get bad press because of the single release debacle, it should have been a staple of their gigs for a lot longer.Silent Majority wrote: ↑01 Nov 2017, 7:21pmI was working up an acoustic version of this the other day, it's such a great piece of songwriting.
”INDER LOCK THE THE KISS THREAD IVE REALISED IM A PRZE IDOOT” - Thomas Jefferson
"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"
"But the gorilla thinks otherwise!"
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Chuck Mangione
- Spitting Image
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Re: Best Remote Control
Terry's drumming on the original is very combative and good. One can easily mistake it for Topper when listening to it.
Re: Best Remote Control
Completely forgot this existed.
I take back what I said in the other thread — this is a hidden gem in LC25.
I take back what I said in the other thread — this is a hidden gem in LC25.
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Chuck Mangione
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Re: Best Remote Control
The original also has the handclapping in it which adds to the overall realness of the song.
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Silent Majority
- Singer-Songwriter Nancy
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Re: Best Remote Control
What is this inauthentic trash? demands Chuck, confronted with a song devoid of handclaps.
Re: Best Remote Control
Silent Majority wrote: ↑02 Nov 2017, 3:54pmWhat is this inauthentic trash? demands Chuck, confronted with a song devoid of handclaps.
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Chuck Mangione
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- Marky Dread
- Messiah of the Milk Bar
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Re: Best Remote Control
Not really a fair comparison. Two very different settings played by different sounding bands. They are both great but I will take the S/T single version. It's excellent that the band still had a real fondness for the song.
Here's another point to discuss. The band didn't want CBS to release the single because they had already released "White Riot" however the single version of WR is not on the album when it came from the same sessions and maybe it should've been. Perhaps the Beaconsfield version should've been the single as a lot of folks prefer that. I prefer the single with the sirens.
So back to "Remote Control" CBS obviously chose that track as the most radio friendly song on the album. My question is if not RC then what other track do you think would've made a good single. Remember the record company would've probably been unhappy with references to drugs and swearing.
Here's another point to discuss. The band didn't want CBS to release the single because they had already released "White Riot" however the single version of WR is not on the album when it came from the same sessions and maybe it should've been. Perhaps the Beaconsfield version should've been the single as a lot of folks prefer that. I prefer the single with the sirens.
So back to "Remote Control" CBS obviously chose that track as the most radio friendly song on the album. My question is if not RC then what other track do you think would've made a good single. Remember the record company would've probably been unhappy with references to drugs and swearing.
Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty
We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.
"Without the common people you're nothing"
Nos Sumus Una Familia
- Flex
- Mechano-Man of the Future
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Re: Best Remote Control
I like RC as a single, tho London's Burning probably would have been a good 'un, I think. Maybe Career Opportunities.Marky Dread wrote: ↑02 Nov 2017, 5:19pmSo back to "Remote Control" CBS obviously chose that track as the most radio friendly song on the album. My question is if not RC then what other track do you think would've made a good single. Remember the record company would've probably been unhappy with references to drugs and swearing.
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a bowl of soup
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a rolling hoop
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a ton of lead
Wiggle - you can raise the dead
Pex Lives!
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a rolling hoop
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a ton of lead
Wiggle - you can raise the dead
Pex Lives!
- Marky Dread
- Messiah of the Milk Bar
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Re: Best Remote Control
Yep agree on all of those Flex. When RC was released I used to play it more than WR and that was a lot. LB was used as a B-side from Beaconsfield of course on the clip of RC. I think it would've made a great single. 1977 should've been on the album.Flex wrote: ↑02 Nov 2017, 5:45pmI like RC as a single, tho London's Burning probably would have been a good 'un, I think. Maybe Career Opportunities.Marky Dread wrote: ↑02 Nov 2017, 5:19pmSo back to "Remote Control" CBS obviously chose that track as the most radio friendly song on the album. My question is if not RC then what other track do you think would've made a good single. Remember the record company would've probably been unhappy with references to drugs and swearing.
Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty
We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.
"Without the common people you're nothing"
Nos Sumus Una Familia
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Silent Majority
- Singer-Songwriter Nancy
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Re: Best Remote Control
Drug reference aside, I'm So Bored With The USA would have been a storming single.
- Marky Dread
- Messiah of the Milk Bar
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Re: Best Remote Control
Don't think that would have got any radio play. Now as far as a punk band were concerned they may not of cared. But no way CBS would've released that at the time. I expect Starsky & Hutch and Kojak were probably CBS backed Tv programs.Silent Majority wrote: ↑02 Nov 2017, 6:05pmDrug reference aside, I'm So Bored With The USA would have been a storming single.
Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty
We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.
"Without the common people you're nothing"
Nos Sumus Una Familia