After punk, there came post-punk or new wave.
This kept the brevity, speed and
simplicity of punk, but added more musicality. Some of these groups had long careers (Elvis Costello & the Attractions,
Talking Heads) while others disappeared quickly. The Only Ones belong to the latter category,
but left behind one great single.
As I was about 10 - 12 at the time during this time, I discovered
most of this music when I was older. I was particularly indebted to the "Sounds
of the Suburbs" compilation CD which introduced me to the delights of the Only
One, Martha & the Muffins and The Members.
"Another Girl, Another Planet" must have one of the
greatest introductions to any record. A single repetitive guitar riff, then another guitar, a sound effect, then
drums, increasing the speed as it commences the main melody. It is a frenetic
pace that does not let up for the whole song.
Finally after 45 seconds come the first vocal, the great opening line "I like to flirt with
death". It is male voice, but high
pitched, distinctive and plaintive.
There are two short
verses, before the simple chorus "I'm on another planet with you". This
followed by another great soaring guitar
solo. It is easy to see why this
regularly features on the lists of
greatest guitar songs.
It returns with another great line "Space travel's in
my blood", a quick chorus, a final
"another planet" and it is over in barely three minutes.
It has been suggested that the lyrics relate to the singer
and writer - Pete Perrett's growing heroin addiction. However he denies this, professing his
infatuation with a girl from Yugoslavia. We can give him the benefit of the
doubt, but the lyrics work for both,
and maybe that was his intention? Hugh
Cornwell did something similar with
"Golden Brown".
Surprisingly, this was never a hit single, but its
reputation has grown steadily over the years, due to regular radio play and a Vodaphone
TV advert ("Use Vodaphone to call
your drug dealer").
"Another Girl, Another Planet" must have sounded
unusual in 1978, but even today it still
sounds fresh, different, and (cliché alert) out of this world.
Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilDD5SeHxXE
Hear Next - I have
never heard any other Only One's songs, but I can highly recommend the aforementioned
"Sound of Suburbs" compilation of late 1970s music.
** The book of "Song from a Quarantine" is now available on all Amazon sites in paperback and ebook formats - https://tinyurl.com/y43mbr2b
