For me, no
artist embodies the city and people of Liverpool as much as Pete Wylie - witty,
proud, passionate, self-assured and inherently musical.
Coming out
the 1970s Liverpool scene, he primarily recorded under derivatives of the Wah!,
band name (notice the exclamation point), had a top 5 single with the great "Story of the
Blues", but then dropped by a major label. However he would return in 1984
with wonderful "Come Back", an impassioned polemic on his hometown's
plight, within a catchy four minute rock song.
1980s were a
difficult time for Liverpool, with mass unemployment and closures of historic
industries. It was a battleground between Margret Thatcher's "managed
decline" and the rebellious City Council. Wylie definitely sided with the
latter. And there was always hope in the resurgent music and two great football
teams.
"Come
Back" describes a divided Britain "As some are striving to survive, the
others thrive", and the pride of a working class "I don't want
charity, just half a chance". A song of defiance and self determination ("Encouragement! Development! And
it's all to you!"), as we know Liverpool will fight back as it has always
done before.
There are nice
references to the glorious past, with the Beatles and his beloved Liverpool
FC. While the subtitle (Story of the
Reds) cleverly acknowledges his previous hit, but also his football and
political allegiances.
There is no
gloom in the music, with the Spectorish layers of guitars, a hooky keyboard
phrase, and wonderful backing vocals from Josie Jones on with a singalong chorus. A Scouse
Springsteen meets the Beatles.
Perhaps the meaning
was lost on some pop pickers, as it entered the top 20, but many noticed,
including long-term fan John Peel, who included it in his Festive 50.
In 1998 Wylie
would revisit his love of Liverpool "Heart as Big as Liverpool" (an Anfield favourite), but his career has been disrupted
by a near fatal fall and record labels. There has been consistently great
music, and memorable titles ("Long Tall Scally" single or most recent
album "Pete Sounds").
"Come
Back" can be seen as snapshot of Liverpool's history, but sadly is still
relevant today. Wylie is a mercurial and off-beat talent who should be
cherished, as he describes himself "Part Time Rock Star. Full Time Legend".
Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph57IaYdEsY
Hear Next -
The " The Handy Wah! Whole : Songs From The Repertwah!" is a
good compilation album, but hard to find now, so you may need to rely on the
two albums on Spotify.
