Hit out of the blue

[olivermoss]

Went on a photowalk today, not super productive, but hopefully got a few things. I've got a video I need to figure out how to edit gooder.

My earbuds have been missing long enough that I've given them up as gone. I ordered new ones, but wired earbuds are just not much of a thing now? So, no music on my walks.

And then I saw this:



Fucking Waterboys reference? Fuck, it's been ages since I listened to them. And me without earrbuds.

Watch on YouTube

(The singer-songwriter behind the band was pagan and big into the 90s neo-pagan Wiccan boom. So, referencing this mainstream hit, like on a pin or something, used to be code for being Wiccan when you were in a space where you didn't want to wear a pentagram. I don't know how widespread this code was, I do know that it was a thing. I used to see a long of old, faded Waterboys shirts at certain festivals. I have also seen those lyrics as a tag before but not in ages. Also, the song is a banger and I don't think I've heard it in 15 years so seeing that was like a bolt out of the blue. I've listened to it like ten times on repeat when I got back. Between that and playing Lost Records my brain is suddenly very nostalgia addled

They also had a single called A Girl Called Johnny, and I just want very into it for some reason, back when I listened to music on CD)

Anyway, they are one of those 80s bands that you just don't see on compilations or played in any of those TV shows or movies set in the 80s.

Comments

[barbaratp]

Acabei de aprender algo novo incrível, obrigada pela informação

[mistressofmuses]

I resent wired earbuds not being much of a thing anymore! I hate the idea of not being able to use my headphones because they aren't charged, or worrying about dropping one and not being able to retrieve it...

In fairness, I haven't tried wireless ones, but I just don't like the idea of them! I want to stick with my wired ones, even if I do snag the cord on door handles sometimes.

I know this is a song I've heard, but I haven't thought of it in a long time!

[olivermoss]

I want to be very visible about wearing them, and I don't need more items with batteries in them in my life!

Yeah, it's definitely one of those songs that was a thing, but also like... weirdly. Most of their songs that charted did so well after release it looks like. It feel like they were early to some trends and more talked about by critics that someone of their caliber normally would be.

[mistressofmuses]

I wasn't even thinking about the visibility, but yes! That too! And for something like headphones - which for my entire life have been an instant "plug in and it works" thing, I resent it being yet another battery I need to manage!

It's interesting that their stuff was mostly more popular after the fact. And that they got more critical attention. It seems kind of like one of those "this relative unknown was actually really impactful on a bunch of better-known artists" situations. (I feel like I've seen them mentioned more as an influence on other artists than I see them mentioned in their own right, but that might not be accurate.)

[olivermoss]

I wear earbuds even when not listening to music. I like to project 'cannot hear you'. I used to use bright blue ones before they took my standard audio jacks away from me. On the bus, it means less fuss, less chance of being bothered.

I wouldn't be surprised if they are known mostly for their influence, they were early to a lot of stuff.

[mistressofmuses]

Yes! Earbuds - even decoy earbuds - are ideal for trying to be less-frequently bothered in public.

It infuriates me that audio jacks are not a standard feature that you can count on.