The cryptic title of today's posting can be the answer to the question, 'So what is your favourite 45 by James?'According to wikipdia, the band have released 32 singles/EPs, dating back to 1983. I've most of them in the collection in some shape or form, whether on vinyl, CD or 'borrowed' mp3 form. I really do love the early stuff that brought them to the attention of Factory. I've loads of time for the singles that out them at odds with Blanco y Negro. The 45s they released just before they went massive at the time of Madchester remain very worthy. Not so sure about the hits from the LP Seven, but it wasn't long before a return to form with the LP Laid. And I'll even defend quite a few of their more recent product from 1997 onwards.
However, I really do struggle to narrow it down to a sole favourite. It was this very problem that prevented any of their singles appearing in the 45 45s at 45 series back in 2008 as I just wasn't able to pick out one for consideration. But whenever I hear this single from 1993, I find it hard to deny that this is the one:-
mp3 : James - Sometimes
I reckon it all comes down to one particular occasion when I heard it played live. It was at the Glasgow Barrowlands (on a tour that had an emerging Radiohead as the support act). The entire band strummed acoustic guitars in unison and provided backing vocals to a stunning Tim Booth performance as he whooped and hollered his way through the song in what seemed like a near-hypnotic trance. It was genuine hairs-on-the back of the neck stuff. It was the highlight of the gig and provided one of those occasions when I couldn't wait to get home and play the song just to keep the memory alive.
It was a performance not a million miles away from this, one of THE greatest ever appearances by anyone on Top Of The Pops:-
Even now just watching that again brings it all back.
And isn't the line 'Sometimes when I look in your eyes I can see your soul' just poetically beautiful?
Released on CD, the other two tracks on the single, which peaked at #18, aren't too shabby either:-
mp3 : James - America
mp3 : James - Building A Charge
So what dear readers, is your favorite James single??????
11 comments:
Hello JC,
This one definitely. It's just such an elementally powerful song. When it was put on at a gathering it used to blow through the room rendering everyone silent and whatever went on after was always a massive anticlimax.
I always link it with Alison Moyet's Ode To Boy, though this one edges it.
Sometimes, nearly always.
'Hymn From A Village', no question 'bout that!
Although it was a B-Side to start with ... does that count?
I was about to comment that this song always gets the hairs on the back of my neck up... then you beat me to it.
Probably my favourite James song too, though Laid runs it a narrow race.
for very, very different reasons, it's something of a score draw between the simplicity and sadness of 'hello' and the humour and cruelty of 'johnny yen'. all depends on the mood and moment really. :)
Although Sit Down is my favorite song (ever), I'd have to say that Seven is the most compelling song from James. This year I will be watching them for the first time ever after 15 years of being a fan and I'm really excited.
My favorite single is def. Sound, but I love the b-side Goalies Ball on the Seven single.
Thanks for this post. I let someone borrow this single a few years ago and I have never been able to replace America.
Thanks.
Looking forward to seeing them this September.
I enjoy your blog every week.
My favourite has always been "What For" :)
A total classic single!
Have to agree - sometimes everytime
Saw them live earlier this year at the Royal Albert Hall. They started with a long trumpet solo played from the blacony and then Tim Booth and I think it was Larry walked through the audience playing Sit Down on just one acoustic guitar as they made their way to the stage - from then on the concert felt like on big encore
i liked 'what for'simply because it was the first one i bought. Sometimes is good , very good.
Jay
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