When I was younger and this song was new, this was one of my favorites. Released in early 1985, it took nearly a year to chart in the United States.... and it was Baltimora's only real hit here.
Interestingly, the man you see in the video is an Irish native named Jimmy McShane - who was kind of a member of Baltimora, as a front man. However, he did not sing the song - Maurizio Bassi, the architect of this Italy-based project, was the vocalist, and he co-wrote the song along with Long Island, NY native Naimy Hackett.
To be fair, McShane could sing - he did perform backing vocals on several other tracks - but not this one.
When it became clear that Baltimora was not going to recreate the success of "Tarzan Boy", Bassi disbanded the group.
I usually like to include live performances of the song, but, well, when you're using an actor to represent your band.... there aren't any. Instead, here is the late Jimmy McShane (he passed away in 1995) dancing on American television.
15 July 2020
08 July 2020
8 July 2020 - Transvision Vamp - Kiss Their Sons
By this time, I think y'all know that I think Transvision Vamp was one of the most underrated bands of the late 80's and early 90's. And, if you are reading this from the UK, you probably think I'm bonkers. They were relatively consistent hitmakers there.
This song was not a hit. Or even a single.
I personally have a favorite album by them - Velveteen. I consistently list it among my five favorites of all time, and usually around #3. I purchased that album the day it was released, and it is fantastic, end to end. I remember every song on that album had its lyrics printed in the liner notes, except one.
"Kiss Their Sons" was that song. And this song was a lot darker and angrier than anything else on the album - because it was angry and the band was angry - at journalists who were calling these punks with credibility and careers "sell-outs", with very specific anecdotes and a lot of very colourful language. The song opened Side 2 of the album, for those old enough to remember those - and it opened it with a guitar screech and a hell of a bassline. The lyric "If you went away and never came back, that wouldn't be too soon" is possibly one of my favorite opening lines of any song, ever.
It is my favorite song on my favorite album of theirs, and it is a go-to for me all these years later.
I include the only live performance of this song I could find - as part of a whole live show. The anger really shines through live - and unless I'm mistaken, Wendy James is naming names!
This song was not a hit. Or even a single.
I personally have a favorite album by them - Velveteen. I consistently list it among my five favorites of all time, and usually around #3. I purchased that album the day it was released, and it is fantastic, end to end. I remember every song on that album had its lyrics printed in the liner notes, except one.
"Kiss Their Sons" was that song. And this song was a lot darker and angrier than anything else on the album - because it was angry and the band was angry - at journalists who were calling these punks with credibility and careers "sell-outs", with very specific anecdotes and a lot of very colourful language. The song opened Side 2 of the album, for those old enough to remember those - and it opened it with a guitar screech and a hell of a bassline. The lyric "If you went away and never came back, that wouldn't be too soon" is possibly one of my favorite opening lines of any song, ever.
It is my favorite song on my favorite album of theirs, and it is a go-to for me all these years later.
I include the only live performance of this song I could find - as part of a whole live show. The anger really shines through live - and unless I'm mistaken, Wendy James is naming names!
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