FOR LGBT HISTORY MONTH:
In honor of the 40th anniversary of synthpop trio Bronski Beat's landmark debut album "The Age of Consent," London Records will re-issue a special anniversary version on October 18, 2024, including this reworking of their classic 1984 gay rights anthem "Smalltown Boy" (previously here). It features the phenomenal Perfume Genius (the nom de musique of Mike Hadreas, previously here) on vocals, and additional music and production from The Knocks.
This song means a great deal to me and I admire this new take since it keeps true to the original source material while feeling updated. Perfume Genius' vocals are a nice reworking, honoring the beautiful falsetto of Jimmy Sommerville.
It is hard to exaggerate the historical importance of this song. Released in 1984, "Smalltown Boy" became an anthem for LGBT rights during that time. It addresses issues of homophobia, societal and familial rejection, bullying, and physical and emotional abuse. Although I was not rejected by my own family (thankfully), I was the target of years of bullying and physical assaults, so this song occupied and still occupies a special place in my heart. I remember the first time I heard it: I was at the Greek Theater in Berkeley waiting for Simple Minds to perform as the opening act for Eurythmics, and a roar of excitement and approval came up from the crowd when the first percolating notes of this song rang out. It really struck me, since I had never truly heard a song about me or my own experiences. It was a powerful moment. Bronski Beat recognized me, and validated the pain and confusion of having total strangers come at me with absolute hatred, neck veins bulging, screaming, sometimes wielding weapons, eyes popping as they spewed their own fear.
Thematically, it reminds me so much of the song "Flawless (Go To The City)" by George Michael in which he urges gay men and women to get out of their small towns and go to the city where a better life awaits (previously here). Or at least a more tolerant life, one that is not filled with daily hatred and attacks. There is a very long history indeed of gay men and women leaving small towns and small-minded areas for metropolitan areas where they are accepted. Gay ghettoes arose in cities precisely because of their proximity to centers of culture, literature, and the arts. It's a sad, heartbreaking reality for many men and women but often one must leave one's place of creation because it has turned into a place of destruction. For one's own safety, both mentally and physically, sometimes the best option is to escape.
Musically, the song is from a 1980s genre known as "synthpop," a term meaning music that was created solely or primarily by synthesizers or electronic keyboards, which in turn grew out of a 1970s electronic sound from Europe and groups like Kraftwerk. Groups like Depeche Mode, A Flock of Seagulls, and The Human League were part of this 80s sound. But despite the fact that "disco" had died a painful death just a few years earlier, Bronski Beat combined the synthpop sound with serious dance beats and a male falsetto, which was a direct and deliberate tribute to gay disco acts singing in falsetto, particularly the legendary Sylvester. Sadly, the only living member of the original Bronski Beat trio is Sommerville--Steve Bronski died in 2021 and Larry Steinbachek died in 2017.
But their music lives on. This new version holds all that history, paying homage to the original three members of the band, and is here to rally a new generation as we again face hatred, discrimination, and attacks. Thanks Perfume Genius, and The Knocks!
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
You leave in the morning
With everything you own
In a little black case
Alone on a platform
The wind and the rain
On a sad and lonely face
Mother will never understand
Why you have to leave
But the love that you seek
Will never be found at home
And the love that you need
Will never be found at home
Cry...
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
Pushed around and kicked around
Always a lonely boy
You were the one
They'd talk about around town
As they put you down
And as hard as they would try
They'd hurt to make you cry
But you never cried to them
Just to your soul
No you never cried to them
Just to your soul
Cry...
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
Cry, cry...to your soul, to your soul, to your soul, to your soul
Cry
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
https://perfumegenius.org/
https://www.theknocks.com/
And here is the original, classic song and video. It remains as powerful and heartbreaking now as it was then.
https://www.bronskibeat.co.uk/
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