Song of the Week – Glamour Boys, Living Colour

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New York based funk metal band Living Colour burst onto the music scene in 1988 with the release of their debut album, Vivid. That album was popular; reaching #36 on the album charts on the back of the video for “Cult of Personality” that was in heavy rotation on MTV. It ultimately earned them an armful of Grammys and MTV VMAs.

Today’s SotW is “Glamour Boys,” also from Vivid.

Mick Jagger saw the band perform at a club and offered to produce a few songs for them. “Glamour Boys” was one of them. This relationship ultimately led to an invitation for Living Colour to be the opening band for the Rolling Stones’ Steel Wheels tour.

It was written by band leader Vernon Reid. It’s a social commentary on the late 80s, New York club scene and the dress and behavior of the wannabe wealthy kids that frequented them. That was something Reid witnessed firsthand and gave him the authority to write about.

The glamour boys swear they are a diva
The glamour boys have it all under control
Always dancing and always laughing
The glamour boys are playing the role

The glamour boys never have no money
The glamour boys wear the most expensive clothes
The glamour boys are always at the party
Where the money comes from heaven only knows

“Glamour Boys” has a reggae-ish donut with a fast tempo, a pop filling, and with a metal glaze on the choruses.

It’s all good fun… and you can even dance to it!

Enjoy… until next week.

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