Ignored Obscured Restored
Today marks the 14th anniversary of the Song of the Week. That represents over 725 posts and over 1,000 songs! I hope you continue to find the topics interesting and the music enjoyable. Thank you for reading and commenting on the posts. I promise there will be more to come!
Twenty years ago, The Coral released their self-titled debut album. It contained one of the catchiest songs I know – “Dreaming of You.” Clocking in at 2:21, this is an economical piece of power pop.
There’s something about the chorus in “Dreaming of You” that reminds me of the middle section of “No Good to Cry” by the Wildweeds (SotW 10/20/2012).
The band – James Skelly (songwriting, vocals, guitar), brother Ian Skelly (drums), Paul Duffy (bass), Bill Ryder-Jones (guitar) & Lee Southall (guitar) – were schoolmates. Later Nick Power was brought in on keyboards.
Ian Skelly once tweeted “Dreaming of you – I remember James writing this back when we were still in our teens. Born out of a love of American doo-wop and Mersey Beat. It nearly didn’t make the album for fear of becoming one-hit wonders.”
In MOJO 331, Paul Weller wrote of “Dreaming of You” — “One of James Skelly’s earliest compositions for the Wirral-ites details teenage longing as a glorious sing-along soul-shanty. Showcase for the nascent skills of guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones.”
The album, and single “Dreaming of You” attained platinum status in the UK, but barely broke into the Top 200 in the US. That’s a shame.
The band released their tenth album of original material – Coral Island – in 2021 and it is worth a listen.
Enjoy… until next week.
Definite Wildweeds vibe. The Weeds and then NRBQ were our “house band” at WHCN in Hartford. Both were great bands that batted far above their weight musically but sadly never got the recognition they deserved.
So excited to see you pick this one. This band has continued to surpass the expected expectations, surpassed geography and all the norms to create a world on each and every album. Sorry for the hyperbole, but as you can see, I’ve been a fan.
Interesting to have the spectrum widen swith these guys. Al Anderson and I became friendly when my band (Benefit Street) and The Wildweeds played for the same club owner in Vermont in 1970, and NRBQ played at my (first) wedding reception. — I knew you were a man of taste!
Thank you!