National Album Day 2019: Songs To Remember by Scritti Politti

I met Green Gartside once…at Green Man Festival in Wales…he posed for some pictures I took…I was gobsmacked and could not think of two words to say to him. For me it was a totally overwhelming experience just being face to face with him. I had just listened to him talk about his experiences with Scritti Politti and songwriting and lack of self confidence in his own later work and why he virtually stopped recording his songs after 2006.

So here in a field on the side of a mountain were two people confronted with lack of self believe and a camera in between us. In moments like that though, I go back to music in my head and maybe several albums from that era come to mind, Prefab Spout, The Waterboys might be contenders but for this National Album Day 2019 I have chosen Songs To Remember by Scritti Politti.

The album was a big change in direction for Gartside and the “group” who even at this stage were ever-changing. Gone was the “punk-esque skankings” of early recordings and in its place the most sublime set of songs with beautiful melodies and well thought out lyrics. When I first heard the double A side single of Asylums in Jerusalem & Jacques Derrida I thought it was Paul Simon gone in a new direction, the structure of the songs alone worthy of the comparison.

Songs To Remember is full of musical influences from around the planet from the New York Disco stomp of Sex to the ballad dream reggae pop of Sweetest Girl. I love all the tracks on the album but if I have to go for my favourite it would be Rock-A-Boy Blue and Green Gartside’s early take on himself and the music industry.

I learnt to live with the beats in the bar
Made me sick with repetition
I learnt to love that one note samba
No surprise or definition
I guess I can learn to love what I used to
If you can get used to just getting used by…

Green if I met you now I still would not know what to say to you.. but you have been a big influence on my life. But that is too cheesecake..isn’t it?

Songs To Remember by Scritti Politti, 1982, chosen by Simon Jay Price

Ashnikko @ O2 Academy Brixton (Neil Lupin)

Ashnikko Opens The Door To Smoochie World At O2 Academy Brixton

O2 Academy Brixton is already fizzing before Ashton Nicole Casey – better known as Ashnikko – even sets foot onstage....

Megan Moroney Releases Globally Anticipated New Album ‘Cloud 9’

Multi-platinum country star Megan Moroney has unveiled her highly anticipated third studio album, Cloud 9, out now via Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records.

Corey Kent Fast-Tracks ‘Empty Words’ After Viral Fan Demand

Multi-platinum country star Corey Kent has accelerated the release of his brand new single Empty Words after overwhelming fan demand, with a teaser for the track racking up more than 20 million views across social media.

The Grahams Share ‘Worst Parts Of Me’ Ahead Of ‘The Bridge Deluxe Edition’ & UK Tour

Nashville-based duo The Grahams have unveiled their new single Worst Parts Of Me, taken from the forthcoming deluxe edition of their recent album The Bridge, set for release on 6th March.

Of Monsters And Men @ Roundhouse (Lauren Patel)

Of Monsters And Men Embrace Intimacy And Euphoria At London’s Roundhouse

On a freezing and rain-soaked Camden evening, the warmth inside the Roundhouse feels almost defiant. For the second...

Naked Lungs Return With Incendiary New Single ‘Glitter’

Enigmatic Irish noise-rock quartet Naked Lungs have announced their explosive return with brand new single Glitter, marking their first release since 2023’s widely praised debut album Doomscroll.

Virginia MacNaughton Shares Double A-Side ‘Wolf Moon’ / ‘The Thread’ Ahead Of New Album

Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Virginia MacNaughton has unveiled a powerful new double A-side single, Wolf Moon and The Thread, offering a deeper glimpse into her forthcoming third album The Thread, due for release on 27th February.

Alana Springsteen Opens Her Most Personal Chapter Yet With ‘note to self’

Artist-songwriter Alana Springsteen has returned with note to self, a soul-searching new single that confronts the pain of her early years while pointing firmly toward healing and self-belief. Accompanied by an official music video filmed in her hometown of Pungo, Virginia, the track signals the beginning of Springsteen’s most emotionally revealing era to date.