29. The Primitives - "Stop Killing Me"
Other Contenders: "Really Stupid" lost the coin flip. No, not literally.
Chart Entry: Feb. 28, 1987
Peak Position: No. 2
Comment: The Primitives were lumped into the so-called "blonde movement"`that included minor leaguers like the Darling Buds and Transvision Vamp, and this probably hurt the band a bit, but I think the first three singles for the band's own Lazy Records proved they were much better than the belittling label. These songs (including spectacular B-sides) had a pop sensibility that became more readily apparent a little later with the major-label albums, but the early work had a bite more aligned with the harder end of C86. As guitarist PJ Court described it, the lyrics were to "counteract the sweetness of the melodies with a bit of spite and venom." If you haven't heard this early work and were turned off by the commercial efforts of the late '80s, and I'm not in that camp, by the way, work your way to the Lazy era. Perhaps you'll like the more primitive Primitives.
Buy "Stop Killing Me" on 'Everything's Shining Bright: The Lazy Recordings 1985-1987.'
5 comments:
Hmmmh ... I would have a hard time indeed if I had to define my favourite song of theirs out of that 'primitive' era ...
Indeed, very tough, Dirk. There are even tougher decisions to come when we get to the big boys. Pen has been put to paper, but I have changed my mind on songs a couple of times already as the list has moved along. This should not fill me with anxiety. I'm not exactly saving lives here, but I have felt some nervousness from time to time just before hitting the publish button. Crazy.
Wow, a favorite Primitives track...that is a hard one. I am so happy with their recent output that my thoughts are really clouded on this. Thru The Flowers, Crash, Stop Killing Me, Way Behind Me, Lose The Reason, Panic...nope to hard to choose.
I know, Echorich. We have had this conversation before, and you are the only other person I know that has enjoyed all of the band's output, including the material since reuniting. At least I only had three songs I could choose from. Otherwise, I would never get this one done.
Brian, if you had asked me 4 years ago "was I looking forward to a new Primitives album?" I would have responded with a sly chuckle and something like "that and a 7% raise at work..." But now I've gotten on full album of some of the most convincing cover version ever recorded and a storming single in 2013 that still spends a good deal of time being played in the car on the highway.
NOW I CANT WAIT for a new album!
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