I've always thought it wonderfully bonkers (for want of a better phrase) that the most Orange Juice of Edwyn's solo singles was produced by Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie.

30th anniversary, you say? Must be time for me to blow the dust of my promotional 'I Come From Another Planet, Baby' frisbee.

Some mornings (and other times of the day), only a bit of Kate Rusby will do. Not so much blowing the cobwebs away, as gently asking them to leave. Bloomin' marvellous. Watch the video, then click on the Crowdfunder link to see how you can support the excellent new Danny Thompson documentary.

So much talent on such a brilliant record. Definitely in my Top 3 Squeeze singles. Today, anyway...

What constitutes a truly great run of singles? For me, Blondies's ten releases from 'Rip Her To Shreds' in '77 to 'Atomic' in '80 are up there with the very best. I had hoped 'Call Me' was a blip, and 'Rapture' certainly suggested so, but by '82 the magic had gone. Still a magnificent body of work.

In '85 this was the only ever winner of the BRIT Award for Best Comedy Recording. The other nominees were Alexi Sayle ('Ullo John! Gotta New Motor?'), Mel Brooks ('To Be or Not to Be'), Roland Rat ('Rat Rapping'), and 'Weird Al' Yankovic ('Eat It').

Songs that make mention of sericulture. No. 1...

Can someone please tell the 16 year-old me to not listen to 'Pull to Bits' on the B-Side of this single after "indulging", it will give me nightmares.

Cover image shows Montgomery Clift in 'From Here To Eternity'; the cast included Frank Sinatra, who also gets a mention in the lyrics of 'There, There, My Dear'. Meanwhile, the film also gets a mention in 'The Right Profile', from The Clash's '79 album 'London Calling'.

One of the finest 45s ever is 45 today. Two great B-Sides. Video by the great Barney Bubbles. The bee's knees.

Anyone who's loved music from the last 50 years has heard Danny Thompson, even if they didn't know it. Billy Bragg, David Sylvian, Kate Bush, Nick Drake, Peter Gabriel, Rod Stewart, T. Rex, Talk Talk - it's an extensive list. If you can afford to support this film, please do - it's an amazing watch.

Happy Ulla-Dub-Ulla Day to all who celebrate.

"Come on, performing monkey. Do tricks, and we'll let you stand next to the nice Beatle man."

Absolutely no recollection of this '94 compilation from Arcade whatsoever. One week at No. 35 apparently. What say you @poprambler.bsky.social and @wadeywade.bsky.social ?

71-75 New Oxford Street was the address of DJM Records, the label founded by Dick James. Dick had been a member of The Stargazers, the first British group to have a No. 1 single on the UK chart ('Broken Wings', April 1953).

Underrated. Should have been a big hit.

Showbiz News: David 'Dave' Hill of the Slade is releasing his debut solo album at the age of 80. I would doff my spangly disc top hat to him if I had one.

"In Flag Day, you have one of the all-time great debut singles..." @petepaphides.bsky.social knows his onions.

Best opening couplet ever?

Before UB40 became better known as a covers band (the multi million sales, and a US No. 1 single must have helped them through that difficult time) they made some blinding singles. Case in point.

If anyone can come up with a better ensemble name than Bantams Of The Opera I have yet to hear it. Cap doffed to the Bradford City Choir, at yesterday's FA Cup Final [Photo by Javier García, pinched from The Guardian]

On this day in 1983... current circumstances would suggest we didn't move the dial much when it comes to nuclear disarmament, but a good time was had by all.

From a time when Bowie B-Sides were picked out of a hat.

Also... WHAT A FUCKING B-SIDE!

Oh my! Pop music at its very best. A joyous, wonderful tune. youtu.be/WluxCMTDwng?...

Do not blame it on the sunshine/moonlight/boogie. Do not blame it on the weatherman. Or the rain, the bassline, that girl, Cain, or the Pony Express. Blame it all on...

There is a small and dusty corner of my mind that is forever Spring 1990 (when I started working in a record shop). It has just had a bit of a Spring Clean.

…Pilots.

I would wear all of those outfits. Not at the same time, that would just be silly.

"Free Plinth"! "FREE PLINTH"!!! The Pop kids of today will never know how good we had it.

Delighted to discover that C.W. McCall wrote his March '76 No. 2* 'Convoy' with Fries and Chip. Possibly some kind of Anglo-American Potato Promotion partnership. Probably not. (*Kept from the top by Tina Charles with 'I Love To Love (But My Baby Loves To Dance)').

They were big fans of an exclamation mark, were Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich. 'Hold Tight!', 'Bend It!', Okay!' and 'Zabadak!' all top contributions to this niche category.

Banderas should have been massive. That's it, that's my post. Thank you.

In my Top 16 Bowie studio albums. Today. Subject to change without notification.

Flippin' 'eck, @whatafuckingrecord.bsky.social 1st of February is a good day for great records!

"We can now confirm details of the 'Into The 80s Festival' on 16 February 1980, which featured The Ruts and The Vibrators."

"I think we got it that time, don't you?"

In the mid '70s, a local bye law ensured that all bands from Southend-on-Sea had to familiarise themselves with the works of Dr. Feelgood, and the Kursaal Flyers before they could release a record. Exhibit A.

Oh man, that sleeve! Bravo, East 17, bravo!

Blowing away the cobwebs, and a glimpse of warming sun. Brancaster Beach, Norfolk, January 2026.

1. U. Roy, 2. I. Roy, 3. Dillinger, 4. Prince Jazzbo, 5. Doctor Alimantado, 6. Ranking Trevor, 7. Lone Ranger, 8. Brigadier Jerry, 9. Prince Far I, 10. Tapper Zukie... I'll be honest, I'm going to struggle to get to 240.

One of George's two (new) US No. 1 singles in 1988, both of which were replaced at the top by Rick Astley releases - 'Father Figure' by 'Never Gonna Give You Up', 'One More Try' by 'Together Forever'. Well, fancy that...

Hello to any Johns who featured in my 2025 Bluesky posts. Hopefully, we discussed happy music.

I think we should all dress a little bit more like Chicory Tip. #LifeGoals

This was the point where Simple Minds and I parted company, the "everything louder than everything else" production, more bombastic than anthemic sound left me cold. See also Eurythmics post 'Here Comes The Rain Again'.

If we meet up later remind me to tell you that 'When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman' was written by Even Stevens. His real name was Bruce Stevens, but, come on, fair play to the man...

Earlier this year I bought 'Why Do Birds Suddenly Disappear?', a beautifully written, funny, warm book from @levparikian.bsky.social Some 50 years after I first listened to 'Supper's Ready' by Genesis (don't judge me), this book revealed the origins of Gabble Ratchet. Never too old to learn...

Calling @agnes-guano.bsky.social - did the '80s milk marketing campaign 'Gotta Lotta Bottle' ever get the 7-inch single treatment, like 'Luton Airport' or 'Don't Be A Dummy'?