By Tim Duffy
If you have followed this blog with any sort of attentiveness you know I have a soft spot for post-punk and new wave songs that have a charming naivete to them. Add to the growing list of songs that share these qualities Altered Images’ 1981 hit “Happy Birthday.”
If there is ever a serious movement towards discarding that clunky old happy birthday song we have been singing for too many years now this one would be a solid option. It bounds with energy and is definitely easier to sing in key than that deceptively tricky song.
The song opens with some xylophone-esque keyboards filled with swelling atmosphere before blowing up into a relentless catchy jangle pop song. We should all be so lucky to have a birthday this fun!
Possibly Related Posts:
- Today’s “Best Song Ever”: Donna Summer “I Feel Love”
- Today’s “Best Song Ever”: Lou Reed “New York Telephone Conversation”
- Today’s “Best Song Ever”: Brian Eno “Here He Comes”
- Today’s “Best Song Ever”: Gang of Four “Anthrax”
- Today’s “Best Song Ever”: Nirvana “I Hate Myself And I Want To Die”
Totally agree! Altered Images is truly one of those bands that understood you can actually have fun making new wave/post-punk. This ability would manifest itself in various The Cure singles to come, wherein Robert Smith occasionally crafted a perfect, danceable pop tune to put the top 40 songsmiths to shame.
And that’s not even to mention Clare Grogan’s charming, inimitable voice.