The Enemy - 'Be Somebody'
So, it's a tricky time for the 'Nems. 'Music For The People', their attempt to outgrow their humble origins, hasn't met with blanket approval, even though their hardcore fans are growing harder and more core by the day.
They need to release something which will remind everyone else what they liked about them in the first place, namely that they write songs which fuse the street-level, youth-fixated social commentary of the Jam with the dynamic fire, power and all-round musical rage of the Jam.
And so here it is: Gutter romance, a swipe at the powers that be, the aspiration of better days to come, all for the bargain price of 50p! What could possibly go wrong?
(Here's the video. They did a gig! It was big! A big gig!)
Well, how about the following lyric: "No-one ever gives you anything for free, unless you start sleeping with the BBC"
I think I speak for everyone when I say: "Whuh? ALL of us? I mean...how would that even...oh, you mean like...I mean...WHAT?"
If Tom Clarke has actual proof that sleeping with the BBC gets you free stuff, well I for one would like to know what it is. Who did it first, how was it for them, and what did they get? It's just I've been doing this job for ages and I barely get so much as a SMILE, let alone the offer of...y'know...in return for my used Top of the Pops mousemat and a tour of Nick Grimshaw's coffee mug.
He's not talking from personal experience, is he? I mean, yes, we've been pretty nice to the Enemy over the years - I mean in a wider, corporate sense. ChartBlog has been less than kind at times, which might explain the smile thing, thinking about it - and I always used to believe that this was because people were generally in favour of what they do.
You'll notice I said 'people' there, and not 'The People'...
But if it turns out that all of their airplay, TV appearances and BBC gigs were as a result of some other arrangement...well, that's a different matter. And not a pretty one.
Ah well, at least there's their lucrative tie-in with the football game FIFA 10 to console them, after what must have been quite an ordeal. Poor lambs...
Download: Out now
www.theenemy.com
BBC Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~39~RS~)
Comments
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I have a "I Slept With The BBC" T-shirt.
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I have a "I Slept With The BBC" T-shirt.
But was it free?
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Regarding the first line of the review . Music for the masses was an album by Depeche mode . The current album by the ENEMY is called Music for the people . This peaked at number 2 earlier this year .
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You're quite right. It's still a snooty album title.
I've changed it now though.
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nkkingston #2.
It was free to an extent. I had to sleep with the BBC first to get it. So wether that is a good thing, or bad thing, I shall let you decide!
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Yesterday I was in the BBC canteen and I noticed an employee with a "I SLEPT WITH KEITH FUSCO " t shirt on , so it would appear to cut both ways ! LOL
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I've got an "I Slept With Thranjax" T-shirt. I suspect that might be why he's keeping such a low profile.
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AH , that will explain THRANJAX'S " I WAS JERKED BY CURTAIN JERKER " t shirt then !
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Lol, no wai Spirit. They said they wouldn't wear that t-shirt. I guess it's a guilty pleasure.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
"They said they wouldn't wear that t-shirt"
They?
Anyway, being CurtainJerked was infinitely preferable to being fusco'd. Or Spirited, I suspect.
Fascinated to know what Liam said.
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I might make and market "I Slept with Thranjax" t'shirts. They would be so random and incomprehensible but ONLY CHARTBLOGGERS would know what they meant. We could recognise each other in odd places!
What were you doing in the BBC canteen Spirit? is it like the cantina in Star Wars?
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I'm not a big fan of the Enemy by the way, to be on topic. See previous rants.
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I am currently wearing my " I slept with Thranjax , but all I got was this lousy T-Shirt ! " , T shirt .
Last night , I slept in my "Thranjax says RELAX ! " T shirt .
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I cant actually remember what I said :/
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
So I cant even make vauge references to BBC Radio presenters any more? I named no names or specific cases in the press.
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I think the thing is, you kind of reiterated your original comment, Liam. It wasn't a vague reference either time.
As you know, I don't moderate these comments, but I would imagine that's why they were taken down.
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Well there's not much point arguing. Ill try and be more careful. In my eyes it was very vauge. Could have gone quoting articles and the like.
Back to the song... Ive been a massive fail and not got my mits on the new album yet. Despite the first being one I hold very dear and having seen them live twice.. Need to sort my life out.
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