tempted

Squeeze performed their classic hit, "Tempted" on Ellen on Wednesday. Talk about a piece of (my) history. I saw this band so many times when I was an art student in New York. At the Nassau Coliseum with R.E.M. and The English Beat as their opening acts (I actually missed R.E. M. because the line for the bathroom was so long). At The Ritz multiple times. I always loved Glenn Tilbrook's gorgeous tenor voice and writing partner's Chris Difford's wacky sense of style — at one show he wore a custom made suit made with a bright blue fabric that was covered with gigantic red roses.

They may be a little older and grayer (and who isn't), but it was great to see and hear them again. They're still Cool for Cats.

Related articles

• Review: Squeeze, "Live at The Fillmore" (popdose.com)

cool for cats

And meanwhile at the station
There's a couple of likely lads
Who swear like how's your father
And they're very cool for cats

To change the mood a little
I've been posing down the pub
On seeing my reflection
I'm looking slightly rough

We've been listening to some of my old CDs lately in the car and this song never fails to make me smile. It's one of the few Squeeze songs where Chris Difford takes the lead, rather than Glenn Tilbrook's sweet tenor. And Jools Holland is having too much fun. I saw these guys play so many times back in my good old New York days . . . Plus, the video is a riot. Yes, that was the beginning of the eighties . . .

I said I'll see you later
And I give her some old chat
But it's not like that on the TV
When it's cool for cats

girl, put your record on

Yesterday's pop-y iPod shuffle had a couple of songs that got me thinking - will my daughter ever experience a record or record player? Would she even know what these songs are about? How Squeeze is playing on a record skipping?


Of course the Cornershop song is pretty inscrutable anyway, even without the 45 references. So inscrutable that it has to be explained. She can at least see a phonograph in the Smithsonian...