“What Do I Get?,” The Buzzcocks
After last week’s idealistic stroll down lover’s lane, it seems appropriate—particularly today—to present the exasperating side of romance. “What Do I Get?” is strikingly upbeat for a track that is a depiction of failure. This about someone who is down, but not out. Instead of feeling hopeless, the voice of this song is more bewildered by a lack of romantic success. The tone is almost playfully self-deprecating rather than resolutely bitter.
“What Do I Get?” can be found on the Buzzcocks’ must-have compilation, Singles Going Steady. The sparse melodic line feels spontaneous and lends an authenticity to the confessional quality of the track. The guitars are kinetic—a heart that is racing, but has no one to make it pound. The energy of the record drives straight to the end, with a final cadence that is a punky, du-wop surprise. This song is an influential part of English punk, and presents a refreshing take on the dilemma of a lover with no one to love.
I like your review. The singer seems to express his disappointment in an anxious way which really keeps the song moving.
ReplyDeleteI really like how the lyrics are more distressed (as the song says), rather than angry. There's no finger-pointing, either, just a sense of frustrated disbelief.
DeleteThe Buzzcocks. Seriously. Best band name ever! In a totally different vein, but similar theme, I'm partial to all the tracks on Tunnel of Love. The album is pretty much a summary of how helpless one can feel about love (falling in and out). Great post!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that "cock" is Mancunian slang for "mate," actually. Either way, their name is really cool. _Tunnel of Love_ is one of the BEST albums ever--unforgivably underrated!!!
DeleteI think it's more inaccessible than underrated.
ReplyDeleteYou mean _Tunnel of Love_? You could be right. It's a hard album.
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