Monday 17 October 2011

SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX - The Bluetones - 'Sleazy Bed Track'





The Bluetones - Sleazy Bed Track (1998)

17 years and 6 albums later, The Bluetones have decided to call it a day. It's a sad moment for me as I have really been with them all that time. From their humble beginnings in Hounslow in 1996, when they released their UK number 1 debut album, which launched them into mega Brit pop fame, to their last ever Farewell gig at Shepherd's Bush Empire this September. It's almost like they slipped out the back door.

The Bluetones' songs hold so many memories for me growing up. I remember being given their first album 'Expecting to Fly' for my 14th birthday from my best friend who was supposed to be accompanying me and my parents to a weekend in Paris. At the last minute, she revealed that she didn't have a passport, so disappointed, I went alone. It was a great sunny weekend as it happened, and I won't forget going into HMV on Champs-Elysees and finding 'Slight Return' playing!

The Bluetones - In Loving Memory, 1995 - 2011


After their second album, I gradually grew out of them and into my grunge phase until I met my now husband who revealed he'd loved them from the start too. We began seeing them at least once a year when they were touring. It was at one of these very concerts at Shepherd's Bush, on December 12, 2003 that my husband proposed. In true rock and roll style he said "If they play Slight Return as their encore, I'll propose." "Yeah whatever," was my response. We'd seen them at least 5 times between us and they had avoided the song each time. Sure enough it was the last song of the night and he said the words(probably under duress too as it was obviously a surprise to him). I was delighted of course and the rest as they say is history. We played it at our wedding and I can't listen to it without getting a bit misty eyed.

However, Sleazy Bed Track has to be my favourite song because of its sparse, laid back, romantic guitar and snare combination. I feel the lyrics have managed to suitably capture the pain felt in a emotionally trapping relationship. Despite it being a sad and emotive song, it doesn't stop me wanting to hear it over and over. It was also great Sleazy Bed Track got the recognition it deserved by featuring on the Scott Pilgrim Vs The World soundtrack(great film)! Anyone else got any Bluetones memories? Share them with me in honour of their passing!

Heathrow is home!

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SATURDAY NIGHT JUKEBOX - The Bluetones - 'Sleazy Bed Track'
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Oleh

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Anonymous
18 October 2011 at 07:50

I'm afraid The Bluetones are one of those bands that more or less slipped by me unnoticed. I did think they'd be pretty big in the 90's but it never seemed to quite happen, did it? This is a shame because, on the evidence of this track, at least, they had much to offer. Nice one. Great story, too.

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18 October 2011 at 09:21

Great Track great memories in Mexico, Remember that moment when we heard Slight Return in HMV...it wqas my Track of the year.

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18 October 2011 at 18:44

Get a room, sheesh! Probably unfair since I haven't heard enough of their material but have they ever bettered Slight Return? Like SB says, for some odd reason they never really 'made it'.

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18 October 2011 at 18:45

Oh and I love Slight Return.

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18 October 2011 at 18:55

I'm not quite sure why they didn't sustain the limelight after their first album, they really have much to offer. Personally I think Sleazy Bed Track is better than Slight Return. What it might be is that some of their songs are quite upbeat which could be taken as slightly novelty such as If..., Autophilia and After hours which are my other favourites. I'll send you a best of!

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