Pure Punk Picks
Damaged Goods – Gang Of Four
Gang Of Four were considered “post-punk” which meant they arrived shortly after the first wave of punk bands and were slightly different in style.
They were an English band given that definition and some others were The Psychedelic Furs, Public Image Limited and Joy Division. In America such bands as The Feelies, Bush Tetras and Boston’s own Mission Of Burma were given that description, there were countless others, as well, but I feel, most of them were as great as the initial wave.
During the late seventies, into the eighties across the street from The Rat in Kenmore Square was a disco called Lipstick. And at that time punk and disco did not mix, as disco, rightly so, was considered the enemy of all types of rock.
Then suddenly, punk and funk started mixing. Now, there were clubs- like Spit on Landsdowne Street, just a block out of Kenmore Square which catered to dance orientated new wave/punk. Sure, some of it was meaningless pop but a lot of it was music that was danceable without being compromising at all, using jazz influenced dissonant music and utilizing funk beats to be more creative in a rhythmic sort of way.
And, honestly, I didn’t frequent those clubs very much, so I have no idea how much Gang Of Four might have been played there. I’m certain it wasn’t as much as The B-52’s or The Go-Go’s, two other bands I like very much.
But make no mistake that Gang Of Four was a very, intense, serious band. With lyrics that questioned capitalism, romantic love (such as in this song) and social/political subjects. Along with the music that had hard hitting, aggressive rhythms, abrasive dissonant guitar (more in the experimental jazz style than rock) and songs that had energy and substance and were fun to listen to- even if they did cause you to think.
“Your kiss so sweet, your sweat so sour. Sometimes I’m thinking that I love you. But I know it’s only lust.” How open and real are these lyrics? Notions thought many times before, but never expressed. Especially in pop music where “love” was treated as some kind of God.
Where so many pop songs spoon out romantic platitudes about how perfect and wonderful romantic love is, here’s a song that finally offers another view.
I feel the only pure true love is between a parent and their children, where every adult relationship is a bargain, is based on an understanding, a give and take like a financial agreement, but is nowhere near true love.
What we experience generally, in romantic relationships, that we consider love is more attuned to primal lust.
“The sins of the flesh, are simply sins of lust.” I know that some folks feel that plowing into your partner, full force, is the truest expression of your love. And I don’t feel it’s obscene or wrong or immoral, I just say don’t confuse your animal urge with emotional feeling.
There’s a dub/reggae breakdown in this tune, though done without a reggae beat. It echoes acapella with the words, “Damaged goods, send them back. I can’t work, I can’t achieve, send me back…Refund the cost. You said you’re cheap but you’re too much.”
Perhaps this implies that the cost of what society expects of us is not worth what they offer in exchange?
“I’m kissing you goodbye,” is the repeated refrain at the ending.
And though kissing is usually considered a sign of affection- here, I feel it’s directed as I’m kissing you off. Perhaps using a form of affection to reject you?
Your notions, your ideas about idealized, romantic love are now dissolving in front of my eyes and I wish you well and “I hope the change will do you good.”
It’s not so much I reject the notion of romantic love, more so the notion that sex is an expression of love.
I feel it’s just a natural urge provided by mother nature to keep the species growing.
Fucking is for pleasure and there’s no spiritual meaning beyond that. Maybe that’s why “fucking someone over, “you’ve been fucked”, “fuck you” all contain negative notions.
I love a good deal of people, so much so that I make it point that they will never come in contact with my genitals!
But maybe, I haven’t talked enough about Gang Of Four. About how, in my opinion, they were one of the best bands in the world at that time.
And maybe because they never had hit songs they’ll be soon forgotten, I don’t know. I just know the spirit and feeling they contained will not be forgotten by me, or easily dismissed.
Integrity, passion, intelligence, creativity will survive somehow, in all this chaos.
(Slimedog)
